Hello everyone, I am new to the forum,need some advise on wheels and tire size. My car 350z 2003 manual transmission is fully stock with stock suspension and height. I am thinking 18x9.5+22 with machine lip and 255/40 tires in front and 18x10.5 +22 tire size 275/40 rear. Will it rub? and clear or do I need to make any modifications? Mostly street driving daily. In future I am thinking to put coilovers and wide breaks? Will this set up clear that? Probably won’t lower the car. Thanks everyone.

 

Wheel/tire specs good with no rub at stock height for sure. Dropping the car should also be fine; just keep eyes and ears open after you drop the car.

 

Thank you very much Mic.

 

What if I get 19” wheels, 19x9.5 +22front and 19x10.5 +22 rear, what size tires will fit on stock suspension without rub or modifications .

 

To get the same diameter as the 18s, conveniently drop the aspect ratio from 40 to 35, 255/35-19 and 275/35-19. Nearly exactly the same fit as width is equal, tire sidewall reduced 5%, overall diameter maintained.

Here's the thing though (just as an advisement). While I run 19s almost exclusively, I don't usually advise them unless, like mine, are forged and relatively light weight as you do pay a penalty from adding unsprung weight. My favorite 19" wheels are my Nismo S-Tunes which weigh 20lbs each, very light for 19s. Most cast wheels, however, are much heavier, somewhere in the 25-30 range and hurt performance. Not a huge amount but my philosophy is "getting more rubber on the ground is good for handling; but why add excessive weight when this negates the advantage of extra rubber?"

But don't let that stop you from getting the look you want. Unless you're competing or very serious about your canyon runs, it's not gonna kill the car.

For visual... Note: car is lowered less than an inch (19mm)

19x10.5 +19 Rear 275/35-19


19x10.5 +22 Rear but with 285/35-19 (Rolled and sealed - no pull fender)


19x9.5 +9 (stock fender) with 245/35-19 (255 fits just as easily)

 

Thanks Mic, 19x10.5 +19 Rear 275/35-19

19x9.5 +9 front with 245/35-19 or 255/35-19 you have this on your car, so this won’t need a roll or any modifications? Your car looks great, I have the same color, you said your lowered the car 19mm, what coilovers are you using? May be in future I will get one. I think stock suspension cane handle the 19” wheels weight. Your setup looks really flush with your fenders. Really looks great.you have your fenders rolled with 285/35 19x10.5 +22, if I don’t lower my car then this should fit fine? Thanks so much for your help.

 

I am looking into this, will this fit on my 2003 Z.

 

I think he has eibach pro kit springs

 

You "shouldn't" need rolling nor mods to fit those sizes. But I say that with a caveat. Depends on the car, environmental factors, etc. Your springs may be sagging or weak depending on use and mileage. Because these factors vary, you may/may not get a little clunk here or there. Just want to make sure you know that there's always possibilities.

Thanks for your nice comment. I am NOT on coilovers. Traditional springs/shocks. Trav is correct (below), Eibach Pro Kit and Koni Sports (AKA "Yellows").

Warning: Annual Coilover "Rant" ahead...

I really don't need coilovers. I don't track/race this car and therefore don't need the adjustability of coilovers. But that's just me. I know what I wanted out of this car and it's perfect.

Truth be known, I don't believe in cheap coilovers. (They're all the rage with the FB Z groups; but ask 'em why they need coilovers besides LOW and you get blank stares, seriously, I've done this.) However, If you're going to go with coilovers, don't buy the $250 units from eBay unless all you're going for is LOW. I've done at least 3-4 sets of coilovers on as many cars. I did try out a cheap set on an S30 a few years ago just for clinical reasons (and easier than tearing down MacPherson struts. Haha) Uhhh, no. Made it "hella low" but they rode like dung. My Shiro ('88 300ZX) was bought with a set of COs on it. I had to zero out the pre-load and dial down the compression settings (as I recall) just to make the car driveable while retaining my tooth fillings. And, they were only single adjustable so it's kind of worthless to only be able vary compression OR rebound, not both. Only place I've used coilovers because I *needed* them were on my racecars (Datsun and Crossle)

OK, now that I've bashed CO's enough to last me another year, will say this... if you must have coilovers (for whatever reason), expect to pay >/= $1,000. to get you into the true-gain range. And, pays to have them setup by the same shop doing your alignment. Rare that standard alignment shops understand how to set 'em up but ask around, there are shops that can help you out.

I'm fairly certain you'll need to roll the rear fenders. Only reason I ever rolled mine were when I went with a set of RPF1s at a modest spec 18x9.5 +15, they rubbed on bumps and driveways. That was AFTER the car was lowered so they might fit at stock height. I had a set of 18x11s on my car before it was dropped BUT with a +25 offset. They fit fine.

Thanks, Trav.

 

Thank you Mic, very detailed info, I appreciate it.

 

Thanks Mic, I think I will go with 19x9.5+22 front and 19x10.5+22 rear. Tires 255/35 front and 275/35 rear. Do you think I can go with 285/35 in the rear without rubbing on stock height?Or it will make any difference at all in handling and driving? Will these clear the big break setup if I buy in future. Not buying coilovers for sure. I don’t like to lower my car since it is already so low on stock height.Thanks and regards