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Awd Or Rwd M35 Stagea?


alexvd275
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Hey guys, I've reached a fork in the road where I have to decide whether I should get an AWD, or a RWD model Stagea.

I originally purchased these staggered 19" wheels for my S14 Silvia. Unfortunately I wrote off the Silvia before the wheels arrived.
I couldn't be happier with the wheels, they are exactly what I was after and I think they would look amazing on a Stagea. Unfortunately the sizes present me with an issue.

19x8.5 +25p Nitto NT555 225/35/R19
19x10.5 +28p Nitto NT555 275/30/R19

clvlhzfp.p5q.jpg

It doesn't take a genius to realise that fitting these wheels on a Stag will require modification of the guards and/or spacers to clear the suspension.

I spoke with the business that I purchased the wheels from and they can get me two more wheels cheaply so I have to make a decision soon.

Here are my options:

1: AWD 19x8.5 +25p Nitto NT555 225/35/R19 all around (spacers will be required to achieved the flush fitment that i'm after).

2: AWD 19x10.5 +28p Nitto NT555 275/30/R19 all around (spacers will be required, widebody arches will have to be bolted on and modified etc.).

3: RWD 19x8.5 +25p Nitto NT555 225/35/R19, 19x10.5 +25p Nitto NT555 275/30/R19 (Rear guard may have to be rolled slightly).

I'm so tempted to avoid hassle and go with a RWD 350RX, but all of my friends are urging me to go with AWD for extra grip. I would prefer AWD, but I understand that I would have to go with 225 all around, which is barely more than stock, or spend an insane amount f money to get 275 all around to fit (and have terrible lock as a result of oversized wheels on the front).


Sorry about the ramble, but I am so lost and I want to make the right decision, cheers.

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Why is it you can only fit 225s on a 8.5 rim. You could get much wider tyres.

I would go the AWD with 8.5 because they will fit and it also means you can have turbo.

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You make a good point. The reason I wanted to go with 225 tyres is because I like that slightly stretched tyre look. For my cars form goes before function so i'd sacrifice a bit of grip to have nicer looking wheels.

I've been looking at the 350RX FOUR series 2 Stageas because I found a company that makes turbo kits for VQ35DEs. That and 250tRS FOURS aren't very common in NZ, all of them are over 150,000kms and are quite worn, it would be really hard to find the exact one i'm after (black, black interior etc.).

350RXs are in dealers all over the country so that gives me more options.

Maybe option number one is the best way to go.

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I've put a bit of thought into it, depends if I can find what i'm looking for, and how much it would cost compared to buying from a dealer locally.

I'd absolutely love to get an Autech model just for the leather interior.

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None of the options you've listed are the right size - your best options are 225/40R19, 235/40R19, 245/40R19, 265/35R19 or 275/35R19. The last thing you want with these cars is a smaller overall wheel in the arches. The 265 is almost exactly the same size as a stock 215/55R17 (0.03% out) but if you're after a slight stretch then the 225 would be your best option. Personally I'd go for the 245 but I'm more of a function>form guy.

As for RWD vs AWD, converting a 350RX FOUR to RWD is apparently only a fuse-pull away since it's an electronic set-up(never tried it myself), and if you want peace of mind you could pull the front driveshaft out too. I've got the AWD model and I'm very happy with it.

Edited by Hertz Donut
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Why go to the trouble of getting awd if you're going to put stretched tyres on it? If you don't care if the car stays on the road or not you may as well get 2wd and then you can do donuts as well!

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Hertz, I bet you can tell that I've never fitted aftermarket wheels to a car before. I completely overlooked the overall diameter of the wheel.

That's really dissapointing. So basically I have big fat ugly tyres and a nicely filled wheel arch or a speedo that is off slightly? I want to make sure I understand all of the side effects of veering away from the factory wheel size before I go out and buy tyres.

I might look at a few photos online of what a 225/40/R19 and a 245/40/R19 look like on a 19" wheel. I'm expecting something similar to what the newer Audi's come with stock (low profile tyres but not extremely low).

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Hertz, I bet you can tell that I've never fitted aftermarket wheels to a car before.

I want to make sure I understand all of the side effects of veering away from the factory wheel size before I go out and buy tyres.

You need to understand the side effects of stretched tyres. It is not a fashion crime. They are illegal for safety reasons. There are two main issues - under cornering or after hitting a pot hole or manhole cover the tyre can fall into the well and deflate suddenly. Secondly the tyre walls are meant to be perpendicular and have very little strength when angled. When young drivers (or older ones) lose control of their modified cars and kill their passengers or innocent third parties stretched tyres can be a contributing factor along with poorly thought out suspension modifications or the abuse of drugs or alcohol.

I have aftermarket wheels. I used to have 17 x 9 wheels with 255 40 17 tyres. I now run 18 x 8 wheels with 245 40 18 tyres. The combination of offset and spacers mean they sit flush with my (rolled) guards and look fine in my opinion.

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The sidewall height difference between a 225/40 and a 245/40 is only 8mm, not really enough for anyone to tell the difference at a glance, so it won't look ungainly. If you want to fill the arches with more rim and less sidewall you can step up to a 20 on the M35.

Also, a 245 on an 8.5in rim normally won't be bulging, it's about the perfect width for the tyre. Personally I look more for flush fitment than for stretch, I reckon a flush rim still looks great while not having the inherent safety issues of an underinflated stretched tyre. Stretch is fine for shows but on NZ's roads on a daily driver it's a recipe for heartache.

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You need to understand the side effects of stretched tyres. It is not a fashion crime. They are illegal for safety reasons. There are two main issues - under cornering or after hitting a pot hole or manhole cover the tyre can fall into the well and deflate suddenly. Secondly the tyre walls are meant to be perpendicular and have very little strength when angled. When young drivers (or older ones) lose control of their modified cars and kill their passengers or innocent third parties stretched tyres can be a contributing factor along with poorly thought out suspension modifications or the abuse of drugs or alcohol.

I have aftermarket wheels. I used to have 17 x 9 wheels with 255 40 17 tyres. I now run 18 x 8 wheels with 245 40 18 tyres. The combination of offset and spacers mean they sit flush with my (rolled) guards and look fine in my opinion.

I am well aware of safety issues surrounding stretched tyres and the illegality of stretching tyres in NZ. Hell, I've read enough horror stories online to put me off stretching tyres excessively. But all the 'stance guys' who run ill,egal stretch on their tyres are running the equivalent of a 245/30/R18 on a 11.5" rim or something ridiculous, which as you said, is a recipe for disaster. 225/40/R19 on an 8.5" rim is well withing the boundaries of what is legal in NZ. 215/35/R19 is even legal: http://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/infosheets/LVVTA_Info_01-2009_V2_Tyre_Size_to_Wheel_Size_Compatibility_Guide.pdf

That being said, I still haven't finalised my decision on what tyres to go for. NT555s are out of the question now because they don't sell any with sidewall higher than 35%. Nitto Invos are available in the sizes i'm considering, so I may have to go with them.

After looking at more and more fitted 225/40/R19 tyres on Google images I am starting to warm up to the idea of buying tyres with a larger sidewall, it gives the wheel a more stock look. Might even see if I can find some Nissan centre caps :P

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Hertz, I bet you can tell that I've never fitted aftermarket wheels to a car before. I completely overlooked the overall diameter of the wheel.

That's really dissapointing. So basically I have big fat ugly tyres and a nicely filled wheel arch or a speedo that is off slightly? I want to make sure I understand all of the side effects of veering away from the factory wheel size before I go out and buy tyres.

I might look at a few photos online of what a 225/40/R19 and a 245/40/R19 look like on a 19" wheel. I'm expecting something similar to what the newer Audi's come with stock (low profile tyres but not extremely low).

For reference, here is a picture of my PNM35 with 245/40 R19's.

Don't think they could reasonably be called "big, fat, ugly tyres", but we all have different perspectives I guess.

Also should mention that the speedo is more accurate with this sized rolling diameter (104kph displayed in speedo when actually travelling at 100kph - measured via GPS)

IMAG03551_zpse1a2a569.jpg

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That doesn't look half bad. Well you'll be pleased to hear that I bought a tyre today. A 245/35/19 Nitro Invo to fit on my 19x8.5" wheel. There is a little bit of bulge but I think I will be thankful I chose this tyre when I feel the increase in traction over stock. Will post pics soon.

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Hi Sam,

Who supplying you the turbo kits? Just curious that I might go this way too.

I assume you are referring to me? Here is the link to the site I found. Supposedly they have found the absolute limit for the stock internals of a VQ35DE: http://sohomotorsports.com/products/vq35-turbo-kits/

Here is a pic of the Nitto Invo 245/35/19 on my 19x8.5" wheel. In hindsight I would rather have chosen the 235/35/19 because there is just the slightest bit of bulge in the tyre. I doubt they would swap the tyre around for the cost of fitting the tyre, so I think i'll just run 245s until I need to replace the entire set.

rozow0mo.aqx.jpg

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I assume you are referring to me? Here is the link to the site I found. Supposedly they have found the absolute limit for the stock internals of a VQ35DE: http://sohomotorsports.com/products/vq35-turbo-kits/

Here is a pic of the Nitto Invo 245/35/19 on my 19x8.5" wheel. In hindsight I would rather have chosen the 235/35/19 because there is just the slightest bit of bulge in the tyre. I doubt they would swap the tyre around for the cost of fitting the tyre, so I think i'll just run 245s until I need to replace the entire set.

rozow0mo.aqx.jpg

Perfect fit!!

F1 cars have bulge, I feel they know whats best.

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Looks great Alex. I think you will be pleased with the Invo as a tyre choice. Not only provides excellent levels of grip in both wet & dry conditions, it's a quiet tyre as well.

I remember when the exotics (Lambo/Ferrari etc) ran wide low profile tyres & they were something like 275/50's. Everyone was impressed because passenger tyres were still 60's & 70's.

My dad remembers when cars of old (maybe they were called carriages or buggies then, lol) ran big wheels - 17's, 18's etc, but then slowly went down to 13's & 14's.

I know bigger wheels will allow bigger brakes, but in reality I think wheel & tyre sizes are mainly a fashion thing.

Yours look good now, but you kids/grandchildren will have a laugh in 20 years :)

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I make sure I wear sweat pants at the gym to show maximum bulge. :P

I have the same setup as Dale and I like the muffin top from the tyres, makes it look tuff.

I have never seen you at the gym, who even wears pants anymore?

I don't think our setup is the same at all... :P

245/45/18 is spot on IMO; decent tread width, with a sidewall that has some compliance. Great for grip and comfort.

245 width on a 8.5" rim is perfect.

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