18" or 19" Wheels?

JSBZ · 09-18-2009, 08:30 AM

I want to get a set of wheels and tires to use for trackdays, TT's, auto-x, etc. what is the benefits of an 18" or 19" wheel? I would like to buy a set of surplus sport pkg wheels but I am not sure 19" is the way to go for the track. I noticed that there are many more tire options available in 18" sizes.
Will 18" wheels fit the larger sport pkg brakes?

Mike · 09-18-2009, 09:15 AM

the stock 18" wheels will fit over the sport brakes, they just aren't that wide. I wanted 18s also, and looked and looked and couldn't find any, so I had 4 rear 350Z track wheels widened an inch and now I run 275/35-18s all around.

ChrisSlicks · 09-18-2009, 01:19 PM

The biggest advantage to the 18" wheels is tire choice (plus cheaper tire options). I'm still waiting for my 18" Forgestars to come in ... some day. I have some 18" Nitto NT01 tires waiting to go on first, after that I will probably switch to Kumho V710's (it's easier to build corner confidence by increasing grip gradually).

The 19" tires that are available are limited. Many perform well, but all are $300 a tire.

Namir · 09-18-2009, 02:46 PM

18" wheels and tires will be cheaper.
18" wheels and tires will be lighter.
18" wheels can clear sport brakes with right offsets.
18" wheels/tires have more options for sizes/brands.

Its a no brainer for track, get 18's.
19's are purely for looks.

Namir · 09-18-2009, 02:46 PM

18" wheels and tires will be cheaper.
18" wheels and tires will be lighter.
18" wheels can clear sport brakes with right offsets.
18" wheels/tires have more options for sizes/brands.

Its a no brainer for track, get 18's.
19's are purely for looks.

JoeD · 09-18-2009, 06:32 PM

For the track, I will be running a set of 18" CCW Classic Race. That's almost a no-brainer.

MeetJoeAsian · 09-18-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namir

18" wheels and tires will be lighter.

not necessarily...if you get forged 18s, they will be lighter than the 19s...however, if you compare a cast 18" wheels to the forged 19s, the 19s may be lighter

JSBZ · 09-18-2009, 08:09 PM

Can a track setup exclude the TPMS? I know some cars will go into a limited power mode when the TPMS is not sensing or eliminated.

JoeD · 09-18-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeetJoeAsian

not necessarily...if you get forged 18s, they will be lighter than the 19s...however, if you compare a cast 18" wheels to the forged 19s, the 19s may be lighter

One should make the assumption that he is talking about a given wheel in 18" vs. 19". So yes...they are lighter.

schrute · 09-19-2009, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSBZ

Can a track setup exclude the TPMS? I know some cars will go into a limited power mode when the TPMS is not sensing or eliminated.

The rims I got had valve stem holes that were too small for the OEM TPMS so I drove the car about 600 miles before getting up the nerve to drill out the holes to make the sensors fit.

The car had no issues without the TPMS other than the annoying light on the dash.

KillBill · 09-19-2009, 04:53 AM

Im also looking into getting 18's cuz I loves da track....Why do people want a set of 18 for track and 19 for street?? If I get 18's I would get Volks TE37's and just leave them on. Why change back to 19's just cuz I'm not at the track?? MIght be a StuPiD question but can somebody explain?

MeetJoeAsian · 09-19-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillBill

Im also looking into getting 18's cuz I loves da track....Why do people want a set of 18 for track and 19 for street?? If I get 18's I would get Volks TE37's and just leave them on. Why change back to 19's just cuz I'm not at the track?? MIght be a StuPiD question but can somebody explain?

19s for looks on the street...18s for the bigger sidewalls on the track..

Mike · 09-19-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillBill

Im also looking into getting 18's cuz I loves da track....Why do people want a set of 18 for track and 19 for street?? If I get 18's I would get Volks TE37's and just leave them on. Why change back to 19's just cuz I'm not at the track?? MIght be a StuPiD question but can somebody explain?

Because R compound tires wear by heat cycle and not tread depth and won't last long on the street and are unsafe in bad weather

silverpence · 09-24-2009, 12:42 AM

Besides the stock 18s, any specific aftermarket 18s that we know for sure fit the 370?

Would 18s reported to fit the G37 w/ Akebonos fit the 370 as well given proper offset adjustments with spacers?

travisjb · 09-24-2009, 02:54 AM

18x10 and 18x11 are your best bet for reasons stated above re tire availability and cost... can run up to 325 rears on 11"... I'm using a 14.25" big brake kit and my aftermarket 18s clear just fine... i could have recommened the forgestars but considering how late they are...

09-18-2009, 08:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
JSBZ Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 56 Drives: 09 370Z T/S 6MT Rep Power: 16	18" or 19" Wheels? I want to get a set of wheels and tires to use for trackdays, TT's, auto-x, etc. what is the benefits of an 18" or 19" wheel? I would like to buy a set of surplus sport pkg wheels but I am not sure 19" is the way to go for the track. I noticed that there are many more tire options available in 18" sizes. Will 18" wheels fit the larger sport pkg brakes?

09-18-2009, 09:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	the stock 18" wheels will fit over the sport brakes, they just aren't that wide. I wanted 18s also, and looked and looked and couldn't find any, so I had 4 rear 350Z track wheels widened an inch and now I run 275/35-18s all around. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

09-18-2009, 02:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Namir Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OH and VA Posts: 627 Drives: 09 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 256	18" wheels and tires will be cheaper. 18" wheels and tires will be lighter. 18" wheels can clear sport brakes with right offsets. 18" wheels/tires have more options for sizes/brands. Its a no brainer for track, get 18's. 19's are purely for looks. __________________ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. G37S\|6MT\|PREM\|NAV\|Eibach\|Ichibia\|Injen

09-18-2009, 02:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Namir Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OH and VA Posts: 627 Drives: 09 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 256	18" wheels and tires will be cheaper. 18" wheels and tires will be lighter. 18" wheels can clear sport brakes with right offsets. 18" wheels/tires have more options for sizes/brands. Its a no brainer for track, get 18's. 19's are purely for looks. __________________ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. G37S\|6MT\|PREM\|NAV\|Eibach\|Ichibia\|Injen

09-24-2009, 02:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 189	18x10 and 18x11 are your best bet for reasons stated above re tire availability and cost... can run up to 325 rears on 11"... I'm using a 14.25" big brake kit and my aftermarket 18s clear just fine... i could have recommened the forgestars but considering how late they are... __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

09-18-2009, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	The biggest advantage to the 18" wheels is tire choice (plus cheaper tire options). I'm still waiting for my 18" Forgestars to come in ... some day. I have some 18" Nitto NT01 tires waiting to go on first, after that I will probably switch to Kumho V710's (it's easier to build corner confidence by increasing grip gradually). The 19" tires that are available are limited. Many perform well, but all are $300 a tire.

09-18-2009, 06:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	For the track, I will be running a set of 18" CCW Classic Race. That's almost a no-brainer.

09-18-2009, 08:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
JSBZ Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 56 Drives: 09 370Z T/S 6MT Rep Power: 16	Can a track setup exclude the TPMS? I know some cars will go into a limited power mode when the TPMS is not sensing or eliminated.

09-19-2009, 04:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
KillBill Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Bernardino Posts: 86 Drives: 08-G37S Rep Power: 16	Im also looking into getting 18's cuz I loves da track....Why do people want a set of 18 for track and 19 for street?? If I get 18's I would get Volks TE37's and just leave them on. Why change back to 19's just cuz I'm not at the track?? MIght be a StuPiD question but can somebody explain?

09-24-2009, 12:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
silverpence Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Qc, Canada Posts: 24 Drives: 09 370Z CS M6 Rep Power: 17	Besides the stock 18s, any specific aftermarket 18s that we know for sure fit the 370? Would 18s reported to fit the G37 w/ Akebonos fit the 370 as well given proper offset adjustments with spacers?

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