Hey Guys,

I just picked up a pair of 18x9.5 Rota Grids. I tried to do my searching for this answer, but some reason couldn't find it.

I have the lock lug nuts that came with the GSR as an add on. I was looking at other rims which required the *Tuner* Lug nuts. 12x1.5. I was wondering if I can use the stock lugs on the Rotas. I am guessing not, but I just wanted to see if anyone tried.

Does it matter between these two, which would be better for the Rota's if I have to get new lugs.


Also, what tire size would be best on the 9.5's? I was asking around to my local car buddies and they said go for the 265/35/18. I heard I could also get anything from 245-265/30-40/18, in any of those combinations would be fine. Any suggestions for best fit without stretching.

-Ryan
N0ob1e

 

OEM Lugs will not work. You need tapered lugs (aka tuner lugs). Any of those should work fine.

 

I'm tempted to say "with Rotas, you can use any lug-nuts you wish, because the wheels will just bend to fit the new nuts," but that would be rightfully viewed as an attempt to start a flame-war, which is kind of the opposite of my job, so I'll just say "+1" and move on with life. tee hee

As to the question of tires, we can't really answer without offset and whether you'll do fender work, but the odds are the final suggestion will be 265/35/18.

 

+15 offset and no fender work.

Saying Rotas are cheap :-P haha. I was going to get XXR's so this is a big step up for me!

 

Bad news. A 18x9.5 +15 wheel cannot be run without some fender work unless you run silly-stretched tires or never, ever hit a bump or take a turn quickly.

Not to hit you too hard when you're down, but research first and buy second, dude.

 

My buddy had them on his evo x with no work done.....He said he barely hit tire.

What all has to be done at this point??


-- He said that he was lowered 1.5" and said he had to roll his fenders, but at stock height I should be fine......I am so glad he told me this before......he said he would roll my fenders if it rubbed, but do you think stock height will be an issue?

 

He had 18x9.5 +15s and was lowered and didn't hit the rear fender lip? Only two explanations for that which I can see are stretched tires and/or mega camber. Interesting.

 

Yeah who knows. Worse comes to worse is that I do rub and I do a quick rear fender roll. The price for beauty

 

Hey guys one more question.

I put the Rotas on last weekend. Got my self some 245/40/18 Cooper Sport AS tires on them.

Now its kinda hard to turn the steering wheel. I dont know if I am not used to the summer tires or if the extra inch width is more grip.....Doesn't make sense since its the same tire size as on my stock 8.5's.

Do the rotas have that much of a weight difference that I can actually feel it when turning or is there something messed up?

Anyone experience issue turning with these wheels??

 

It's the decreased offset. You now have a much larger scrub radius. That will make it harder to steer.

 

Makes sense. Is that the reason it also like to pull to sometimes? I was reading around and it looks like it can cause steering wheel pull.

 

The amount of "pull" you get from toe and caster can be magnified by increasing the scrub radius, but scrub alone usually doesn't cause any pull or wandering. When was your last alignment and what were the specs?

 

I had it aligned right when I got my tires on..so like a week ago, not even. I am not sure what the specs were. I didnt have my buddy align them this time. Should I take it to my buddy and have him redo it? Its a scary jerk some times. I will be driving and the steering will shoot me into the wall. I have never had an issue like this.

 

That could be your tires following a line/groove or some other imperfection on the road, otherwise known as tramming. I had this happen a few times myself. Can catch ya off guard!

 

It's actually "tramlining," but I agree that the underlying issue could be playing a role, especially if the car still has the ridiculous amount of rear toe-in that Mitsu suggests.