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Tire options?

  • wbnethery3
    wbnethery3
    Senior Member
    • 437

    Tire options?

    So I've got stock '86 rims and I'd like thoughts on best choice for both size and brand of tire. Not looking to drift, don't have a turbo (yet) just looking for a reliable tire and don't want to blow the budget. Car had 215/65-15 on three wheels and 235/65-15 on one (PO did that). Discount says stock is the 215/60 so I guess he went a bit taller in addition to mixing widths. I will probably get larger wheels for appearance eventually but for now the taller/wider 235/65 might be a good compromise. I know it will throw the speedo off but I'm not worried about that.

    What say ye?
    '86 NA - original owner (1986-93) and final owner (2005-present)

    My build thread: http://z31performance.com/showthread…-Got-mine-back

  • Axel kain
    Axel kain
    Moderator
    • 1221

    #2
    I prefer Falken for their performance to cost. ZE or ZX series are a great touring style tire, tacky, but dont burn off too quick, and are usually $70-$90 each!
    Damn dirty angels....these cars!

    Current Daily Driver - 86 Turbo.
    Under the cover - THE BANANA… that needs to be re-energized.
    sigpic
  • frostvectron
    frostvectron
    Senior Member
    • 1044

    #3
    215/60/15 is already a pretty big sidewall… not sure what the benefit of going with an even taller tire is. My vote is to just get 215/60/15 for now until you get different wheels.
    Justin
    1986 NA 2-seater
    SCCA Solo E-Street Prepared #31
    Race Videos
    Build Thread
  • wbnethery3
    wbnethery3
    Senior Member
    • 437

    #4
    I did. When I went to Discount, they don't sell a 65 profile so I got 60's.
    '86 NA - original owner (1986-93) and final owner (2005-present)

    My build thread: http://z31performance.com/showthread…-Got-mine-back

  • i r teh noobz
    i r teh noobz
    Senior Member
    • 1046

    #5
    Taller tires fill the wheel well a little bit and make the car look better. 225/55s looked much better than 225/50s on my 88T.

    I had some Potenza G019s on my 85. Decent traction, worked well in snow and rain, rode smooth enough and were fairly quiet. They do tend to chop if your alignment is bad or they are not rotated regularly, so beware. Sams Club used to sell them for under 100 each. A friend is running some old RE92s on his Subaru and they have held up well, the RE97 is available now. I have no idea what they cost.
    5.3 LSx Z31
  • wbnethery3
    wbnethery3
    Senior Member
    • 437

    #6
    Ended up with 225/60 cheapies from Discount. They have a directional tread and carry the speed rating, but we'll see how well they drive and wear. Agree that the taller tire probably looks better in the wheel well, but I couldn't get any and Discount wouldn't mount them if I had bought them online and brought them in. I could've used a different shop, but it wasn't that important to me. This is just a short-term solution, so I don't feel too bad spending less than $400 to get back on the road. Longer term I'm looking to go up in wheel size and get good tires… of course, that has to wait until it's in better shape.
    '86 NA - original owner (1986-93) and final owner (2005-present)

    My build thread: http://z31performance.com/showthread…-Got-mine-back

  • wbnethery3
    wbnethery3
    Senior Member
    • 437

    #7
    One other thing I'm considering - spacers. I think the stance with the stock wheels is a little narrow, and something to widen maybe 1" overall wouldn't hurt. Anyone use spacers on stock wheels?
    '86 NA - original owner (1986-93) and final owner (2005-present)

    My build thread: http://z31performance.com/showthread…-Got-mine-back

  • frostvectron
    frostvectron
    Senior Member
    • 1044

    #8
    Yup. 1" adapters work well on stockies.
    Justin
    1986 NA 2-seater
    SCCA Solo E-Street Prepared #31
    Race Videos
    Build Thread
  • i r teh noobz
    i r teh noobz
    Senior Member
    • 1046

    #9
    25mm/1" look great with stock wheels.
    5.3 LSx Z31
  • wbnethery3
    wbnethery3
    Senior Member
    • 437

    #10
    So just to clarify - you're speaking of 1" thick spacers (x2) to widen the overall stance by 2"? Is that both front and rear? I'm going to buy locally so I can return if I don't like the look, but I'd rather not waste time. This will require I replace the studs as well, so help me understand what my options are there as well.
    '86 NA - original owner (1986-93) and final owner (2005-present)

    My build thread: http://z31performance.com/showthread…-Got-mine-back

  • Pace
    Pace
    Moderator
    • 1108

    #11
    Get hub-centric adapters instead of spacers. Then you won't have to mess with extended studs and everything will bolt right up. Mine took 25mm fronts and 32mm rears to get 86T wheels "flush" with the fenders.
    '86 300ZXT GLL
    '78 Datsun 280Z BP
    '11 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD
  • wbnethery3
    wbnethery3
    Senior Member
    • 437

    #12
    Good info… Thanks!
    '86 NA - original owner (1986-93) and final owner (2005-present)

    My build thread: http://z31performance.com/showthread…-Got-mine-back

  • Z_Karma
    Z_Karma
    Administrator
    • 3318

    #13
    I used 25mm in the rear and 20mm in the front on SS 820 and it made the battleship that you get with stock wheels a lot less noticeable.

    http://z31performance.com/showthread…l=1#post279899


    84 AE/Shiro #683/Shiro #820/84 Turbo
  • frostvectron
    frostvectron
    Senior Member
    • 1044

    #14
    Check ebay.... cheaaap. I picked up hubcentric ones for like 60/pair shipped.
    Justin
    1986 NA 2-seater
    SCCA Solo E-Street Prepared #31
    Race Videos
    Build Thread
  • bdleonard
    bdleonard
    Junior Member
    • 26

    #15
    Originally posted by wbnethery3 View Post
    Ended up with 225/60 cheapies from Discount. They have a directional tread and carry the speed rating, but we'll see how well they drive and wear. Agree that the taller tire probably looks better in the wheel well, but I couldn't get any and Discount wouldn't mount them if I had bought them online and brought them in. I could've used a different shop, but it wasn't that important to me. This is just a short-term solution, so I don't feel too bad spending less than $400 to get back on the road. Longer term I'm looking to go up in wheel size and get good tires… of course, that has to wait until it's in better shape.
    If those are the Ohtsu FP6000, that appears to be the tire that used to be sold as the Falken ZE-512, another one of the companies under the Dunlop/Sumitomo umbrella. The Falken was a decent all-season tire, but nothing special. They may have changed tread compounds, since the rating has gone from 360AA for the Falken to 420AA on the Ohtsu. However, they may have just tested out slightly differently.