Max size of wheels

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

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RG.net
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Max size of wheels

Postby RG.net » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:56 pm

DEAR GOD DO NOT DO IT!

MX-5's arent made to be "hektic omg ulleh" cars, also known as "sexspec"

however due to the lame offset, they would fit, but my god it would looks so fricken stupid, you will regret doing it! As you wont be able to go very low either. It would make 4WD's look low.
biggest size you would go on an NA without the rims looking too big for the car would be 17's.
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Max size of wheels

Postby Fatty » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:14 pm

pfffffffffft mxhevn, you don't know what you're talkin about.

it'll look grouse mate!

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Max size of wheels

Postby Jeo » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:19 pm

I'd imagine it could be made to fit, but whether it would fit under stock guards may get you a different answer.

JST402 had 18's on his NB and they looked like there wasn't much room to spare. Not sure if he modified his guards though.

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I'm not a fan of that look myself, and I wouldn't put 19's on my NA but at the end of the day it’s your car. If you like the look, then go for it.
I'd suggest having a look around on some of the bigger US forums to see if you can find any pictures of NA's with 19's. Make sure you do actually like the look before you commit.

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Max size of wheels

Postby Boags » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:20 pm

Get your flame suit on; you're going to get burned. :roll:
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Max size of wheels

Postby RG.net » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:29 pm

Jeo wrote:I'd suggest having a look around on some of the bigger US forums to see if you can find any pictures of NA's with 19's. Make sure you do actually like the look before you commit.


i highly suggest you do not do this, as majority of the yanks run 14's 15's and 16's. If you do however look around and manage to make a post, i would LOVE to see the outcome of the thread :mrgreen:
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Max size of wheels

Postby philz » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:31 pm

MX-5's arent made to be "hektic omg ulleh" cars, also known as "sexspec"


NO car should be made to "hektic omg ulleh" cars.

19 is pushing it, 18's will fit.

Personally I wouldn't go more than 16" each to their own though.

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Postby 16bit » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:14 pm

this is a terrible idea - they will look worse than they will perform. not to mention they proably just won't fit no matter what you do.
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Max size of wheels

Postby Fatty » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:19 pm

16bit wrote:this is a terrible idea - they will look worse than they will perform.


actually , i think they will perform worse than they look. altho how they "look" is subjective, i guess.

but yeah, say goodbye to your sportscar handling, and say hello to 4WD like handling.

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Max size of wheels

Postby HIC-45S » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:30 pm

To the letter of the law, there is no rule saying that the diameter of your rims must be a certain maximum size above standard, providing the rolling diameter is not changed more than 15mm, the rim width doesn't go any narrower or 25mm wider, it stays in the bodywork without fouling on suspension, spacers aren't used and the wheel track does get 25mm wider. Otherwise you need to get an engineer's certificate to make it all legal.

Now while I won't stop you, I wouldn't put 19" wheels onto my Skyline as I like a little bit of tyre wall on my tyres lol
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Max size of wheels

Postby Jeo » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:40 pm

MXHEVN wrote:
Jeo wrote:I'd suggest having a look around on some of the bigger US forums to see if you can find any pictures of NA's with 19's. Make sure you do actually like the look before you commit.


i highly suggest you do not do this, as majority of the yanks run 14's 15's and 16's. If you do however look around and manage to make a post, i would LOVE to see the outcome of the thread :mrgreen:


No you're dead right there, I wouldn't suggest you first post on one of the bigger forums as "I want to run 19's". Those Yanky types aren't as nice as we are :D

But I'm still sticking with my "look around and see if you can't find someone else that already has 19's" theory. Someone, somewhere has to have already done it haven't they?
Once you've seen how it sits, you'll be better informed as to whether you do want to go that way.

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Max size of wheels

Postby RG.net » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:18 pm

i think most people that have replied to your thread have helped in someway.

what i dont understand is why you want 19's on a car made for handiling, i'm guessing you have not experienced the joy of going through a bunch of twisties with a smile on your face? i am also guessing you are one of those George ST warriors that like to show of their bling!

if you like small cars with big rims, get a charade or some other trolley that handles like sh*t.
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Max size of wheels

Postby RG.net » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:20 pm

Jeo wrote:
MXHEVN wrote:
Jeo wrote:But I'm still sticking with my "look around and see if you can't find someone else that already has 19's" theory. Someone, somewhere has to have already done it haven't they?


i sure hope not.
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Max size of wheels

Postby StanTheMan » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:34 pm

well since you brought up the size

standard size for an NB8B/C is actually
205/45x16= 590.80

standard size for an NA6/8
185/60x14= 577.59

Standard size for NB8A
195/50x15= 575.81



since were measuring willies....errr wheels :mrgreen:

those are the standard sizes.

apart from that

with standard height which you mentioned in the original post I'd say they'd fit

you're obviously not concerned about legalities.......
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Max size of wheels

Postby d-mag » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:50 pm

30 series tyres are VERY low. If your in Sydney....forget it. The rims wouldn't last a couple of months.

I agree with you greggtr, I like the look of bigger wheels on smaller cars (I wouldn't go above 15" personally but I like looking at other peoples rides :) )
When I was looking for an NA I test drove one with 17's and one with 18's.
The 17's were acceptable but the 18's (18 x 7.5, not sure of the offset) were wrapped in rubber bands that that rubbed the guards going over any bumps. They'd be hard to live with day to day.
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Max size of wheels

Postby Wivvix » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:59 pm

Well greg it sounds like you want some serious responses.

All I have to say is that if you enjoy actually driving your mx5, then you're better off reconsidering 17's, 18's at the absolute most.
In my opinion 17's totally screw with the handling on an NA, 18s would be abominable, 19s would be ridiculous but fine for a show car, but the impracticality of having painted on tyres on street roads, well you'd be replacing the wheels in 6mo-1yr if it's a daily driver.

What wheel size are you running at the moment? 17s look nice but yeh, they make the car behave much more clumsy, sorta like walking around in clogs...


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