I was investigating purchasing slicks for my car and got sticker shock when I saw the price of 17" drag radials.

Did some poking around in the junk pile of a friends tire shop and found some 15" rims that fit with no rubbing. I think the center bore is right on too. 90 ish maxima wheels are 15x6 with a 4x4.5 pattern and fit right on. Now I can get a whole nother inch for sidewall flex at the strip and save my stock tires.

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit

 

If your looking at BFG Drag radials the difference between a 15" and 17" tire is about $20 respectively. Manual transmission cars tend to 'shock' the rear tires when launching. A bigger sidewall ratio will help transmit the power more smoothly. I'm sure traction will be improved with drag tires, but without an LSD I don't know how effective it'll be. I'm curious to hear your results, keep us posted and good luck!


2003 G35 Sedan 6MT
14.35 @ 98.62

 

probably gonna have to go 26x8.5x15ish size slick so I won't be able to use those rims.

No, I do not plan to buy new slicks. I plan on buying some used mickey thompsons. That is where the money savings comes in. I have yet to see more than a couple of 17" slicks for sale at any one time where there is always some 15's around even in my little town. So used 15's versus new 17's is a whole lot of money.

my local discount tire says they can get me custom built steelies for around 55 dollars. correct centerbore, bolt pattern and offset

I will be going with (approx. numbers, feedback desired) 15x8 5x114.3, +32 ish offset.

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit