Wheel Upgrade to 20s...Need advice

Mt Tam I am · 04-30-2011, 10:29 AM

You can find better places to put your money performance wise. If this is all for looks, go for it.

6MT · 04-30-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eihtball99

Hi guys, I'm a relatively new owner looking to upgrade my stock (touring) 18s.

I live in downtown Denver and use my car as a daily driver. Downtown streets are often old and rough and there are tons of speed bumps and speed dips which I'm constantly taking at an angle.

For those of you with 20s, did it lower your road clearance to the point where you have to be *extremely* careful with any and all bumps or dips. If so, would you recommend just going with 19s or is the tire sidewall going to wash out the size difference?

* By "extremely careful", I mean am I going to hate life if I put on 20s?

Thanks!

No, moving to 20" wheels didn't lower the clearance. It did however, make the ride rougher. The smaller (and stiffer) sidewall on the tires and the fact that I went wider than OEM, made the ride rougher. I don't really mind. But when I do drive the Z, I find myself avoiding bumpy areas more than I used to.

You won't "hate" the 20's. Have a look at my pics of the Volks that I chose. If you do the offset correctly, the look is much better than 19's. Good luck!

VCuomo · 04-30-2011, 01:52 PM

If you have 18" rims and are going to 19" or 20", that will increase the car's bottom clearance.

6MT · 04-30-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

If you have 18" rims and are going to 19" or 20", that will increase the car's bottom clearance.

VCuomo · 05-01-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

So the extra 1"-2" between the axle and the ground doesn't slightly raise the bottom of the car as well? What does it do, just compress the springs extra? Seriously, please explain.

LunaZ · 05-01-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

So the extra 1"-2" between the axle and the ground doesn't slightly raise the bottom of the car as well? What does it do, just compress the springs extra? Seriously, please explain.

When the diameter of the wheel is increased, the aspect ratio of the tire is reduced. The aspect ratio is a number that describes the height of the tire's sidewall relative to the width of the tire.
The goal is to end up with the outer diameter of the tire being the same as what it came with from the factory regardless of what diameter rim you put on the car.

daisuke149 · 05-01-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

So the extra 1"-2" between the axle and the ground doesn't slightly raise the bottom of the car as well? What does it do, just compress the springs extra? Seriously, please explain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaZ

When the diameter of the wheel is increased, the aspect ratio of the tire is reduced. The aspect ratio is a number that describes the height of the tire's sidewall relative to the width of the tire.
The goal is to end up with the outer diameter of the tire being the same as what it came with from the factory regardless of what diameter rim you put on the car.

in simpler words, where your adding 1-2" of wheel, your removing 1-2" of tire. if you go with a large side wall, while still going up 1-2" of wheel, then yes it will increase ground clearance, throw off your speedometer/odometer, lower your acceleration, throw off the handling, etc. Generally a bad idea so best deal is always try to make sure that Wheel + tire = same overall diameter as the original wheel + tire. Gotta look at them as a package and not individually.

ImportConvert · 05-01-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

So the extra 1"-2" between the axle and the ground doesn't slightly raise the bottom of the car as well? What does it do, just compress the springs extra? Seriously, please explain.

Bigger rim=shorter sidewall. That way all these people driving donk'ed out Z's don't exactly LOOK like they gave up all that traction, braking, and ride-quality.

daisuke149 · 05-01-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Bigger rim=shorter sidewall. That way all these people driving donk'ed out Z's don't exactly LOOK like they gave up all that traction, braking, and ride-quality.

because wheel size is the only thing that determiens those. Not the make/model of tire, the suspension modifications, or any brake mods. Just the wheels.

in that case is 19" the universal best grip/braking/ride quality wheel? Or is it any 18" wheel?

P.S do explain how someone going from base 18's with advan sports to maybe a 20" wider wheel with better tires is "giving up braking/traction"

AllForTheCash · 04-30-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

If you have 18" rims and are going to 19" or 20", that will increase the car's bottom clearance.

LunaZ · 05-01-2011, 03:36 PM

I hate when I forget to add the "don't-take-this-comment-so-seriously-laughing-out-loud-emoticon".
That said, I drive my Z like a sports car and I drive my beater truck like a Camry, so your hopes are realized, at least on my end.

daisuke149 · 05-01-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaZ

I hate when I forget to add the "don't-take-this-comment-so-seriously-laughing-out-loud-emoticon".
That said, I drive my Z like a sports car and I drive my beater truck like a Camry, so your hopes are realized, at least on my end.

how about you not take this comment seriously!!

I drive my Versa faster than I drive my Z on the streets. Actually im serious. I do

04-30-2011, 10:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	You can find better places to put your money performance wise. If this is all for looks, go for it. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

05-01-2011, 03:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
LunaZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vagabond Posts: 6,704 Drives: Project: a white one Rep Power: 513	I hate when I forget to add the "don't-take-this-comment-so-seriously-laughing-out-loud-emoticon". That said, I drive my Z like a sports car and I drive my beater truck like a Camry, so your hopes are realized, at least on my end. __________________ 2009 370Z Sport/Touring/Navigation \| see my journal for mods facebook: Be my friend... or not.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Small Computer Upgrade Time - Need Advice!	HKYStormFront	The Lounge (Off Topic)	14	05-02-2011 05:24 PM
Steering Wheel Upgrade?	Israeli_Z	Exterior & Interior	24	02-04-2011 09:09 PM
Drop/Wheel advice	Proelky	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	5	08-11-2010 04:14 PM
Need wheel advice	SophiaZ	Wheels & Tires	14	01-25-2010 09:25 PM
Base stereo UPGRADE ADVICE	Carbon_z	Audio & Video	16	09-22-2009 12:22 PM

04-30-2011, 01:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
VCuomo Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 887 Drives: BMW 335i Sport Rep Power: 18	If you have 18" rims and are going to 19" or 20", that will increase the car's bottom clearance.