Square Wheel & Tire Setup Questions
Thank you! Wondering how the car will handling with this setup.
Sorry to bump this up 
I recently damaged one of my wheel and going to change the lip of the damaged wheel. My setup is Work Meister S1 19" 9.5 +24 and 10.5 +23. The 9.5 one is damage and can't find another to replace it. So i found 2 Work Meister S1 lips which is 3.5". Replacing the 9.5( 2.5" lip) with these 3.5" lips will make my front setup become 10.5 +12. So my setup will be 19" 10.5 +12 in front and 19" 10.5 +23 rear, which is a square setup. Will the front clear the factory Brembos? Also what's the best tires combo for street DD? I'm moderately drop with JIC FLTA-2. Thanks in advance for any advice.
I recently damaged one of my wheel and going to change the lip of the damaged wheel. My setup is Work Meister S1 19" 9.5 +24 and 10.5 +23. The 9.5 one is damage and can't find another to replace it. So i found 2 Work Meister S1 lips which is 3.5". Replacing the 9.5( 2.5" lip) with these 3.5" lips will make my front setup become 10.5 +12. So my setup will be 19" 10.5 +12 in front and 19" 10.5 +23 rear, which is a square setup. Will the front clear the factory Brembos? Also what's the best tires combo for street DD? I'm moderately drop with JIC FLTA-2. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Yep..he said it himself..the OFFSET changed by the same amount as the lip increase. So clearance remains the same.
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From: New Jersey
I apologize for bumping an older thread, but I'd like to gather some of your opinions on two tire set ups I have in mind:
On 4 wheels of the square set up of 18x9.5 Offset 20 and at stock height (for now anyway)...
Either 255/40-18 all around OR 255/40-18 for the Fronts, with a 275/40-18 set up going for the Rear wheels...
I daily drive my Z as most of us do, but I also like to get on the track when I can. I'm not HIGHLY experienced on the track, however, I'm not a newbie to it either, haha. I'm just interested in some opinions you guys may have. You guys are 99% more likely to be more knowledgeable than I on the matter of tires.
On 4 wheels of the square set up of 18x9.5 Offset 20 and at stock height (for now anyway)...
Either 255/40-18 all around OR 255/40-18 for the Fronts, with a 275/40-18 set up going for the Rear wheels...
I daily drive my Z as most of us do, but I also like to get on the track when I can. I'm not HIGHLY experienced on the track, however, I'm not a newbie to it either, haha. I'm just interested in some opinions you guys may have. You guys are 99% more likely to be more knowledgeable than I on the matter of tires.
I apologize for bumping an older thread, but I'd like to gather some of your opinions on two tire set ups I have in mind:
On 4 wheels of the square set up of 18x9.5 Offset 20 and at stock height (for now anyway)...
Either 255/40-18 all around OR 255/40-18 for the Fronts, with a 275/40-18 set up going for the Rear wheels...
I daily drive my Z as most of us do, but I also like to get on the track when I can. I'm not HIGHLY experienced on the track, however, I'm not a newbie to it either, haha. I'm just interested in some opinions you guys may have. You guys are 99% more likely to be more knowledgeable than I on the matter of tires.
On 4 wheels of the square set up of 18x9.5 Offset 20 and at stock height (for now anyway)...
Either 255/40-18 all around OR 255/40-18 for the Fronts, with a 275/40-18 set up going for the Rear wheels...
I daily drive my Z as most of us do, but I also like to get on the track when I can. I'm not HIGHLY experienced on the track, however, I'm not a newbie to it either, haha. I'm just interested in some opinions you guys may have. You guys are 99% more likely to be more knowledgeable than I on the matter of tires.
ABS/TCS/VDC all do not like square setups, that is why I do not recommend for a daily.
daily driver , do the 255/275 combo. That will work fine for the track. When you hit the track and want to get more serious , 275/35 and 275/40. If you get real serious and have a seperate set of wheels , run square.
ABS/TCS/VDC all do not like square setups, that is why I do not recommend for a daily.
ABS/TCS/VDC all do not like square setups, that is why I do not recommend for a daily.
I run square for daily, occasional autox and track. My VDC/ABS don't like it at all. VDC automatically shuts itself off once the wheels start rolling (sometimes it makes the car shrudder before doing so). Aftermarket LSD is much better in terms of handling/grip and fun factor than VDC anyways.
Last edited by 350Zdj; Jun 9, 2013 at 09:49 PM.
I run square for daily, occasional autox and track. My VDC/ABS don't like it at all. VDC automatically shuts itself off once the wheels start rolling (sometimes it makes the car shrudder before doing so). Aftermarket LSD is much better in terms of handling/grip and fun factor than VDC anyways.
Next time you replace your rears, go with 275/40. You won't notice a difference for DD duty and it'll clear up all the other issues so you still have VDC in the case of unexpected weather and what not.
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From: New Jersey
daily driver , do the 255/275 combo. That will work fine for the track. When you hit the track and want to get more serious , 275/35 and 275/40. If you get real serious and have a seperate set of wheels , run square.
ABS/TCS/VDC all do not like square setups, that is why I do not recommend for a daily.
ABS/TCS/VDC all do not like square setups, that is why I do not recommend for a daily.
I decided to order a set of Hankook V12's: 255/40-18, and 275/40-18.
Last edited by Godzirrra922; Jun 10, 2013 at 12:39 PM.
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From: TX
I did end up going with the 18x9.5 rims and the 265 tires and it's been great for me. I got better traction on the track (also due to stickier tires) and less understeer on the harder turns.
As a daily driver I have put several thousand miles on it and have had no issues with the VDC etc.
The lessson for me is that I may should of gone ahead and gotten the 275s. But I can step up to those next time.
As a daily driver I have put several thousand miles on it and have had no issues with the VDC etc.
The lessson for me is that I may should of gone ahead and gotten the 275s. But I can step up to those next time.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 495
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From: SE MI & TX
Sorry to revive an older thread, it just seemed a good place to ask the question without making a new post for a similar topic.
I am looking to have a second set of tires for my daily driver so that I can take it to the PDS track days and get a little more edge on the course. I'd like to go with a square setup because it will remove some of the cars understeer and will allow me to rotate the tires for increased tire life.
I am a little worried that if I go too big, that the car will feel foreign and will feel like its oversteering too much (even if it is just more neutral).
Current Setup:
2005 350Z Performance
Front: 18x8 +30, 225/45/18
Rear: 18x8 +30, 245/45/18
By taking that info (and using the rule of 3%) I have come up with some options and would like some feedback. I don't want to drop a ton of money on wheels and tires to realize that I did not do my research.
Option 1 (basically a square setup of the back tire size)
Front: 18x8 +30, 225/45/18
Rear: 18x8 +30, 245/45/18
This gives like 15-20% more contact in the front and no change in the back.
Option 2
Front: 18x9 +??, 255/40/18
Rear: 18x9 +??, 255/40/18
This gives like 25-30% more contact in the front and 5-10% in the back.
Option 3
Front: 18x9.5 +??, 265/40/18
Rear: 18x9.5 +??, 265/40/18
This gives like 30-40% more contact in the front and 15-20% in the back.
Option 4 (huge tires IMO)
Front: 18x10 +??, 275/40/18
Rear: 18x10 +??, 275/40/18
This gives like 45-50% more contact in the front and 25-30% in the back.
So I could use a vote of confidence for any of these options.. and I could use some guidance for what offsets I should use. What about spacers?
I know its alot of info, but any help would be great.
I am looking to have a second set of tires for my daily driver so that I can take it to the PDS track days and get a little more edge on the course. I'd like to go with a square setup because it will remove some of the cars understeer and will allow me to rotate the tires for increased tire life.
I am a little worried that if I go too big, that the car will feel foreign and will feel like its oversteering too much (even if it is just more neutral).
Current Setup:
2005 350Z Performance
Front: 18x8 +30, 225/45/18
Rear: 18x8 +30, 245/45/18
By taking that info (and using the rule of 3%) I have come up with some options and would like some feedback. I don't want to drop a ton of money on wheels and tires to realize that I did not do my research.
Option 1 (basically a square setup of the back tire size)
Front: 18x8 +30, 225/45/18
Rear: 18x8 +30, 245/45/18
This gives like 15-20% more contact in the front and no change in the back.
Option 2
Front: 18x9 +??, 255/40/18
Rear: 18x9 +??, 255/40/18
This gives like 25-30% more contact in the front and 5-10% in the back.
Option 3
Front: 18x9.5 +??, 265/40/18
Rear: 18x9.5 +??, 265/40/18
This gives like 30-40% more contact in the front and 15-20% in the back.
Option 4 (huge tires IMO)
Front: 18x10 +??, 275/40/18
Rear: 18x10 +??, 275/40/18
This gives like 45-50% more contact in the front and 25-30% in the back.
So I could use a vote of confidence for any of these options.. and I could use some guidance for what offsets I should use. What about spacers?
I know its alot of info, but any help would be great.
Last edited by Lucky736; Aug 1, 2013 at 12:23 PM.
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From: TX
I went with option 3 and I have been very pleased. I have noticed an improvement in my track times (but I must also credit the better tires and addition experience). I have had no issues with VDC at all. They have been on my car for several thousand miles (just rolled over 100k on my car as well).
Note however, that my Option 2 does not reuse the stock rims. I was trying to match rim width growth to tire width growth. Running wider tires on the thinner rims should work, but I haven't done the math on it (ya... I had a spreadsheet).
Note however, that my Option 2 does not reuse the stock rims. I was trying to match rim width growth to tire width growth. Running wider tires on the thinner rims should work, but I haven't done the math on it (ya... I had a spreadsheet).
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 495
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From: SE MI & TX
I just put 255-40-18 on the rear today and since the fronts are cupped and I have an opportunity to get these same sizes for the front I was curious but since I daily the car and am potentially selling it the last thing I want is for me or the next person to run into issues. Just being prudent.
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Rocklin, CA
Anyone running 275/40 on 18x10 +25 on all 4 corners? It seems to make sense and makes shopping for tires easier not having two different sizes. Any problems with rubbing? Front and back sit right, looks wise?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
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From: Edina, Minnesota
275/40 on 18x10 wheels at +25 will work fine.
The problem you will experience with this setup (275’s on the front) is “bump-steer.” You will be busy adjusting steering when running wide front tires (275 is wide for the Z’s front setup).
--Spike
The problem you will experience with this setup (275’s on the front) is “bump-steer.” You will be busy adjusting steering when running wide front tires (275 is wide for the Z’s front setup).
--Spike