Thanks! I actually know Vic. His shop is only about 15 miles away from where I live. I've been buying wheels from him for a while now. Definitely good deals!

Another question, how's the fitment with the +42/+48 offset? Is it pretty flush with the body, or are they sunken in the fender? Thanks again!

 

here's the kicker...i haven't put tires on yet, 1) cause I don't have the money right now, being that it's after x-mas and I have a wife and a 6 month old daughter. 2) I'm debating on Eibachs and JIC coilovers...

from what it looks like the rear is going to come pretty close to the rear fender when the springs are on...front looks like it may be a little further inset or just the same as factory...but the tires will make all the difference ...

 

I have the 19x9.5 with the 45 offset on the rear and the wheels are just about flush with the top of the rear fender. It's got the Nitto NT 555 tires (Flame on, I know... I didn't know any better, but I will next time around). I haven't had a chance to push them and won't until they're broken in a bit, but the tires look great IMO.

 

It's all good bro I'll take Volks on Nittos anyday. Volks on Nittos is better than no Volks at all Now go post some pics :D

 

don't like the volk te37's for the mere fact everybody has them.

 

I finally got out to take a few pics. Some of them are a little dark and there was a smudge on the lens, but here they are:

Side:

 

Side 2:

 

Rear wheel:

 

Front wheel:

 

Rear view (nice & wide :D ):

 

Finally, the 3/4 view:

 

Outstanding pics. especially the backend shot. Exactly the look I'm looking for.

How do you like the ride of the Nitto 555's? And excuse my newbie question, what did you mean by the "Flame on" comment.

thanks again for taking the time for the pic's.

 

I like the Crono because it is not overstated and has what would appear to be a brushed appearance and not a "ricey" look like a couple of the other options. The Volk would be my next choice due to the main reason above...not overstated.

 

Awesome! Now all you need are some HKS Hipermax Coilovers and you're set And when your Nitto's wear out, go with a 245/35/19 front and 275/35/19 rear combo. More contact patch, and the car will look a lot more aggressive.

 

Thanks! The flame on comment was referring to my choice of tires. Better choices would have been Michelin Pilots or Bridgestone S0-3s but I'm a little behind on the tire scene. I'd had Nitto's on a previous car and liked them, but apparently they're not nearly as good as I thought they were.

 

great rims

are you gonna lower the car?

 

Oh, most definitely. I'm still debating between springs and coilovers. Here's the problem: I'm all about performance and I would love to take this car to the track, but I know nothing about tuning suspension (or anything else automotive for that matter). I definitely want the better parts, but I'm not sure that I can really justify the extra $1300 for coilovers considering I'm not going to know what the hell I'm doing in the first place. I wish there was a tuner school for guys like me that really want to break-in to tuning but don't have any history or really any friends that are into it....

You seem like you know what you're doing Mike, what's your take?

 

I'm not mike, but here's my take: if you're seriously into performance and want to get the most out of track driving, the absolute very best investment you can make to go faster is: driving schools.

Invest in the nut behind the wheel first! That's where all the speed is, and you'll gain speed in every single car you drive, not just the one that you sunk thousands into suspension and brakes. Invest in learning to be a better (smoother, faster, safer) driver, and then worry about your car. The basic RX-8 is very capable and will be a great tool for track days as is. Take a school or two (Bondurant, Skip Barber, etc.), then start signing up for track days and get some seat time behind the wheel. Hang out with and learn from the experienced track drivers (hint, they won't be driving cars that look like they starred in Fast'n'Furious!), then ask for advice about setup from the experienced drivers. At the track days, ask to ride along with drivers in the higher (more experienced) run groups, then pick up driving tips and tuning tips.

Regards,
Gordon

 

I would LOVE to take a course, but my goodness those schools are expensive!!!! It would be so awesome to take one of Skip Barber's classes at Laguna Seca though. I've suggested that the So. Cal RX Club do something along the lines of a performance driving seminar, but nothing came of it. I'm sure that any cheaper schools won't have the same caliber instruction, but maybe I'll start off looking for something a little easier on the pocketbook.

 

You could consider checking out one of the Miata clubs - San Diego or SOCALM (check the club listings at www.miata.net to get their web sites). Both clubs do track days, sometimes at Streets of Willow, and always have instructors from within the experienced ranks of the club. A LOT of the Miata guys are very experienced at suspension tuning - oh, also check out www.good-win-racing.com . Brian Goodwin operates this shop for Miata performance parts, and has recently bought an RX-8 and expanded to RX-8 performance parts. He gets involved in lots of track days, and could give some advice and guidance on hooking up with some.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Gordon, you are the man. Thanks for all of the info!

 

my thoughts are to go with springs
I have eibachs and they cost 400 installed

coilovers are better but 3 times as much
however coilevers can be adjusted and springs can't

 

Nice choice on the rims! I'm looking at some of the same ones my self, but in 18" (19s are too much unsprung weight, and on the roads we have around here I'd destroy 19s in no time.)

But, to all you people recommending the staggered set-up.. yes, it looks better, but what is it doing the handling balance?
The RX-8 is already a touch understeery, and having that much contact patch in the back would just make it worse, would it not?

Love to hear some feedback on that, and I've got the time since I'm still looking at another couple months before my RX comes out of winter storage..

 

Thanks. Considering that the Volks are about 7lbs. lighter that the stock wheels, I'm too worried about the extra pound or so that the 19s are over the 18s. Besides, it would take a whole hell of a lot to convince me that wheel weight is going to make any acceleration difference to anybody other than professional drivers. 99% of us simply aren't talented enough for it to matter that much.

Besides, on a recent club drive I was barely keeping up with a guy that easily weighs 100 pounds more than I do, so until he goes on a diet to improve his acceleration, I won't worry about a few extra pounds here and there.... :D

You point about destroying the rims is well taken though. These are going to be a lot more expensive to replace if I go hitting other rocks, but I suppose that's a risk I'm willing to take.

 

Here's an interesting post about wheel weights:
http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/1032814.phtml