Stock fender s13 questions

[datsun2401972]

Looked through the fitment guide, and pretty much determined that I want 17x9 +15 to +20. Before I go and buy though I would like your guys' opinions.

My car specs: Stock fenders, KTS coilovers, and rucas.

My goal: To make a great grip car for my local road course.

Tire choice: 245/40/17

And of course, my opinions: I want to get the most grip out of this car that I can with stock fenders. It's a street car for now, but will eventually be mainly track driven with slicks more than likely.

I see some 9in wide running 235/40's. And those have a slight stretched look to them. Really, I don't want stretched tires at all if it decreases the handling ability of the car, or if it reduces the "transitional feel" from grip to slip. And 245/40's are cheaper iirc anyways...

Of course I'll want to run loads of camber(more than -2* anyways), because Hallett(road course) is a small track that takes advantage of good brakes and solid cornering ability. Of course you loose braking ability with uber camber...but moving on...

So I guess my question to end this is should I be going with a 17x9 close to +15 with a 245/40/17 tire? Is there a better proven wheel/tire combo for a stock fender s13 grip car?

And do any of you know the optimal ride height(from fender to center of wheel) before you start screwing up the CG and roll axis relationship?

Thanks guys!

Modified by datsun2401972 at 12:19 AM 6/3/2008
Modified by datsun2401972 at 12:33 AM 6/3/2008

[datsun2401972]

Well, no one replied, I guess i should've searched more or something...

Here are some pics of the wheels I just bought. MB is the brand, 17x9 +17 is the size:And my dog thinking about pissing on themThey all have a little curb rash, some look worse than others. But i think they are all pretty fixable. Hopefully for cheap.

When 5-lug hubs and probably 245/40 size tires(unless someone can reason a better choice) are purchased, I'll have photos of them mounted...

[disrupt]

I have a s13 as well and I am planning of putting 17 by 9, plus 12 offset. I am looking forward to your fitment pictures. From what i have heard they should fit, but you might need a few millimeter spacer in the front to clear coilovers and depending on how lowered the car is the fenders might need a slight roll.

Nice rims.

[adrianfromthecastle]

datsun2401972: I'm kinda confused on your question. If you're asking if you can run 245s on stock fenders, yes, you can (esp since you're planning on running -2* camber). You need to roll your fenders flat though...

[datsun2401972]

I'm hoping I can stay away from spacers...

I read a post regarding 9.5 in wheels with the same offset needing a ~3 to 4mm spacer up front for coil clearance. So hopefully with a quarter inch less rim sticking out each side (6.4mm/.25in) I won't need them.

Adrian: think of my questions as an opportunity to spill your brain all over these pages. But your answer does help. Especially since I haven't ordered tires yet.

205/60/15's are on the car now...which is 246+384=630mm diameter tire.

And a 245/40/17 would be...196+435.2=631.2mm diameter tire.

So it's pretty darn close to the same diameter wise, so obviously I was worried more about the width fitting with a 9 in wheel with +17mm offset. And you answered that for me, thanks!

I just wanna soak up some knowledge from the experienced guys, as I have little experience actually doing alot of tuning on my own car.

Anyways, more picture whorage:

Factory flushness FTL!

May need to come down a inch or two up front...

Yay, I love my car!

So these pics bring another question to mind, what's a good consistent way to measure ride height? I've tried from the center of the wheel to the fender, but I wouldn't call it completely accurate...

I used a tape measure to make sure both front and rear coils were setup the same from driver side to passenger side. But where's a good place to measure the front and rear height with respect to eachother..if that makes any sense...

Off to work I go....yay