bawward

Ok guys. Hundreds of hours after reading and reading... I bought my first Miata, all because of seeing Salvagewon's Eliminator.

I actually was a day away from purchasing a C4 corvette with the idea of a corvette cart, stolen from hot rod. Thanks goodness I didn't!

I bought a 1999 1.8l Miata - for $1000. Has 160k, and it needed a radiator… that's it. It's paint it horrible, but is perfect for my purposes!

I've since been collecting seats, parts, tools, a 4.30 Torsen, etc, etc.





Goal of car : Light weight (end up being between 1500-1800 with all the body (and random) cut off) - Quick/Zippy feeling - Fun to drive - Not necessarily a track car, but something that could be used in that situation, primarily a street car - cheap and affordable grins - something... different!

-http://carnewshq.com/2015/09/09/hondas-24-concept-mashes-1960s-indy-car-f1-into-modern-motogp/
-http://www.nobbyville.com/CLARK3.JPG

With that in mind :

I'm looking at tires and wheels. Specifically, I want to go after a 1960's Lotus "open-wheel" racer type look - insanely wide tires, low stance (somewhat).

(I have some heavy duty adapters (that also act as 1" spacers) to change my lug pattern - can't find any cheap wheels that are 12" wide! (Haha, imagine that?)



I'm looking at these wheels at Summit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/clm-400151210-2


With these tire possibilities:
Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Tires 3763R - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

Nitto NT 555 R Tires 180490 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

(These Nitto tires also come in 325/50/r15, but summit does not list them)



Here's my thoughts so far as the backspacing/offset.

Stock wheel = 15x6", +45mm offset (+/- 1.75") = stock wheels have +/- 4.75" of backspace

12" Wheel = 15x12", (6" backspacing, minus 1.5" from adapters/spacers) = needing about 2" of backspacing - hence the wheel selection.



QUESTIONS:



1. Does this wheel/tire selection work together? (Just verifying my math)

2. Considering the large width of these tires… I've been scared into reading a lot about tire scrub radius, as well as how wide wheels kill all steering response/feel - any input, as well as incredible loss of acceleration due to the larger wheels - Any input? I don't want to ruin the fun crazy little car!!!

Thanks all for this post… you're patient if you've lasted this long!


These are some other threads I've been following for some inspiration and for emulation, links below - if interested:

http://www.miataturbo.net/build-thre...quirrel-86301/
http://www.miataturbo.net/meet-greet...t-build-85657/

bawward

Any help guys ?

Eddypac14

Probably way too late but I've been researching the same thing. The miata can run a max of 6in of back spacing with 15in rims on stock track width from hub surface to hub surface in the rear. So, you can run a 15x12 but needs to be a minimum 0 offset and it might rub. More negative the better for the rear. I'm planning on the same wheel dimensions but I'm doing a NUE Blister wide body with 15x12 work miester cr01 -3 offset. My miata is a ls swap tho, so not worried about the power loss from the wheels. I need the traction. I'm ever doing a MK60 abs swap in it. Back in topic, that's just for the rear. For the front, I would suggest anything bigger than 15x10 wides. You can run 5.25ins of backspace in the front but your steering angle will be horrible. I would suggest a -20ish offset maybe -10. The issue is tires really for at least since im not doing open wheel base.
good luck.