Sora1421

iTrader: (1)

I have been trying to figure out what size wheels and tires I want when i have the money in a couple months. I think I have narrowed it down to up the size on my 03 enthusiast to low profile 18's. I am looking at 225/40/18 in the front and 245/40/18 in the rear. Obviously the only difference between the stock 18's is the sidewall sizing. I'm really liking the low-profile 40 over the stock 45 sized tires because there are plenty of great tires that aren't too expensive at that sizing; plus lower profile look better.

The question is will this configuration work with TCS? I have looked and I didn't see this configuration listed in 350zs tech of known ones however it doesn't seem like it's changing that much. Plus I only have TCS not VDC as well.

Last question is if 18x9 all around is too big. I can simply just do 18x8 if it is. I want to make the tires more flush with the fenders than the stock 17's are but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on tires mainly. I know it won't be flush but this set-up will obviously help make it flusher and is there any way such as spacers added onto that?

I am sorry if these seem like dumb questions I just couldn't find anything on this sizing for our cars

davidv

iTrader: (2)

You can run 35, 40 or 45 profile tires. I recommend that you do not deviate from OEM tire height.

Members do run 18x9 all around. Just put a wider tire on the rear.

Sora1421

iTrader: (1)

Thank you very much. That's great that I can run 40's then because they look better and they are actually cheaper anyway.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Hope to see you here:

http://ecza.org/

You can get lots of wheel-tire ideas looking at other 350Zs.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Actually they look short on the car, they arn't really tall enought and look like your can't affoerd the proper sized tires or not smart enought to figure out what the proper size actually is. I you want 40's get 19's or run wider wheels with the proper sized 40's for 18's.

Spike100

Hi, I read your thread and would like to offer some comments.

Since you have an Enthusiast model, you want to keep close to the OEM overall-diameter for your wheel/tire setup (25.9" front and 26.7" rear) maintaining support for the TCS module on your car.

My suggestion is to forget about the sizes you mention (“I am looking at 225/40/18 in the front and 245/40/18 in the rear”). These sizes have close to a 4% difference in overall diameter from stock, and this won’t work correctly with your TCS-equipped car. You could even experience problems with ABS.

And, you would need to drop the car at least 0.75” to have a 40 profile for 225 front and 245 rear to look decent (and it still will look bad).

If you remain with the stock OEM wheels, you could go with a 0.5” drop (or no drop for that matter) if you mount 45 profile tires with 225 front and 245 rear (or you could go with a 245/40-18” tire on the front and 245/45-18” on the rear).

Your best solution comes with your idea of mounting 18x9” wheels. With this setup, you go with these tires: 245/40-18” (or even wider front) and 275/40-18” rear. Wheel offset is also important, and at least 22 is what you want.

--Spike

Sora1421

iTrader: (1)

Thank you spike!

How about this set-up. it's a little more than what I wanted to spend but I trust you guys that what you recommend is ideally what I want.

Here's what I got:

245/40/18 in the front
275/40/18 in the rear

18x9 all around with a 15 offset. Does that sound good? Could I get everything flush with that?

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

That will work , somewhat flush , good enough for being on the real cheap side of wheel buying.

Let me guess MB wheels from discount? If so , look into Rota from wheeldude , much better wheels at close to the same price.

Sora1421

iTrader: (1)

I have researched and have decided that the best tires that will suit me as a daily driver may be the Nexen N3000 tires. They are extremely cheap but really good tires for the type of driver I am. This allows me to spend more on better rims

Will 255/35/18 in front and 275/35/18 in the rear work and handle okay? I will still be looking to put 18x9 rims all around.

Also, what will a lower overall height on the tires do to the look of the Z. Will it add more or less wheel gap? I believe it will ad slightly more will it not? I am looking to lower the car 5/16 in the front and 3/4 in the back one day probably anyway

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Speedometer will read 104.3 at 100.0 MPH.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

.

Sora1421

iTrader: (1)

That's fine with me honestly. I will forget and it will make me go less as fast. What I am worried about the most is the obvious wheel gap that will come with tires of this low profile correct? I will need to get it lowered.

I could do 235/40/18 in the front and 245/40/18 in the rear as well however the tires will not be as aggressive.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

What I think you are missing is the difference between overall tire height and "lowering the car." Overall tire height effects axle-ground clearance. Lowering the car with short springs lowers the body on the chassis.

Sora1421

iTrader: (1)

I have seen this set-up quite a few times though on the Z's on here. They usually are dropped an inch or so to make-up the wheel gap however they seem to not have any problems. Do you just not use TCS? Or what are they doing differently.

If i did 265/35/18 in the front and 275/35/18 in the rear both tires would be within 3% of my stock 17's OEM diameter. So in relation to the ECU and TCS this should work correct? However that goes a litle too far even for me sacrificing performance for looks.

I'm considering 245/40/18 in the front and 255/45/18 in the rear. I can get new tires for $475 shipped at this set-up since the N3000 do come in that size and from what I have read 245 in the front and 255 in the rear will offer great performance, especially with some smaller rims. such as 18x7.5 in the front and 18x8 in the rear? I'm just trying to figure out a decent set-up that gives me cheap acceptable tires for my daily driver that performs well.....if anyone has any recommendations that would be great