oem 18" wheels for track use
 

Hello, I live in italy and I'm buying a 370Z.
I'd like to keep the Ray's 19" for street use with Pirelli PZeros
and buy four 18" rims for track use.

I dont like wide tires so 245 front and 225 rear or similiar is enough.

I was looking for some 18x8, 18x8.5 or 18x9 rims with a good ET, maybe a little less than standard (I dont want to use spacers).

Some suggestion?

How much for the OEM 18s? WHat's their ET front and rear?

I've found these but they are a bit pricy:

OZ RACING Mod ULTRALEGGERA 9 J 18 5X114,3 ET35 ET55
OZ RACING Modello ULTRALEGGERA 8J 18 5X114,3 ET35 ET48

There are MANY 18x8J but 8.5J and 9J are very difficoult to find at low prices.

I might race with four 225/45 or 225/50 R18

The best solution might be buying four OEM staggered 18...

Thank you! :hello:

Is this post f**king serious?

What do you use on your Z?

Ok...my first post is a little harsh - but the op did mention track use wheels (18 inch not being the problem) but wouldn't it be objective to go with a wider stance than not to?

For example > Stock with no Sport Package 18" x 8.0" (front) and 18" x 9.0" (rear) > 225/50WR18 (front) and 245/45WR18 (rear)

And Sort Package > 19" x 9.0" (front) and 19" x 10.0" (rear) (Rays wheels) > 245/40WR19 (front) and 275/35WR19 (rear)

Basically, it seems like you're going backward especially with the statement about using 225 all around... :-S

this is what I did. It is still unproven in actual use, as I won't get the wheels until tuesday.

I bought 4 rear 2003 350Z rays track wheels for 500, then paid 225 per wheel to have them widened 1". So now I have 4 18x9.5" +59 wheels. I will be using a 20 or 25 mm spacer on the rears (already have the 20s, if 25s work with my stock wheels I will use those instead), and may or may not use any spacers on front.

I will be running 275/35-18s on all 4 corners. 40 series would be more ideal, but I buy used qualifying race scrubs for 100 each, so I am don't mind being a little shorter.

So, approx, 1300 plus just under 200 in double shipping and I have a set of under 20lb 18" wheels. I will be powdercoating them satin black before mounting sometime this week, but they should be ready to go by the end of next week.

American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right.

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling.

If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up...
and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks...

I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear
the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range

now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels?

our standard size here is 245 front and 275 rear with the sport package. With a square 275 setup, I will dial out some of the factory understeer.

As to your question, I know of no cheap 18s, and couldn't find any when looking. Stock 350Z rays without widening would work for what you want with spacers. They are 18x8 front and 18x8.5 rear.

Sometimes I wish China would just become the superpower of the world already just so I don't have to listen to stupid **** like this anymore. 3 years out of the spot light should do it I think.

American's blah, American's blah blah blah. So over it.

Oh and just so you don't counter and say I am yet another American self proclaiming his country as a 'Superpower' country here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpower

American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. - In relation to what type of racing???

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. - This statement is bullcrap unless you're rally racing on snow/ice.

If you get wider and wider tires grip doesnt grow up...
and yes, if you leave the standard suspension setup you will get big understeer on tracks... - This statement makes no sense.

I'd go with standard 18s for the track, 225/235 front and 245/255/265 rear
the problem is that there are not many track tires in this size range - Then why are you asking us?

now the question is, there are some cheap 18x8 and 18x9 wheels? - Go to ebay...

Yes, I'm having a bad day.

[QUOTE=Snakebite202;178184]American guys always think that bigger tires are always better, but it's not always right. - In relation to what type of racing??? Who says he is racing he might just be doing HPDE's in that case he may not be interested in the absolutely fastest tire package. Also, balance and control is important and plays a big role in tire selection.

If you want proof look a the caterham lineup. The fastest most track oriented of their cars the superlight R500 runs 6" front and 8" rears while the CSR a slightly slower car at the same power lever runs 6.5" front and 9" rears. If your not familar with caterhams they have power to weight ratios that rival most supercars and are extremely quick at the track.

Good sticky and narrow tires like Toyo R888 will give you enough grip and very good steering response, and VERY predictable handling. - This statement is bullcrap unless you're rally racing on snow/ice. Narrow tires start break away at lower cornering loads often making breakaway more predictable and easier to control. Also tires are heavy and absorb energy while accelerating so if you have the amount of grip you desire and the amount of forward traction you need, going wider might actually lower your straight-line speed.

Also depending on the drivers skill level, jumping onto a set of 11" wide slicks (which might offer the most grip) might do nothing but reinforce bad habits and hurt driver skill progression.

I think it would be important to understand where the OP is coming from and what he is looking for in his wheel and tire package before it's written off as a dumb idea.

Christ almighty, who pissed in your Cheerios this morning?? The discussion is about wheels and tires, not missile launch codes, for crying out loud. Get a grip, man. :shakes head:

ops... I didn't want everyone to argue.

technically, if you use huge tires you might have more grip (max lateral acceleration), but if you place 275 tires @ front axle, the steering feedback, response, and the handling will be worst (less slalom speeds, in example).

275 tires are very enough for rear, I dont know technically how can you say more than 275 are better for a car like the 370z.

295 are for a show car, so big for a 330hp N/A RWD car with engine placed in front.

Basically on a track you get big understeer with stock setup (staggered tires, alignment specs, dampers/springs/sways), so if you want to get the car more nimble in turns just stay away from huge rear tires and get some front camber arms, and should be enough good.

I'd like to have two sets of rim, one for street and one for the track.
The 19" rays are amazing and they should be enoufh for street use, for the track I'd go with 245/45 R18 tires all-around.

A semi slick tire with proper alignment should give you Front end grip and the same should be for rear end traction.

Also, a car with narrow tires is more fun to drive.

thats cool, everyone has their preferences. I previously had a 350z and ran 245s, 255s and 275s at all 4 corners on the track, and I preferred the 275s for my driving style.