query on Sportmax wheels

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:55 pm

Well this is more for my own curiosity than anything else. basically, I want to know if there are any fitment issues putting Sportmax 002's onto a stock na6 (as in stock hight, springs, shocks etc) and how they sit with current ride height. So far I'm on 14" Watanabe wheels I love, but I'm still ever so tempted to take the deep dish 15" wide look for future. I'm definately keeping the Watanabe's though haha.

But for the right price, I'm still quite tempted to look into the Sportmax 002 15"x8". The next thing is clearance and guard rolling, how much etc...
Lastly, does anyone know if it's legal requirement to have bolt on fenders if your wheels stick out past the arches, and if flairing the guards out with an arch roller or something would be just as fine. The more I talk to my brother and his friends (all mechanics), the more I seem to like the idea. It's all sort of becoming part of an idea I have brewing.

Anyway back the wheels, although I've stated this above... But clear and simple:
*are there clearance issues with Sportmax 002 15x8
*how will they sit on stock springs
*will it need bolt on fenders and cost of doing so
*cost of arch flairing
*cost of tyres (Yokohama s-drives)

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:59 pm

I think RG.net was one of the more recent people to put sportmax on (although an NB MX-5), perhaps PM him with your questions.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:13 pm

Does 002 come in multiple offsets or just +0? If so, what offset do you want?
I'm going to assume you're referring the +0 and you're going only for looks.

This is what it will look like on an otherwise stock car.

At stock height you won't need your guards rolled.
You will need them rolled plus a decent amount of camber to make them actually fit under the guards if you go lower.
Pulling may be possible (I don't know) but flares seems easier for that much gap. However if you're going to the effort of getting flares, I'd go wider again. The wheels are illegal anyway due to their width and offset, but they will be obviously illegal if they're poking out that much.

So in answer to your questions...
*are there clearance issues with Sportmax 002 15x8
Not at stock height. Takes some effort to get them to fit when significantly lowered but certainly possible.

*how will they sit on stock springs
Badly. See pics.

*will it need bolt on fenders and cost of doing so
Flares can be found for a few hundred, no idea on fitment. Possibly DIY'able if you're not planning on painting them.

*cost of arch flairing
No idea.

*cost of tyres (Yokohama s-drives)
Pick a size and call some tyre shops.

philz · Postby **philz** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:16 pm

What offset? +15 will look better than +0.

lower the car first, then change the wheels.

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:21 am

Joe is on the money.

IMO because these wheels have such an agressive offset, if the car isn't low enough they look rather rubbish.

You wont need to do anything at stock height, but it will look like a daytona/monster truck sorta thing.

If you were pretty low, you would need your guards rolled and a fair bit of camber with can be adjusted in a wheel alingment.

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:08 pm

Even lowered a reasonable amount they won't look right or tuck in, you really need to be illegally low for them to work

Shanghai · Postby **Shanghai** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:43 am

imo 15 offset is better than 0 offset, my car is slightly lowered with 195 tyres, no need to roll the guards

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:50 pm

Sorry for the lack of reply on this topic!!!!! My computer died so I haven't been able to address any of the responses posted. So far I've been reading them on the ps3 but It's a pain in the ass typing with a controller so I've not bothered.

Anyway the reason I didn't specify offset was because I wasn't sure what offsets Sportmax came in and what would suit my car. I should have said to begin with but I guess it slipped my mind. Anyway I definately see what you mean by riding badly on stock springs, I'm not a fan of the tractor look haha.

So if they aren't street legal, I guess insurance goes out the window... Well I know Just Car insure just about anything and are the choice for modified car owners, does anyone know if they'll take you with sportmax (or any 8" wide wheels) wheels and dropped to the ground?

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:36 am

All insurers will only cover you if the car is legal, JustCar is just more forgiving of legal modifications than some other insurers. Maybe it's able to be engineered? Not sure on Vic laws sorry.

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:06 am

I recall that several years back green_comment had a set on his car for a few weeks but ditched them. Not sure if he wasn't happy with their weight or offloaded them before the CR.net miata crowd each bought a set. He might be able to offer some good advice.

nath · Postby **nath** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:25 am

Yeah, I think he had the title of first MX5 to run +0 sportmaxx in the country. Great title IMHO.

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:12 pm

I don't think it would have been the weight, they're pretty bloody light

gussy · Postby **gussy** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:49 pm

Sorry guys, but what's the proper offset for the NA6 models?

Can the Sportmax be gotten in the "correct" offset for the MX5?

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:56 pm

I brought a set over for my MX5 way back in 07, I ended up ditching them as they were just really sh*t wheels. I was never really happy with their build quality, and for them to look any good on your MX5 it had to be soo low that cops will be throwing defects at you.

I really only did it for the title though.