Upgrading Wheels Without Changes?
07-25-2013 | 05:05 PM
#1
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From: NJ
Upgrading Wheels Without Changes?
What size are stock rims on an 08 enthusiast? Because Im looking to upgrade to Enkei Raijins 18x8.5 with a 50mm offset and was wondering if i had to make any other modifications to the car to accommodate for the size. Also would the circumstances be the same if i decided to make the 2 rear rims 18x9.5 rather then 18x8.5? Once More question. would the tires on my stock rims fit the new ones? if not what size would i need for the Raijins?
thanks for the help in advanced and sorry for the novice questions lol i appreciate your patience.
thanks for the help in advanced and sorry for the novice questions lol i appreciate your patience.
07-25-2013 | 06:27 PM
#7
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From: Aurora, Colorado
Enkei Raijins come in a variety of offsets for those sizes. If they're a 35mm offset, you would need a 20mm spacer up front to clear Brembos. Since you've got an enthusiast model with smaller brakes, it may not matter. Keep in mind the center bore for the Raijins are much larger than the OEM hubs, and that's important. You'll need a center bore spacer to allow them to fit properly and carry a lateral load.
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07-25-2013 | 06:55 PM
#9
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From: NJ
Enkei Raijins come in a variety of offsets for those sizes. If they're a 35mm offset, you would need a 20mm spacer up front to clear Brembos. Since you've got an enthusiast model with smaller brakes, it may not matter. Keep in mind the center bore for the Raijins are much larger than the OEM hubs, and that's important. You'll need a center bore spacer to allow them to fit properly and carry a lateral load.
07-25-2013 | 10:58 PM
#14
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From: New Zealand
As per the top 100 common questions that is stickied
Q: What wheel sizes and offsets do I need?
A: Generally speaking, there are a LOT of different combinations that people are running on their Z or G.
Let's get the basics out of the way first: You need a lug pattern of 5x114.3, width between 8 and 11 inches, and diameter of 17", 18", 19", or 20".
Here are some of the more popular wheel and tire sizes (for good reason) that people put on their Z's. There is no "RIGHT" answer but there is a limit to how big or small you can go.
18" combination:
Front 18" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/40/18
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18
(lower offset such as +10 in rear is possible but may require rolling)
Front 18" x 9.5" , Offset +25 to +30, Tires 255/40/18
Rear 18" x 10.5" , Offset +28 to +35, Tires 285/40/18 or 295/35/18
(lower offset such as +23 in the rear is possible but may require rolling)
19" combination:
Front 19" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/35/19
Rear 19" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/35/19
(lower offset such as +10 in rear is possible but may require rolling)
Front 19" x 9.5" , Offset +25 to +30, Tires 255/35/19 or 265/35/19
Rear 19" x 10.5" , Offset +23 to +32, Tires 285/35/19 or 295/35/19
(lower offset such as +23 or wider tires in the rear is possible but may require rolling)
From this, you get the idea of what is required to go with smaller wheels like 17's, (typically lighter, faster acceleration), or bigger wheels like 20's (bigger, heavier, usually makes you feel slower).
Get to know how to use the following tools and you will be able to figure out for yourself the correct offsets and tire sizes you need:
Tire size calculator (click)
Wheel Offset Calculator
Certain combinations of LOW OFFSET and/or WIDE WHEELS will require what is known as "fender rolling" or "fender cutting".
If you are not familiar with the term "fender rolling", here is a quick but useful lesson you can learn in a couple of minutes: Go outside to wherever your Z is parked. Run your fingers along the inside edge of a REAR fender just above your tires. You will feel a sharp edge and a flap of metal sticking inward towards the car. Now, go up to the FRONT fender, and feel the inside of the fender again. You should notice that the flap of metal has been "rolled" upwards on the front fenders. This is exactly what fender rolling is all about. The rear fenders will need to be rolled to make room for wide wheels or low offsets, or else your tires may rub on the metal when you take hard corners or hit bumps. Any experienced wheel/tire shop should know how to roll a fender. If you go to a shop that does not seem like they know what they're doing, get out of there.
A: Generally speaking, there are a LOT of different combinations that people are running on their Z or G.
Let's get the basics out of the way first: You need a lug pattern of 5x114.3, width between 8 and 11 inches, and diameter of 17", 18", 19", or 20".
Here are some of the more popular wheel and tire sizes (for good reason) that people put on their Z's. There is no "RIGHT" answer but there is a limit to how big or small you can go.
18" combination:
Front 18" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/40/18
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18
(lower offset such as +10 in rear is possible but may require rolling)
Front 18" x 9.5" , Offset +25 to +30, Tires 255/40/18
Rear 18" x 10.5" , Offset +28 to +35, Tires 285/40/18 or 295/35/18
(lower offset such as +23 in the rear is possible but may require rolling)
19" combination:
Front 19" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/35/19
Rear 19" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/35/19
(lower offset such as +10 in rear is possible but may require rolling)
Front 19" x 9.5" , Offset +25 to +30, Tires 255/35/19 or 265/35/19
Rear 19" x 10.5" , Offset +23 to +32, Tires 285/35/19 or 295/35/19
(lower offset such as +23 or wider tires in the rear is possible but may require rolling)
From this, you get the idea of what is required to go with smaller wheels like 17's, (typically lighter, faster acceleration), or bigger wheels like 20's (bigger, heavier, usually makes you feel slower).
Get to know how to use the following tools and you will be able to figure out for yourself the correct offsets and tire sizes you need:
Tire size calculator (click)
Wheel Offset Calculator
Certain combinations of LOW OFFSET and/or WIDE WHEELS will require what is known as "fender rolling" or "fender cutting".
If you are not familiar with the term "fender rolling", here is a quick but useful lesson you can learn in a couple of minutes: Go outside to wherever your Z is parked. Run your fingers along the inside edge of a REAR fender just above your tires. You will feel a sharp edge and a flap of metal sticking inward towards the car. Now, go up to the FRONT fender, and feel the inside of the fender again. You should notice that the flap of metal has been "rolled" upwards on the front fenders. This is exactly what fender rolling is all about. The rear fenders will need to be rolled to make room for wide wheels or low offsets, or else your tires may rub on the metal when you take hard corners or hit bumps. Any experienced wheel/tire shop should know how to roll a fender. If you go to a shop that does not seem like they know what they're doing, get out of there.
08-02-2013 | 03:00 PM
#17
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From: NJ
sorry forgot to ask but would i need a spacer on an 08 z if i got raijins with Front 18" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/40/18
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18 ??
and what with all 4 were 9.5 rather than just rear 2. what differences would that make to cars performance?
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18 ??
and what with all 4 were 9.5 rather than just rear 2. what differences would that make to cars performance?
you 
08-02-2013 | 06:45 PM
#19
Get 9.5" width or 10" all around, 10.5" max, but no lower. You will regret 8.5" wheels, unless you're just looking for show (most likely now-a-days). I just downsized my 19"s to 18"s, but went from 8.5/9.5 staggered to 9.5 square. Z is a fat pig and needs grip up front too.
18x8.5 +15 will look better, 18x9.5 +15 will look better. Offset is confusing, in that the lower the number, the further away the wheel sticks out from the wheel hub. I recommend at least 18x9.5 +15 square (all around). Other's will have other opinions. My 19x8.5 +22/19x9.5 +22 staggered setup looked good, but not "hellaflush, or anywhere close to it."
sorry forgot to ask but would i need a spacer on an 08 z if i got raijins with Front 18" x 8.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 245/40/18
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18 ??
and what with all 4 were 9.5 rather than just rear 2. what differences would that make to cars performance?
Rear 18" x 9.5" , Offset +15 to +25, Tires 275/40/18 ??
and what with all 4 were 9.5 rather than just rear 2. what differences would that make to cars performance?
Last edited by mcarther101; 08-02-2013 at 06:49 PM.
08-02-2013 | 09:00 PM
#20
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Registered User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25
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From: NJ
Get 9.5" width or 10" all around, 10.5" max, but no lower. You will regret 8.5" wheels, unless you're just looking for show (most likely now-a-days). I just downsized my 19"s to 18"s, but went from 8.5/9.5 staggered to 9.5 square. Z is a fat pig and needs grip up front too.
18x8.5 +15 will look better, 18x9.5 +15 will look better. Offset is confusing, in that the lower the number, the further away the wheel sticks out from the wheel hub. I recommend at least 18x9.5 +15 square (all around). Other's will have other opinions. My 19x8.5 +22/19x9.5 +22 staggered setup looked good, but not "hellaflush, or anywhere close to it."
18x8.5 +15 will look better, 18x9.5 +15 will look better. Offset is confusing, in that the lower the number, the further away the wheel sticks out from the wheel hub. I recommend at least 18x9.5 +15 square (all around). Other's will have other opinions. My 19x8.5 +22/19x9.5 +22 staggered setup looked good, but not "hellaflush, or anywhere close to it."
