It's about time to get new tires ans possibly springs and shocks. I can't decide if I should run 275/35/18's up front and replace with OEM shocks and struts so I can run the bigger tires, or if I should lower the car about an inch and run a smaller tire. I highly doubt a 305 will fit on the back without rubbing if I'm lowered, but what won't rub? A 275?

Stock Rays V2 wheels all around.
18x9 +30
19x10 +30

Current height : stock
Wanting : 1" drop but the biggest size tires

 

^^ If the plan is keeping the Rays with a 30mm offset, you probably will want to go with a very wide tire.

A one inch drop will likely affect alignment; you will need additional suspension components to provide at least more camber adjustment.

I don’t have direct experience here (a one inch drop with 30mm offset), but I suspect someone here has done this.

 

I have set in my mind I want a 275/35 up front and a 305/30 in rear. I've tried looking for people with this setup or similar but nothing really shows up... I would like the car lower because I love the look of the car below (stance wise) but I'm struggling to understand suspension.

 

The sizes you mention are appropriate diameters. The challenge is fitting that wide a tire inside the Z’s fenders when you drop the car one inch.

You accomplish this level of precision fitment by controlling the drop and camber. Coilovers provide an incremental range of drop values which you might not get with springs. If you choose a spring that does not provide the correct drop, you must buy another. If you have a coilover, you simply change the adjustment.

You need a quality (i.e., expensive) coilover setup that allows a good range of adjustments to get that nice fender-to-tire fit. You also need to buy additional suspension components to handle alignment requirements with coilovers, drop, and very wide tires.

The look you are after has a great appearance, but there is often considerable expense getting there.

 

How big of a gap am I looking at running a 305/30 on the back?

 

That depends upon how much you drop the car and the camber setting. The two values work together determining the gap.

 

Lower it with wide tires, the only problem you have it wheel width. I wouldn't go over 265 on a 9 and 285 on a 10.

 

Considering I'm stock height

 

As terrasmak states, a 10" wide wheel limits your tire width. Most tire manufacturers suggest a 285mm tire (295mm is a little wide and 305mm is too wide) on a 10" wheel.

The 350z in the picture you posted is lowered (it's not stock height). If you remain at stock height, no matter how wide you go with your tires, you will have a significant gap. There is nothing wrong with that, but some owners do not like this look.

 

305s on a stock sport 370 wheel that's 19x10. Those are too big?

http://www.the370z.com/members/minicobra1-albums-305-s-stock-19-sport-wheels-picture9452-305-30-19-hankook-rear2-20mm-spacer.jpg

 

^^ 305mm will fit on a 10" wheel (and be within manufacturer's spec). I think that it would be better on a 10.5" or 11" wheel.

 

^^ Word.

A 305 section tire will physically FIT on a 10" wheel (meaning you can mount it and it'll hold air).... but it won't do much for actual performance gains over say, a moderate tire upsize from stock, say 265-275 sectional.

Coupla reasons I say that...

It's all about what angles you're running the sidewalls at.... typically the most overlooked part of anyone's tire selection. Too much tire, too little rim width.... Think about it, running a 305 on a 10 rim is equal to an INCH of sidewall slop on each side of the wheel. That causes the sidewalls to be flexy.... NOT what you want when you're powering through an off camber curve or in a four wheel drift, either of which are putting literally tons of pressure - both stretch and compression on opposing sidewalls which can and will throw the car into an uncontrollable state. Brrrrrr......

Only way to SORT OF shore that up is running excessively high tire pressures.

There are recommended rim widths for specific size tires and vice versa for good reasons.

Other thing that people neglect to consider is that while our cars aren't exactly Miata-light, they're not that heavy either. Because we're not driving 4000lb beasts, this affects the tires' abilities to warm up properly to their optimum operating temperatures. So if we're talking street compounded tires (no AD08Rs or R1s or.....), running a 305mm section width makes almost no difference in even the hardest canyon runs if you can't get 'em warm enough to allow the tires to do their best work.

Just food for thought.

 

Sup guys! I need your advise ASAP. I have a 2006 Grand Touring with lightweight 19" Rays on the rear. Regular tire size for it 265/35/19. Here is a question: Can I wear 275/35/19 on it, because I want more grip and I also have a good deal for this size. Thanks!!!

 

Perfectly acceptable tire size