03 Track Model Wheel Question
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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.
I have an 03 350 Track model, which I shockingly track
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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.
Last edited by Octogoogles; 11-27-2006 at 02:06 PM.
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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.
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.
Last edited by Pilot_Z; 11-29-2006 at 01:42 AM.
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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
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
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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.
Hope this helps.
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Originally Posted by dkmura
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
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
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Edit: Forgot to mention I have Hotchkiss springs: 1/2" front drop, 3/4" rear drop. No rubbing issues.
Last edited by ANXIOUZ; 12-04-2006 at 11:31 AM.
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Originally Posted by godmans
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.
Please chime in on the handling charactics of the 245 all around on 8" Front & 8.5" Rear track rims.
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Originally Posted by dkmura
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.
Thanks again
Btw, I would really appreciate it if you can please post some pictures of your setup
Last edited by godmans; 12-02-2006 at 09:19 PM.
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Originally Posted by 350Zenophile
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
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
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Originally Posted by Black Ztallion
As soon as i get my camera back from my buddy, I will take some pics.
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Originally Posted by guitman32
As promised (tires are Falken Azenis RT615):
Hope this helps. Let me know if these are too big and I will downsize them a bit.
Hope this helps. Let me know if these are too big and I will downsize them a bit.