Stock 71 240z needs tires, pics please

[WingZr0]

You can still find 215/60/14 by BF Goodwrich and Performance GT Grandprix a sub company of Goodyear. Both come in white letters on one side and black on the other. I like the raised white letter look too of my Performance GT's on my 14x7 Per Spec mags. A nice 70's era bubble shaped side wall and handles great. Will try to post pics Monday. Had Wingfoot 215 60 on the front once and some off brand 225 70 in back which gave a muscle car rake but the sevent series side walls were just too tall, flat faced and ugly.

Edited January 24, 2010 by WingZr0

[Arne]

You can still find 215/60/14 by BF Goodwrich and Performance GT Grandprix a sub company of Goodyear. Both come in white letters on one side and black on the other. I like the raised white letter look to of Performance GT's and

Neither are a real performance tire, however. Fine for cruising, but that's about it.

[70 Cam Guy]

Just for the sake of comparison, my wheels are also 14x6 and I am running 205/60R14. They are Federal Formoza's, pretty darn cheap but I was told they are made by Sumitomo (my friend ordered them for me where he works). They are shorter than stock and I can fit my entire hand between the top of the front tire and fender. I am working on coilovers so I will drop the height down.

They are no 40 series tires but they did ok when I drove it around Thunderhill. Good enough to have some fun!

More are found in my user gallery in higher res

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=18904&cat=500

<img src="http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0299_resized.jpg" />

<img src="http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0296_resized.jpg" />

<img src="http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0300_resized.jpg" />

<img src="http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0307_resized.jpg" />

Edited January 24, 2010 by 70 Cam Guy

[ajmcforester]

I'd didn't think of Hoosier for tires for my Z I love every time on the website when they are DOT tires a warning pops-up stating they are not attended for road use. Well after Firestone with Ford who can blame them.

[mgood]

Here is mine it's a 280Z and how they look with two different tire sets.

Goodyear - 205-60-14 front and 215-60-14 back

http://photographictrends.com/zcar/outside/06.30.07%20-%20004%20-%20working.htm

Goodrich - 205-70-14 on front and back.

http://photographictrends.com/zcar/Special/finished%28ii%29.htm

I did the 70 series in 205 because they are 1/2 inch taller than stock and fill the wheel well better and I also wanted front and back the same size because the backs will wear faster and I can now rotate them front to back.

I also like the raised white letters, they seem to fit with the era of the car. The wheels are appliance and I purchased them when I got them when I purchased the car new in 1976. I drive mine only on the weekends for fun and don't do any type of racing. I do show the car at a couple of shows each year.

[lbpdz]

I have to also agree with the 195/70 x 14. I have ran that size for years on mine and love the look.

Thanks... hard to believe they shine up link that!

His rims look to be American brand wheels, which were aluminum and shine up great. What you have pictured look to be the Shelby brand "Cal-500" which have aluminum and magnesium as their makeup. The Shelby wheels have machining grooves around the entire wheel.

From my experience you can polish up the Shelby and similar to a great shine, but you will lose the machining lines in the process. Just go after them with a little Mothers and some #00 steel wool. They will look great.

Oh, then mount the 195/70 x 14 tires on it too..

[Arne]

I did the 70 series in 205 because they are 1/2 inch taller than stock and fill the wheel well better and I also wanted front and back the same size because the backs will wear faster and I can now rotate them front to back.

The 205/70s are a decent choice for a 280Z with its taller ride height. But they can be a bit too tall for a 240Z, even not lowered. The 195/70s on 6" wheels are pretty close to the front valance when turning on many 240Zs. This is not an issue with air dams, but can be a problem with the stock valance. To go much wider than 195 on a 240Z with the stock valance, lower profile is a good idea.

[d240zx2]

My '70 is currently shod w/Yoko 195/60-14 on 39 year-old 6" Fentons. Tire diameter is 22.5 inches.

Since installing the R200 w/3.90 gearing, I notice that at indicated legal speeds, I'm getting passed like I'm chained to a post. My shop said the speedo gear I had w/the old 3.36 should be "real close." I'm beginning to think otherwise, but need an excuse to upgrade to 15 or 16" wheels, hence my question...

What is the OEM tire diameter for this car?

[ajmcforester]

My '70 is currently shod w/Yoko 195/60-14 on 39 year-old 6" Fentons. Tire diameter is 22.5 inches.

Since installing the R200 w/3.90 gearing, I notice that at indicated legal speeds, I'm getting passed like I'm chained to a post. My shop said the speedo gear I had w/the old 3.36 should be "real close." I'm beginning to think otherwise, but need an excuse to upgrade to 15 or 16" wheels, hence my question...

What is the OEM tire diameter for this car?

175HR14 which from what I've been told equates to a 175/80R14

Some tips for getting your backspacing right to put 90's Honda rims on a 240Z you needed a 1/4" spacer any good wheel and tire shop can use that to get the correct back spacing.

To play with different tire sizes hear is a good calculator to use:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

On my first Z, I put on Colorado Custom 15" rims with 195/55R15, the next tire size up I had clearance issues with the front tires and the frame rail, but fit fine in the rear.

[Arne]

The original overall diameter was about 24.7 give or take a tenth or two. The 195/60s are way short.

[d240zx2]

Thanks AJMac and Arne.

[Powerglide]

You want a wheel and tire assembly of between 24.5--25 inches in diameter.