I am curious, can somebody educate me on how the performance and handling will be effected if I switch to a non staggered set up?

I only have TCS. I have done my searching for the hour and am a bit frustrated with no results, so I appreciate anyone taking the time to throw some info my way.

 

If you run equal width and offset wheels and tires you should find the handling to be more neutral front to back (depending on what your sways are set to as well). Generally I would common square fitment would be 18x9.5 or 18x10's all around with offsets from 0 thru +25 at most, 0 thru +15 more ideal.

The G/Z cars love wide front tires, so i would go with 265 or 275 all around for an easy fitment. A 285/35 up front might require a roll depending on the width/offset of wheel.

 

seriously?^

 

Both handling and performance are ambiguous terms. Give the same car to two drivers and you get two different opinions. That said, altering tires will alter handling. The effects are a guess at best. Look at autocross and open road racers. They use one set up for one course, and a different set up for another.

You want a better performing and handling Z? Make yourself a better driver. Get better tires.

 

I'm actually looking at keeping my current tires as there's plenty of tread left. I'll leave that upgrade for another time.

It's an honest question - this is the first car I've had with staggered wheels. I was curious how the Z rides if you have the same width wheel all the way around.

 

Before answering your question, I would present these definitions:

Non-Staggered Setup: This setup uses the same width tire (front and rear), but respects the different height (overall diameter) within Nissan’s specifications for the Z. And, that is: front 25.9" (Overall Diameter) and rear 26.7" (Overall Diameter). With this setup you get better turn-in and better neutral handling. Personally, I’m running 245/40-18” front and 245/45-18” rear, and really like the handling.

All-Square Setup: This is a setup that has the same tire width and overall diameter on front and rear. This setup is slightly more tricky because it does not respect TCP and VDC (with cars equipped with these features). You get the same benefit of the “non-staggered-setup,” but you have a liability to match and support TCS and VDC with cars equipped with these features. The most important aspect here is matching front and rear tire sizing. For sure, putting smaller tires (overall diameter) in the wrong position (rears that should be fronts) results in immediate failure.

--Spike

 

Answering your comment/question: I was curious how the Z rides if you have the same width wheel all the way around.

The "same width wheel all the way around" has nothing to do with this. It's the tire size that is important.

--Spike

 

I've been very pleased with the handling of my car with same size tires all around. My suspension is completely stock and with this tire setup is extremely neutral. Some of my friends would say it's TOO tail happy however, but that could just be the loose nut behind the wheel!

 

I get it. I drive with 18x8.0 wheels all around.

 

sorry for the confusion guys, apparently I am not very good at explaining my question thoroughly - thanks for diciphering it and providing me with the info I needed.