Rims

[240sx2Nur]

Not too long ago I posted a question regarding Rota Subzero 17x7.5 wheels combined with Nitto Neo Gen tires. The offset on these wheels are +45, which was brought up to cause a problem with handling. I don't drive my car hard all of the time, occasionally I'll rip on it around a few corners, so is the offset really that big of an issue?

[Johny5]

Offset can affect performance and looks. Offset for fwd cars will tuck the wheels far into the wells just like the stock 95+ with the 5spokes. Buy rotas if you must, but please use spacers.

[DoriftoSlut]

Whoa stop the tape, this kid needs to be locked away. Dr. Dre, don't just stand there, opperate! FWD offsets will not effect performance. In fact, many race cars have high offset front wheels (mostly LeMans sports cars, indy cars, trans Am, etc...) Why? Higher offset means you can have longer control arms (mostly double wishbone). The right combination of offset, width, and suspension geometry will result in very little scrub radius and bump steer.

Now why don't 240s have high offset wide wheels? Because of suspension clearance with the inside of the wheel. To clear the suspension and get the desired width, lower offsets have to be used. This makes the wheels look cooler to many people, and it makes them flush with the edge of the fender. Rock on that kicks ***.

Ok, so if a high offset wheel is many times optimal, why go with lower offset? Because the amount of performance sacrificed by increasing your scrub radius and bump steer is minimal compared to the advantages of a wide wheel. What hurts performance the most (although it is quite common, and not THAT bad) is a narrow wheel with a low offset (aka using spacers on a high offset wheel). Why? The center of the contact patch on a low offset wide wheel is close the point at which the steering axis crosses the ground plane. However, when that wheel's width is reduced, the center of the footprint is now further away (towards the outside of the fender).

Anyway, the performance downsides to this setup (low offset narrow wheels) is not too noticeable. Its main effect is that your steering wheel will feel more "jittery" because of the bump steer. Its nothing to lose sleep over for the normal person. The best sollution for looks as well as performance? Wider wheels with a low offset.

on a sidenote, cars set up for wide wheels with high offset are often times sports cars. RX7s, Supras, Porsches, Ferrari, etc... look at the front wheel, it is always a higher offset than the rear. It is also many times narrower by an inch or 1.5. With out getting too off track, the suspension of these cars is designed around this type of setup, so not everything that is done to them will translate over to S-Chassis.

[Johny5]

Got DAMN, schooled like a second grader. Thanks for the education, I guess my problem is more going for the flush look without considering performance.

[DoriftoSlut]

Originally posted by Johny5
Got DAMN, schooled like a second grader. Thanks for the education, I guess my problem is more going for the flush look without considering performance.
To be fair, the flush look does look a whole lot better (any one who has seen the pics of my car knows that I love flush wheels). Also, the spacers give your car a wider track. Its not terrible and its not optimal, but imo with small wheels its worth it to run spacers, if not just for looks alone. The performance you hurt with that kind of set up is minimal, and many people would never notice. Just had to clear up the statement about FWD application wheels being harmful towards performance...

[misnomer]

Hahah, that was the most gracefully accepted schooling I've ever seen on zilvia, good job Johnny5! :P

[240sx2Nur]

Jeez...nice explanation. So I guess these wheels will work alright then?

[Steeles]

I'll have to find the old pics of my car with my racing harts on to show the difference in look wise spacers make. I was ok with the way they looked two years ago when I bought them (before I knew about offsets and their affects on everything) but I am REALLY impressed with how they look now. cant wait till I can afford my new rims that'll give me the same look with the width and no spacers..

old school no spacers;
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid61/p67ad9210af552dd25a2c78a2bf6c7285/fc2685c9.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid61/p99c12d95db4a7bfdf8a4c3da0c7c552f/fc2685c8.jpg

and with the bling bling spacers;
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pe15dddc7c9dfed8e3c94eb639df35628/fbf0f39c.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pd0e174ba706a4c7026d6c15cbdee28ad/fbf0f39f.jpg

i've got better pics need to download and upload um. :) but those are the same 17x7 +42 offset C2000evo RHs. 25mm spacers

[AKADriver]

Originally posted by 240sx2Nur
Jeez...nice explanation. So I guess these wheels will work alright then?

Inside suspension clearance in the front will be tight.

+45 is higher than stock... combined with a 215/45-17 it'll fit, but, tight.