Help! Need Advice on Square Wheel AND Tire Setup for 18"
 

Hey there guys! i'm a bit new to this but i have been doing quite a bit of searching and learning about square setups based on other members' experiences here.

I currently have a set of nismo wheels on my nismo, with 285 square summer tires. I recently got in an accident that totaled my DD so now my 370Z will have to be the DD for the time being.

I was looking to buy a set of Forgestar F14 wheels or similar in an 18" setup and using some all-season tires or longer lasting summer tires when i'm not out doing autocrosses and basically driving in colder weather. It doesn't really snow down here or get TOO cold for that matter in South Carolina.

I'm a bit unsure about what offset to choose as i know i'll need a spacer in the rear. I'd like to stick to the hubcentric spacers that are easier to use IF possible, from which i understand require a 20mm or more.

The benefits of me going square are: Tire Rotation Ability / Wayyyy more Tread Life (relatively speaking) / and the experience of seeing how i like the square setup that may lead me to use these as my new track wheels


With all that said, i was thinking about going with the F14's in a 18x10 +35 with a 15mm spacer in rear or +30mm offset with a 20mm spacer. I'd like to stay around stock nismo alignment settings if possible as i am on stock height currently. I'd like to use the "meatiest" tires possible like a 285/40/18 or a 285/35/18 but i'm worried if they will fit. I do not want to roll my fenders.

Does any of this sound like a good idea? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! This forum is my temple of learning!

Jon

my other wheels are 9.5 +46 and I also run 295s on those, they are as tucked in as they can get, as I need a 5mm spacer to clear the front control arm. Never had problems with 285s on those wheels.

The equivalent in a 10" wheel would be a +40 offset. The 30 you are considering will push the wheels even farther out than the 35 and that probably won't work.

Also, in the rear, unless you want to change out the wheel studs and never be able to use the stock wheels again, I recommend the bolt on style 25mm spacer. The 20mm bolt on spacer is shorter than the existing wheel studs and some wheels won't fit flush with them installed, stock ones especially.

Ah so the +30 offset would be out of the question im assuming. Is it correct to say the lower the offset the farther out the wheels stick from the well (with like widths)?

Would the 25mm spacer stick the +35 offset wheel out too much in your opinion?


Man this stuff starts to really make you think! I appreciate all the help so far mike!


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If you can swing it, rpf1's 9.5" +15. I have 9.5" +25 and 10.5" +15 now. I'll shoot out 10mm more with the new front but going up to -3 camber should take care of any poke or rubbing. The rear I may leave alone or go with a 10mm spacer to try and keep what I have. However even with the 10mm spacer I'll still lose 3mm. But it's not the end of the world, I'm pretty flush right now and you can't see a 3mm loss.