FDs or RX8 18" - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

FATBOY · 04-09-2007, 01:00 AM

Well I have rx8 wheels on my 6 now but I need to lower my car a bit, I love my wheels but Im worried that after the lowering Ill have bad ride comfort w/ the 18". Im considering the rx7 16" FD's with a bigger tire and spacer in the rear, will this make for a better combo after my 6 has been lowered? The FD's are and have always been my favorate wheel due to its light weight 5 spoke design, If I stick w/ the rx8 wheels I want to go 235/45/18. But thats pushing it after the lowering springs.

jaysonday · 04-09-2007, 03:41 AM

I went from the stock 17's 215/50/17 to the FD's 225/50/16 and ride quality was a lil better--less harsh on bumpy roads, but it was very faint. You'll feel the biggest difference accelerating. The car revvs so much easier and I had a full load of people the first time i put my wheels on, and the car still felt a lot lighter. I believe you'll feel a bigger difference in ride quality coming down from 18's.

amp · 04-09-2007, 06:55 AM

make sure you get the reinforced fd wheels if you go that route..

BigBens6 · 04-09-2007, 03:04 PM

FD wheels have been know to crack especially in the 13lb variety!

FATBOY · 04-11-2007, 04:14 AM

Quote:

FD wheels have been know to crack especially in the 13lb variety![/b]

Thats what Im afraid of. I just drove my 6 hard today w/ tcs off and in great weather and Im positive that the 18" wheels are a true drag on performance, they have increased road noise and comfort compaired to my 17s. Are 18s worth the performance loss.. I dont think so Im really considering a smaller wheel in the 16" range and a whole suspension setup like ksports. Ill fell better, my 6 will perform better and I dont care what it will look like.

BigBens6 · 04-11-2007, 07:57 AM

well as far as performance there are a ton of issues at hand, your 17's will have less rubber and heat up faster (assuming the same tread width and aspect ratio, small wheels tend to trip over bumps as well, but the drop in weight and diameter does give an acceleration improvement... I will say this though concerning the FD's, people with 2800 lb ford probes have cracked them, how do you think they will fare on a 3500 lb MS6?

bfischer · 04-11-2007, 08:06 AM

Will the 16s even fit over the front rotors on an MS6?

amp · 04-11-2007, 08:33 AM

fd wheels are 16lbs not 13lbs... the ones prone to cracking are the nonreinforced variety..

BigBens6 · 04-11-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

fd wheels are 16lbs not 13lbs... the ones prone to cracking are the nonreinforced variety..[/b]

SOME ar 16lbs, SOME are 13lbs, the 16 are reinforced, but I have seen FD's on a scale reading 13lbs and then aonther set right after weighing 16lbs, then the stock rims weight 22lbs that they should (for probe guys love the FD's)

amp · 04-11-2007, 10:18 AM

<--
no such thing as a 13lb or 22lb fd wheel.. ask me how i know...

04-09-2007, 01:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
FATBOY Track Racer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sac Town California Posts: 846 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Well I have rx8 wheels on my 6 now but I need to lower my car a bit, I love my wheels but Im worried that after the lowering Ill have bad ride comfort w/ the 18". Im considering the rx7 16" FD's with a bigger tire and spacer in the rear, will this make for a better combo after my 6 has been lowered? The FD's are and have always been my favorate wheel due to its light weight 5 spoke design, If I stick w/ the rx8 wheels I want to go 235/45/18. But thats pushing it after the lowering springs. __________________ PORK IS NOT A VERB.

04-09-2007, 03:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
jaysonday Track Racer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 779 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I went from the stock 17's 215/50/17 to the FD's 225/50/16 and ride quality was a lil better--less harsh on bumpy roads, but it was very faint. You'll feel the biggest difference accelerating. The car revvs so much easier and I had a full load of people the first time i put my wheels on, and the car still felt a lot lighter. I believe you'll feel a bigger difference in ride quality coming down from 18's. __________________ redfire metallic 03 6s MTx + Exedy CP-E + Koni's + Megans + TWM + lightweight 16x8 JDM Shoes FTW!!! CarDomain Stock Parts FS Here

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04-09-2007, 06:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
amp Rally Racer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	make sure you get the reinforced fd wheels if you go that route..

04-11-2007, 08:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
bfischer Track Racer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 941 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Will the 16s even fit over the front rotors on an MS6?

04-11-2007, 08:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
amp Rally Racer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	fd wheels are 16lbs not 13lbs... the ones prone to cracking are the nonreinforced variety..

04-11-2007, 10:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
amp Rally Racer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	<-- no such thing as a 13lb or 22lb fd wheel.. ask me how i know...