OEM arrangement on my car is like this.

Front: 7.5" wheels / 225/50/17 tires
Rear: 8.0" wheels / 235/50/17 tires

I have replaced all four tires with 245/45/17.

I know this is not recommended (and possibly a dumb question), but would it be a big deal to switch the 8" wheels to the front and the 7.5" wheels to the back? I'm just trying to avoid paying $80 for removing and re-mounting, and plan to only use this arrangement for about three months - until these tires are autocrossed to death.

Why do this? The front tires are looking rough, and they are "feathering" aka "cupping" - a common problem on the 350Z. Basically, this means uneven treadwear on the inside and outside edges. It probably doesn't help that I keep 32 PSI in them during autocrosses. I can also hear a slight sound on the front right tire. It sorta sounds like it's flat-spotted, but it's not.

I realize that the best idea is to buy new tires now instead of waiting. If that's what I've got to do, then that's cool. I was just hoping to get more than 9 months out of these tires.

 

find a new shop if they're charging you $80.

 

You will probably have less grip in the back if you do that. Your rear wheels may be a different offset as well. Aren't you running Kumho MX's? If so, 32 psi is probably way too low for the fronts. I am going to run mine at about 42-3 psi in the front for concrete.

 

Two tire places quoted around $80. I assumed that was what I should expect anywhere. Perhaps I'll look around some more. What SHOULD it cost?

Jeremy, yes, I've got Kumho MX. I don't want to lose rear grip, but I could probably make it up with pressure adjustments. I agree that 32 is low, but it seems like I've found the sweet spot. I find that this arrangement gives me plenty of notice when my car starts to slip. Then again maybe I'm missing out on potentially more grip. Perhaps on my next outing I'll use 32 on my early runs and 40 on my later runs.

Note: Not sure if you guys are aware but Vulcan Tire has some hellacious prices on Falken Azeni RT-615 right now. I don't think there is a sale, but the tires for my car are about $50 cheaper than they were the last time I checked. My 245's are $114! I might just buy my next set of tires early.

 

wider wheels up front may cause you to rub the fender or strut.

i get my tires mounted & balanced at mastro subaru for $40, $10/tire.

 

Good deal, I'll be taking my new daily driver wheel+tire package to them as soon as the UPS man shows up with them.....

 

Definitely, I second mofugga. Go to Mastro. Not costly, they know how to mount stiff wall tires quick. When I first moved here, I went to Wilseys...I can talk about that experience at the next autocross. No matter: I ended up going to Mastro; cool stuff.

 

I say do it. Challenge Jeremy for the title of DRIFT KING.

 

super-dorifto!!! slide or die!!! :rofl: