Factory Wheel Options on '78?

[Black Pearl]

I just purchased a '78 280Z. Great car, but it needs some work, including new tires.

The car has 195/70R14 on aftermarket BBS wheels currently, but it came with another set of 15" Nissan wheels that appear original looking.

What factory wheel options were available?

Thanks.

C

[sblake01]

Only these hubcaps on stock wheels and the rims shown were put on 78 280Z's from the factory.

[Arne]

Only these hubcaps on stock wheels and the rims shown were put on 78 280Z's from the factory.

And both were 14". No 15" choices on the 280Z.

[rahail240]

the only 15" rim for 280zx i can think of was the swastica style but am fairly sure that was on the later turbo models.here's a pic.

[Black Pearl]

Thanks. The extra wheels kind of look like the second picture, except they are 15". I will try to figure out how to post a picture.

While I am at this fountain of knowledge, up to what size wheel/tire can I put on a '78 without altering the suspension/body? Is there a site the shows that?

Thanks.

C

[AndysPlit]

Or could be the "honeycomb" turbo wheels from an 81 ZX. I think they only had a gold trim.

[daddz]

Thanks. The extra wheels kind of look like the second picture, except they are 15". I will try to figure out how to post a picture.

While I am at this fountain of knowledge, up to what size wheel/tire can I put on a '78 without altering the suspension/body? Is there a site the shows that?

Thanks.

C

Not sure if there is a site specific to your question but I have experience with the following;

P225/50/15 on a 15x7 wheel with zero offset--no rubbing front or rear. I run this size on a '78 280Z that is lowered by one inch and still there are no problems. You could run this size tire on the factory 15x6 turbo wheel (81.5 honeycomb or 4 spoke from '82 and '83).

P225/60/14 on both a set of 14x6 *factory six spoke from a 280ZX) and a

14x7 (Enkei 92 zero offset) wheel with no problems.

P235/60/14 on a 14x7 wheel (the turbine wheel by Appliance). These were on a '77 280Z and there were no problems other than when couple to a 14" steering wheel the parking was a good workout.

P225/50/16 on a 16x7 wheel (Enkei 92 zero offset). This is just about the limit with stock suspension and whengoing over highway bumps at speed there was an occasional rub with the rear wheel well arch.

Now if we were talking 280ZX my personal favorite is the 225/50/16 on a 16x7up front and a 245/45/16 on a 16x8 outback. Even with a 1" drop the wheel and tire package is perfect.

[Black Pearl]

Great info, thanks. I will check the offset of the wheels that were included with the car. Is it correct that zero offset means the hub is centered in the wheel (same distance from the hub to the outside or inside of the rim)?

C

[Chris'sZ]

Not a purist but my books tell me to run the 195/70R14 on my '76 280. I have also been told that the wheelsw I have were a factory option? They are, as close as I can tell a "Western" type alum. alloy, with closer together spokes than I have yet to find pictures of...? Member "76datsun280z" has the closest so far. Any thoughts...?

Chris...

[sblake01]

You've been misinformed. 76 had the same factory options as in post 2 though the alloy wheels were seldom seen on them and the hubcaps may have been the late 240 or 260 type. Your wheels may have been a dealer installed item which was quite common back in the day.