Opinions wanted: Wheel width's

[float_6969]

It's an S13 Coupe. CA18DET. Hope to run 250-275RWHP at the track. Currently setting at lowest boost setting and 200RWHP and having traction troubles. Right now the car is setting on S14 SE 5 lug wheels.

This is a daily driver, but FREQUENTLY AutoX'd. (When it's not winter anyway)

I'm wanting opnions on diameter, width, and offset.

I'm currently thinking of a staggered setup, w/16x8F and 16x9R.

Is the staggered setup a good idea? I'm considering my current traction problems, but fear with a staggered setup, I'll be inducing understeer.

I don't have a problem with 17's, but with it being a daily, I'd like to not have to run super low profile tires and risk bending a wheel.

I am considering keeping the S14 wheels for street and buying a Track only set of wheels. The current traction issue comes to mind though for the S14 wheels.

Is that enough info? Lemme know what you think.

[McRussellPants]

I honestly dont know how its possible to bend a quality cast 17 without dukes of hazarding down a wash board road.

[C-Kwik]

I honestly dont know how its possible to bend a quality cast 17 without dukes of hazarding down a wash board road.

Try a 205/40-17 on a 17x7 Enkie RS-Evolutions. My friend tacoed 3 of them on his integra on three different occassions. He finally went to a taller sidewall after the third one...

[zippitta]

I would go with 16x8 all around. You would still be able to rotate tires. The extra inch (16x8-16x9) will add 2-3lbs of weight. Which means more rotational mass. 8" wheels and some decent tires should keep you hooked up.

I honestly dont know how its possible to bend a quality cast 17 without dukes of hazarding down a wash board road.

All it takes is a curb check or a nice sized pot hole to bend a wheel.

[nismofly]

16/17 x 7.5 or 16/17 x 8 wheel with 225/50/16 or 225/45/17 falken 615's...my eventual track setup, i may use my kosei's for track if i stay 4 lug

probably around the same power as you too

since your 5 lug you could get a set of r32 gtr wheels, or something of that nature

[McRussellPants]

17x8 +25 235/45 Front17x9 +35 255/40 Rear

Its easy enough, when in doubt copy everyone else.

[naed240sx]

17x8 +25 235/45 Front17x9 +35 255/40 Rear

Its easy enough, when in doubt copy everyone else.

I agree. With that much power, a staggered setup sounds good, and you are going to want at least a 9 inch wide rim in back. Make sure to get some good sticky tires too.

[float_6969]

How do you guys feel about a car understeering with a staggered setup. I know a lot of high HP cars use a staggered setup, but they're designed for it.

[Rex]

If you're gonna be "using up" your tires regularly, I;d suggest using 16's to allow you to have more/better tires for the money.

Any info on suspension pieces or brake upgrades that would need clearance?

[Dano]

As for the comment on 17s, I had Racing Hart C5s with 205/40/17's, fubared the rims, never again use rubberbands.

I suggest 16x8 all around as well, will allow you to rotate and you can still run a 225-245 tire... or you could try to find some 8.5's and we can roll/pull your fenders some...

he has 26mm brakes and a suspension that rivels Bigfoot, so no real clearenence issues yet...

-Dan

[float_6969]

LOL, Dan nailed it!

I am running 26mm Z32 brakes all the way around.

Suspension is completely stock right now with lots of miles on it, but that should be remedied as soon as I get the drivetrain all sorted out.

I will be running a coilover setup of some sort, I haven't decided what brand yet.

I would assume that the 8" width in combo with the coilover is going to cause some clearane issues and I'll have to run some crazy offsets.

Will a +25 clear coilovers in the front with an 8" wide wheel, or will I have to go even lower?

[Dano]

depends, but to be safe I'd go with +15 j/k

-Dan

[float_6969]

+15! LOL, widebody, here I come...

[naed240sx]

How do you guys feel about a car understeering with a staggered setup. I know a lot of high HP cars use a staggered setup, but they're designed for it.

With only a 20mm stagger, I don't think that understeer will be a problem for you. Your car will be putting out a lot of horsepower, so a stagger could actually be helpful for neutral handling.

[Exar-Kun]

steady state handling (under or over steer)is a function of tire characterisitcs, weight distribution and weight transfer...so you uys can quit talking about having X power and needing X tire to compensate..you need a sticky tire to compensate, not just something "wider"....

Also, many cars run staggered setups due to weight transfer issues, or heat problems (IE M3's, 350Z, etc) and to keep the vehicle in a understeer state more often than not, as this doesn't alarm the general public as much as a nearly-neutral car is (like a FD3S).

that being said....

I see no reason to reccomened a staggered setup unless you're overheating the rear tires, and/or you arne't happy with the steady state handling of the vehicle currently.

Also, consider this, putting a wider "more possible grip" tire on the rear will cause traction loss to be quite sudden- this is because you'll be causing snap oversteer via throttle, not because ot the chassis...something to think about...until you're losing grip at the rear, chances are you'll be understeering..is that something you want?

my 17x7.5 +30mm cleared everything just fine. I would roeccomend that, or something like a 17x8 +25 all around with a 235-40-18 all around. That sidewall gives you plenty of width, stiffness and sticky tire selection, without causing gearing/OD issues or having too low of a load index.

float: if you're having traction issues...."Currently setting at lowest boost setting and 200RWHP and having traction troubles"

at 200rwhp..GET STICKIER TIRES MAN, and a LSD (if you don't already have one)

Also, you should cinsider the climate you're in when selecting the tires/wheels setup, as well as any future mod you may want to do. Also, how big are the aestetics of a larger/wider wheel playing for what you -want- to hear?

I know my choice in wheels for my S13 was 90% functionality driven for my Z..maybe 80%...(there's lighter 18" wheels...)...

You way want to elaborate on "grip loss" I assume you mean throttle induced, from a standstill or cornering...

-Chet

[McRussellPants]

I would assume that the 8" width in combo with the coilover is going to cause some clearane issues and I'll have to run some crazy offsets.

Will a +25 clear coilovers in the front with an 8" wide wheel, or will I have to go even lower?

8J is easy on a 240SX. anything with an offset less than 30 will clear most coilovers. the +25 will clear on an S14, +10 would be perfect 2d camber flush.

+15! LOL, widebody, here I come...

*bangs head agaist wall*

Is this an S14? if so you need to do 17x9+20 with 235/40 or 245/40 all around and call it a day. The only reason I initally suggested the 8s is I thought it was for an S13 and it doesnt look like many people here care to make that clear.

[nismofly]

rofl...read the first words of his first post

anyway, i forgot about the sticky tires part when i mentioned my sizes before

keep the s14 wheels for the street, buy a set of 7.5 or 8 inch width, run like a falken 615...

[McRussellPants]

Fair enough. 8 +15 is still far from needing wide body on an S13 too.

I'd also say do the 17x9+20 on S13 with 235/40 tire. all you need to do is roll the fenders and run some camber. Espesially if your rocking 4x4 stock suspension.

[float_6969]

...and a LSD (if you don't already have one)

Currently a Viscous. Should be Helical/Torsen by the end of the week.

Also, you should cinsider the climate you're in when selecting the tires/wheels setup, as well as any future mod you may want to do. Also, how big are the aestetics of a larger/wider wheel playing for what you -want- to hear?

Climate:Kansas, wet springs starting in April. Hot summers, to a lesser extent, wet falls, ending by late November. Snowy, icy, winters, very cold, but I'm running a dedicated studded snow tire, so all season isn't a concern.Future Mods (relating to the tires):Coilovers and better suspension. (currently still stock. I blew the KA and had to do the motor first)Aestetics: Non-issue. The more I think about it, I think this will be dedicated track wheels, and I'll just run the S14 wheels the rest of the time, OR pick up another cheap set for the summers, and leave the winter tires on the S14 wheels.

You way want to elaborate on "grip loss" I assume you mean throttle induced, from a standstill or cornering...

During an autocross, I have to be VERY careful with the throttle when turning as the car was very apt to put the rear end out. It was throttle based. But I'm also still on the stock suspension setup, which I'm sure was contributing. I was running a dedicated summer/wet tire, but nothing spectacular either. I don't even recall the Model now. I know it was a Dunlop.

*bangs head agaist wall*

Guys, I was JK about the widebody thing...

Is this an S14?

It's an S13

...Espesially if your rocking 4x4 stock suspension.

That should be elleviated before the begining of the next race season.