Relax, it was just common sense, more weight, heavier steering response.

I asked the question to gain feedback & other opinions than my own, I am going to replace my tires real damn soon & was just gathering data. BTW most other sites said the original stagger of the tires has to do with the traction control. It seems the computer seems to know the wheel speed on all 4 corners, & uses this data to make decisions on VDC & traction control needs based on the data.


You okay HitO???

 

except not every Z has VDC, nor traction control

but yes, those models that do have such features, the factory ecu moniters a variety of factors, including wheel speed and steering angle

as far as why they chose staggered sizes, it's a combination of things - from turn in response, to handling, to balancing things with the stock spring/damper/sway bar rates, to avoiding having a car that is easy to spin, or that understeers like a pig - it's part of balancing things.

 

Anytime Mr. KiMMerZ!! Here are a few pics after getting them installed. I'll have some nicer ones in a few weeks when my friend does a photoshoot.

https://my350z.com/forum/media-share...es-inside.html

 

Damn wheel *****!!!!! NICe

 

Thank you KiMMerZ!!

 

You present a legitimate and good question.

My opinion: I think Nissan staggers the stock tire-setup to create a slight amount of under-steer (i.e., with a staggered tire-setup, the car handles more safely).

Right now I’m running 245’s all around (245/40-18”F and 245/45-18”R) and I notice a significant difference from a staggered setup (225 F with 245 R). My car has VDC, and when this is ON and I’m driving “hard,” VDC activates more frequently when hitting corners too hard. That’s simply because the front turns in faster with this square-tire/setup allowing the rear to slide a little (and VDC kicks in).

I’ve run 245’s on the front and 275’s on the rear, and that seems to be the best arrangement for street driving (don’t know how this handles on the track). This combo provides great turn in over 225’s on the front, but the 275’s on the rear don’t overpower the front 245’s. It’s a great setup with just a little under-steer, and much better than 225’s on the front and 245’s on the rear.

I’ve never driven 275’s on the front so I cannot offer comments about this. I will say that even going from 225’s to 245’s on the front made my steering feel slightly more-heavy. My concern with 275’s on the front is “bump-steer” on an expressway with deep tire grooves cause by heavy tractor-trailer semitrucks.

--Spike

 

it's well known that VDC and square setups don't play nicely with one another

the factor that also is important is the type of tire and the contact patch it has - the size on the sidewall is essentially meaningless

 

^^ One thing I notice with VDC is the overall diameter is more important than the tire’s width.

For example, I have more VDC issues when running 245/40-18” all-square than running 245/45-18” all-square.

And, 245/40-18” front with 245/45-18” rear has no problem with VDC unless I turn-in quickly and rotate the rear.

--Spike

 

Americans, thanks for all the great input & feedback on the reasons for staggering the tires on the 350Z, I really appreciate all the input!!!
I ordered the new tires on Tuesday 245x40x18 & 275x45x18 NiTTo 555's, I love the 555's and know the flaming will begin almost immediately. Rain is very rare in the desert and I can read the warning on the NiTTo site stating: these tires suck in snow and heavy rains.

Again thanks for all the help Z ownerZ.

 

The rear tires you ordered (you ordered 275x45x18 NiTTo) are too tall.

You should have ordered 275/40-18" for your rears.

--Spike

 

To insure the traction control does constantly freak out, we made sure the diameters were with .5 of inch on the new tires. The differeence is .3, I should be okay. Thanks

 

You’re not OK with that size (275/45-18” on the rear) if you have VDC turned ON.

The stock overall diameter on the rear is 26.68”.

Your tire selection (275/45-18”) has an overall diameter of 27.74”. You are over an inch too much (with a 3.83% difference).

You need to change your tire order and get the right size.

--Spike

 

You are right, I mistyped the sizes. thanks again.

front 245x45x18 diameter 26.57 inches

rear 275x40x18 diameter 26.61 inches

here is the Nitto site tire calculator http://nittotire.com/#index%2Esize

 

Any particular reason you are going with a renegade tire size on the front?

You are selecting 245/45-18" fronts (see quote above). Since you are going with staggered sizes, you should mount 245/40-18" on the front.

--Spike

 

What is a renegade tire?? We used the tire calculator at Discount tire & it even had in red lettering on the bottom of the screen the part about the tire diameters being within .5 of each other. If you enter the sizes i correctly entered they are very close in diameter, you have to look at the 555's.

Are you looking at the 555's????

 

You got the Nitto 555's, hito?

 

If you have 18” wheels and you want 245’s on the front and 275’s on the rear, here are the sizes you need.

Front: 245/40-18”
Rear: 275/40-18”

Here is the OEM overall diameter for stock tires:
Front: 25.9" (Overall Diameter)
Rear: 26.7" (Overall Diameter)

Simple… and that goes for Nitto’s, or any tire for that matter.

--Spike

 

If it aint broke, don't fix it Hito. My alignment is okay good & doesn't eat rear tires without me testing the weight of my right foot, very often. I know you haz problems wif da niTTos, how are the Vreadesteins working out for you HITo???

 

Well as long as your alignment is good and your tires last a while, it should be ok. My alignment was just off during the time I had those tires so I got screwed. I know quite a few people on here got a lot of miles out of them. Just be careful with them in the rain, I've heard lots or horror stories about them when it's wet. Oh and I love my vredesteins!! I paid less for 19" vredesteins than I did for 18" Dunlop Direzza's. Traction on them is really good and they also ride really smooth. So far I love them

 

I am happy for you, you new setup is swEEt, for damn sure. Tell me C-man you do have multiple sets of different brands of wheel locks on the Z, right???
I would hate to see a thread bout some ****'S stealing your new pride & joy.

How is liZZY doing??