Hi all,

I have a 1972 240Z. Aftermarket springs, very stiff of unknown origin. Not sure about the shocks either. It rolls on 280Z Datsun "Iron Cross" wheels with P205/70/14 Ohtsu Negotiator N70s. The Ohtsu's seem like good enough tires -- for a small pickup truck.

I did a little looking around today and found a set of P205/60/14 Nexxen N-3000s. I definitely want a shorter set of tires (my speedo is 25% slow, probably due to the 5-spd and the tall tires currently installed). The Nexxen's have unidirectional tread, which is supposed to indicate a performance tire.

Any first-hand information will be much appreciated. My top priority is handling and resistance to nibbling (following grooves in the pavement). Prefer a quieter running tire. Treadware -- middle, 30,000 miles would be fine. Not much of a priority is a smooth ride -- its a Z, not a Caddy, jack. It will never see snow and wet performance isn't very important either. We average about a negative inch a rain a year between April and October and besides, I figure even a crappy modern rain tire is as good wet as the best rain tires were when the Z was new.

I'm not married to the Nexxen's or the size. Not sure how much wider I could go, though. Would I have enough clearance with 215s? Going shorter isn't a problem.

I have a quote of a hair over $300 mounted, balanced, and aligned.

Chris Hebert

No knowledge of the Nexxens. As for size, do you have any idea how much the car is lowered? Do you have an air dam, or stock valance? And when you say you have "Iron cross" wheels, are they the 14x6 280ZX wheel, or the earlier 280Z 14x5.5 wheel, which is different but some people also refer to as an "Iron cross"?

Having problems quoting here.

1) If it is lowered, its not by much. Seems to ride too high in front to my eyes, but the ground to fender distance is right in the ballpark with figures I found on this site.

2) There is a brutal chin spoiler of my own design. 7 inches ground clearance and the front edge plane bisects the turn signals. Speed bumps hold no terror for me.

3) Quite sure they are the true 14*6 Iron Cross wheels.

Chris Hebert

Then 205/60-14 should fit fine, and probably 215/60-14s as well. With the wider size my concern would be on the front while turning, at the front valance corner. But if those awfully tall 205/70-14s don't rub there now, the 215/60-14s shouldn't rub either.

More tire selection in 205/60-14 though.

Then 205/60-14 should fit fine, and probably 215/60-14s as well. With the wider size my concern would be on the front while turning, at the front valance corner. But if those awfully tall 205/70-14s don't rub there now, the 215/60-14s shouldn't rub either.

More tire selection in 205/60-14 though.

Thanks.

I'll probably look around the real and virtual worlds for another week or so before pulling the trigger.

Chris Hebert