How much offset, and what size rim, is needed to clear Z32 brakes?

[phenryiv1]

How much offset, and what size rim, is needed to clear Z32 brakes?

I have 15" rims with 36 mm offset- will that be enough? Is there a template that I can download and print that I can use to test clearance?

(New aftermarket brake calipers often come with this to ensure fit before mounting.)

[ruf-jason]

you'll need min. 16" wheel, check web sites and use the 300ZX as the vehicle, not a 240sx, that'll give u a good start off point

[phenryiv1]

When yo usay to check websites and use the Z as a vehicle, do you mean wheel websites?

Would tirerack be a good resource to ask? I could tell them athat I have a Z32 and need to know what specs will work for prospective wheels...maybe,,,

[Drift Augmentation]

You need to find out how much backspacing a rim needs to clear z32 calipers?Backspacing = the measure from where the wheel mounts to the hub and to where the calipers will hit the inside of the face of the rim.

Offset is used to make the rim fit under the fenders and to clear suspension...it's not used for clearing brakes.

[Drift Augmentation]

oh wait, i guess offset might make a difference on a 1-piece rim cause it would change the backspacing.

[phenryiv1]

oh wait, i guess offset might make a difference on a 1-piece rim cause it would change the backspacing.

Yes, it does...I can get the measurement of the backspacing.

[Dori Dori]

When posting in another thread, I was interchanging the phrase 'wheel backspacing' for 'spoke design'...I got chet a little mad and he went off on me and locked the thread before I could reiterate. ;p

Anyway, spoke design and offset are what's important. You can have a bad spoke design and low offset and still not clear z brakes or visa versa.

Your best bet is to find wheels that people are already using and select from the bunch. Not many wheels in 15" or 16" will clear z calipers though (especially not the 30mm). I'm pretty sure there is a s13 wheel in 15" that will clear the 26mm z32 calipers. I think it was the SE wheels that have the cutouts behind the spokes. Could be wrong about that though.

[phenryiv1]

The rims that I have are a BBS design that is pretty flat from the rear. They are 7" wide, and have a low offset, which gives them a relatively high backspacing. I plan to measure it this weekend (rims are not at my place).



There is a pic of the rims, to give you an idea of the spoke design.

If you look at stock Z32 rims, they are a 16" rim, but I do not know about offset and backspacing on them.

I was hoping that there was a template for the Z32 calipers that I gould cut out and see if the rime fit over them. I really need to find someone w/ Z32 calipers and try to bolt them up, but noone in my area seems to have them.

Are the 26mm calipers from the NA with the 30mm coming from the TT?

[phenryiv1]

BTW:

I found these specs for stock Z32 rims. If 1" equals 254mm, then the rims are 1905mm (7.5") and 2159mm (8.5") wide. Infortinately, I do not know the total hub width, but at least I can figure out the offset for the factory Z rims using the following figures:

1992 Z32 (Non Turbo)16x7.5 with a 45mm offset

1992 Z32 (Turbo) 16x7.5 with a 45mm offset - Front16x8.5 with a 35mm offset - Rear

Now he only question is, from where is backspacing measired? Is it the front of the rim to where the rim meets the rotor, or is it back of the rim to where the rim meets the rotor?

[dreamsOfSkylines]

I think that is something you have to measure yourself. Different calipers will be different distances from the center of the wheel, since the distance from the back of the spokes to the wheels flat hub mounting surface varies as you move away from the center (on almost all spoke designs), there is no one 'backspacing' (if thats the correct term) for a wheel. I think brembo made the OEM z32 brakes, try to write to them asking for a template.

[Toahk]

I doubt z32 calipers will clear that rim.

[phenryiv1]

I doubt z32 calipers will clear that rim.

How much clearance difference is their between G50 and Z32 brakes?

[Drift Augmentation]

What's the measurement for dimension C for 26mm and 30mm z32 brakes?

Or if someone with 300zx brakes can get the measure from the rotor to the outside of the caliper that would be good.

thanks

[Toahk]

How much clearance difference is their between G50 and Z32 brakes?

Was just an assumption, I just know a lot of flat faced wheels with lips dont generally allow for z32 calipers.

[crzycav86]

Does anyone think these rims would clear z-brakes? Look at the spoke design.. However, since it's on a honda, that means high offset.. What do you think? Wheel size and offset are unknown.

[Silviapower]

TRY THIS I THINK THIS WILL HELP, measure a STOCK S14 240sx SE wheels the 16" wheels. Alot of people i talk to on the 240sx/silvias forum that they clear the 300zx brakes caliper both the 26mm non-turbo and 30mm turbo calipers.

[crzycav86]

Yeah, but I'd have to know the distance for all the wheels that i'm looking at too. And since I'll most likely buy the wheels online, I won't be able to compare and check the distances.. but perhaps your message wasn't meant for me...

[Silviapower]

Well dont buy it online. I never thought o buying a wheels/rims online. I need to see the rims/wheels up close to know if i like it.

[Hellion240sx]

did my post get deleted???

[SmithSR]

Now he only question is, from where is backspacing measired? Is it the front of the rim to where the rim meets the rotor, or is it back of the rim to where the rim meets the rotor?

To find Backspacing: measure from the bolt pad to the backside of the lip of the wheel.

offset: distance from the bolt pad to the absolute middle(center line) of the wheel.

Knowing rim width and backspacing we can calculate offset:Formula:Backspacing minus (overall width / 2) = offset in inches

Then convert to get your wheel offset in metric, per industry standard.

Example:5.25"backspace - (7.75 / 2) = 1.375" offset

convert to metric: 1.375 x 25.4 = 34.925 aka +35mm offset

now go out and measure backspacing!!

[Silviapower]

there u go hehehe.......

[phenryiv1]

To find Backspacing: measure from the bolt pad to the backside of the lip of the wheel.

offset: distance from the bolt pad to the absolute middle(center line) of the wheel.

Knowing rim width and backspacing we can calculate offset:Formula:Backspacing minus (overall width / 2) = offset in inches

Then convert to get your wheel offset in metric, per industry standard.

Example:5.25"backspace - (7.75 / 2) = 1.375" offset

convert to metric: 1.375 x 25.4 = 34.925 aka +35mm offset

now go out and measure backspacing!!

Thank you!

[Exar-Kun]

"I got chet a little mad and he went off on me and locked the thread before I could reiterate. ;p"

it wasn't you I was mad at. hoser...it was the attitude of the thread.

thanks to smith SR on this one for re-iterating my point of that locked thread, that backspacing and offset mean the same thing, just different ways to measure it.

also, one thing..

the only way to know if something clears for sure is to TEST MOUNT IT. seriously. I've seen wheels I could ahve sworn would clear certain setups hit something(like the top of the caliper, or the inner fender when turning) and vice versa(teardrop s13 alloys clearing 26mm Z brakes...wtf)

just a thought.

also, I like cheeze.-chet

[phenryiv1]

"I got chet a little mad and he went off on me and locked the thread before I could reiterate. ;p"

it wasn't you I was mad at. hoser...it was the attitude of the thread.

thanks to smith SR on this one for re-iterating my point of that locked thread, that backspacing and offset mean the same thing, just different ways to measure it.

also, one thing..

the only way to know if something clears for sure is to TEST MOUNT IT. seriously. I've seen wheels I could ahve sworn would clear certain setups hit something(like the top of the caliper, or the inner fender when turning) and vice versa(teardrop s13 alloys clearing 26mm Z brakes...wtf)

just a thought.

also, I like cheeze.-chet

Bad thing abotu that is that I HAVE the rims...I dont want to buy and install the brakes only to find out that they do not fit.

[Exar-Kun]

set the caliper onto the brake rotor, put brake rotor onto wheel like it would mount onto the veicle..if it contacts, it wont fit, but at least you didnt install the entire thing(and you can return the parts

-chet

[Dori Dori]

That's what I did, but I had a spindle to use too (converted to 5 lug). It's really the 'best' way.

[phenryiv1]

set the caliper onto the brake rotor, put brake rotor onto wheel like it would mount onto the veicle..if it contacts, it wont fit, but at least you didnt install the entire thing(and you can return the parts

-chet

Good idea...if I get an okay deal on the brakes, all I will be out is shipping if they do not fit, because I can always resell them.

[Hellion240sx]

does autozone carry both the 26mm and the 30mm?

[phenryiv1]

I planned to buy used off of here, but I suppose you could go to the autozone site and check, or go into the store.

[SmithSR]

Wait, why not just use corresponding model Z wheels? You can't tell me you don't like Z wheels! ok you can, but c'mon!