Mini-Shoot with new Sportmax962 Wheels (and Spacers)
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Well, I just got my 19x8.5/19x9.5 Sportmax962 wheels installed today with 275/245 tire combo. The wheels are sitting on Project KICS 15mm spacers. This effectively gives the wheels a 20 offset all around as they are 35mm normally.
A note to those who would consider this setup, get the H&R spacers that replace the OEM studs. I needed to ground off some OEM stud (sticking through the spacer) for them to work with the wheels.
Either way it turned out pretty nice and I plan on keeping these wheels for a while, who knows, maybe forever as I just use the car as a daily driver.
On with the pics (I apologize that the car is filthy):
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax2RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax3RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax5RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax7RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax10RSv2.jpg)
As I could guess, some may say I downgraded by selling my G35 RAYS to get Sportmax wheels, but what the hey...
They are wider so I can run 275/245 like everyone else, they look aftermarket as opposed to OEM, and they have a nice big lip (3.25" rear) unlike the G35 RAYS. I weighed the wheels prior to mounting them and they are 5 lb. heavier each than the RAYS (between 24-25) but it is still lighter than an OEM 18" touring, so not sacraficing a ton of performance either. And frankly, I don't have $3000+ that I want to spend for a set of Volks or Work to "upgrade". I'd rather put that money towards a Vortech or Procharger. For anyone curious, I paid about $1500 total for the setup as it sits. Thanks to AutoRnD (site sponser) for a great deal on the wheels.
Questions, comments, and criticism welcome.
A note to those who would consider this setup, get the H&R spacers that replace the OEM studs. I needed to ground off some OEM stud (sticking through the spacer) for them to work with the wheels.
Either way it turned out pretty nice and I plan on keeping these wheels for a while, who knows, maybe forever as I just use the car as a daily driver.
On with the pics (I apologize that the car is filthy):
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax2RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax3RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax5RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax7RSv2.jpg)
![](https://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/silkk1112/Sportmax10RSv2.jpg)
As I could guess, some may say I downgraded by selling my G35 RAYS to get Sportmax wheels, but what the hey...
They are wider so I can run 275/245 like everyone else, they look aftermarket as opposed to OEM, and they have a nice big lip (3.25" rear) unlike the G35 RAYS. I weighed the wheels prior to mounting them and they are 5 lb. heavier each than the RAYS (between 24-25) but it is still lighter than an OEM 18" touring, so not sacraficing a ton of performance either. And frankly, I don't have $3000+ that I want to spend for a set of Volks or Work to "upgrade". I'd rather put that money towards a Vortech or Procharger. For anyone curious, I paid about $1500 total for the setup as it sits. Thanks to AutoRnD (site sponser) for a great deal on the wheels.
Questions, comments, and criticism welcome.
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The G35 Rays are definitely a fine deal for those like me who don't like to spend a lot on good wheels. I loved them and they were great in their own way. I just wanted something wider than 8" and something with a lip...
If I get sick of these I can always go back. The same spacers fit the RAYS perfectly.
If I get sick of these I can always go back. The same spacers fit the RAYS perfectly.
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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Yeah, definitely wouldn't run them unspaced either... The Sportmax definitely look hot with spacers though IMO.
It wasn't too difficult cutting off the studs (about an hour to do all 20 and get them flush including unmounting and remounting wheels as I did it at my uncles garage) but the H&R would be the way to go with the Sportmax setup...
Oh well, Worse case scenario is I decide to get a new wheel setup sometime and I need to replace 20 OEM studs. Can't be that expensive, nor is the labor that difficult...
I'll trade my Sportmax setup for your HRE's anyday though.
It wasn't too difficult cutting off the studs (about an hour to do all 20 and get them flush including unmounting and remounting wheels as I did it at my uncles garage) but the H&R would be the way to go with the Sportmax setup...
Oh well, Worse case scenario is I decide to get a new wheel setup sometime and I need to replace 20 OEM studs. Can't be that expensive, nor is the labor that difficult...
I'll trade my Sportmax setup for your HRE's anyday though.
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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wow man, those are def the sickest rims I have ever seen, no joke dude. Really nice job on picking them. So let me get this right, u got this brand new wrapped in tires for $1500!????? If so, wow!!!!! sooo goood!
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Benny - You bet. After reading the reader reviews, tirerack reviews, and the specs, I figured I'd give them a shot. AA, A rated and a Y-speed rating i believe. Also, 380 tread rating, which for me is solid b/c I daily drive the car (25k a year roughly)... 4 Tires (245/35/19, 275/30/19) for $600 shipped through tirerack is unbeatable even if they don't live up to the reviews. Hell, if I burn them off in 6 months it wouldn't even be bad.
I mean, even tirerack ratings had the tire rated between 8.0 and 8.8 in every category of traction, so why pay $1200 for tires that may be rated 8.2-9.0 (Potenzas, Pirellis, or T1R's?)? I haven't yet given them a good run through the twisties, but I have launched the car and hit a few lower speed corners and they feel good... We'll see! Someone had to try them and it myswell be me...
And for those who though $1500 was a 'steal', that $1500 includes the cost of spacers.
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
And for those who though $1500 was a 'steal', that $1500 includes the cost of spacers.
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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Thanks man. I'm about ready for a shoot finally. Done with the car for a while... Next addition is probably the Vortech SC, but that will be done this winter...