I've been annoying even myself with my excessive paranoia about this new wheel set-up I'll be running pretty soon: 18x9.5, +12 wheels all around, tires TBD, but probably 255F, 265R/40/18. I already got some nice feedback from some members on the site suggesting different things like I should probably get "proper" camber arms for the set-up or be wary of the strength of the stock 350Z spindles/wheel bearings (since my wheels are going out so far w/ the +12). But I've been looking around and reading on "camber," etc, and noticed a vendor group buy for the SPC camber kits. I was thinking that was probably what I might need, but it seems like those kits are meant more for "dropped" vehicles than just low offset/wide wheels. And I'm not really planning to drop or drop much anytime in the near future.

So, I guess my question is whether or not I should concern myself over all of this stuff? I know fender rolling might be necessary, but I'm not really worried about that. I'm more concerned with making sure I don't mess up the stock suspension or spindles, etc...I'm still soaking up all this techy info, so any input/suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

 

most people install camber kits to decrease the amount of camber that is added from a drop, but they all have adjustability to increase your negative camber as well, a good example are the cusco a-arms which only have a limited positive camber adjustment, which most people complain about, but have alot of negative camber adjustment, which is needed in racing etc. Increasing your negative camber will push the top of your tires inward so they can clear the fenders if your offset is too low, which it may be. There is no way to decrease the wear on your hubs/spindles with the low offset wheels other than installing wheels with a higher offset. I don't think this is going to be a serious issue tho as others are running similarly aggressive offsets without many widely seen problems. My suggestion, install the wheels with the tires, but keep your stocks around in case you rub, and if you do, order some camber kits and have them installed and roll your fenders

 

I consider 18x9.5 +12 all around extreme. There is little or no performance benefit. What you get is looks that some consider cool.

A 9.5 inch wheel with put plenty of rubber in front. Low speed steering will be sluggish. And yes you are going to put more stress on the bearings and suspension than the OEM set-up. Alignment may be OK as is. Maybe not.

Generally those who go a similar route know the downside. Being cool is not cheap.

 

Thats the truth!!!

 

Haha, I'm not trying to "buy coolness" . I just know what I like. Work Wheels on a blkZ are probably the best looking I've seen on a Z (can't post pic bc file too large), besides the chromed out 18" SSR Professor SP1's (below). And at 1/2 the cost!

 

Anyways, back to the thread...anymore ideas/suggestions?? Thx for the comments so far, but please keep them coming.

 

So if I don't drop, but still throw on my wheels w/+12, I'm going to get some negative camber as compared to stock, right? Top of tires turning inwards, bottoms outwards?

And the Cusco-A arms wouldn't really help bc they mainly adjust to give more negative camber which is really what the track ppl want? Is that correct?

So wouldn't my set-up be exactly what anybody buying the camber kits is trying to achieve, then, (minus the adjustability of the camber)...thereby adding more (-) camber to the car w/the low offset wheels?

Just trying to soak it all up and understand this.

 

...am also thinking about throwing in some Hotchkis sways btw at some point, if that makes any difference.

 

Yes and no, your setup adds only a slight bit of negative camber, almost any drop will add enough camber for most people. Your setup also adds in the likelyhood of rubbing which is a big nono for a track vehicle. Low offset wheels are not the way you should be trying to add negative camber because it applies excess load on the wheel bearings and suspension in general. Most track cars try run just enought offset to clear suspension components on the inside and stuff the biggest tire they can under the car without rubbing, your 9.5 setup doesn't really do that

 

you will need some sort of front and rear camber kit to remain in factory specs.

But, these cars like more camber than stock

How far out of spec you get will be solely determined by the exact tire you choose, and what your starting off specs are. Only way to know what you will/won't need is to pick your tires, mount and balance and install the wheels and tires to the car, and check alignment. From there, you'll know how far "out" from stock spec range you are, and it will be easy to make a selection as to what aftermarket components, if any, you'll need to correct it

Adam

 

I was actually suggesting camber kits so he could increase his negative camber beyond factory specs in case he runs into clearance issues, +12 all around has a good chance of rubbing

 

I hear ya - the long and short of it is that with the +12 no amount of camber is going to prevent rubbing - you'll absolutely be rolling the rears unless you run a super stretched tire out back