According to scca rules in STX, tires cannot exceed 225 width and wheels 7.5" This means stock we are already breaking the rules? If I were to get new rims would I be restricted to this or could I go with 18x8?

Also, would getting a 19" rim increase or decrease performance or have no effect? I'm just trying to decide which way I want to take my car - stx or esp.

 

Those wheel restrictions are for STS. For STX you can run any rim up to 8" wide and any tire up to 245mm wide with a tread wear of at least 140. 19" rims would probably have no measurable effect except to your wallet. Although, you might want to check that the tires that you want are available in whatever size wheel you intend to buy beforehand. Personally, I think ESP would be more fun since you can take advantage of the cars really big wheel wells with some really wide wheels.

 

Ah yes, I stand corrected. I was looking at the wrong section. So what kind of rims are you running? Are you in ESP, FS? The main reason I like STX is the hassle of 2 sets of wheels and getting them to/from the autox. Though, I want to change front A-arms, I think its legal in ESP but not sure about STX.

 

I have a set of 18x8 Enkei RP02's wrapped in 275 hoosier A6 and a set of 17x10 5zigen FN01R-C's wrapped in 275 kumho v710. I mainly run FS, but some clubs that I run with have non-SCCA classes where I run the wider wheels. A-arms aren't legal in ESP but they are in STX. I see you're in TX. If you're interested I'll be selling my wheels and tires soon if you want to PM me about it. I'm getting out of autox for a while.

 

Bala,

What offsets of 18x8 wheels work for the G35? What offsets will work with spacers? I'm planning my next AutoX car and the G35 is the current front-runner. I can't seem to find any reasonably priced wheels that fit on edgeracing.

Also, what are your thoughts on the traction control? Can it be completely disabled?

Thanks for your help!

Kyle

 

If you want to stay in stock then you have to run a net offset (after any spacers, if being used) between +24 and +36. I don't know this for a fact but there should be enough clearance in the wheel well that you should not have any interference issues if you stay within this range. That means you only need to make sure that an 18x8 wheel in this range clears the calipers.

Yeah, selection sucks. The Enkei RP02's that I have are no longer available on edgeracing. They retailed for around $250 and were 5 lbs lighter than stock (19.5 vs 24.5). I picked mine up for $125 on some freak sale. Your best bet may be to just use your stock wheels or pick up a set of used stock wheels.

Supposedly, traction control cannot be completely disabled and was one of the reasons for moving it from B stock to F stock. The only driver aid that I felt come on while the TCS was off was the emergency braking feature and that only happened once when I spun out around 70 mph and had both feet in.

I think the car really has a shot with a good driver--even against the Shelby GT. What are some of the other cars that you are considering for autox?

 

I've got an AP2 S2000 right now and I'm looking at getting something with a little more...back seat. I ruled out the new Mini Cooper S because it's even more expensive than a 40k mile 03-04 G35 Coupe can be had for, and I expect the G35 to be just as fun if not more fun to drive than the Mini. Or if I decide to go even more cost conscious, an 08 Mazda3 S. But even the Mazda3 is close to used G35 territory, and again not as fun to drive.

It sounds like the only time the traction control becomes invasive, is at times where your run is probably shot anyway... As for the wheels, does that mean that the stock offset is +30 and SCCA rules give you 5mm in either direction? (sounds like what I recall, but was too lazy to look it up!)

I'm in Minnesota too, so I'll need a THIRD set of rims for snow tires... Luckily those can just be cheap heavy 17s.

 

Have you thought about one of the rally cars? The styling isn't for everyone, but might be both fun and snow friendly.

Yup, stock offset is +30.

What part of MN? I was in minneapolis and rochester a few months ago for some interviews.

 

I do like the rally cars (lean more towards the STi - prior to the S2000 I had a WRX) but they're a little more than I want to spend, especially considering they're really only competitive in STU and that prep level costs quite a bit. I might go that route in a couple years. Modifying cars outside of stock allowances always seems to create headaches as well.

I live about 15 miles south of the Twin Cities (Apple Valley), I work in Minneapolis.

I haven't driven a G35 outside of when I used to valet cars in college, so the first real test drive will be the decision-maker. It's hard to consider other possibilities when the S2000 is just so much fun to drive.

 

I agree.

If you do decide on the G35 and want shocks, TCKline is getting rid of their stock of Koni DA for a $1000/set.

 

Sorry to keep pestering you, but you're really the only FS G35 resource on the internet

I noticed on your webpage that you had 18x8/+30 (/w spacer) front 18x8/+35 rear. Does that mean you were running the +30 plus a 5mm spacer, or a +25 with a 5 mm spacer. Why didn't you just buy +35 all around and ditch the spacer? Tunability?

I also saw a recent post on sccaforums that you can squeeze 295s onto the 18x8s! I'm really not looking forward to having to buy tires if I go with this car...$$$

 

No problem. I'd love to see more people racing the car in FS and will help however I can.

The wheels are all +35. At the time, for the weight and price these wheels could not be beat. If I remember correctly these particular wheels were offered in just a few offsets and the +35 seemed the safest since I didn't know for sure if they would fit and I could achieve a stock legal net offset in the range +24 to +36 by just adding spacers if fitment was an issue. Originally, edgeracing said the wheels won't fit, so I just bought one first for testing. The clearance between the wheel and front caliper (Brembo) was tight, like around 2-3 mm, so I bought some 5 mm slip on hub centric spacers for the front. I just barely get about 6 turns on the lugs, or however many turns equals the width of the stud, so I didn't install new studs. The rears fit just fine so I didn't bother with any spacers. Perhaps there's some tunability to be had, but I'm just not that good of a driver that I'd ever notice.

The last time oversized tires were discussed on this and the my350z.com forums it erupted in a flame war, so be warned. Re: $$$, yup these cars ain't miatas.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention. You might have rubbing issues running a 295 width tire up front between the inboard side of the tire and the suspension upright. I had light rubbing running 275 with a +35 offset. When I added the spacer to gain a net offset of +30 I had no more rub.

 

What do you all suggest for 19's? All of the suggestions (Azenis, Nitto, Proxes R1R) I have gotten at the track aren't made in 19's that I can find. Treadwear is not much of an issue as my work commute totals 8 miles. These crappy Nankang's I'm rolling on now are just horrible. Please help

 

Isn't the G a little heavy for autocross courses?