So I am just getting into tracking my z3 Mcoupe a lot more and I need some advice and tips!
I currently have TCK line SA's with camber plates.
Front camber is at -3.1
Rear camber is maxed at -2.7
I had federal RSRR's on my current OEM Roadstar wheels, which were "ok" and I really got to learn how this car reacts out at the track (my first RWD on the track, but my 4th time out there in this car) and it got a little tricky. Super tail happy and spun out out a few times this time (tires are now DONE) but I now have some new wheels and looking for some tires.
I purchased Apex Arc-8's, specs are as follows.
Front: 17x9 ET30
Rear: 17x10 ET27
Stock wheel tires are 225/45/17 and the rear are 255/40/17.
I'm really considering going 255/40/17 and 275/40/17 on NT01's. I've seen many run this particular tire size (255 up front) , but were definitely modded more than I currently am, and my main concern is if it's a little too much for the car right now.
So my question is- how will this new set-up be on this chassis? Am I changing the geometry too much? If so, what should I be doing/changing? Should I stick to "recommended" tires for the front? APEX recommends 235/245 for the front and the rear 275/40/17.
I previously had a 2013 GTI that I frequently tracked, and that thing was absolutely FUN, to me at least. I placed some pretty good PB's on that car at SOW/Big Willow and even Buttonwillow (California). But this Mcoupe needs more "love" and more experience to be dealt with. As if it's an attention whore and wants more and more and more...
Last edited by z3m.casey; 05-29-2018 at 12:23 PM.
What suspension are you running? Check out the link below to a great guide of wheel fitment and spacing/offset. Other members would need to confirm, but if you're planning on going 255 in the front and 275 in the rear; you'll likely need to do some modifications to make sure it won't rub.
Wheel Fitment & Spacing Guide
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Thanks for the reply.
I'm running TCK line Coil-over's with their Camber Plates. From my understanding I will need some type of spacer up front to clear the strut.
I went ahead and bought the 255 tires. I'll try them on once I get back home and update. I'll see if and what type of spacer I will need, if any.
Hopefully all is well and I can have some smiles out there on the track with the new set of wheels and tires!
You don't need as much rear camber, and you don't need more than 255/SQ setup (unless you really have add a lot more power). I run 17x9 rims with RE-71's or now MAXXIS RC-1's, NT01 are run by another coupe owner around here. but really you don't need a larger tire in the back.
30mm bolt on spacer and a same rims allows you to rotate for even wear.
Front = 18 x 8.5" ET35 wearing 235/40-18 Nitto NT01s with a 7.5mm spacer
Rear: = 18 x 10.5" ET27 wearing 275/35-18 Nitto NT01s with a 12mm spacer
This was as close to OE stagger percentagewise as I could get with NT01s. I like keeping the stagger and think it lets me get back into full throttle earlier.
2001 Steel Gray MCoupe - 147,000 miles and owned since new. MCS 2WNR suspension, Hotchkiss swaybar, poly bushings all around, cat delete headers with custom tune, 3.73 LSD, and Clownshoe Motorsports rear subframe reinforcement.
2014 Porsche Cayman S / 2022 BMW X3M Competition / 2020 Ram Rebel
Goof info! Thanks for your input.
ok, so how do you the math on my set up to see how the percentage is to OE?
Forgive for the newbie. Learn everyday right? Lol
I know by me going 255 in the front and 40 series in the rear vs 35 sort of defeats it, but I’d like to see how close I CAN get,
Last edited by z3m.casey; 05-30-2018 at 06:39 PM.
I just do a quick ratio of F/R tread width for the tires I’m looking at and compare that to the ratio of those that came on it. Small differences aren’t noticeable, but large changes will be.
What is your sway bar setup ?
Sway bars are stock. Front sway bar is actually the next thing I will be ordering aside from fixing my shifter issue.
at the end of the day at the track, I was having issues downshifting into second and third for some odd reason. Gotta look into that and the shift pins. I keep finding shit the previous owner "did himself" and cut corners.
Big front sway bar will solve a lot of issues.
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