300ZX (Z31) Brakes, Wheels, Suspension and Chassis Discussions related to performance suspension, wheels, brakes and chassis.

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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 03:48 PM
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Evan Faris's Avatar
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New wheels..

Ok i've done my research and haven't found anything else.. I'm running 225/40/18 tires now.. Wanting to go to 205/50/16s.. Stock 88 NA's run 215/60/15... Some people have told me that the 205/50/16s might not clear the brake caliper properly and won't work. Anyway someone could tell me if they would or not? Nowhere else to search..
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 06:39 PM
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Wheel size and clearance

Originally Posted by Evan Faris
Ok i've done my research and haven't found anything else.. I'm running 225/40/18 tires now.. Wanting to go to 205/50/16s.. Stock 88 NA's run 215/60/15... Some people have told me that the 205/50/16s might not clear the brake caliper properly and won't work. Anyway someone could tell me if they would or not? Nowhere else to search..
It's actually the reverse, but that would be going from a 15" inch to a 14" inch, but from 15" inch to an 18" no problem. Now going back from 18" inch to 16" inch no problem unless you have done some modification to the front end, such as bump steer spacers, or bigger calipers etc. Other than that you're god to go.
Old Aug 26, 2013 | 07:58 PM
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Why 205/50R16?

Why 205/50R16? This size is narrower than either stock size and has a rolling circumference more than 3" shorter, which means a smaller contact patch. IF you wish to revert back to a smaller wheel size, I'd use one of the stock sizes. The turbo size has a slightly larger contact patch and slightly shorter side wall, but otherwise there isn't much difference between the 225/50R16 and 215/60R15 tires. The NA cars have a fairly large offset tolerance. Any 7" wide rim with an offset of +20 to +40 should work just fine. To simultaneously compare two tire sizes to one another, use a tire size calculator.

Read ZBUM's information page on wheels and tires to understand what works best for sizes.

Last edited by ken99; Aug 26, 2013 at 08:02 PM. Reason: Corrected URL
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 03:26 AM
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Figured it'd be a complete waste of time. Thanks.
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 07:13 AM
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Gee, I'm sorry. I thought both ZDON and I had provided answers to help you decide which tire size would work best. So...Yes, the 205/50R16 tire will work just fine on your Z31 NA with a stock suspension, provided they are installed on right rims. Look for 16 x 6.5J or 16 x 7.0J wheels, +20 to +40 offset and with a 5x114 bolt pattern.
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ken99
Gee, I'm sorry. I thought both ZDON and I had provided answers to help you decide which tire size would work best.
If you Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by NismoPick
If you Facebook:....
Yes, why bother.
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 02:47 AM
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Offset determines a lot. Spoke design determines most. Tire size is bullshit number to say if they'll fit or not. 205 is narrower than stock = it will fit. But offset will really be the deciding factor.

If "some people" really did tell you 205/50/16 won't fit, then they're even dumber than you are.

Last edited by AZ-ZBum; Sep 2, 2013 at 02:50 AM.
Old Sep 4, 2013 | 11:46 PM
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I personally think you'll struggle.
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