Would you recommend this setup... or is it a bad idea?

[Eikon]

Well.... I will throw one out to the Wheels and Tires Gods and hope I don't get flamed too badly.

I have a 92 240sx convertible. I have an RB swap and eventually I hope to make a lot of HP.. but for now I don't have enough to force traction issues in acceleration. (stock hp is like 210-220) Plus it's a turbo car, so it really makes the most power at really high RPM's.

I do not plan on racing, draging, autoxing, drifting, or anything else that might cause me to die in a flaming ball of 240sx. I do however enjoy a little spirited driving. I like to corner hard, I like to accelerate hard, etc... But, it's a convertible and I intend to cruise. If I wanted to race I would have gotten a hardtop.

The car currently has the stock 15" alloys with REALLY bad tires.

I am not considering these to be my final and ultimate wheels/tires. I need a decent setup (Cheap) to last me for a year or two until I can really build my car. I need something I can use and sell later and still get some money back out of.

I have a chance to pick up a set of Sentra SE-R spec V wheels for $250 (locally so no extra $$$ for shipping). That's hard to beat price wise. They are 17x7. More specifically they are 215/45 R 17.

I am also working on a set of tires... Sumitomo's 205/40 ZR17. I think I can get them for $200 or less shipped. Brand New by the way.. stickers still on them.

Here are my questions.. 1.) I don't really know tires very well... Are Sumitomo's any good?2.) Does the differance in size between the tire and wheel cause a major problem? I think they will mount ok>?3.) Are these just too narrow for the car? I keep seeing 240's with 255 or greater for the rear wheels at least. Am I correct that until you have like 300+ HP you really don't need that wide a tire?4.) Overall... taking into mind the cost, the current car performance, etc... would you recommend this setup... or is it a bad idea?

Thanks to everyone who reads this and is generous enough to post some advice!


Modified by Eikon at 8:04 PM 4/4/2005

[Exar-Kun]

SUmitomos are cheap tires, and that size has got a far too small Overall Diam. and Load index for me to even consider it as an "Acceptable" application on a 240SX.

Search around on your width question. You'll find more information on contact patch, etc through searching and you know..those really big things on the top called FAQs.

The SE-R wheels fit, but I'm not a large fan because they won't clear Z brakes (IIRC) and are so close to scrubbing the strut its insane.

BUt for the money, you can't lose. If you like the look, go ahead and bolt them up, just get a 215-45-17 tire (correct load index, and size for the rim width) in a nice tire and give them a shot...

I'd save my money, but some decent 205-55-15 for the stock SE alloys (something like a BfGoodrich Gforce Sport, etc) and run around with that.

-Chet

[Eikon]

Thanks for the reply Exar. I appreciate your response.

In my defense.. those FAQ's are great, but they are mostly links, and most of the links are dead. It would be great if someone would update those FAQ's threads.

Would you recommend Kumho? They are also in a reasonable price range on Tirerack.

I agree that it would be better to find a wheel that will clear a brake upgrade, allow a wider tire, etc.. but when I have the dough to upgrade my engine, suspension and brakes, I will also sell these wheels and get something serious. I am just looking for a good temp. solution to get be through this and probably next summer.

I was concerned about them being too narrow, and you have confirmed that for me. I think I will pass on those Sumi's and look for something in a 215 or 225 width.

Another noob question... I know that the 40 or 45 refers to sidewall height of the tire. Isn't smaller better... don't you want lower profile for better handling? Would the fact that the tire is 5mm slimmer make up for it being 10mm narrower?

Thanks again.

[AZhitman]

Sidewall height is measured in PERCENT of tread width.

A 245 50 16 has a sidewall that is 50% as wide as the tread, or 122.5mm.

Lower profile also means lower load rating, and poor ride quality in extreme cases.

Chet's advice is good, I'd just keep the tires that are on the Spec-V rims for now.

[Eikon]

More help please!!!

I am passing on those Sumitomo's.

I found a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE030. They are definitely used... have about 40% tread left.. I think they will last me at least this summer and probably next because I won't put on more than a few thousand miles per summer. So I think they will last long enough until I am ready to upgrade to some serious wheels. BTW.. they are $59 for all 4 and I can pick them up locally.

Anyhow... Here's the question.. They are 235/45/ZR17. The size of the stock tire that comes on Spec V wheels is 215/45. The wheels themselves are 17x7 and have a 45mm offset.

Will these tires fit on my wheels? I am really struggling with the whole tire size concept. I know you can push the size a bit, but i don't know how much. Like I know that if stock size is 215.. you can mount 225's. But can you go to a 235? At what point is it just too big a tire for the wheel?

Also... On my S13 convertible... Will I rub at all at stock ride height? What if I installed Coilovers? Will the coilovers rub on the Spec V wheels with their 45mm offset. (megan racing coilovers by the way). Will the tires rub if I drop the ride height by say 1.5"?

Thanks guys... I am learning.. I appreciate your help!!!
Modified by Eikon at 11:54 AM 4/5/2005

[turtl631]

215/45/17 is a tire size, not a wheel size. THe wheels are 17x7. That said, 215/45/17 is the ideal size for that size wheel on a 240sx. 235/45/17 will look stupid and have big bulging sidewalls. It may not even be recommended for that size wheel. I wouldn't do it.

[Eikon]

OK.. so 235's are out.

Would it be advantageous to mount 225's in back and 215's in front? Does staggering make any differance? Could I even go with 225's in back and 205's in front?

Thanks again.

[cdlong]

actually it depends what year Spec-V wheels you are talking about if they will clear z brakes or not. the '05 and i think the '04 come with brembos (optional) so they should clear the z32s. there's no way they will clear coilovers though.

i think you should seriously consider getting some decent tires for your stock wheels and keep them as spares down the road. you could throw on a 5 mm spacer to clear z brakes if necessary and they might clear coilovers already. you'd be suprised how a good set of tires feels on such small wheels (in comparison). it would be a lot cheaper in the long run, why would you want to spend money on new wheels just so you can get used tires that won't last very long.

i wouldn't suggest a stagered setup. with the extra weight from the RB, you'll want some decent grip up there.

check out some FAQs and other useful stuff on other sites. here are a few.http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.ht ... m/tech.asp

[hannibal]

At the bottom of this page is a list of tire sizes are acceptable rim widths...http://meggala.com/wheelsoffsets.htm

I'm in a similar situation. Ive decided to go 5 lug. I want to pick up some nice cheap wheels and upgrade at a later time. To make it worth while, I'd like to keep the 'temp' wheels and use them as track wheels once I buy the new ones. I think I'm going for S14 SE wheels.

You should consider trying to find wheels that will work with yor future setup and keep them as back-ups when you upgrade. I know its harder with 4 lugs, but just something to think about...

[Eikon]

Hey thanks for all the links you guys... That is very helpful.

I think I am also reconsidering the Spec V wheels. I really like the look of them.. and I sort of like the idea of having a Nissan badge on them to keep it sort of stock looking... But, it may be wiser to wait on new wheels until I am ready for something I really want.

I am going to take a look at some replacements for my stock wheels.

About the staggering... If recommended tire size is for example 215/45/17... that should provide great handling all around... But, since the rear wheels don't bear the brunt of the cornering... wouldn't you be a little better off with a fatter tire in the rear?

[turtl631]

why would you want more tire on the side that bears less of the brunt? I dont see your logic. You should probably just go with teh same size all around. Staggering tire sizes on the same size wheel is pretty pointless.

[Eikon]

I am sure you are right.. My logic was for traction in acceleration. In a rear wheel drive, my logical thought is that a bigger rear tire will offer better traction in acceleration.... Hence I thought perhaps a larger rear tire would be better.

The downside to oversizing a tire as I have learned recently is that you can loose sidewall strength and sacrifice some of your lateral grip. For that reason, I would think it more intelligent to keep a standard size tire on the front, which is where a little more of your cornering force is applied.

Anyhow... that is just my thought process. Does it make any sense at all?

Since I am not really ready to go after any aggresive performance and I haven't upgraded either my engine or suspension, I am sure that your advice is best and I should stay with a stock size. I think Tirerack.com can get me a whole set for a little over 200 shipped. That's a pretty good deal.

Thanks again for all the advice. It's greatly appreciated!