Z31 Wheel Specifications
The Z31 was offered with many different size and designed wheels through out the years. Here I will try to show the differences
Basic Wheel Information
Stock Wheel Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| 4 Lug Bolt Pattern | 4x4.5" (4x114.3mm) |
| 5 Lug Bolt Pattern | 5x4.5" (5x114.3mm) |
| Stud Size | M12 x 1.25 |
| Center Bore | 66.1mm |
Stock Tire Size
| Wheel Size | Factory Tire Size |
|---|---|
| 15x6.5 | 215/60R15 |
| 16x7.0 | 225/50R16 |
How to read your tire size
Wheel Chart
The 300zx from 1984-1989 came with 12 different wheel configurations. The following chart details what models got what wheels.
| Year & Model | Part Number | Wheel Specifications | Lug Nut Type | Offset | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 Non Turbo | 40300-04P25 | 6.5x15" 4 lug | Shank style 12mmx1.25 | +30mm |  |
| 1984 Turbo | 40300-04P27 | 6.5x15" 5 lug | Shank style 12mmx1.25 | +30mm |  |
| 1984 50th AE Turbo | 40300-05P25 | 7.0x16" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +20mm |  |
| 1985 Non Turbo | 40300-04P25 | 6.5x15" 4 lug | Shank style 12mmx1.25 | +30mm | |
| 1985 Turbo | 40300-04P27 | 6.5x15" 5 lug | Shank style 12mmx1.25 | +30mm | |
| 1986 Non Turbo | 40300-19P25 | 6.5x15" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +10mm |  |
| 1986 Turbo | 40300-19P27 | 7.0x16" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +20mm |  |
| 1987 Non Turbo | 40300-21P85 | 6.5x15" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +20mm |  |
| 1987 Turbo | 40300-21P26 | 7.0x16" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +30mm |  |
| 1988 Non Turbo | 40300-21P27 | 6.5x15" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +20mm | |
| 1988 Turbo | 40300-21P87 | 7.0x16" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +30mm |  |
| 1988 Turbo SS | 40300-26P25 | 7.0x16" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +30mm |  |
| 1989 Non Turbo | 40300-21P27 | 6.5x15" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +20mm | |
| 1989 Turbo | 40300-21P87 | 7.0x16" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +30mm | |
| 1984-1985 Turbo Euro Spec | 40300-07P00 | 7.0x16" | Shank style 12mmx1.25 | +30mm |  |
| 1984-1989 SF Steel | 40300-01P00 | 5.5x14" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +30mm | N/A |
| 1987-1989 Winter Steel | 40300-21P10 | 6x15" | Acorn 12mmx1.25 | +30mm | N/A |
| 1984-1989 Steel Wheel Cover | 40315-01P00 | Wheel Cover Only | N/A |  |
Plus Sizing
These tire sizes keep about the same overall diameter as stock (around 25"), so the speedometer stays accurate. The wheel width is the recommended width for that tire. "Difference" is how much wider the tire's cross-section is than the wheel's mounting width.
| Tire Size | Wheel Width | Outside Diameter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 215/60R15 (stock 15") | 6.5" | 639.0 mm / 25.157" | 49.9 mm / 1.965" |
| 225/50R16 (stock 16") | 7.0" | 631.4 mm / 24.858" | 47.2 mm / 1.858" |
| 235/55R15 | 8.0" | 639.5 mm / 25.177" | 31.8 mm / 1.252" |
| 255/50R15 | 8.5" | 636.0 mm / 25.039" | 39.1 mm / 1.539" |
| 285/45R15 | 9.5" | 637.5 mm / 25.098" | 43.7 mm / 1.720" |
| 205/55R16 | 6.5" | 631.9 mm / 24.878" | 39.9 mm / 1.571" |
| 255/45R16 | 8.5" | 635.9 mm / 25.035" | 39.1 mm / 1.539" |
| 285/40R16 | 9.5" | 634.4 mm / 24.976" | 43.7 mm / 1.720" |
| 225/45R17 | 7.5" | 634.3 mm / 24.972" | 34.5 mm / 1.358" |
| 255/40R17 | 9.0" | 635.8 mm / 25.031" | 26.4 mm / 1.039" |
| 225/40R18 | 8.0" | 637.2 mm / 25.087" | 21.8 mm / 0.858" |
| 255/35R18 | 9.5" | 635.7 mm / 25.028" | 13.7 mm / 0.539" |
| 215/35R19 | 8.0" | 633.1 mm / 24.925" | 11.8 mm / 0.465" |
| 255/30R19 | 9.5" | 635.6 mm / 25.024" | 13.7 mm / 0.539" |
| 255/25R20 | 9.5" | 635.5 mm / 25.020" | 13.7 mm / 0.539" |
Tire and Wheel Offset Limits
These tables show the range of offsets (in mm) that fit each year on the stock suspension. Pick an offset between the minimum and the maximum. "AE / 1986" means the flared-fender cars: the 1984 50th Anniversary Edition and all 1986 models except the Canadian SF.
By tire width
| Tire Width | 1984-1985 Front | 1984-1985 Rear | AE / 1986 Front | AE / 1986 Rear | 1987-1989 Front | 1987-1989 Rear | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| 205 | 3 | 42 | 3 | 62 | -17 | 42 | -15 | 62 | -7 | 52 | -12 | 72 |
| 215 | 8 | 37 | 8 | 57 | -12 | 37 | -10 | 57 | -2 | 47 | -7 | 67 |
| 225 | 13 | 32 | 13 | 52 | -7 | 32 | -5 | 52 | 3 | 42 | -2 | 62 |
| 235 | 18 | 27 | 18 | 47 | -2 | 27 | 0 | 47 | 8 | 37 | 3 | 57 |
| 245 | won't fit | 23 | 42 | 3 | 22 | 5 | 42 | 13 | 32 | 8 | 52 | |
| 255 | won't fit | 28 | 37 | 8 | 17 | 10 | 37 | 18 | 27 | 13 | 47 | |
| 265 | won't fit | won't fit | won't fit | 15 | 32 | won't fit | 18 | 42 | ||||
| 275 | won't fit | won't fit | won't fit | 20 | 27 | won't fit | 23 | 37 | ||||
| 285 | won't fit | won't fit | won't fit | won't fit | won't fit | 28 | 32 | |||||
By wheel width
| Wheel Width | 1984-1985 Front | 1984-1985 Rear | AE / 1986 Front | AE / 1986 Rear | 1987-1989 Front | 1987-1989 Rear | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| 7.0" | 2 | 41 | 2 | 66 | -16 | 41 | -14 | 66 | -6 | 53 | -6 | 76 |
| 7.5" | 9 | 34 | 9 | 59 | -9 | 34 | -7 | 59 | 1 | 46 | 1 | 69 |
| 8.0" | 15 | 28 | 15 | 53 | -3 | 28 | -1 | 53 | 7 | 40 | 7 | 63 |
| 8.5" | 21 | 22 | 21 | 47 | 3 | 22 | 5 | 47 | 13 | 34 | 13 | 57 |
| 9.0" | won't fit | 28 | 40 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 40 | 20 | 27 | 20 | 50 | |
| 9.5" | won't fit | 34 | 34 | won't fit | 18 | 34 | won't fit | 26 | 44 | |||
| 10.0" | won't fit | won't fit | won't fit | 24 | 28 | won't fit | 32 | 38 | ||||
Keep in mind:
- These numbers are for the stock suspension and are slightly conservative.
- Not all wheels are made the same; some have more or less overhang depending on the maker and design.
- They were worked out mostly from 17" wheels, from fitments owners reported. Offset only changes about 1mm for each 1" of wheel diameter.
- Tire sizes assume the stock overall diameter of about 25".
- Non-turbo strut housings allow a slightly higher offset.
Picking spacers
A lower offset pushes the wheel out toward the fender, which is what you want. A higher offset tucks it under the car. Spacers and adapters can only lower the offset; going the other way means machining the wheel hub, which is expensive and may not clear the brakes. Luckily, most modern wheels already have a high offset.
To size a spacer, subtract the recommended offset from your wheel's offset. For example, a 17x7 +42 wheel on a 1986 300ZX:
- Find the 7.0" row in the wheel width table.
- Look under AE / 1986 Front: the minimum is -16mm.
- 42 - (-16) = 58, so you need spacers/adapters about 58mm (roughly 2") thick.
Going from 4 to 5 lugs? See the 4 to 5 Lug Swap.
Sources Used
- 1984-1989 Nissan Owners manuals
- Nissan Z31 Parts Fiche Sections (4G12, 4K12, 4M12, 4N12)
- Plus sizing and offset limits: Paul Hillman (AZ-ZBUM)