[ChadS]

This is my first post since finding this website so bare with me if this question has already been asked...

I have a 2004 Enthu model that came with 17" stock rims. I'm wondering if I staggering the wheels to a 18x8.5 front with +32mm offset (245/40/18 tire) and a 19x9.5 rear +25mm offset (275/35/19 tire)would adversely effect the handleing? (the rear offset is for a brembo application). The guys at the tire shop said it "should" work, but I can tell they are guessingl... does anyone have a second opinion?- will it work on my non-brembo Z?

The tire diameters are within specs (25.9" dia front and 26.7" dia rear) so I'd think that putting this fitment on my Z would not effect the handling. But the staggered offset of the rims makes me leary..

The reason why I'm asking is I found an incredible deal at a local shop for the rims and they want to clear inventory by year end. The package deal is Stern ST-2 rims and Toyo T1-S tires for $1800.

Thanks,

 

[smoothz]

Welcome, Chad! Great question for a first post.

Personally, I wouldn't stagger them. I have never read of anyone doing that on their Z. The 18x8.5F and 18x9.5R should work for the Brembos. You're right about the shop guys guessing. As for the Stern wheels, I seem to recall seeing those posted somewhere and thought they were nice wheels. Sounds like a great deal. Aren't they chrome?

 

[studybuddy]

Sounds like an awesome deal you are getting there! I would not go with 19" in the rear and 18" in the front however. I haven't heard of anyone doing this yet, and like you said, I would be leary about it too. Seems like it would also look better if you went with 19's in the front also or went with 18's in the rear.

That being said, most people that want performance out of their wheels go with 18's. Most people that want mostly a show-quality look out of their wheels go with 19's.

:welcome: to 350z-tech! Take a look around. This site has a lot to offer to you and any future questions! :wavey:

 

[ChadS]

Thanks for the feedback!

I originally was looking at getting 18x8.5F and 18x9.5R instead of 19"s all around (for a somewhat "smoother" ride) that and taking into consideration the cost of replacement tires. The only reason why I was considering a 19" in the rear is that the shop had 2ea 18x8.5's (in stock) and 2ea 19x9.5's hanging on the wall and they'd sell the 19's for about $100 bucks less than if they ordered the 18x9.5's (the rims are Triple chrome Stern ST-2's).

I've got another question....
Which is the right offset for my non-brembo Z?

They told me that either offset would work (+32mm Front, +35mm Rear for non-brembo applications), but that I could put on the +20mm front, +25mm rear (brembo application) for a deeper "dish" and that way I could upgrade my brakes later if I wanted too without having to buy new rims.

Has anyone here (without brembo brakes) put on the smaller offset (+20mm Front, +25mm Rear)?

 

[smoothz]

The OEM wheel offset based on the owner's manual is 30mm for the front and 33mm for the rear.

I don't understand the smaller offset to get the deeper dish. I'm assuming they want to sell you something that has a deeper dish than what you were looking for?

It sounds like you're going for the looks department if you're going with these large chrome wheels.

 

[the driver]

I have a question to add to this...

What about non-staggered for the width, here is my reasoning; it seems the Zs factory setup is designed with a contact patch distrubution that doesn't match the weight distribution, being designed for undesteer. My goal is to get the patch distrubution closer to 53/47...which allows for more balanced handling and improved limits. I'm more for track and autoX... Hopefully this will get a better response then over at my350z...

 

[lowrider]

I see no reason the 18/19" stagger will not work. They do such a stagger on the Vette, the Ford GT does it, the $450,000 Porsche Carrera GT does it, as do many other exotics. There's no reason that 245/40/18 in front and 275/35/19 in back will not work. It will maintain the factory ODs, and the sidewall height front to back will be constant.

Again, IMHO, it's a great idea.

Lou

 

[smoothz]

I believe those cars with the staggered setup were engineered that way. Like 'the driver' stated, it might have more to do with such issues as contact, understeer and oversteer, and weight distribution. The 350 is very close to 50/50 and is very well balanced already.

I suppose Nissan went with the same diameter for the consumer because it's cheaper and easier to maintain, for both parties. Can you imagine having to keep an inventory of all the wheel sizes for the thousands of cars they sell? And how about getting the correct size shipped to a dealer or customer who might have gotten the specs wrong.

I think the staggered look would be cool if done correctly. I would just hate to see someone learn the hard way what that would do to the Z. Off the top of my head, I can't really think of anything negative about it. All in all, it would come down to offsets and fitment for bigger brakes.

As for non-staggered width setup, I had that on my Z32 and it tracked very well. The stock size was 225 and I went up to either 245 or 255 on those 16" wheels. It handled like a charm and actually looked better (filled out very nicely and was more flush with the well). I think you can do the same with the Z33.

 

[lowrider]

SmoothZ

You're right, those cars were engineered "that way" for the staggered setup. But, both the "Z" and the "G" were engineered for a staggered setup also. Nissan just does it with tires, not wheels. The result is the same - If the Outside Daimeter on either a wheel induced or tired induced staggered setup is correct, as well as offset and wheel and tire width, there will be no issues.


As far as different size wheels go, both the "Track" model "Z" and the '05 19" "G" have different width wheels front and rear. And, if memory serves me right, I believe the stock 17s are also a different widths front and rear. In addition, there is a stud in the front rotor to keep the rear wheels from being mounted in front.

There really is no issue.

Lou

 

[smoothz]

True, true. All the Z wheels are different width, along with the tire sizes. And yes, there is a stud that simply prevents the wrong wheel to be mounted.

Well, if ChadS thinks it's a good deal for the staggered setup, then he should go for them and then post results and pics after the fact. It could be a first!

 

[350G]

To be honest, those guys at the dealer guessed correctly. You won't be altering the effective height of your overall wheel & tire and a smaller, positive offset (+25mm) will yield a larger lip. I've seen a vehicle with the same setup (18" front w/ 19" rear) and it looked sharp.

I run +21mm offset on the rear (Volk TE37s) and it turned out great with my 10.5" rear rims.

Here's a pic

G

 

[jetpilot]

To clear up some mis-information...

255/35/19 275/35/19

255/40/18 275/40/18

This is the correct sizing for a plus application to maintain stock diameter, and 20mm width difference as not to further increase understeer as with a 30mm width difference between front and back with a 245/275.

JET

 

[stelzj]

To be honest, those guys at the dealer guessed correctly. You won't be altering the effective height of your overall wheel & tire and a smaller, positive offset (+25mm) will yield a larger lip. I've seen a vehicle with the same setup (18" front w/ 19" rear) and it looked sharp.

I run +21mm offset on the rear (Volk TE37s) and it turned out great with my 10.5" rear rims.

Here's a pic

G