New thread: Post pictures of your aftermarket wheels!!!!

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by Morfious I too am considering the ultralegga's with 18X9's out back. I have heard some stories about them not fitting correctly. Did you have any clearence issues with the wider rim out back?

I haven't pulled out my credit card yet. I am still trying to decide if the Ultraleggeras are the way I want to go, all things considered. I really like the look of the stock wheels, but I want to improve the performance as well. I spoke with a fellow at Tire Rack about wheel/tire combinations. He said that the 18X9s would not have clearance issues in back, but suggested that when I had pretty much decided on a wheel/tire combo, I should speak with one of their techs just to make sure that I get the right sizes and offsets to avoid clearance problems. I am also intending to replace the stock springs and shocks, and that will play into the equation as well.

If money wasn't an object, which it is, and wanting improved performance, I would be considering a set of Dymags. I think at 14+ pounds per wheel, the performance and handling improvement would be very noticeable.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20060...7072006-1.html
http://www.dymag.com/index2_e.html

[My-Low-Sol]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem My-Low, I am seriously considering a set of OZ 18" Ultraleggeras for my GXP, wider in back. Not yet decided on tires. I am wondering why you elected to get rid of your OZs. Comments please.

Still got 'em, still love 'em and wish I could put them on for street use. To this day they've never seen street tires or street use, all Hoosiers and all auto-x. The only wheels I got rid of were the OE's and the Sport Editions that didn't fit.

Originally Posted by Morfious I too am considering the ultralegga's with 18X9's out back. I have heard some stories about them not fitting correctly. Did you have any clearence issues with the wider rim out back?

The wheels fit correctly, I know this with absolute certainty. I even run identical 18x9's at all 4 corners. I had some very minor, very intermittent rubbing on the rear inside frame rail, but only under extreme cornering conditions. The tires are Porsche Spec 265 Michelin's which have very soft sidewalls. It's hard to say if they rubbed due to my car being lower (Z0K package), having a race alignment, or just due to sidewall deflection in the super soft Michelins. It's funny to think the 18x9 fits better up front than it does out back I honestly think that all 3 of these things are contributing to my tiny rubbing issue and that by changing any one of these things it would go away. As far as I know, NO ONE has reported rubbing with the OZ 9" wide wheel. I have posted repeatedly, mainly responses to my original post, about my rubbing issue on this forum and I am almost certain that I am the only person who has ever had a rubbing problem.

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem I haven't pulled out my credit card yet. I am still trying to decide if the Ultraleggeras are the way I want to go, all things considered. I really like the look of the stock wheels, but I want to improve the performance as well. I spoke with a fellow at Tire Rack about wheel/tire combinations. He said that the 18X9s would not have clearance issues in back, but suggested that when I had pretty much decided on a wheel/tire combo, I should speak with one of their techs just to make sure that I get the right sizes and offsets to avoid clearance problems. I am also intending to replace the stock springs and shocks, and that will play into the equation as well. If money wasn't an object, which it is, and wanting improved performance, I would be considering a set of Dymags. I think at 14+ pounds per wheel, the performance and handling improvement would be very noticeable. RENNWORX LTD. INC. :: Carbon Fiber Road Wheels DYMAG - Manufacturers of High Performance Wheels for Cars and Motorcycles

The 18x9 OZ will be lighter, wider and stronger than the factory wheel (better casting technique and material). I can tell you from personal experience, these wheels will fit with no problems. As you can see in my sig the SSR's I have are the exact same specs as the 18x9 OZ's. BTW- I am the reason Tire Rack had the 18x9 OZ's made.

The Dymags are interesting but huge $$$$. A 14lb 18x8 ET55 would be nice for autocross though!!!

[solmio]

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by My-Low-Sol Still got 'em, still love 'em and wish I could put them on for street use. To this day they've never seen street tires or street use, all Hoosiers and all auto-x. The only wheels I got rid of were the OE's and the Sport Editions that didn't fit. The 18x9 OZ will be lighter, wider and stronger than the factory wheel (better casting technique and material). I can tell you from personal experience, these wheels will fit with no problems. As you can see in my sig the SSR's I have are the exact same specs as the 18x9 OZ's. BTW- I am the reason Tire Rack had the 18x9 OZ's made.

Thanks for all the good info. Seems like I will be springing for the OZ Ultraleggera 18X9s all around.

I'm curious. Why do you not run the Ultraleggeras on the street?

I use my GXP primarily for the street, except for a track day a couple times a year. There are some twisties near where I live that I enjoy when I can. I don't expect to be doing any auto-Xing. Based on that, what tires do you think I might consider. There is no need for winter tires here. It never snows, and I do not drive my Solstice in the rain, except for the unexpected shower on the occasional road trip.

[My-Low-Sol]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem Thanks for all the good info. Seems like I will be springing for the OZ Ultraleggera 18X9s all around. I'm curious. Why do you not run the Ultraleggeras on the street? I use my GXP primarily for the street, except for a track day a couple times a year. There are some twisties near where I live that I enjoy when I can. I don't expect to be doing any auto-Xing. Based on that, what tires do you think I might consider. There is no need for winter tires here. It never snows, and I do not drive my Solstice in the rain, except for the unexpected shower on the occasional road trip.

I use them strictly for autox because they are the lightest stock class legal wheel available. If I didn't get an unbelievable deal on the forged SSR's I'd have a set of the OZ 18x9's for the street.

For 9" wide wheels our choices get pretty slim. I know that the 265/40R18 tire size works but the only tires I'd consider (listed by preference) are the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Yokohama ADVAN Sport, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, and the BFG g-Force T/A KD.

I think that the 275/40R18 will fit F and R too, but I haven't tried it yet (I'm waiting for the Michelins to wear out). I know they'll fit in back and am pretty sure they'll fit up front. If you want to take your chances there are more good tires available in this size. These are the tires I'd recommend in my order of preference: Sumitomo HTR Z III (outperforms almost everything and is super cheap), Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Yokohama ADVAN Sport, Kumho Ecsta SPT, Avon Tech M500, BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD, and Kumho Ecsta MX.

[spiky3480]

Originally Posted by My-Low-Sol I use them strictly for autox because they are the lightest stock class legal wheel available. If I didn't get an unbelievable deal on the forged SSR's I'd have a set of the OZ 18x9's for the street. For 9" wide wheels our choices get pretty slim. I know that the 265/40R18 tire size works but the only tires I'd consider (listed by preference) are the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Yokohama ADVAN Sport, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, and the BFG g-Force T/A KD. I think that the 275/40R18 will fit F and R too, but I haven't tried it yet (I'm waiting for the Michelins to wear out). I know they'll fit in back and am pretty sure they'll fit up front. If you want to take your chances there are more good tires available in this size. These are the tires I'd recommend in my order of preference: Sumitomo HTR Z III (outperforms almost everything and is super cheap), Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Yokohama ADVAN Sport, Kumho Ecsta SPT, Avon Tech M500, BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD, and Kumho Ecsta MX.

Carpe Diem...I have the Sumitomo HTR Z II's in 275/40-18 on my rears and i love them...they perform great and were super cheap...under a hundred bucks each on those. I run 255/45-18 on the fronts in the same brand and love them.

[My-Low-Sol]

Originally Posted by spiky3480 Carpe Diem...I have the Sumitomo HTR Z II's in 275/40-18 on my rears and i love them...they perform great and were super cheap...under a hundred bucks each on those. I run 255/45-18 on the fronts in the same brand and love them.

The Z III is light years ahead of the Z II's. The Z III's will have a slightly shorter life than the Z II's but the grip level difference is amazing.

[spiky3480]

Originally Posted by My-Low-Sol The Z III is light years ahead of the Z II's. The Z III's will have a slightly shorter life than the Z II's but the grip level difference is amazing.

Really? I think the grip on mine is awesome, even in the rain. What's the price difference between the two?

[FST GXP]

Here are mine:

[My-Low-Sol]

Originally Posted by spiky3480 Really? I think the grip on mine is awesome, even in the rain. What's the price difference between the two?

The HTR Z II's has been around for a while and when compared side-side with similar UHP Summer tires they have a softer almost spongy feel and have mid-pack dry and wet traction. There are much better UHP Summer tires available now but they are all going to cost more. I'm not beating up on the Z II's, these are still WAY better than the OE Goodyear RSA's in all respects and when compared to the GS2's the Z II's will ride a little better and have similar dry and wet traction at a much lower price.

The HTR Z III's however are a totally brand new tire designed to stake a claim with the best of the Max Performance tires out there. The grip level of the Z III vs the Z II is staggering. It has even beaten out the Yokohama ADVAN Sport, Continental ContiSportContact 3 and Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position in Tire Rack's latest Track Test.

The Z III's will be slightly more expensive than the Z II's but well worth the cost of admission and still cheaper than anything else comparable.

Current Tire Rack Prices as of 01/11/08
___________Z III_____Z II
245/45R18__$153_____N/A
255/45R18__$167_____$139
275/40R18__$144_____$112 (on special)

(sidenote) the 275 Z III's will be my next tire for the 9" wide SSR's

[pacificgrove]

Very nice FST GXP!

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by spiky3480 Gravana J2 Staggered Black with a polished lip Front: 18x8 Rear: 18x9 Tires: Sumitomo HTR-Z II Front: 255/45-18 Rear: 275/40-18

Spikey, I'm wondering about under/oversteer considering the different wheel widths and sidewall heights on you car. On the track (high speed driving school a couple times per year) and favorite local twisties, my stock GXP set up is pretty balanced and forgiving - no noticeable under/oversteer. Have you any track time on your set up? Have you experienced any understeer or oversteer with your staggered set up?

[spiky3480]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem Spikey, I'm wondering about under/oversteer considering the different wheel widths and sidewall heights on you car. On the track (high speed driving school a couple times per year) and favorite local twisties, my stock GXP set up is pretty balanced and forgiving - no noticeable under/oversteer. Have you any track time on your set up? Have you experienced any understeer or oversteer with your staggered set up?

I really havent tested this set-up on the track but I can say at higher speed street driving it has been very good with very little over or understeer. I could not tell you on a track though. I am in the misdt of adding a boost controller and the new Dejon piece that resolves the limp mode issue. I will let you know as soon as I can test these out with higher horsepower and torque.

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by My-Low-Sol The HTR Z III's however are a totally brand new tire designed to stake a claim with the best of the Max Performance tires out there. The grip level of the Z III vs the Z II is staggering. (sidenote) the 275 Z III's will be my next tire for the 9" wide SSR's

Do you believe that the 275/40R18 Z IIIs on the 18"X9" Ultraleggeras all around will not have any clearance problems? If so, would that be true if I were to have Eibach lowering springs installed later?

BTW, in the review section of the Tire Rack web site, some guy with a BMW really bad-mouthed the Z-III's traction. Care to comment?

[Carpe Diem]

Originally Posted by spiky3480 I really havent tested this set-up on the track but I can say at higher speed street driving it has been very good with very little over or understeer. I could not tell you on a track though. I am in the misdt of adding a boost controller and the new Dejon piece that resolves the limp mode issue. I will let you know as soon as I can test these out with higher horsepower and torque.

Thanks for the quick reply.