Yes.

I hate spacers but I use 'em to do just that. I use a pair of 20mms to get my Nismo S-Tune 370Z wheels down to a reasonable offset to run on Z33.

And to further illustrate, I'm also including a set of 20mm spacers for a set of +40 wheels I just posted to run at 20mm. So, like 'em or not - and it's ALWAYS better to run without 'em by running "correct" wheels - spacers do have a place in my tool chest.

Im having a hard time getting spacers, I am almost talking myself into a set of enkei 18x9.5 +15s because its only $760 more then a quality pair of spacers... I keep going back and forth though because I like the anniversary wheels, I just dont love the offset or the 8.5 width... I was seriously thinking about buying that dudes 18x10.5 +15 square set-up but I dont want to run front tires that wide... Was thinking 245-40 front 275-40 rears... So many choices...

Are their any venders better than tire rack? They seem like they will be easy to deal with because I can have them mount balance and ship to my door... For $1500 it's tempting.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....f1f8bf3011.png

Well, not speaking ill of TR because I've been buying from them since they were a start up back in the, uhhh, well, "stone age", before most people here were born or out of diapers.

But honestly, I've found comparable pricing at some of the bigger locals when you factor in the need for M&B and paying the shipping costs.

However, if you are buying a full set of tires AND wheels together, as you mentioned, then the economies of scale work out more favorably since you skip the M&B charge.

But that all said, I do and know that I will continue to buy tires from them because sometimes you just have to pay for the expertise, advice, and knowledge that TR offers. (I'm big on that and not one to just use all that research that they do then buy somewhere else to save 20 bucks!)

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For 9.5" wheels, you can easily run 245/40 & 275/40. Technically and physically, you can run a larger contact patch as well. Len (terrasmak) highly recommends a 265/285 (I think it was 285 rear) out back and all the math checks out OK too. Personally, my tire pyrometer tells me the smaller section widths work FOR ME because I run in the hills not the track, where you can get the temps up higher.

so with that being said i am looking at work xsa 04c wheels it gives the options from a positive to a negative offset (assuming you have to contact them and specify) would a negative offset hurt with a bbk?

I know we have a tire offset calculator here and I'm not knocking it but I use this one because I like the added visuals and extra info provided. Ymmv

Wouldn't it depend on the spoke design and not the offset? Depending on how the spokes are positioned on the rim it shouldn't matter if its a +30 or a -30

I really like this calculator. It's the best I've seen. Thanks for posting the URL.

:icon38: specifically talking about clearing big brakes, not if they would actually fit on the car

OK, maybe I'm just used to the one here (on all Internet Brands sites) but yes, my mileage varies. ;) Don't like the one linked but it's possible it just takes getting some time to get used to it. I find it too cluttered for my use.

I only use the calculator to know how much movement a wheel/tire is going to move inboard or outboard from a reference point and the one here kicks out that info in short work.

I don't need nor even look at the tire height comparison part because it's irrelevant to why I'm using the calculator.

I can visualize all of the rest in my head where it makes sense versus my having to look at a results chart and "decipher" which info I need. Again, that could just be due to unfamiliarity.

But like you said, YMMV. It works for me, doesn't work as well for others who need the extra info/visuals.


PS It could also be that I don't like it because the site is called RIMS and tires. Wheels HAVE RIMS. RIMS are NOT WHEELS. :p

I know. That bothered me when I first found the site, but I got over it. I liked all the extra "clutter" because I am not the vast wealth of knowledge that is Mic Velo. :icon44:

thanks for the patience guys, kind of a newb at this stuff now that i finally have a car thats worth building. my 240sx's were literal rust buckets. (literally seat was falling through the floor.)

and as for spokes it has an option for the big brake kit. http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/w...R2P_2015A2.pdf

kind of an idea on what im looking at and its got me confused.

So I see the "will these fit my BBK?" question time after time after time and no one can say definitively yes or no unless they've run the EXACT COMBINATION.

But wait.... fret not, there's a solution to this!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....ef55f2b37d.jpg

AND.....

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....b8cf9fe34b.jpg

Just about every BBK mfgr offers a template (downloadable) that you can print/cut/compare to see HOW MUCH CLEARANCE is needed behind the wheel to clear calipers and rotors.

And conversely, if you already have BBK or sport brakes (Brembo, Akebono), you already have the dimensions that you need to measure to see if particular wheels will fit. (This is where the backspacing measurement makes sense.... about the only time it's really needed, frankly.)

Why resort to guesswork or the consensus from people who are guessing as well? Get out the steel rule and measure!!

Laff..... there are times when I wish I could trade some of my "experience" for a few years newer birthdate. But alas..... is what it be. :o

thanks for the info! i was looking at the akebonos when i upgrade the wheels anyways so that was my major concern since i dont yet have them on the car it was more or less guess work for me.

in hindsight this should really be a sticky post

Boom!

Agreed and done.

Well duh
Geez thank you for helping me out here. I have been banging my head against Google looking at wheels and so up in the air wth I could actually get!!!
Great post sir

Thanks.

If it helps just one person select the right setup for their car (or better yet...avoid getting the wrong one :icon8:) then it was worth writing.