:help :dunce
Firstly, I have to claim ignorance when it comes to tires and wheels. With that said I'd like to upgrade to 17" rims on my 2000 I30. The OEM's are 215/55-16. I've read on NICO about getting rims that will accomodate the car's weight and other important factors when upgrading. I'm not a big fan of the low profile tires and I'm not into the bling-bling rims. My original rims have been damaged by car wash sprayers by the prior owner so they need to fixed or replaced. What should I look for when I upgrade?
Advice on Tire and Wheel Upgrade
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docsmile71
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 4:16 am
You want to look for something lightweight. Unsprung weight (that is the weight of brakes, wheels, and hubs) plays a very big role in the performance and longevity of the suspension. Search for unsprung weight if you want to find out more.
For a FORGED 17" rim which will cost you about $400-500 EACH, it will weigh about 13-16 lbs. There are good cast 17" rims out there that weigh about 17-19 lbs which cost significantly less. Some good manufacturers to look at are Racing Hart Evolution, Kosei, or any or the manufacturers on Tirerack except the really cheap ones like Sport Edition. BBS, SSR and Volk rims are very good forged rims but very pricey.
If you go to 17" rims, you have to go to low profile tires if you want to keep the overall diameter of the wheel the same. Check sites like http://www.tirerack.com http://www.tires.com http://www.wheelmax.com http://www.dazzmotorsports.com for more info and choices of wheels and tires.
For a FORGED 17" rim which will cost you about $400-500 EACH, it will weigh about 13-16 lbs. There are good cast 17" rims out there that weigh about 17-19 lbs which cost significantly less. Some good manufacturers to look at are Racing Hart Evolution, Kosei, or any or the manufacturers on Tirerack except the really cheap ones like Sport Edition. BBS, SSR and Volk rims are very good forged rims but very pricey.
If you go to 17" rims, you have to go to low profile tires if you want to keep the overall diameter of the wheel the same. Check sites like http://www.tirerack.com http://www.tires.com http://www.wheelmax.com http://www.dazzmotorsports.com for more info and choices of wheels and tires.
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Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
I have a 2000 I30t, that came with the factory 17" rims, and I have upgraded to the 2002 Q45t chrome wheels. Both sets came with the Bridgestone Potenza RE92 225/50/17 tires.
I also have a 1994 Q45, that came with 15" rims. I have upgraded to 17" rims. I use the same tire size, 225/50/17, as on the I30t. I am very happy with the results. The 17" rims make the pot holes a little more pronounced, but are a much better handling tire/rim combination.
A great place to get wheels is on eBay. I have bought 2 sets, there, and several sets of tires. All in all, I have had 2 good experiences, and 2 bad experiences. You get what you pay for. I would stick to an OEM wheel, but be careful, when buying take-offs on eBay. I have heard of a recall notice on the 2000 Q45t wheels.
You are only going up one tires size, so the change will be mostly affected by your tire choice.
There are a lot of posts about tires, do a search.
I also have a 1994 Q45, that came with 15" rims. I have upgraded to 17" rims. I use the same tire size, 225/50/17, as on the I30t. I am very happy with the results. The 17" rims make the pot holes a little more pronounced, but are a much better handling tire/rim combination.
A great place to get wheels is on eBay. I have bought 2 sets, there, and several sets of tires. All in all, I have had 2 good experiences, and 2 bad experiences. You get what you pay for. I would stick to an OEM wheel, but be careful, when buying take-offs on eBay. I have heard of a recall notice on the 2000 Q45t wheels.
You are only going up one tires size, so the change will be mostly affected by your tire choice.
There are a lot of posts about tires, do a search.