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What is the best wheel size for the track?

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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:04 PM
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Default What is the best wheel size for the track?

I know the 350Z Track model comes with 18" wheels, but I thought I'd solicit opinions from this forum. Thanks.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:07 PM
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1/4 mile?
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:09 PM
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Recreational road course use. I am starting to take my car to NASA open track events and was curious about changing my wheels. I'm on stock 17s right now.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:12 PM
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I can't help you with that, but read this.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...n_350z_part_2/
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:12 PM
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Smaller wheels are lighter so you will see a lot of the track guys running 17" wheels.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:20 PM
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what size wheels are those on your car in the pic (on the track)?
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:22 PM
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17" wheels would be the easy answer, and likely the correct answer unless you run a brake kit that can not fit underneath that diamer of a wheel.

Of course you will likely not need a brake kit that large unless you are running high HP and running courses that have many high speed sequential braking zones.

Long story short, we will probably need more information before being able to supply an answer due to the variables that come into play...
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 02:51 PM
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Actually, Hoosier has announced a 275/35-15" tire that will be 22.8" in diameter and 11.2" wide. Custom rims should weigh about 13 lbs and the tires would be about 16 lbs. Figure 30 lbs. total for your wheel and tire combination. That would be a perfect track setup if you can clear a nice set of brakes, like... maybe 1.375" thick, 12" rotors with some PBR aluminum calipers?
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by pgibbs
what size wheels are those on your car in the pic (on the track)?
Those are 19". They're my street wheels/tires but I will use them in HPDEs. They are actually lighter than my stock 18" wheels/tires were.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 03:52 PM
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lenso's and hoosiers! mmmm tasty treats
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 06:21 PM
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i prefer the tire sizes for 18s right now.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by betamotorsports
Actually, Hoosier has announced a 275/35-15" tire that will be 22.8" in diameter and 11.2" wide. Custom rims should weigh about 13 lbs and the tires would be about 16 lbs. Figure 30 lbs. total for your wheel and tire combination. That would be a perfect track setup if you can clear a nice set of brakes, like... maybe 1.375" thick, 12" rotors with some PBR aluminum calipers?
sounds interesting...what 15" rims will fit OE non-brembo brakes?

-Peter
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by first350
sounds interesting...what 15" rims will fit OE non-brembo brakes?

-Peter
+1.... I dont think it is possible.



pgibbs, Not sure what you are able to run as far as rules for your class, but i have tracked most aplicable wheel sizes and widths. Hands down, I prefer a 265 to a 285/30/18 for the front and a 295 to a 315/30/18 for the rear on these Z's. 18" wheels work the best IMO, for the size of brakes we use and tire width we need. I like a 18x8.5" to a 18x9.5" front wheel, and a 18x9.5" to a 18x10.5" rear wheel.
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Old Jan 15, 2007 | 08:26 PM
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great info. Thanks!
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 12:08 AM
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If they will fit over your brakes, i say go for 17's becuase there is a wider selection of r-compound tires, and other sporty tires.
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 10:17 AM
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I went from 18" to 17".

1. Tires are cheaper
2. Wheels are lighter
3. Lower center of gravity
4. Higher effective gear ratio for more acceleration
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Old Feb 12, 2007 | 05:57 PM
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I've got some 17's, also. All for the same reason as glennmead.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by glennmead
I went from 18" to 17".

1. Tires are cheaper
2. Wheels are lighter
3. Lower center of gravity
4. Higher effective gear ratio for more acceleration

Ditto.
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