[old_s13]

Hey all, just registered today.. been lurking for a bit and finally got a chance to join.

Picked up a second project car (`99 Miata), been working on removing some of the OEM crap that is just not happening (bose stereo, OEM seats, steering wheel, seatbelts, headlamps, etc)..

Now I'm working on wheels and tires. I have extra tires from my other car, they are Bridgestone S03 245/45/16. Flyin Miata lists them on the site and says they fit... but I've been reading too much conflicting info on Miata.net. Honestly, most of the time I am confused on Miata.net because everyone has such a boring older taste.. so I figure I would post my question here to verify info.

Anyway, wheels that I am going with are the RPF1's that goodwin offers. Brian recommends going with the Toyo tire, but I dont want to buy tires since I have the extra s03's.

Any info on this? I dont mind pulling/heating/rolling fenders, ditching splash shields.. I mean, thats all a bunch of crap anyway.

THANKS!

 

[Caldera]

Which Toyo is he reccomending that'd be better than an S03? I can't think of any short of an RA1 offhand!

 

[old_s13]

Which Toyo is he reccomending that'd be better than an S03? I can't think of any short of an RA1 offhand!

On Brian's site, he recommends Toyo T1R in 245/35/16:
http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda/miata/21-1051c.html

On FM's page, they recommend S03 in 245/45/16:
http://www.flyinmiata.com/wheels/comp-S03.php

I think I am being stupid and over-researching this entire situation. Most of the folks on the Miata forum are very finicky about throwing on a wide wheel thinking its only for high HP situations. But personally, I hate having stock dinky 15x6 wheels. I am currently running 195/50/15 Bridgestone RE730s and just need more traction to play with the big boys in the canyons.

BTW, has anyone broken a swaybar mount on their NB? I just picked up some FM sways and was wondering if that has happened, and under what type of driving conditions?

Thanks

 

[Caldera]

I've driven the T1R and the S03, and IMHO, the SO3 is about eleventymillion times better. Not going to discount Brian's opinion, but I did not like how squirmy the T1-R was.

I've learned to discount 90 percent of what Miatanet advises, unless it's info about a perfectly stock vehicle, or how to install chrome trim... there's those that know how to go fast, and they don't talk nearly enough over there.

 

[kicavoky]

With a 45 sidewall you may have some clearance issues but I'm just assuming.

 

[old_s13]

I've driven the T1R and the S03, and IMHO, the SO3 is about eleventymillion times better. Not going to discount Brian's opinion, but I did not like how squirmy the T1-R was.

I've learned to discount 90 percent of what Miatanet advises, unless it's info about a perfectly stock vehicle, or how to install chrome trim... there's those that know how to go fast, and they don't talk nearly enough over there.

Amen.

I've been buying Bridgestone tires for the past 6 years and havent looked at any other brands since. This extra set of S03's would've been for my turbo S13 hatchback, but the new brembo brakes require a 17" or larger. I ended up picking up some 17x9 R33 Skyline wheels for that car. Here is a pic:
http://clearcorners.com/temp/newoffice/Image08.jpg

I had 3 sets of 16x8 wheels in storage, NONE of them are suitable for the NB because of the lug difference (240 was converted to 5-lug). Its a shame, I have some black racing wheels (watanabe style) that would've worked great, but I havent found any easy 5-lug solutions! BAH.

I am glad I found this place. PhatMiata referred me over here, and I've just been lurking reading up on some info whenever I get a free moment.

Here's a pic of the interior with the FD seats and harnesses:
http://www.clearcorners.com/temp/miata2.jpg

Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to post once I get the new shoes on.

ps: Here is a pic of the car when we first picked it up, all it had was lighting upgrades.

http://clearcorners.com/contrast/Image36.jpg

Anyone know if those Carrera GT 1-lug wheels will fit an NB? ahha jk.

Mike / ClearCorners.Com

 

[Caldera]

What's the lug pattern/backspace on the 240? Those R33 wheels are HOTNESS.

The seats look good, how tough were they to put in? I like the headrest holes for harness.

...as for the 1lugs... I've got a welder, Ive got a plasmacutter. We can make anything happen, though it might not look so good when we're done!

Wish I had some info for you about whether the 8" wide wheels'll clear, but with your mentality, I think you'll make 'em clear.

 

[Matt [exz3owner]]

big overall hieght difference between a 245/35 and 245/45. Your car will sit substantially higher, and the roll center will be raised.

 

[asianrice02]

ditto on the seat. i'd like to know about the swap.

 

[Sriracha]

Mike,

How much tread depth is left on those S0-3's? Because if not much left, you may as well not pay for them to be mounted and balanced.

S0-3's are getting discontinued. You'll score a better deal going through a local DTC and getting the identical wheel and tire package.

 

[racecarshots]

I would love to hear about putting those seats in there too. I relaly gotta get rid of these seats in my 99, they suck!

 

[alclark]

My 10 cents worth... I recenty fitted a new set of Toyo T1R's, I wore them out in 3 days on the Nurburgring. 39 laps, and despite running correct pressures, the sidewalls burnt themselves off, and I even gave them chances to cool down. Impressive grip, and very reliable handling, but not convinced as a track / fast sports tyre.

 

[old_s13]

Caldera> What's the lug pattern/backspace on the 240? Those R33 wheels are HOTNESS. The seats look good, how tough were they to put in? I like the headrest holes for harness.

R33 GT-R wheels are 17x9, 5x114.3, offset is somewhere around +30.. it'll fit most of the RWD 5-lug NISSANs. OEM forged wheel, but heavy.. about 21 lbs per wheel.

FD seats are not hard to install, you just need to extend the drivers seat rails for the rear bolt holes (onto the seat). The passenger side needs a bit more work than that, but its nothing impossible. I chose the seats because they were good priced and had harness holes. I trashed the OEM seatbelts, they just suck and always locked up.

matt> big overall hieght difference between a 245/35 and 245/45. Your car will sit substantially higher, and the roll center will be raised.

thanks, I'll keep that into consideration. Overall, I am wondering how they will look ON the car. I have some TEIN HA's so I can dial in the suspension settings to compensate for the taller tire.


sriracha> Mike, How much tread depth is left on those S0-3's? Because if not much left, you may as well not pay for them to be mounted and balanced. S0-3's are getting discontinued. You'll score a better deal going through a local DTC and getting the identical wheel and tire package.

Actually, the tires are brand new.. they were never used. I picked them up about 1 year ago and since then, I got married and a lot was put on hold. Now, I just wanna burn through a set of wide tires.. so.

I'll letcha all know how it goes. I'll be sure to post pics as they come.

 

[old_s13]

Update: They fit.. but clearances are pretty slim!!!

Fenders need to be tightly rolled. The rear is pretty simple, its the front that is a bit more finicky. You need to pull the part of the front fender that secures the front bumper cover -- that small bolt seems to interfere when fully compressed.

I am very pleased with the setup, and all I can say is that the car has some serious traction. I am still able to bust the car out side-ways and this is still non-turbo! Should be *very* playful when its turbo.

As for ride height, yes.. it is taller. I compensated by lowering the coilovers a bit, appearance is rather flush.. only 1-2 finger gap with still good room for suspension compression. Wife used to complain about things like door hitting curb, muffler scraping, and that rear diff bar scraping -- thats all gone now.

Performance in the canyon is really good. Power steering was dumped and converted to manual, it just feels great.

 

[boogie van]

mmm....beefy!

[pointy!]
congratulations!
you have wheels that dont fit.
you've destroyed your scrub radius.
your wheel bearings are going to wear out in no time.
your ride is going to be so rough your teeth are just going to fall out.
if that wheel/tire combo is such a good idea then why didnt the all knowing mazda engineers use it?
[/pointy!]

haha. tires a little big for my tastes but what can you do? the price was right!

 

[JDMAflac]

i love those rims!