Octogoogles

iTrader: (1)

I tried to do some searching on these specific questions but found nothing. So if this is a repost i appologize.

I have an 03 350 Track model, which I shockingly track My 03 has the 18" Volk Rims with 245's in the back and 225 in the front with Toyo rubber. In no way does this seem like it is enough rubber for this car on a track. I now want to either upgrade the rubber on my current wheels or purchase new rims that will allow more rubber.

First does anyone know what size tire can be put on the stock Rays rims?

If I do buy new rims then what would I have to do to accomodate the VDC? I did a search on this and people keep talking about the front and the rear has to be a staggered set up, Does this mean I should have a wider tire in the rear, and would that not just promote understeer?

I have seen applications where 285's are used all around, is this the ideal set up for the track? I saw a thread on using real wide rims with a narow tire for wall stifness for a street aplication, but I do not know if it will relate to the track.

I also had a huge understeer problem that I need to deal with so thoughts on this would be appreciated also. Maybe I just need stiffer sway bars? Any suggestions here would be great also.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Pilot_Z

iTrader: (13)

Bump for ya.

I want to know what is the absolutely widest tire you can run on a track rays wheel.

Thanks,

PZ

Edit, Nevermind, I found a relevent thread.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

The track model Rays are 8.0" F and 8.5" R, so 245s and 255s are the maximum you can fit on those widths. Of course, you can go to say, a 275/40-18 on the rear, but the actual contact patch will not be any larger and the sidewalls get badly distorted. Don't do it!

Currently I'm running a tire test of the Nitto NT01 R compound tire for Nissan Sport Magazine on my '03 Track model. I'm using 245/40-18s all the way around (no stagger) on my Rays. Using this setup, there haven't been any issues with VDC over tests at two Colorado tracks and triple digit speeds. The Z is set up to understeer, so you'll have to do some research to decide on the best way to go. My car features Eibach Prokit springs, Koni 8241 sport shocks and Nismo S-Tune sway bars, but others may have other options. Look for my next review of the Nitto Neo Gen in Nissan Sport's Winter issue and the NT01 review will appear in Spring '07.

Hope that answers a few of your questions- keep tracking that Z!

David Muramoto
Senior Editor
Nissan Sport Magazine

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

I have the factory track Rays, and I started (obviously) with the stock rubber 225/245s with a 45 aspect ratio. I promptly burned my rears and replaced (only the rears) with 255/40/18 Pilot Sports. No problems at all with VDC...the only side effect was the car started to feel "skittish" under hard braking from high speeds (when I say hard, I mean HARD - almost engaging ABS). Basically, the car would veer left or right because the fronts were loosing traction well before the rears. This was kind of unsettling at first, but very controllable if you’re expecting it. It also made hard braking at autoX and track events a little more involving (not just mash the pedal and slow). I just replaced both the front and rears with Falken Azenis RT615s in 245/40/18 (front) and 255/40/18 (rear). There are absolutely no fitment issues, and the VDC is unbothered (stagger is maintained). I have not yet had a chance to really push the tires, so I cannot tell you if the “skittish” braking is gone. I would image it has though, as the fronts now have a similar amount of traction to the rears.

Hope this helps.

godmans

iTrader: (10)

OMG, finally someone who can answer my question, I posted sth similar on the G35 forum; basically I am planning to run a 245 all the way around on the track rims but not sure if that will upset the handling characteristics of the car since the front will buldge out a bit and the rear tire will be stretched (relatively).

Please chime in on the handling charactics of the 245 all around on 8" Front & 8.5" Rear track rims.

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

Oh, and I forgot your other question. The car when I had the 225 fronts and 255 rear was an understeer monster. Then I added Hotchkis sway bars, front and rear, and the difference was huge. Not only does the car corner flatter, but the balance is almost perfect (I have the 4-way adjustable front set to one before full-stiff, and the 3-way adjustable rears set to medium). The car no longer understeers all crazy-like, and in long sweepers the balance is near neutral, with only a slight tendency to understeer. This is easily dialed out with a little trail braking or throttle if you want to get feisty. Mind you, this was with the 225F/255R tires, so now with the 245/255s things should get even more fun (ie less understeer).

I would definitely recommend sway bars as your first suspension upgrade. This mod alone will get you cornering flatter and allow you to dial out that annoying understeer.

ANXIOUZ

iTrader: (13)

FWIW I have non-Rays and am running 245-40/18 and 275-40/18 and VDC has no issues with it. I really like the size and would think it would be a good setup for the track although sways would def be needed like mentioned above. Or at least springs.

Edit: Forgot to mention I have Hotchkiss springs: 1/2" front drop, 3/4" rear drop. No rubbing issues.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

My Z retains just a touch of understeer with the 245's on all four corners. This is very apparent at the track when you are near the limit. But the NT-01s have such good stick, they may be masking some high-speed oversteer in certain corners above 60 MPH. For the street, I encountered no handling problems at legal speeds.

godmans

iTrader: (10)

Thanks alot man =) that's reassure my choice of going for the route of 245 all the way around on the stock Rays. However, one more question, does the setup look funny since it looks a bit more stretched at the back? while the OEM setup looks a bit more stretched at the front.


Thanks again

Btw, I would really appreciate it if you can please post some pictures of your setup

twenzel

iTrader: (27)

I ran 265/35/18 all around on my stock track wheels for a while and it was very good. Any wider than that is pushing it.

350Zenophile

iTrader: (20)

guitman32,
Do you have any pics of the 245f/255r setup? that sounds like the perfect sizes and I'd love to see this on the Hotchkis drop. The Hotchkis TVS1 is on it's way and I've (painfully) yet to decide on the tires.—Thanks

streetracer

iTrader: (1)

I run 255/35/18 and 265/35/18. They fit nice and tight but look a bit toyish with so small aspect ratio. The ideal setup IMO is 255/40/18 and 265/40/18.

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

I took pictures, but the camera is at home. I will try and get them up for you tonight. BTW, I am on stock shocks and springs, but I have a friend on Hotckis springs and Tokico shocks running BFG KDW in 235/40/18 and 255/40/18 and there are no rubbing issues. His forum name is hndumafia if you want to send him a PM. In the meanwhile, here are some pics of the tires unmounted:

Black Ztallion

iTrader: (6)

I went with 245/40 for the front and 265/40 in the rear on track rims. The car handles soo much better now.

350Zenophile

iTrader: (20)

pics?

Black Ztallion

iTrader: (6)

As soon as i get my camera back from my buddy, I will take some pics.

350Zenophile

iTrader: (20)

I would really appreciate it thanks. How hard do you drive your car btw? Do you notice any sloppiness in the rear, like a sway, when going into or coming out of a turn?

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

As promised (tires are Falken Azenis RT615):

Front (245/40/18):


Another Shot of the front:


Rear (255/40/18):


Another shot of rear:


Good shot of rear:


Good shot of front and rear:


Hope this helps. Let me know if these are too big and I will downsize them a bit.

Alberto

iTrader: (14)

Run 245/40 in front and 265/40 in rear. Looks and handles amazing, no pudging!

350Zenophile

iTrader: (20)

Perfect sizes on the photos. if you could get one or two more from a little further away and from the profile that would be nice. Thanks for coming through!