thjakits

Hi all,

....possibly getting my 1st LS400 later this week - but it needs rims (stock chromed ones MUST go!)

I want 18"-rims and then go as big as possible on the rubber, but cannot find any serious info on the LS site.

Over on the SC part, they have a great sticky on what fits!

Question is, are the wheel spaces the same on the LS and SC?
E.g. If a set of wheels fits the SC, will it fit the '98 LS400?


Thanks for any info!

thjakits

TheBry

iTrader: (2)

You would need a 20mm spacer to clear the brakes on the '98 if you get the SC430 rims.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

15mm, not 20.

TheBry

iTrader: (2)

Oh.

thjakits

Hi guys,

thanks for the speedy replies!

I am NOT looking for SC rims!!

However over on the SC sticky about wheels n' tires, I found quite a few interesting rims (maily OEM or OEM-style aftermarket), that I would like to see on my 98LS400.

All 18"-wheels

Infinity G35
Acura
LS430
ISx50 (already discarded these - great looking rim on the SC, but for my taste the LS needs more wheel area ["visual weight"] for the rims)
Saleen-style
SVT Cobra-style

All of these are shown on one or the other SC, with little work or no work in the fender area.
The ones I wonder most about are the Saleen and SVT rims as they only have 22-24mm offset.

Cheers,

thjakits

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

it depends on the width. if you need wheel fitment help i suggest you check out the wheel thread that's the 2nd sticky at the top of the forum.

brake clearance will be an issue for you though.

thjakits

Pure Drifter,

thanx for the pointer.....

I was going through the whole thread!!

However, there is very little for my taste (too much of everything for my ride....), that's why I referenced to the SC-wheel/tire sticky - a LOT more aceptable combinations over there (...for me)
That's why I asked, if the SC and LS wheel wells are the same or similar, to the extend that a wheel combination that fits on the SC will/would fit on the LS (...or not)

thanx,

thjakits

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

not similar, the 2LS can take more aggressive fitments (ie- a standard SC fitment will be more sunk in) and has far larger brakes, causing clearance issues.

go and look through the thread properly, there are a fair few OEM and simple 5 spoke options in it.

McPierson

iTrader: (3)

I had the same issue as you. I'm not a big fan of streched tires or poked wheels unless taken to the limit. I ended up going with a known wheel, but I threw the dice on some wider tires and that caused some issues.

I made a spreadsheet that had the wheel fitment of wheels I liked and if I could tell about how flush the wheels were. I then estimated what the new wheels would fit like based on the new wheel's specs. Remember the lower your car the more the wheels will tuck.

Measure how much more flush you want to sit based on where you are now and record that number as well. There are calculators that will let you compare the two fitments. These will tell you how much father in and out the edge of the wheel will sit. OEM is 16x7 +45 right?

thjakits

McPierson, OEM is 16x7 +45 right?
RIGHT!

Just came back from looking over the 98LS400 - needs a LOT of TLC on the outside(lots of roadrash, dings, etc. - body and paint work needed!), but mechanically it is great. Had it diagnosed - nothing out of the ordinary (most likely need to change O2 sensors ....)

I believe the brakes would be the only concern, really - for wheels.

By any chance, do you still have your wheel/tire spreadsheet?

Cheers,

thjakits

McPierson

iTrader: (3)

I don't have the spread sheet, and I'm not sure it would do you much good since it was just notes and not well documented. Sorry.

thjakits

Hey McPierson,

no worries!

For the time being I will pass on this LS400 - not enough time to dedicate - this car would be nice to work on, but needs a LOT of cosmetic work!!
Don't have the time for this right now - but I am sure it will still be around in 10 months....
[V8s don't sell these days in my corner of the world...]
Also had a bad encounter with concrete on the right front, broken airfilter box, missing under-engine panels, etc....
Though it only has 43k miles, diagnostics say the O2 sensors are propably done.....

Maybe in 8-11 months.

However, if you run across a pristine 98-00, let me know!

Cheers,

thjakits