Why 18inch, the Perfect Wheel Size for the 370Z

kevin.z · 04-01-2012, 05:31 PM

Recently, a lot of people tell me that 18inch rims are not as good looking as 19's or 20's. Although this is subject to personal taste, I think people should look at how well the 18' fit their car before blindly going to 19' and 20's. 18' rims gives you the following advantages:

-Lot Better performance with less rotational weight: my TE37SL weight 17lbs, stock weighs 23lbs
-More extreme summer tires options (some only come 18's)
-Cheaper everything (mounting, tires, etc)

In terms of the look department, I will share some pictures of me and my friend's Z.

If you have 18' aftermarket rims as well, feel free to share it in this thread!

TE37SL
Size:18x9.5(f) 18x10.5(r)
Offset:+22(f) +15(r)
Hankook RS-3 extreme summer
Size:245/40/18(f) 275/35/18(r)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Jordo! · 04-01-2012, 05:56 PM

For weight savings alone, 18" wheels and tires are better.

sixpax · 04-01-2012, 07:26 PM

...even stock 18's can look good on a car.

kevin.z · 04-01-2012, 07:30 PM

Haha. I agree! Anyone pm me if you are selling ur 18' stockies. I am willing to buy it for dirt cheap

SPOHN · 04-01-2012, 07:41 PM

I wish I would of went with 18's. I'm still happy with mine though. You car looks sharp. Keep up the good work.

Dzel · 04-01-2012, 07:44 PM

Hmmmm

taddraughn · 04-02-2012, 10:27 PM

I know ccastro went with 18's and his car looks really good

Cmike2780 · 04-02-2012, 10:47 PM

I totally agree with you, although it does get tricky if you have a big brake setup.

Red__Zed · 04-03-2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

I totally agree with you, although it does get tricky if you have a big brake setup.

Every decent kit (save the 15" brembos) will fit under most 18s.

Most of the serious track guys have no issue with 18s and the brakes they run (ap, 14" brembo, wildwood, etc)

OP, car looks great. The Sl's are a great look on the z in 18s

KaienZ34 · 04-04-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Every decent kit (save the 15" brembos) will fit under most 18s.

Most of the serious track guys have no issue with 18s and the brakes they run (ap, 14" brembo, wildwood, etc)

OP, car looks great. The Sl's are a great look on the z in 18s

Red...dig up some pics of your z when you had those aftermarket 18's...it looked hot!!!

Red__Zed · 04-04-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaienZ34

Red...dig up some pics of your z when you had those aftermarket 18's...it looked hot!!!

Kaien

Got some in my journal:

Red__Zed's Journal

Wont hijack the thread posting here

KevinN · 04-02-2012, 10:54 PM

did this setup clear the brakes without spacers?

BGTV8 · 04-02-2012, 11:04 PM

OEM 18" (8" front and 9" rear) clear the Akebono brakes with no problems ... wider front and rear are zero problems

Cmike2780 · 04-03-2012, 09:20 AM

^ yup. I think the stock 18's are standard in some countries with the sports package. I was thinking more along the lines of when someone upgrades to something like a 15" 8 piston setup.

ChrisSlicks · 04-03-2012, 10:28 AM

My 18's fit over my AP Racing 6/4 setup without issue, but there isn't a ton of room to spare. It uses a 14.25 inch rotor, roughly the same size as stock. More pistons doesn't necessarily equate to better performance, all the hardcore track brakes use at most 6 - although rotor mass is a factor for heat tolerance.

04-01-2012, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
kevin.z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: vancouver(shipping:WA Posts: 359 Drives: 09 370z M6 PGtouring Rep Power: 16	Why 18inch, the Perfect Wheel Size for the 370Z Recently, a lot of people tell me that 18inch rims are not as good looking as 19's or 20's. Although this is subject to personal taste, I think people should look at how well the 18' fit their car before blindly going to 19' and 20's. 18' rims gives you the following advantages: -Lot Better performance with less rotational weight: my TE37SL weight 17lbs, stock weighs 23lbs -More extreme summer tires options (some only come 18's) -Cheaper everything (mounting, tires, etc) In terms of the look department, I will share some pictures of me and my friend's Z. If you have 18' aftermarket rims as well, feel free to share it in this thread! TE37SL Size:18x9.5(f) 18x10.5(r) Offset:+22(f) +15(r) Hankook RS-3 extreme summer Size:245/40/18(f) 275/35/18(r) Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us sokumchim likes this. Last edited by kevin.z; 04-03-2012 at 05:23 PM.

04-01-2012, 05:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	For weight savings alone, 18" wheels and tires are better. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

04-01-2012, 07:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 222	I wish I would of went with 18's. I'm still happy with mine though. You car looks sharp. Keep up the good work. __________________

04-01-2012, 07:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dzel A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 3,884 Drives: 11 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 23	Hmmmm __________________ 10secWS6 IF YOU CAN'T SWING IT THEN DON'T BRING IT! Check out Domestic Performance C.C.

04-02-2012, 10:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	I totally agree with you, although it does get tricky if you have a big brake setup. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

04-01-2012, 07:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
kevin.z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: vancouver(shipping:WA Posts: 359 Drives: 09 370z M6 PGtouring Rep Power: 16	Haha. I agree! Anyone pm me if you are selling ur 18' stockies. I am willing to buy it for dirt cheap

04-02-2012, 10:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
taddraughn Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: ridgeland Posts: 46 Drives: 2010 370Z Black M6 Rep Power: 14	I know ccastro went with 18's and his car looks really good

04-02-2012, 10:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
KevinN Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California Posts: 98 Drives: z Rep Power: 16	did this setup clear the brakes without spacers?

04-02-2012, 11:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
BGTV8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 03350 Australia Posts: 1,515 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 39974	OEM 18" (8" front and 9" rear) clear the Akebono brakes with no problems ... wider front and rear are zero problems

04-03-2012, 09:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	^ yup. I think the stock 18's are standard in some countries with the sports package. I was thinking more along the lines of when someone upgrades to something like a 15" 8 piston setup. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

04-03-2012, 10:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	My 18's fit over my AP Racing 6/4 setup without issue, but there isn't a ton of room to spare. It uses a 14.25 inch rotor, roughly the same size as stock. More pistons doesn't necessarily equate to better performance, all the hardcore track brakes use at most 6 - although rotor mass is a factor for heat tolerance. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

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