I apologize in advance for the newb question! I have searched the forums extensively and I'm trying to get a definitive answer for this stuff.

I've been looking at Racing Hart J5's and the similar looking PIAA Super Rozza's lately.

I need advice and information.

The thing is, these rims are 19" ... now from what I have been reading, I gather that if you get 19" or 20" you basically have to lower the car somewhat to make it look right and/or eliminate the wheel-fender gap.

(Is this the actual reason, or do people lower the car due to higher ride height of the bigger wheels?)

On top of this, I gather that using springs only to lower the car will make the alignment go out of whack and wear out the shocks. So from what I can tell, if I want 19" rims I must also purchase and install coilovers to "correctly" lower the car, as well as camber arms to get the alignment into spec.

Is there any way around this? I'm not excited about spending all this extra money just for 1" bigger rims. I currently have the 18" OEM touring rims...and I can't say that the wheel gap bothers me.

How bad will the wheel gap be if you just install 19's and don't lower the car at all? And, am I correct about needing coilovers and camber arms if I do lower the car?

I am thinking if getting 19's causes all this trouble, I would be happier just getting 18's and staying within factory specs. But, I really love the rims I mentioned.

Thanks much for all your help! Again, sorry for the total newb questions, but I have never purchased aftermarket rims for a car before!

 

You don't need to lower the car. Everyone does because it looks tacky with 19's and a regular fender gap. Coilovers are the way to go because you can lower it and keep it in factory or better alignment specs. No you do not need camber kits in most scenarios. Good luck.

 

you don't have to lower the car with 19s.... although it does look better.
but here are 19s (J5s like you want) and this is on stock suspension.


the car is now lowered on tein basics... i try to post new pics when i get a chance.

 

^^^^^Looks tight to me...nothing wrong with that look at all

 

barthelb, care to tell me how this looks tacky? Looks pretty sweet to me...that wheel gap is hardly noticeable.

Plus, I'm not a big fan of bottoming out, and I'm pretty comfortable with the current stock ride height.

So basically, if I don't mind the "wheel gap" then I don't need to worry about coilovers and lowering etc. is this correct?

 

you are correct. No need to lower on 19s, just make sure you get the right size tires, 245/35 front and 275/35 rear. A lot of places will try to sell you 275/30 for the rear, but they are too short, and thats when you get the ugly fender gap, not to mention, lose the factory stagger which may or may not affect ABS/TCS/VDC. I am lowered on 19s, but it looked good before lowering too. Also, if you ever want a front lip, you probably don't want to lower it.

 

Thanks - I really appreciate the help!

 

well i just bought some 19's with 35 in the front and 30 in the rear .. i havent goten yet ...
my question is what are u runing MGL for the front and the rear?
and also im a big fan of lowered cars but all my past cars havent been like the z
i hear that tein .7 front .6 rear doesnt mess with ur camber. thats if i went 20's
but with 19's i would like eibach 1" would that afect my camer or would i just need to do ilignment

 

255/35/19
285/35/19

 

I believe this is the closest to factory spec as it gets diameter-wise.

 

should have mine today....

g-games (Rays) sidewinder rims 19x9 and 19x10

with

bf goodrich kdw2 255/35/19 and 285/35/19

they have the tires in and are waiting for the rims...tires look awsome, bigger than i thought...hope they fit LOL

also got mcguard lugs and locking z valve caps

spoiler this week too from spoilerdepot

can't sleep...so ready for this.

fritz

 

Aint nothing tacky about that. I stand corrected that car looks nice. Maybe the ones i saw had 18's and weren't lowered or something. But that looks damn good. Dont I look like an @ss.

 

No need to lower with 19's or 20's. I went with 20's and thought it looked fine without lowering but after a week or so "something" didn't look right to me. The car seemed to sit to high and it appeared shorter. An optical illusion I know but it bothered me nonetheless. I then lowered it with TEIN Basic coilovers and it looks much better IMO. Much more aggressive stance and it handles better. Here are some pics; before and after.

Before:

 

Here is after lowering with the TEINs. Some slight negative camber in the rear but within specs and no need for arms, etc.

After:

 

Isnt there a 20mm difference on the stagger from factory? 225F/245R?

Wouldnt a 255F/275R or a 245F/265R be more to factory specs on the stagger than a 30mm difference on a 255/285??

Will this not affect the VDC?

Not sure, can someone help me with this?