Bumping up to a 16" wheel will seriously increase your options when it comes to Performance tires. Manufacturers are trying to keep up with Now-a-days cars and they start at 15" wheels.

I went from 14" slotted mags (you all know the kind) and moved up to a 16"X7" then loaded them with 205/40R16's but the ride was too harsh. So I went with a 225/50ZR16 and the ride is very comfortable yet agressive. The tires are Riken Raptors and the price is awesome. I only paid $75 each at Discount Tire. They fill the wheel well beautifully and don't rub, even with the car being lowered 1.5"s all the way around.

Dave.

If you move up to a bigger wheel size, consider the added weight of the rim and tire. More unsprung weight is bad for handling. There are not an unlimited list of choices for 14" tires, but enough to keep you happy. Remember, the tire technology currently available far outstrips the technology from 30 years ago, so almost any good to above average summer performance tire will do (the S30 is not a performance dynamo in stock configuration.)

I concur with what Mr Coffey said. 195/60 R14s for track. Good performance, good grip, less expensive, lighter, and dropping your AR to 60 will effectively improve your final drive ratio for some extra pep off the line.

Dave Zs-ondabrain,

I also have the 70's type Appliance slotted mags and am thinking of upgrading.

Your 16" x 7" rims look awesome.

Can you share what they are, where you bought them, cost, polished aluminum?

P.S. - your headlight and parking lite harnesses are still working great in my 240Z.

I had R - spec Avons 205X55X14 when I was Autocrossing - very small wheel/tire combo but my car is lowered so it didn't look too silly. Stuck like glue.

Dave Zs-ondabrain,

I also have the 70's type Appliance slotted mags and am thinking of upgrading.

Your 16" x 7" rims look awesome.

Can you share what they are, where you bought them, cost, polished aluminum?

P.S. - your headlight and parking lite harnesses are still working great in my 240Z.

Good to hear about the harness's.

The wheels are polished aluminum (American) Eagle Alloys 16"x7" wheels w/ a 0.0 offset. I checked with the manufacturer and they are NLA in 16". Only 15" I think. The tires are 225/50ZR16 Riken Raptors ($75 each when on sale) They're now $92 each

http://aewheel.com/eagle_alloy_wheels.cfm?id=10 The wheel

http://aewheel.com/wheels_detail_specs.cfm?id=10 The specs

Mine were bought a few years ago and they have the dual size holes under the cap (holes for datsun and 1 size up. 8 holes)

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/searchTiresBySize.do?r=WASINT%7Cpc%7C98270&cs=225&ar=50&rd=16

Riken Raptor ZR

Size 225/50ZR16 92W BSW

UTQG 300AA

Speed Rating Z

High-performance, great looks at an affordable price. Z-speed rated.

$92.00 each

Is there any info or chart available that addresses what these different size combinations do to your speedometer and odometer readings. What size combo is closest to the stock diameter?

Mike

The stock size for a 240Z was 175-14. Any of the following sizes are close enough in rolling radius to that size as to have no noticeable affect on the speedometer (less than 2% difference, typically). Note that some of these sizes may not be available any longer, and some have never been available in performance models.

185/75-14

197/70-14 (stock on 280Zs)

205/65-14

225/60-14

195/65-15

205/60-15

225/55-15

205/55-16

225/50-16

245/45-16

205/50-17

225/45-17

235/40-17

245/40-17

225/40-18

The key to speedo calibration is revs per mile, which is most accurately determined from the loaded rolling radius of the tire. To maintain your speedo accuracy, you want a tire with 825-840 revs per mile.

Is there any info or chart available that addresses what these different size combinations do to your speedometer and odometer readings. What size combo is closest to the stock diameter?

Mike

Here's an excellent tire size to speed/rpm calculator.

Tire Size Calculator

Very useful.

Thanks guys, great help.

Mike

I currently switched to Yokohama AVS ES100 205/60R14 and have found them to be fantastic a great step up from the previous tyres with lots of predictable grip and so far good wear. They are also reasonable value at about $90-95 each. I can not speak to the other tires mentioned so far as I have not used them personally, but I have read nothing but good on these tyres from other Z users.

The stock size for a 240Z was 175-14

Was that a 70 or 75 profile tire?

The stock size for a 240Z was 175-14

Was that a 70 or 75 profile tire?

Neither. In today's terminology it would be a 175/80-14.