Should I just get 2 9" rims for the rear?

[Jeff Williams]

We were moving cars around last night, because I used the truck this weekend, and Evie drove throught the storm sewer across the street in Lola.

It kinda messed up the right front wheel and tire. I didn't see any body damage, or suspension damage.

I was looking on TireRack, and I can get 18 x 8 (same as what I have), or go to an 18 x 9 so I can put some 275/35/18's on the back.

What do you guys think? Will I need this much tire for when I install the NICO ECU?

Right now, I am looking at $450 to replace as is, but closer to $1000 to upgrade.

[Rex]

What offset to go with the 18x9's?

And yes 275's on the rear is the right thing to do, unless you can squeeze some 285's on there

[maxnix]

18x9 all around in a 38-40mm offset. Putting larger tires on the rear is only for cosmetics unless the engine's output is increased to 400+ HP, or say torque to 380+ ft. lbs.

Short of that, all you are doing is increasing under steer.

[Jeff Williams]

OOOOH, me likey understeer!

Tire Rack says 45 mm offset for the rear of the Q.

I have just about talked myself out of it, now.

[rsiwicki]

look at the tire weight differences between the sizes you are considering....unsprung weight (rotational mass) really does slow down the car a lot. When I went from my 15" BBS to 18" OZ's I noticed a huge difference in acceleration in that I would have to say about 0.2 secs in the 1/4 mile it felt like...it was only after I bumped up the timing to 17* did it feel like I had back on my 15" BBS. I am going to bring the rears back down to 255/40/18 as soon as the rears wear out....right now I have 275/40/18's and the weight difference will be 5lbs per rear tire. As Maxnix said....unless you are putting down 400+ horses...the extra wide tire does not do anything for performance and is mainly for looks. If you are looking to maximize performance...then go with the smaller/lighter tire, if you are looking for "looks" then go with the bigger tire.

[elwesso]

Brian, 38-40mm offset in a 9in wide rim will rub the suspension.....

[97ka-t]

Eh, I had 17x9"s on my Kouki with 35mm offset.. Not so sure about Q's though

[Jeff Williams]

As Maxnix said....unless you are putting down 400+ horses...the extra wide tire does not do anything for performance and is mainly for looks.

My Corvette only has about 330 RWHP, and the 295 Goodyear F1 EMT's won't hook up unless I feather the throttle. Of course, the Corvette doesn't have the static downforce (Gravity) that the Q does .

[Rex]

In all honesty, I think *most* of us change (I didn't say upgrade) our wheels/tires based on several factors. I only got the 350Z Rays/Track wheels, because it was a steal of a deal and I needed new tires for my 17's. Few if any drive their car hard enough, often enough to warrant the perfect set of wheels and tires considering that could be equal to the "value" of the car.

Jeff, I like the idea of going wider on the rear, but (personally) wouldn't pass up a good deal on a set of same width to do so. I'd like to see how wide (wheel & tire) can fit on a Q with Eibachs and no rolling/pulling of the vendors. If someone already has that information, I'd like to know and I'll add it to the OEM wheel tire thread just as a holding place.