help with 17" rims for 73 240z
 

First off, I would like to say that I am new to this site and new to the world of z. I'm trying to buy some new 17" rims for my z but I'm having trouble finding rims and tire sizes that will fit without any issues. Can anyone recommend any particular rims and tires that I should consider. Thx

Welcome to ZDriver! :icon_super:

Have you checked out the selection from MSA & BDA?

www.thezstore.com

www.blackdragonauto.com

>_< im assuming your on stock suspension. do you wanna use a spacer if so that will lead you to more selection of rims. if not your gonna have to pay a pretty penny. 750 for rbr is what set me back on my 17.

what tires do you have on them and do you have any issues with a rougher ride or the tires rubbing. i was going to pick up a set of icw 25 b, 205/45-17x7 but was told that they would stick out past the fender so im undecided for now.

You could always get ZG flares ;) lol

You can save a lot of money by buying used wheels and tires. The Z has a 4x114.3 pattern with zero offset. You can fit 8" wide tires without hitting the springs or fenders IF you get adaptors equal to the offset of the wheels. Example, if you find wheels with a +25mm offset you must use 25mm thick adaptors. There is a guy selling them on eBay.

thx theramz. i dont know much about rims but that makes sense and really helps me out some. im trying to keep them from sticking out pass my fender without flares. im trying to find some nice used 17" black rims but wanted to make sure i find the right ones that will fit before i buy them.thx again.

my rims are -offset so they stick out. i have 275/40/17 tires in the rear while the front has 255/40/17 up front. i had to cut my fenders and dam to fit with zg flares. doubt they will fit under stock suspension though.

i found nice rims for relatively cheap and they are +38 offset. can anyone who knows about rims tell me if they will stick out past fenders with appropriate spacers?

Like I said, those will require 38mm thick (1 1/2) adaptors or they will hit the springs. Personally I don't like adaptors because they move the load to the outer bearing. The more the center of the tire is moved out the more the tires will "scrub" in the turns. It comes down to the type of driving you intend to do. I would save up some money and do it right.

Front wheel drive cars use positive offset. Commonly +38 to +45mm. Bolting these up to your car will bring the wheel inward too much, hitting your strut, not sticking out too far.

Your 240Z is rare in today's wheel market. You need something with zero offset or only a few mm positive. +0 to +12

Late model RWD cars like the Mustang, G37, and 350Z are about +25 to +30 but almost all of the new wheels for those cars come only in 5-lug not 4 lug.
So you see the issue is to find a low offset wheel in 4 lug pattern.

You can buy adaptors that take up the space between the hub and wheel but you end up with no dish in your wheels and it looks like a FWD Honda wheel.

There are a few options. Most of them in 15" and 16"
Sportmax makes a couple cheap wheels in 16x7 and 16x8 with zero offset that will bolt right up.
Rota makes a style of wheel called the RB and a slight variant called the RB-R
It comes in many sizes and most of them are +0, some even negative offset which sticks the wheel further out.
Your car can fit 8 inch wide wheels (max) with zero offset. On the rear fender you'll have the least amount of outside clearance. Don't go too wide with your tires or they might rub a little.
If you want to lower the Z a lot and have plenty of clearance, try to find 17 (or 16) by 7 inch wide all around.

My 280ZX (much deeper fenders than a 240Z) with 4 to 5 lug wheel adaptors and 18x8 +38
http://www.bleachgarage.com/images/z/purplez25.jpg

My 280ZX with Rota RB-R in 16x8 +4mm (almost zero offset) bolted right up to the hubs. No adaptor.
http://www.bleachgarage.com/images/z/silverz25.jpg

thanks all, really appreciate all the help. and thanks to you bleach. i looked up those rota and sportmax wheels and i found a few that i really like them. the only thing is i found the sportmax rims on net but i cant find anywhere that it shows the specs for them. one more thing what size tires you have on your rotas.

they sell sportmax and rota on ebay all the time fyi.

Sportmax 002 style is one that has zero offset. I think there are only two styles with zero offset made for RWD cars.

The 16x8 Rotas have 225/45/16 in front and 245/45/16 in back

Sometimes you'll find some candidates under the "vintage" or even light truck categories, due to the RWD, 0-offset spec (no adapters needed). I got these in the 15" size, but they have 'em in 17x7, 0-offset, 4/4.5", too: http://www.wheelsforless.com/detail.aspx?ID=2523

Couple things with the vintage/truck approach:
- they often assume your hub is larger than it actually is, which can lead to brake caliper clearance issues (mine are a tight fit with the brake upgrades).
- 5-lug is more typical in those categories
- assumes you like the old-school look
- some of the truck wheels might look dumb on a sportscar
- sometimes, not really any cheaper

But you might find some options you like, and it's free to look. :)

cheers,
Dave

http://www.fquick.com/images/vehicle...jpg?1235859088 see what happens when you have negative offset such as -19 in the rear with -13 upfront.