Poll: Need help with what wheels to get

[newdude1]

I need help choosing between wheels. Either the 5Zigen Proracer +520 17x9 +27 or the Sportmax 962 but with the 17x9 all around. They are going on an s13 hatch.

[simmode1]

Call me silly... but I'm gonna go with the Sportmax...I'm a sucker for 5 spokes and a nice lip.

But OP, you know 962's in that color are very hard (ie damn near impossible) to find in that size. And you will need spacers to fit the fronts, too...

[newdude1]

Im not concerned about the color of the sportmaxs. If I get those Im painting them. Its just an idea of how they look.

[red ka-t]

You should look up these 16x8 sportmax xxr 513 all black with a red trim from sgmotoring, now those are the ishhhhhh.

[adrianfromthecastle]

I voted 5zigens... those don't look that bad at all!

the sportmax 962's... man, everyone has those. hell... I even owned a pair (drift spares).

also, them 962's are heavier than a mofo. They weigh alone almost the same weight as the wheels I have now with tires.

[newdude1]

If anyone else knows of and good 4 lug wheels please post up.

[simmode1]

You should look up these 16x8 sportmax xxr 513 all black with a red trim from sgmotoring, now those are the ishhhhhh.

Dayum... those do look kinda fresh. But 16x7 = fail IMO, no matter what the offset...

[916drifter]

i was looking at the 5zigens as well but i havnt seen any 240s with good pics with them on. any more pics of that coupe?

but 5zigens for sure...

[xckid]

5Zigen proracer

with out a doubt

the sport max are nice but everyones got em.. ive never seen these proracers....mmmmgives me idea

[240lookis]

everyone has the 962s. way too played out.

[Sushibandito]

As forewarning, I saw all the crap by using search, my question is more tire size related... And I know this is necro-postingSo I bought this set of 962s with money I made from getting rid of an old set of Sparco seats... Figured its fresh rubber for this winter and will make it so my car doesn't slide around in the rain like Nancy Kerrigan at the ice rink.

The guy included 5mm spacers for the fronts, and it seems like spacers aren't Required? for the rears, but helpful if I want it to look something other than lame.

So I was thinking 10mm spacers all around, and that will give me +28 Front and +25 Rear, as far as I can figure. And I don't think that will require a pull or roll, since flush is +20 or +22 (I think). The sidewall in the rear is really freaking tall though, will it clear the wheel wheel, or just be a rub-job all day long? I don't mind if it throws the speedo off a bit, my car almost never leaves the city.

Fronts: 17x7 +38225/45-17Rears:17x9 +35255/45-17

[simmode1]

As forewarning, I saw all the crap by using search, my question is more tire size related... And I know this is necro-postingSo I bought this set of 962s with money I made from getting rid of an old set of Sparco seats... Figured its fresh rubber for this winter and will make it so my car doesn't slide around in the rain like Nancy Kerrigan at the ice rink.

The guy included 5mm spacers for the fronts, and it seems like spacers aren't Required? for the rears, but helpful if I want it to look something other than lame.

So I was thinking 10mm spacers all around, and that will give me +28 Front and +25 Rear, as far as I can figure. And I don't think that will require a pull or roll, since flush is +20 or +22 (I think). The sidewall in the rear is really freaking tall though, will it clear the wheel wheel, or just be a rub-job all day long? I don't mind if it throws the speedo off a bit, my car almost never leaves the city.

Fronts: 17x7 +38225/45-17Rears:17x9 +35255/45-17

You really should have asked this question before you bought those... You don't need any spacers to fit those sizes, however they're are going to look like a**.

Here's what you should have gotten in 962's17x9+35 with 15mm bolt-on spacer 235/40/17 tires18x9.5+35 with 20mm bolt-on spacer 245/35/18 tires.

And of course, slammed on coils. This info I've listed is the difference between your car looking like this...

Or like this...

[Sushibandito]

Bolt on spacers would almost be expensive enough to sell these and buy a better fitting set. I know Ichiba bolt on spacers run about $125 per pair.

As far as tires, I don't mind if the car looks "average" if it means not spending $250 per tire, and I am sure 245/35/R18s are gonna be really expensive compared to 17's....

Although it sounds like I can do the exact same thing you listed with bolt on spacers using the wheels I have. The fronts are a whack size, maybe I could find a swap or just buy two new wheels, they ain't that expensive.

So tire-wise with what I have, will a 255/45/17 for the rears work (even temporarily) on my S13?

[simmode1]

Bolt on spacers would almost be expensive enough to sell these and buy a better fitting set.

...Which is why I said you should have asked about this before your bought so we could have told you in advance how much of a hassle it is to make those wheels fit properly. But oh well... moneys spent now...

As far as tires, I don't mind if the car looks "average" if it means not spending $250 per tire, and I am sure 245/35/R18s are gonna be really expensive compared to 17's....

245/35/18 seems to be a pretty uncommon size actually, so nevermind that. But here's some 255/35/18's and they aren't all $200...

http://www.phase2motortrend.com/25535r18ss595.html AND http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...er=18

So tire-wise with what I have, will a 255/45/17 for the rears work (even temporarily) on my S13?

That's a tall and beefy sidewall, but I don't think it'll rub with 17x9+35 wheels in the back. How low are you?

[Sushibandito]

1st part - I am the freaking king of "Buy first, think later". It will be my undoing, and I had done a little research before hand. Enough to realize I should have gotten something that is really meant for a RWD car... Stupidity wins again. These are popular wheels with newbies, so I should be able to flip them when the time comes for a decent price.

2nd part - I would like some RPF1's for the high end choice, or maybe the MB Battles at some point down the line for cheapies. Although I know they would look whack, my fav wheel is the SSR Vienna Kreis. But sticking with 17"s for now, I got quotes from $100 to $150 for decent 245/40's or 255/40's

3rd part - Its a ridiculously tall sidewall, like muscle car big. I am currently at stock ride height, no lowering springs or coil-overs. I have Tein tension rods up front, and so far that is the most I have done to it.

Thanks much, you are the only person who actually has advice on this stuff. Tire guys at the local shops don't know jack, I talked to a dude today at Discount Tire that said I would need Negative! offset for a 17x9" wheel

[simmode1]

1st part - I am the freaking king of "Buy first, think later". It will be my undoing, and I had done a little research before hand. Enough to realize I should have gotten something that is really meant for a RWD car... Stupidity wins again. These are popular wheels with newbies, so I should be able to flip them when the time comes for a decent price.

Yep. I been there. My wheel was Tenzo R Shu's. 17x7.5+45 of pure fail. Traded them to another s13 newb for a PS3.

2nd part - I would like some RPF1's for the high end choice, or maybe the MB Battles at some point down the line for cheapies. Although I know they would look whack, my fav wheel is the SSR Vienna Kreis.

Solid choices, but really played out... Stick around NICO and your find a whole cornucopia of options open up to you. I made a tread a while back to give ppl some ideas for cheap wheels. Check it out: zer...age=1

3rd part - Its a ridiculously tall sidewall, like muscle car big. I am currently at stock ride height, no lowering springs or coil-overs. I have Tein tension rods up front, and so far that is the most I have done to it.

Plz don't hold me to it, but I think the tires should fit fine since you're still riding high. I mean, you can fit 275/35/18's under stock s13 rear fenders, but offsets become really important at that point.

I talked to a dude today at Discount Tire that said I would need Negative! offset for a 17x9" wheel

I suppose if you wanted to run a 9 inch wide wheel and stick with tiny stock-ish tires, then yeah that makes sense. But if you want to run 9 inches worth of rubber... those guys.... just... wow.

Here's an important lesson that I've learned in this 240 game: -Try not to go shopping anywhere locally while you still have any questions. This means the local wheel/tire shop and the local Performance parts shop.

-Do your research online and know exactly what you want and why you want it before you walk in the front door to those places. And then? Don't let them change your mind.

[Sushibandito]

Had I looked up your threads, simmode, I wouldn't have had to ask.

http://www.rimtuck.com/setup.php?id=66

This guy is running a similar setup, 17x7 front and 17x8 rear, same offsets since I will have spacers up front, and is fitting 255/45's in the back. I hate when they don't take the straight along the body back to front shot, cause you can't see how it lines up. And it almost looks like his fenders are pulled in the rear.

And yes, played out as hell on the MB Battles, and with every Formula D car running RPF1's you'd just look like a poser. Short of the having a 16 lb wheel... The Vienna Kreis is pretty sick though. Just impossible to find. Hence why you are looking at them on a Honda Fit



I will throw up some before and after shots when it's all finished. Thanks for the help. Sadly this is the best current picture I have right now... But gives the general idea.


Modified by trigjones at 2:09 AM 10/23/2009

[simmode1]

Umm Vienna Kreis isn't hard to find. They have those at RBwheels.com all the time. They sell used JDM wheels in good condition. Maybe you should check that out.

I don't need a straight on back shot to tell this looks like a**...

For the most part, alot of us guys that are really into good wheel fitment, we don't like the 'fat-boy' look of a tire that is ballooning all around the wheel like you baking some bread... Either get tires that are square/flush with the wheel, tires that are slightly stretched on the wheel, or tires that are massively stretched (if you're into that kinda thing). I prefer a moderately wide tires with a subtle stretch. Of course, in order to stretch a 255 tire, you're gonna need a pretty wide wheel, like 10 inches wide.

Here's what my next setup is going to be:17x9.5+12 235/40/17 18x10+22 255/35/18

These tires are about 2 sizes from fitting square on the wheel and will give more room to run a little wider tire in the future. IMO, this look creates a type of continuous 'flow' from the curve of the slightly stretched tire into the body lines of the fenders, making for a more clean look.

When the tire is all billowing over the side for the wheel, it disrupts the visual flow from wheel/tire into the body's curves and it looks sloppy.

See... observe the dopeness of Mr.Greeneyes fitment:

17x9.5+15 245/40/17, I think. It's square all around. No roly-poly tires with squishy, fat sidewalls here.

And here's a good example of a nice stretched tire setup. Observe the way the tire's curve just continues and flows right into the fenders...http://www.rimtuck.com/setup.php?id=753

This may not help you with your current setup, but maybe for next time...
Modified by simmode1 at 1:54 PM 10/23/2009

[Sushibandito]

There wasn't any question for me that his set-up is lacking... Even without the "hurt your eyes" paint job...I really don't like the older Advan SA3R's. The updated Advan Ver. 2 is pretty decent looking, but definitely the kind of wheel that requires a very well matched body style. But its $650 a wheel



Here is the 962's I bought, tires look pretty much square to me. Well, on the fronts at least (the wheels without the big lip). The rears have a little bulge, the only benefit is I won't be as likely to curb them. But I liked the whole "flow" where the wheel is sticking out of the fender just a smidge with a little stretch.

[simmode1]

Yeah, Advan Ver II's are super sexy if you get the right sizes. Those and LMGT4's are my opinion of the perfect S-chassis wheels.

Well, my advice on salvaging your 962 setup?

-Take the tires off the 17x7 wheels and put them on your 17x9's. Mount these up front with a minimum of a 10mm spacer. Remember, this will require extended studs for safety.

-Then buy a pair of 18x9.5 962's and stretch some 235/35/18's or something on them for your rears. Run a 15mm bolt on spacer.

This will look decent with an aggressive drop. Or you can rock the setup as it is now, sell it later and choose something better the next time around.

[mRodiek]

I dont see too many of those 5zigens before, hmm I like.

[h.240]

I don't think this was mentioned, so I'll let evryone know. The first pic in this thread isn't of 5Zigen +520. They are Wedsport TC105N. That's Silbeer's car, specs can be found here http://www.sillbeer.com/2004/08/plan.html . The 5Zigens look like this -

In my opinion the 5Zigens are nicer than the SportMaxx's. Maybe because not a lot of people have them.

[simmode1]

Wow... those are completely different wheels! I can't believe no one caught that until now!

[Gabes13]

:Wed

Yeah I noticed that when I saw the 520s on frsport for cheap.At first glance, I thought, "I've seen them before (red coupe posted)." Then when I found that pic (red coupe), I loled at myself.

[Sushibandito]

So wheels are installed finally. Attain hubs for the front, OEM S14 hubs for the rear. Plus new rotors for the rear ($19 each) and the Q45 fronts were already drilled for both. Grand total with hubs ($400) + Sportmax wheels ($450) + installation ($250) = $1,100.

I included two better pictures of the old set-up, probably crappy resolution as they were taken with an Iphone. The new pictures are with a Panasonic ZS3. If anyone is in the market for a new camera, this thing freaking rocks for a point & shoot, excellent reviews, great night shots, 12x zoom, HD Video.

Without further ado, here ya go, plus two interior shots as I just replaced the tweed on the door panels and glove-box. Really digging having all black.

Specs:Front17x7 +37with a 5mm Spacer225/45Rear17x9 +35 (fenders rolled for when I drop it)255/45









Excuse the banged up door, previous owners fault and I haven't gotten around to swapping it out.







Shot of the old wheels which I refinished myself.

[simmode1]

If possible, I would totally appreciate your input on the new wheel set-up, even if it ends up being completely negative

Eh... I don't really know what to tell ya, man. I already gave my opinion in the previous posts...
Modified by simmode1 at 12:23 AM 11/18/2009