jcrome04

So PureDrifter says wheel fitment on a 2LS is very different than a 1LS.

How?

on my old 91 LS I had 20x8.5 +40 wheels. with 225/35-20 tires


I have been looking into these for next spring.

ADR Spartans, 20x8.5 5x114.3 +38 with the same 225/35-20's

how will this fitment on a 2LS differ from the 1LS? What dimensions should I be looking for in a wheel for my 97??

ADR Spartan wheels

RA40

iTrader: (6)

PD's probably typing up his "search" post now...

Brake clearance, high disk

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the main difference is that the 2LS has a lot more clearance and is able to take more aggressive offsets in the rear.

the front's are relatively similar but again, the 2LS can take SLIGHTLY more aggressive offset there as well (provided the wheels are of the right disk type to clear the brakes)

for example, here is a comparison of my wheels on a 1LS, and my 2LS.

Front-20x9____+30__245/35/20 (high)
Rear-20x10.5__+12__255/35/20 (high)

1LS (note how far it is sticking out)

(image courtesy NJ240sxMan)

and now, on my 2LS, notice how the front and rear are both decently sunken in more, the 2nd gen needs lower offsets to get the same position for the lip in relation to the fender. that is why the same offsets seem to be more "flush" on my car compared to the amount of "poke" on the 1LS.

jcrome04

ok well I've found a much nicer set than the Spartans.

What numbers should I be looking for? I'm going to go with 20x8.5 (not staggered) and I want 225/35-20 tires.

What is the difference between a +35 offset and a +30? Is it, the higher the number the LESS they stick out? or vice versa...

I am also planning on lowering my car so I don't want to risk rubbing when it's lowered. the 20x8.5 +40 with a backspace of 6.3...(don't quote me on that) and 225/35-20 tires lowered with Tanabe DF210's never rubbed at all it was perfect.

So for the 2LS should I be looking for like +35??



Thanks for all the info it's a huge help!

shonn

iTrader: (1)

rbwheels.com FTW!!!!! Don't settle for adr or any of those les schwab brands. get the real deal stuff. Also, no one said ya gotta get em new.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

first off, you are using the wrong tire size, the proper spec tire for the 2LS is a 245/35-20 for the width you are using.

tirerack explains offset (basics) http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...jsp?techid=101

basically, lower offset makes the wheel poke out more, higher offset pulls it in towards the center of the vehicle.

a 2LS with an 8.5" width and +35 offset with the right sized tires will SLIGHTLY rub only in the front depending on how low you are. if you absolutely positively want an EXTREMELY conservative no-rub no-mod fitment, +40 should do the trick.

jcrome04

I had 225/35-20s on my last LS with 20x8.5
They fit fine with no problems at all, I think that's why I never rubbed either is because the narrower tire gave me just a little more clearance. what would be the difference between using a 225,235,or 245? some 225's can fit up to a 9" width.

I'll also only be going with the Tanabe DF210's, so almost -2". Perfect to me!

The wheels I'm looking at are Black Rhino - Bulls, probably in the silver finish... I'm really feeling them, and supposedly they should fit!
http://superbuytires.com/Black%20Rhi...?finish=Silver


Haha Shonn you punk! Did Yogi tell you about our 20 minute, 2 car EAS meet? lol. that website is sweet, but I'm not really feeling like spenging $3g JUST for wheels hahaha maybe it's just a personal thing

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the difference is that the LS NEEDS the 245/35 for load purposes.

the ONLY reason you would use any smaller size is if you needed more clearance, but stretching tires when you're running conservative offsets w/o fender mods is IMHO a really stupid thing to do and goes against the purpose. the order for things when u have clearance issues is to mod fender FIRST then if you STILL need to stretch tires. with your conservative offsets/width i doubt you will need to.

most members with 2LS' who have run the tanabes have switched out for either coilovers or H&R since the tanabe's are RIDICULOUSLY soft.

with wheels, you very much get what you pay for, by buying a no-name cheap wheel you are getting very heavy, poorly made/cast, and therefore weak 20in. wheels that will not ride as nice, look, nor feel as nice when mounted on the car.

jcrome04

Thanks for the info on the tires man. I really appreciate all of this help.

I'm also not looking for a really stiff "sporty" suspension, I just want the drop, and to maintain as much ride quality as I can. If I wanted to ride on rails I difinitely would NOT have purchased an LS! hahaha

I guess I'm just looking into wheels I want. The style that catches my eye. At the end of the day I want myself to be 100% happy with what I've got. I don't want to spend $2g extra to get a little more "street cred" and have everyone else like my car more than I do. I like the look of staggered wheels, but I don't personally want staggered wheels, and I also don't want to pay $3g for wheels then need to go spend another ~$1g on tires...

How heavy is "too heavy" for a wheel??

Also, the backspacing on my old set was 6.3 Do I need to alter this for the 2LS? or do I need to worry about this number at all...

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

backspacing is basically just another method of measuring offset, except in relation to the car.

the offset measurement is normally used.

jcrome04

ok cool.


So you think you could tell me more about the "load" purposes? would 235's work? Why does it NEED 245's? This thread is like being in auto shop all over again! hahah

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

because 245/35-20 has the same overall diameter as the factory 225/60-16.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

jcrome04

Heyyyyyy


Very cool. Thanks again man, but about the weight of the wheel.... how heavy is too heavy per wheel?

19psi

why not think about using a wider rear tire and wheel? it looks sooo much better. 245 in the front and 275 in the rear would look sick.

don't forget that the same offset number won't give the same fitment if the width of the two wheels you are comparing are different. 9" wide and 25 offset will stick out more than a 8.5" wide with 25 offset. look here: http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

eg6ky

Puredrifter= You tell him to be conservative with offset and tire stretching, then tell him to spend big bucks on wheels. All the money in the world on high dollar wheels will still look cheap with huge tires and weak offsets. Just my opinion, but I'm sure some others will back me up on this.
OP=Just get what you want as far as sizing and what you think will look good. I'm glad you're researching as far as sizes go, so you will be happy with them. I personally would go more agressive as you could tell if you have seen my car, but if it makes you happy, go for it.