Old School Rotary Friends,

I just picked up an RX2 and I am buying wheels. Can anyone advise me on either 15 X 7 or 16 X7? What offset? +40, +10, or 0? None of the dealers have the RX2 on their catalogues.

I do not like the look of wheels looking too big on a car, but I do not want to go too small and regret it.

If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

 

Just get a 15x7 with 4.75 backspace.

 

I've got a set of 15x7 on my duece with a offset +20.They look great rub just alittle but nothing you can't handle I'm sure by tweeking it a bit up front.

 

Oh forgot to add the tire size is 205/50.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Did you buy Scott's old car? The White Liger? If you are ever in the South Bay (San Jose right by Campbell border) look me up. I'll even PM you my phone number.

Anyhow, don't go with a 205mm tire! The sidewall on a 205/50 is actually closer to the OEM 165SR13 tire size Mazda used back in the 70's but the 205mm track is way too wide up front and will give you less offset options since it is likely to be rubbing on the strut. Plus it will look very balloon-like on a 7" wide wheel. Go with a 195/50 15 size tire on a 15" wheel and you will be much happier. Not to mention it will look a hell of a lot better and accelerate better than a 205.

I am running a 15x7 "0" offset in the rear and it looks killer. I could get even more width under there depending on the amount of fender work I want to do, go with a slightly positive offset, stretch tire, etc. For the front I'm playing around with two different setups right now. One is a 15x7 +10 offset than fits pretty flush on the fender. Another is a 15x7 +18 offset that is getting pretty close to the strut but can move outward. I'm thinking I can easily get a 15X7.5 up front with a +18 or +20 offset, maybe even a 15x8 with a +20 if I do some good fender rolling and pulling, run negative camber. The rears can easily fit a 15x8 or 15x8.5 but once again it all comes down to offset, tire size, and fender work.

Hope that helps. Just get hold of me since I'm local and this will be a whole lot easier showing you on my car.

-Vince

 

Mine are 15x6.5 +9 (front) and 15x7 +12 (rear)
rears you could fit a 7" with a +0, 8's with a +5-+10 or so.
16's, I would most likely use a +10 or 15 all around.

 

Thanks to those sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it! This is very good info.

 

15x8s in the rear, close to zero offset with 205/50/15s
fronts 15x7, 10+ to 15+ offset, 195/50/15s are the go!!!!
I have a set of custom wheels on my Rx3
they are perfect offset, if u like i can measure em........
do you have the luxury of ordering specific offset rims and choosing exact offsets? or do u only have limited offset fitment options to choose from???

 

WE HAVE ABSOLUTE **** FOR WHEELS MATE!
occasionally we can find some old JDM SSR, Wat's, Epsilon (southern ways), Hayashi.....but never in the "right size" We get **** like 13x5.5". I got lucky and found some SSR/Watanabe RS-8's for a Series 3, but fit the Rx2 perfectly. There was a time a few years back when SSR mesh were pretty easy to get, but funds weren't in the mix. Redrilling is an option, but still, finding the proper offset can be a pain in the ***.

Lately this is it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15x7-...spagenameZWDVW

YOU GUYS HAVE EVERYTHING...first of all...Simmons. Sure, some cash, but you can get them perfectly fit. Performance Challengers, ROH, Borbets (from the 90's), and so many older versions I can't name them all. Those wire ones....plus it is easier for you to get the 4x110 Watanabes from Japan. Some have the 114.3 bolt pattern, but from what I see, all your old cars have wheels we would die for....I still gotta get some FR17's or B45's. These are just some of the best looking wheels for Rotas...Watanabe is just too much of a pain in the *** to deal with do get proper sizes and pcd's. Work is the only other company I know...but mad cash. Volk won't make any 4x110 some stupid size and offset, yet they have 15x7 models with +15! PERFECT! , which is DUMB since the pcd IS available in their line, they just won't drill out a 15 and up inch wheel. WHAT THE ****!

I've even written local wheel producers like American Racing Wheels...."sorry, we can't do that pattern." What lazy bullshit. Our only option is to redrill to the 114.3 pattern....which is also a pain in the ***.

 

You'll be safe with 15x7 195/50 tires on them.

But yeah the 4x110 are very hard to come by and hardly any one make them any more. But you can order them through watanabe and they can make them for you, also Compomotive can make the size and offset you want a 15x7 15x8 will cost you around 1600 bucks, not too bad for a brand new wheels. Another option is to change your wheel bolt pattern to the common 4x4.5 then you'll have more wheel's to choose from

 

Yes, custom drilled rims are available but Im a cheap *** old school lover

Jerry's custom rims
Work Equip


SSRs 16"

 

I would like some of these also Mel....damn you guys!
Either of the Equips can be made in 110, but it will be mad cash and months.

I actually still like these SSR's, other than the traditional originals...I've seen professors on a 2 and they were sick....I wish they would make the 4 spokes in the proper offset....********!

 

Ya See!!! Damn!!!!

 

Im not a fan of those gigantic rims. I like them sweet and simple. Besides, Im related to Robert Nodinero so I cant afford it.

 

Anything over 16" on an old school looks ghetto and crappy IMO. I am running 15x7 enkies with +7mm offset and have 195/45/15 in the fronts and 205/50/15 in the back. If you look hard enough you can find the 195/45/15 tire and it will fit on a 15" rim and looks killer for the front

 

Actually all 4 of those SSR's are available in 15's...with good offsets....just wrong pcd's.

I still love FR17's on 1st Gen's tho!

 

Man we need a "show me your old school wheels" thread here.

But any way's I'm a sucker for an old skool japanese wheels, as long as they are not mesh. Heres a few wheel's I have collected, notice the work wheels on the GTS? now on the RX3 and the new wheels for the RX3 14x9 and 14x10. Oh hey Mark I hope you dont mind me showing the sp around every now and then. Check out the japanese yahoo auction for the some old school wheels, you be surprise what they have listed.

The compomotive wheels are very nice ML classic have a look.

http://www.usacomp.com/mlr.htm

 

IslandSnow and I share the same great taste in wheel selection. Old school Japanese wheels for old school Japanese cars! I'm not always a huge fan of the mesh look either but some meshies definitely look better than others. I also usually prefer a stepped barrel design since it gives more depth to the lip compared to a straight barrel.

Funny the way this thread is turning out. I'll get some pics up this weekend of my wheel fitment and specs to help others out. I was wanting to keep stuff top secret until the car is close to completion but at the rate it's going I might as well let it all hang out.

 

Totally agree on the stepped design. I know SSR still make's the MK II and MK III but they are the new design and they look better with the newer cars. I like my wheels to be in the same era as the car was made or close to it to give that OG look (he he).....Yeah I know you have some thing up your sleeve showing us a little preview wouldn't hurt.

 

thats it!!! its time to show LA Old school style, not that Old School Jap Crap rims. I got to bring out my 13" stretchies

 

^With the chrome beauty rings and rotor center caps haha!

 

That's why I wish my Starsharks were 110....now Ryan has em (Damn SE's) I still regret selling my Hayashi Street's to Bern....but I was strapped at the time. Still love my RS-8's!

 

Damn RX7club and the stupid 30 minute editing rule! ARGHHH!!!!! I had all these images I dug up from around the internets. Let me give it another go.

 

Up until just 2001 SSR was still offering the Reverse Mesh brand new, but I prefer the MKII and MKIII designs anyhow. Classic good/functional looks on those wheels. Too bad they don't make the Professor SP2R in better low offsets for RWD and anything other than PCD100. If they did it would be very similar to the old SSR Bright Speed. The Bright Speed is one of my favorite all time wheels. These would look friggin' amazing on a RX3! Going with something completely different on my RX2 though.

Arnel, thanks for the vote of confidence. That means a lot coming from you. I can take some pics of my current setup, but it's really only for gauging the max wheel fitment I can get away with so I order the right size on the first try.