How to mesure offsets?

[240Zdragon72]

I am looking at these nice WORK wheels VS-XX style. The website has a Specification Guide which shows rim depth in mm and then shows the offset for each size. I know the Z requires a Zero offset. How would I go about doing the math to findout what offset I can use with say a 37mm rim depth? Here is the website to the wheel and chart I am looking at. Thanks

http://www.worksuperwheels.com/wheels/vs_xx.html[/ur]

[Curtis240Z]

They are showing you what the rim depth would be with the various offsets. I would think you would want the rim with the minimum offset so your spacer would be minimized. Also the wheel would have a deeper look to it.

I also assume you are referring to a 7" wide wheel without coilover suspension.

[240Zdragon72]

Well, I am wanting to have the deep dish look, with the ZG fender flares I am also thinking about wide front and rear fenders. I found a website a while ago that made them. Where can I find Coilovers to fit the Z?

[Curtis240Z]

Several places sell them like MSA and others. The "basic" parameters you need to remember is without coilovers you can have up to 4" of backspacing, with coilovers you can 5" of backspacing (assuming you want to be able to rotate wheels for wear periodicly). Actual wheel widths when measuring a wheel for backspacing are about 1" wider than advertised (i.e. a 7" wide wheel is actually 8" when measured thus you get a 4" backspacing which equals zero offset). Have I confused you enough?

[240Zdragon72]

No, that explains a lot! thank you for the input. I have searched MSA for suspensions and I was going to try the Tokico spring and Illumina strut combo. It might lower the car 1" front and back. Will this be a problem with the 17" rims? What I am saying is will I have to roll/ cut my fenders to fit?

[Curtis240Z]

A word of caution with the Tokico springs, they are progressive springs so if you are going to use your car for any kind of racing, it will not work well, but for the street they are fine.

With 225/45-17 on a 7" rim, you might have to roll the rear fenders each tire brand is a little different.

[240Zdragon72]

Thank you very much, Curtis. Just courious, is there a problem with the Tokico brand? My car will be a daily driver also, so I don't want to use a performance setup which I'll only use once in a while. What other brands do you suggest?

[Curtis240Z]

There isn't a problem with Tokicos they make high quaility stuff. The Illuminas are top notch. The issue is using a progressive spring versus a straight rate spring for racing. Progressive springs as the name implies gets stiffer the more you compress it. Straight rate springs are the same stiffness right from the start. So for the street the progressive spring gives you a nice ride, but on the track the "soft" part of the spring makes the car loose. So the choice is yours, comfort on the street or ready for the occasional track use. MSA and Suspension Techniques as well as others make straight rate springs that will fit into the stock perches and lower your car at the same time.

[240Zdragon72]

I guess you learn more everyday. I didn't know they could fit the stock shocks. (I need new ones anyway) Thanks again!

[mdbrandy]

A word of caution with the Tokico springs, they are progressive springs ...

Is this only for a 240Z tokico illumina package? I am currently installing the illumina shock/spring package on my 280Z, and as far as I can see, they are not progressive springs. The spring wire seems to be constant diameter, and the coil spacing is uniform up and down the spring. Where did you get/find/see the info that the tokico springs are progressive?

Just wondering...

Thanks.

[Curtis240Z]

The Tokico spring & shock packages sold for the 240Z from ebay. I put one on a Z Club member's 240Z. Since he autoxes the car we will be changing the springs to Suspension Techniques.

[mdbrandy]

The Tokico spring & shock packages sold for the 240Z from ebay. I put one on a Z Club member's 240Z. Since he autoxes the car we will be changing the springs to Suspension Techniques.

I'm looking for what characteristic(s) of the springs that were in your package tells you that the springs are progressive. I've seen the Eibach progressives, and they have varying coil spacing along the length of the spring (the Eibachs aren't even available for the 280; just the 240). Did the ones you get have varying coil spacing? Or is there some other characteristic of progressive rate springs that I should know...just looking for info for the future here. I'm working on my 280Z now, but the 240Z is coming...

Thanks.