I know there a bunch of topics of tire sizes for rims, but I couldn't find any that dealt with my kind of rim.

Basically this is what I have on my car:

14 x 7 American Racing Outlaw II's - No Offset. What is the widest tire I can put on these without any rubbing/potential problems?

The car isn't lowered, it's at stock height. I'd really just like to place the wider tires on the back for better traction, and keep what i've got up front so turning isn't anymore difficult.

Thanks!

Edited January 5, 200916 yr by mikewags

Tire rack (tirerack.com) has a good guide for each tire on which rim it will fit in terms of width just have a look for the type of tire you want.

As these are 7 inches you can run 205/60s or maybe 215/60s comfortably without rubbing as I currently run 205/60s with the stock suspension.

225/50-14s will fit and not rub.

Assuming you want to keep the existing size on the front, and also assuming you are running the stock 195/70 there, you should go with the 225/60-14 on the rear. Any other size mentioned above will be shorter in height than what you have on the front which will make the car sit nose-high. Since 280Zs stock suspension sits taller than a 240Z, you should have no problems running the 255/60s on the rear.

I currently have 205/70 R14's on the car and would like to go as wide as possible for the rear's to really grab the road.

The matching height wider size to go with your 205/70s is 235/60-14.

Are those equal to the width of the 255's you mentioned before? (i know the numbers work out with a percentage height/width deal)

Just making sure these are the widest I can get for the config i have.

Thanks.

Mike,

You may want to get a tire calculator and see the different tire sizes and the actual widths in inches. I just got finished doing that and it is a lot easier to understand with width and height in inches instead of tire sizes...........good luck, those wheels look great and are priced right also. You may want to try Summit Racing, they have free shipping. I just purchased a set of A/R Ansen Sprints ...........be sure to check your backspace depth.

Mike' date='

You may want to get a tire calculator and see the different tire sizes and the actual widths in inches. I just got finished doing that and it is a lot easier to understand with width and height in inches instead of tire sizes...........good luck, those wheels look great and are priced right also. You may want to try Summit Racing, they have free shipping. I just purchased a set of A/R Ansen Sprints ...........be sure to check your backspace depth.[/quote']

Thanks, they actually came with the car when I bought it. The rims do have a 70's style to them...at some point i'll need to clean/buff them.

I'll search around for a tire calculator, although it sounds like i've gotten some good suggestions already as to what i need.

I used this calculator:http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

To be able to use the 255's on the back, what would I need in the front? Should the rear/front tires both be the same height? What happens if you use tires that are a little taller in the back (for instance: 255 rear - 205 front)

Edited January 5, 200916 yr by mikewags

Here is a link that helped me out when I was buying wheels and tires.

Helps understand the difference in tire and wheel sizes

http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

Hope it helps.

255s will fit your rims (although they'll be a bit wider than optimal, but I think you'll be pushing it as far as clearance goes.

255s will fit your rims (although they'll be a bit wider than optimal, but I think you'll be pushing it as far as clearance goes.

Mike,

Words of advise................If you think (and you are being advised that they will rub) don't buy them. Step down one size in width and height, unless your checkbook can fix the future problem. Nice phat tires are cool but a wasted $500 and a continual rub would be embarrasing:stupid:(not to mention potential damage to your fender wells............it's just not worth it IMO).

The PO of my car had 15X7 with not enough backspace for either size tires (yes, two different sizes on front 195-60-15 and back 225-60-15). I am purchasing a new set of wheels trying to fix that problem and hoping it will correct the tire clearence on the fender wells (if not I will have to purchase new tires as well). If I do have to purchase tires I will promise you I will not "push the clearence" issue. Rubbing tires everytime you go around a curve or hit a dip is not cool. If I have to purchase new tires after I get the wheels installed they will all four be the same size so I can rotate properly and maximize the life of the tire, but it will be a nice soft compound that sticks......you gotta love those curves.....just so your not fender rubbing!!