Wheel choices - need thoughts / advice

[Rando]

The car: Black '93

Options I am considering:

TR:
Oz Ultraleggeras Black
17x8 48 offset
18x9 55 offset (seems high)
Comments: Offsets have me worried that they won't fill out the well properly and would interfer with BBK in the future. I know OZ wheels reputation from motorcycles so quality is not a concern even being low pressure cast.

TR:
WedsSports SA-70 Light Grey
17x7.5 43 offset
18x9 42 offset
Comments: Actually like the blue accents as it gives a little contrast to the all dark/black look. Offsets seem closer to what many of you recommend compared to the OZ wheels. Don't know about the quailty of this wheel. Any feedback?

NSX Prime Vendor:
Work Emotions Graphite
17/18 combo which they say fit perfectly
Comments: Great looking set of rims. Most expensive of the three sets. Don't know offsets, weights, or quality. Any feedback appreciated.


Tire sizes:
215/45/17
275/40/18

Don't want a stretch look or fat look with the tires on the rims, just covering the lip nicely.

Comments welcome!

 

[sojusoulja]

what is your budget?

Are you going for light weight/performance or Big Lip.

Personally, I would go with more agressive offsets.

 

[brahtw8]

I think your tire sizes may be a bit too tall in aspect ratio, particularly the rear.

The standard 17/18 tire set is 215/40/17 and 265/35/18. This maintains the appropriate overall diameter.

If you do want a 275 rear, I would think a 35 or 30 would be the way to go.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

http://www.trackjunkietees.com/trackjunkiewheelsTRM1.html

I think those are also another nice alternative.

 

[Rando]

what is your budget?

Are you going for light weight/performance or Big Lip.

Personally, I would go with more agressive offsets.

Like to stay under $1500 shipped. Light weight/performance is what I'm after. Had forged Rays (LMGT4s) on my 350z and loved them. Should have kept them as I think they might have looked good on the NSX.

I think your tire sizes may be a bit too tall in aspect ratio, particularly the rear.

The standard 17/18 tire set is 215/40/17 and 265/35/18. This maintains the appropriate overall diameter.

If you do want a 275 rear, I would think a 35 or 30 would be the way to go.

Thanks, I'll revisit tire selection.

http://www.trackjunkietees.com/trackjunkiewheelsTRM1.html

I think those are also another nice alternative.

Those do look nice. Don't know the TR brand. Are they on par with OZ from a quality standpoint?

Any feedback on the WedsSport wheels?

 

[Big_D]

Have you seen this?:smile:

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46639&highlight=wheel+guide

I like a wheel design with at least 3" lip in the rear.

I'm glad you are leaning toward 17/18... IMO the best combo:biggrin:

• 215-40R17 front on 17x8
• 275-35R18 rear on 18x10

BBK clearance thread
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30930

 

[MvM]

The car: Black '93
Options I am considering:

TR:
Oz Ultraleggeras Black
17x8 48 offset
18x9 55 offset (seems high)
Comments: Offsets have me worried that they won't fill out the well properly and would interfer with BBK in the future. I know OZ wheels reputation from motorcycles so quality is not a concern even being low pressure cast.

Tire sizes:
215/45/17
275/40/18

Here you have a picture of my car with said OZ Ultraleggera wheels in silver.
I like them a lot, saved about 27 lbs over my previous BBS wheels.
You are right about the rear offset, the wheels in the rear don't fill out the wheel well whereas the front wheels do. However, the car handles beautifully .
Am running the Racing Brake BBK-kit in front and the 1997+ size in the rear. Obviously, this doesn't give any problems whatsoever.
BTW, my tires sizes are 225/35/17 front and 265/35/18 rear.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

http://www.trackjunkietees.com/trackjunkiewheelsTRM1.html

I think those are also another nice alternative.

They are on par with Ultraleggeras. I think TR can get 18x9 in ET40 or something around there as an option for you.

I think on a black car, Black Wheels are nice... But I'd probably paint the lip red and make it look like the time attacks... I'm doing this with the Ultraleggeras for my M3.

The TRMs are nice because they are 18x9.5 and have an offset much closer to what you want. And I beleive they might be a hair lighter/cheaper then the OZs.

I've had 6 pairs of Superleggeras/Ultraleggeras... the only problem I ever ran into was the Wheel/Tire Shops "coning" the wheel on the balancer and splitting the centercap area on a Superleggera because of the pattern.

Here is what I mean:
(See Attached)

As for Tires, I' like the TRMs because I'd probably go 225/40/17 front, and 275/35/18 rear. All Tires have a recommended range of wheel width they can fit, but they also have the recommended width they are measured on which is uaully the best width for the tire. The 225/40/17 was measured on a 17x8, and the 275/35/18 was measured on a 18x9.5. Drawback is that Nitto 555s are the only tire that make a 225/40/17.

 

[nsxtasy]

I think your tire sizes may be a bit too tall in aspect ratio, particularly the rear.

The standard 17/18 tire set is 215/40/17 and 265/35/18. This maintains the appropriate overall diameter.

A lot of excellent tires are available in these sizes, most notably the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 for a nice balance of excellent traction on dry roads, excellent traction on wet roads, and long treadlife. If the only thing you are looking for is the best dry traction, the Falken Azenis RT-615 is also available in these sizes.

 

[davidf]

Not a bad deal.http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98499

 

[Rando]

A lot of excellent tires are available in these sizes, most notably the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 for a nice balance of excellent traction on dry roads, excellent traction on wet roads, and long treadlife. If the only thing you are looking for is the best dry traction, the Falken Azenis RT-615 is also available in these sizes.

I've owned the F1 GS-D3s before and am a huge fan of this tire, especially for it's wet weather performance. Nice ride also.

Still on the fence about the wheels, but the info has been helpful.

 

[davidf]

Another nice deal.http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100164

 

[Rando]

From the tire calculators I've found it appears that at 215/45/17 - 275/35/18 combo is closer in tire height than the 215/40/17 - 265/35/18 setup recommended.

What am I missing here?

Serveral members seem to be running the 215/45 setup with out issue.

Thanks.

Oh, I'm looking for sidewall height to help with construction/potholes etc. going on in San Antonio.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

OEM was 205/50/15 and 225/50/16...

 

[MvM]

Rando,

Here you have a better view of the offset with the OZ Ultraleggera's in the rear. It was a little dark when I took the picture, but I think it's clear enough to see what you want.

 

[brahtw8]

From the tire calculators I've found it appears that at 215/45/17 - 275/35/18 combo is closer in tire height than the 215/40/17 - 265/35/18 setup recommended.

What am I missing here?

Serveral members seem to be running the 215/45 setup with out issue.

Thanks.

Oh, I'm looking for sidewall height to help with construction/potholes etc. going on in San Antonio.

I think you are confused about what you are trying to compare.

The NSX fronts are smaller than the rears in diameter and that staggered sizing needs to be maintained with upgraded wheels/tires.

You don't want your front diameter to be closer to your rear diameter. You want your new front diameter to be close to the OEM front diameter and new rear close to OEM rear.

The OEM front tire is a 205/50/15.
The overall diameter is 23.07 inches.
A 215/40/17 is 23.77 inches.
A 215/45/17 is 24.61 inches.
The 215/40/17 is closer to the OEM front diameter.

The OEM rear tire is a 225/50/16.
The overall diameter is 24.85 inches.
A 265/35/18 is 25.3 inches.
A 275/35/18 is 25.6 inches.
The 265/35/18 is closer to the OEM rear diameter.

 

[Lotus_Esprit]

noob alert: can some please explain to me the tire size and what it has to do with performance. please dont flame


Tire sizes:
215/45/17
275/40/18

 

[brahtw8]

noob alert: can some please explain to me the tire size and what it has to do with performance. please dont flame


Tire sizes:
215/45/17
275/40/18

These sizes are larger than OEM diameter and width. Extra width is not necessarily a bad thing, but extra diameter is.

Larger tires in general are heavier, increasing unsprung weight, but the weight difference is minimal when compared to the recommended 17/18 size.

The TCS system may malfunction if you don't maintain the appropriate diameter stagger front to rear.

Your odometer and speedometer will not read correctly due to larger (or smaller) diameter.

If you substantially increase diameter (or width) you may have rubbing issues and you may completely destroy the handling characteristics of the car. 20s on an NSX is a bad idea.

 

[Lotus_Esprit]

These sizes are larger than OEM diameter and width. Extra width is not necessarily a bad thing, but extra diameter is.

Larger tires in general are heavier, increasing unsprung weight, but the weight difference is minimal when compared to the recommended 17/18 size.

The TCS system may malfunction if you don't maintain the appropriate diameter stagger front to rear.

Your odometer and speedometer will not read correctly due to larger (or smaller) diameter.

If you substantially increase diameter (or width) you may have rubbing issues and you may completely destroy the handling characteristics of the car. 20s on an NSX is a bad idea.

thanks, no i undestand it better, so not to small or not big big (width). what about the heght of the wheels?

 

[brahtw8]

thanks, no i undestand it better, so not to small or not big big (width). what about the heght of the wheels?

Diameter = height. I was primarily speaking of what you refer to as height. I only made a few comments about width.

When I say diameter or overall diameter, I mean the measurement from one edge of the tire to the other, through the center of the wheel. It includes the diameter of the wheels itself plus the height of the tire sidewall x 2.

 

[NSXFRIEND]

The OEM front tire is a 205/55/15.

Oem front tire size is..

205/50/15

 

[brahtw8]

Oem front tire size is..

205/50/15

Indeed. Sorry for the misstatement.

It doesn't change the tire size recommendation.

 

[NSXFRIEND]

Indeed. Sorry for the misstatement.

It doesn't change the tire size recommendation.

True,

Now you have to sell me your aftermarket wheels(I will take 94+OEM) for 150bucks shipping included:biggrin:

 

[brahtw8]

True,

Now you have to sell me your aftermarket wheels(I will take 94+OEM) for 150bucks shipping included:biggrin:

Sounds good, but I will issue you a cashier's check for $100,000 first, so just wire me back the extra $99,850. PM me for routing info.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=97

Hope that helps understanding how to change wheel and tire sizes while maintaining the same overall diameter. Now all you have to do is calculate the tire difference in height front to rear and make sure that matches your new set as well.