Cali wheel options after front coilover upgrade

  • Pauls
    Pauls
    Member
    • 64

    Cali wheel options after front coilover upgrade

    Hey,

    Just upgraded to stance coilovers all round on my 89 z31 cali.
    Front uses strut tubes and knock adaptor.
    Issue I have is pre-upgrade I was able to fit;

    18x8 35+ (lenso dc6) & 18x7.5 30+ (350z touring)

    After the upgrade need 15mm spacers &
    18x8 35+ inner wheel touches coilover
    18x7.5 30+ clears by just under 5mm.

    Quite disappointed that I needed to go spacers and even more so that only 350z wheels fit.



    Running standard LCA's.

    Would love others feedback as to whether;
    1. they faced same challenges
    2. what width wheels and offsets they have gone with
    3. spacers or without spacers and width?

    Thanks..
    Love z31's as much as I do? Check out my build: http://www.zdriver.com.au/index.php/…__80#entry2219
  • G-E
    G-E
    Junior Member
    • 6320

    #2
    That's normal, a coilover is typically much wider diameter than a coil on strut setup, and there are no protruding parts like perches below the wheel edge
  • quicksilverz31
    quicksilverz31
    Member
    • 83

    #3
    Like GE said, it's normal to have less inner clearance on the front after switching to coilovers. That being said, you should consider running wheels with a more aggressive offset. 18x8 +35 and 18x7.5 +30 is weaksauce on Z31's. As far as wheel sizing goes, I'm running a 16x8 +0 and it's not even that aggressive. My tires are what get me closer to flush. Depending on where my new tire size will put me I may end up running 10-15mm spacers.
    87 300ZX: VG33ET, 30a, Bilsteins/Eibachs, Stance tension rods, MSA sway bars, Cusco strut braces, ASCO Camber plates, RCA's and motor mounts, poly everything else.
  • Pauls
    Pauls
    Member
    • 64

    #4
    Rear upgrade worked out well with no spacers, so I would prefer no spacers on the front. Need to now get my head around widths and offset combinations that will work for the front and then see what I can source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
    Love z31's as much as I do? Check out my build: http://www.zdriver.com.au/index.php/…__80#entry2219
  • Ven
    Ven
    Senior Member
    • 510

    #5
    quicksilverz31;346448 wrote: 18x8 +35 and 18x7.5 +30 is weaksauce on Z31's..
    /thread lol
  • quicksilverz31
    quicksilverz31
    Member
    • 83

    #6
    Ven;346463 wrote: /thread lol
    +1

    There's nothing wrong with using spacers or adapters to get a better fit on wheels you already have. But if you're looking to get some different wheels take a measurement of where your wheels sit now and where you want them to.

    Use either of these websites to figure out the differences in fitment for wheels with different widths/offsets.

    http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator
    http://www.willtheyfit.com/
    87 300ZX: VG33ET, 30a, Bilsteins/Eibachs, Stance tension rods, MSA sway bars, Cusco strut braces, ASCO Camber plates, RCA's and motor mounts, poly everything else.
  • Pauls
    Pauls
    Member
    • 64

    #7
    Wheel spacers are illegal for street use in Australia.
    They are also quite strict on ride height, wheel clearances etc.

    When it comes to car mods, Compared to some of the American builds I have seen, you can't fart in Australia without being busted.
    Thats one of the reasons I want my build for those who don't know z31s to think its original.

    So weaksauce at times can be your friend… officer
    Love z31's as much as I do? Check out my build: http://www.zdriver.com.au/index.php/…__80#entry2219
  • adamvann3
    adamvann3
    Senior Member
    • 4160

    #8
    Fill out your profile, that would help.


    Like mentioned above the OEM struts have the spring perch above the wheel, so the stock strut housing was the only thing the wheel and tire needed to clear. Now with coilovers, the damper body increased in diameter and depending on springs the wheel will now need to clear the spring perch and spring.

    From your picture you need to clear the spring OD:

    (Spring Outer Diameter - Strut Tube Diameter) / 2 = the difference in offset needed to clear

    The difference being = to your previous setup and it will also bring the wheel out closer to the fender by that amount



    Or learn from what others have ran. 17x9 -3 running 235/40 tires cleared my spring perches by finger width. Good rule of thumb it 9in wide wheels at zero offset. This will provide inner clearance, while needing to do close to nothing to your front fenders (at -2 degrees of camber).
    86na - BlueZ
    Shiro #366 - Kouki Monster
    85t - Mr Tickles
  • michaelp
    michaelp
    Senior Member
    • 9384

    #9
    +30 is a lame offset, thats more sunken than stock for a 7.5" wide wheel. I have 16x8, -10s…they clear fine. You need RWD wheels not FWD wheels.
    - VG30DET (HE341) 86 300ZX - 1982 280ZX Turbo - Headered NA 1986 300ZX 2+2 - 2000 Xterra -
  • Greasedmonkey
    Greasedmonkey
    Senior Member
    • 516

    #10
    the wheels I just put on have a +30 offset on a 7.5 in wheel. They are rwd wheels. I also have a 25mm spacer too.
  • michaelp
    michaelp
    Senior Member
    • 9384

    #11
    Greasedmonkey;346805 wrote: the wheels I just put on have a +30 offset on a 7.5 in wheel. They are rwd wheels. I also have a 25mm spacer too.
    350Z/G35 don't qualify as RWD wheels. Those things have FWD offsets. lol
    - VG30DET (HE341) 86 300ZX - 1982 280ZX Turbo - Headered NA 1986 300ZX 2+2 - 2000 Xterra -
  • Pauls
    Pauls
    Member
    • 64

    #12
    michaelp;346631 wrote: +30 is a lame offset, thats more sunken than stock for a 7.5" wide wheel. I have 16x8, -10s…they clear fine. You need RWD wheels not FWD wheels.
    8" with 10 or 15 offset would be ideal as would eliminate need for spacers, however dont like my luck finding 18's in that size let-alone at a good price.
    Looking online this week and havent found anything..
    Love z31's as much as I do? Check out my build: http://www.zdriver.com.au/index.php/…__80#entry2219
  • DeleriousZ
    DeleriousZ
    Senior Member
    • 6874

    #13
    forget the 8" and go for a 9/10 or 9.5/10.5 split. They're more common (read xxr, rota, other inexpensive replica wheels) and can be had for a pretty decent price. Check zilvia.net's wheel and tire for sale section. It's extremely active and can find some decent deals on there if you're fast about it.

    1988 300zxt. gt35, stance, etc. Wheels: Varrstoen ES2 18x9.5 et-13 225/40. 18x10.5 et0 245/40
    1990 jetta vr6'd