Z32 300ZX Wheels and Tires

Every Z32 left the factory on 16-inch aluminum wheels with the same five-spoke design, from the first 1990 cars to the last 1996s. What changes is the width: the non-turbo cars run the same size at all four corners, while the twin turbo has a wider wheel and tire at the back. This page covers the factory specs and what you need to know when you look at other wheels.

Bolt pattern

5 × 114.3 mm (5 × 4.5 in)

Hub bore

66.1 mm

Lug thread

M12 × 1.25

Lug torque

98–118 N·m (72–87 ft·lb)

Hub Specs

The Z32 uses Nissan's common five-lug pattern, 5 × 114.3 mm, with a 66.1 mm center bore and M12 × 1.25 studs. Nissan's lug nut torque is 98–118 N·m (72–87 ft·lb). Tighten them in a star pattern, and recheck them after the first 50 miles on newly fitted wheels.

Factory Wheels

• The wheels are made in left and right versions. The spokes are shaped for one direction of rotation, so a left wheel belongs on the left side of the car. If yours look “backwards” on one side, they've been swapped.
• The twin turbo's rear track is wider: 1,555 mm against 1,535 mm on the non-turbo. That 20 mm comes from the rear wheels' lower offset, which pushes each wheel out 10 mm.
• The design didn't change over the production run, so a good used factory wheel from any year fits, as long as it's the right width and the right side.
• The center caps carry the Z emblem and are sold separately from most used wheels.

Factory Tires

Use the tire pressures on the placard on your car's door or door jamb, not the maximum printed on the tire. If you change tire sizes, keep the overall diameter close to stock so the speedometer stays accurate, and keep the twin turbo's front and rear diameters matched to each other.

Spares

Spares are for getting home, not for driving on. Keep to the speed on the spare's sidewall, and on a twin turbo don't fit the spare on a rear corner for longer than you have to.

Rotation and Balance

• Non-turbo: rotate front to back on the same side only. The wheels are left- and right-hand, so they can't be crossed.
• Twin turbo: the front and rear sizes differ, so the tires can't be rotated. Plan to replace them in pairs.
• Balance: Nissan allows up to 10 g (0.35 oz) of dynamic unbalance per side at the rim flange, and 20 g (0.71 oz) static. The aluminum wheels' runout limit is 0.3 mm (0.012 in), radial and lateral.
• Never include the spare in a rotation.

Fitting Aftermarket Wheels

• Bolt pattern: 5 × 114.3 is shared with many Japanese cars, so plenty of wheels fit the hub.
• Hub rings: most aftermarket wheels have a larger bore than 66.1 mm. Use hub-centric rings so the wheel is centered by the hub, not just the lug nuts. This stops the vibration many people blame on balancing.
• Lug nuts: match the seat to the wheel (most aftermarket wheels use a 60° taper seat), and the thread to M12 × 1.25. Make sure you have at least as many turns of thread engagement as the factory nuts.
• Brake clearance: check that the spokes clear the front calipers before you mount tires. Some 16-inch designs don't clear Z32 four-piston calipers, and bigger brake upgrades usually need 17-inch wheels or larger.
• Offset and width: the factory +45 mm front and +35 mm rear (TT) are a good starting point. Lower offsets and wider tires can rub the fender lips and the inner arches, especially on lowered cars and 2+2s.
• Wheel weight: heavy wheels hurt ride, steering and acceleration. Compare weights before you buy.