Now that ive got an ls1 in my car i just blow the tires (225/50/16) off anytime i put my foot to the floor. I need some meat on the back so i can actually get some traction. I was wondering what is the fattest tire i can put on my stock rims without rubbing issues?

 

245/45/16 is very common for the stock FD rims. However, the compound will be more a determinant for the amount of grip rather than width alone.

https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/fd-guys-running-245-45-16s-stock-rims-470420/

 

I had a 255/50 in the rear and never had a problem. Dont know if that would change at track events but if you're daily driving it, i dont see it as a problem.

Some mustang guys do like 265 or a 275 on their 8 inch wide wheels.

Friend had a 285 on his GN wheel. He wasnt sure if it was a 8 inch wide or an 8.5 but either way, 285 was wide and it worked.

 

Adding too large of a wheel will make the sidewalls bulge and remove any stiffness that they had. If you care about handling, don't do what "the mustang guys do".

 

I agree with you as far as getting a tire that is too wide but what would you say would be too wide for stock rx7 rims? I dont want an all out drag car as some people do but rather a fun touring/track car.

Also if anyone has any personal recommendations with a certain tire please give your opinion.

 

255's minimum recommended wheel width is 7", 275 minimum recommended wheel width is 8.5"

That's what the chart I'm looking at shows. However I think that it is more tire dependant than an actual value. There are safe ranges, and optimal ranges, to run tires, but I'm not sure what the optimal size is for the stock FD wheels.

 

I would recommend sticking with 245/45 for the stock rims. The problem is, there are very few choices in that size these days which are not competition tires. I would recommend Hankook Ventus R-S2:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e1=yes&place=0

Good tire for a good price. However, at some point you'll probably have to move up to a 17" wheel to get a better tire selection.

 

Thanks for the link. Just to get an idea, about how wide is a 245 with tire in inches?

Ive got some 17x7 Enkei RS-5s on it now that i got for a steal ($150) off my buddies car since they were a little beat up but ive worked out 90% of the imperfections and coated them bronze. They look so so but i could not say no for the price and i figure i will use them as a spare set.

Any good recommendations for a 17x7 in rim?

 

don't use 7j wheels on an fd, especially one with more power than stock. That's like trying to make your car worse.

 

While I don't generally tell people "not" to do anything, I would recommend not using the 7" rims.

 

What is the reason for that? Im not doubting your knowledge im just not very knowledgeable when it comes to wheels/ tire selection. I know a little but about different compounds, tread wear, and size of tires but that is the extent of my knowledge.

 

Stock wheels = 16X8
17X7 = Narrower than stock = FTL
I picked up some FD wheels for my FC, and found the Sumitomo HTR-Zs in 245/45-16 for $79 a tire. They have a reputation for wearing quickly, but they're grippy and cheap.

 

I didnt know the stock fd wheels were 8in wide i just figured they were 7in like most other wheels. I guess that is what i get for just assuming.

Where did you find those sumitomos for such a good price?

 

I have Kumho Ecsta MX 275/40s on 17x9 wheels on my LS1 FD and I can still blow away the rear tires at will. I don't say that to brag, I'm just saying you're gonna need a lot more tire than you can fit on a stock rim.

 

its not about width, you need a softer comppound. well, and some width.. but yah.
get wider wheels for gods sake! 275's out back on some direzza's or wahtever will do nicely.

 

if you are going to run 17's or maybe even 18's just get 350z wheels..i had them on the back of my 302 FC with 275's ( could have gone bigger )..and they were awesome..i forgot exactly what kind. but just the look from the back itself was worth it!!

 

agreed, I have sumitomo 255/50/16 on the back of my MkIII supra(16x9 in rear), the sidewall flex kinda sucks below 40psi tire pressure, I wouldnt suggest them If you like to turn but as a cheap street tire, two thumbs up.

 

I'd sell you're enkei's, and find some wider wheels before you start looking for new tires, IMO. You're never going to get the traction you want out of 7" wide wheels.

 

ROFL @ 17x7's on an FD especially one with an LS1 swap, WTF?!??!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get some 17x9 wheels and a proper sticky 255 or 275 on them.

or buy some 18x9.5 and run a 285/30R18 out back if you have the $$$$$.

 

I bought my tires from tirerack.com. I wouldn't expect miracles from them, but there's a fellow in my old autox club with a C4 Vette who swears by them as a cheapie street tire. Of course, if you have the money I totally agree about the 275's.

 

you just gave me an excuse to find another set of wheels. i love my old enkei wan gan's and theyre 17x8 up front and 17x9 out back 275/40
i actually saw the same set on ebay as me lately,a set of 18's for front and 19"sout back. They were on an NSX I wonder if theyll fit.....

 

Update: I just put on a set of used Nitto 555 drag radials today that i could not pass up. I picked them both up for $80 and even in this 45deg weather they hook up quite well! They are 245/45/17 and fit nicely on my enkeis. They hook up so well that i can finally use 1st and 2nd gear now at WOT and i found out my radio was not attached to the dash very well as it came almost all the way out. I did have a bit of wheel hop in 1st though. What can i do to correct that?

Now i just need to decide on a decent set of street/track tires to put on my stock polished wheels so i dont wear out my Nittos...

 

Stop wheel hop with a diff brace and/or aftermarket toe links and trailing arms.

 

www.rx7.com

you will see on their homepage the traction 'kit' you are wanting

 

I would recommend diff brace over toe links trailing arms if you want to fix wheel hop.

Check out the Banzai diff brace.