Nissan 350Z Lug Pattern: Sizes, Specs, Offset, And PCD

We look at the overall bolt pattern of the popular Nissan 350Z (Z33). Check out everything you need to know about the various sizes and specs in this guide.

• Introduction
• 350Z Lug Pattern By Year
• What Is A 114.3 Lug Pattern?
• What Other Cars Use A 5×114.3 Bolt Pattern?
• 350Z Stock Wheels & Tires
• Will 370Z Wheels Fit 350Z?
• Aftermarket Wheels On A 350Z
• 350Z Lug Pattern FAQ

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Introduction

Known for its sleek exterior and tuner-friendly, torquey engine, the Nissan 350Z has aged like a fine wine.

Since this well-made beast’s debut in 2002, it has become a favorite among drifting and JDM fans.

With a solid 306 hp under the hood and far more power potential waiting to be unlocked – it is one of the best value-for-money sports cars out there.

If you’re an avid drifter, you already know how brutal drifting is on the tires. So if you’re planning on buying a new set of wheels, perhaps dedicated solely to drifting purposes, this guide has you covered.

Finding the right set of wheels depends on a plethora of factors, with knowledge about the correct lug pattern being one of them.

Whether you’re planning to opt for stock wheels or aftermarket ones, we will explain everything there is to know about the rim size, stock wheel offset, and lug pattern for your Nissan 350Z.

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Nissan 350Z Lug Pattern By Year

If you’ve ever wondered, the nuts that keep your car’s wheels securely fastened to the axle are called lug nuts or simply lugs. Alternatively, they may also be referred to as wheel bolts.

If you observe closely, these lugs are fixed in a circular formation. Therefore, the measurement of this imaginary circle provides you with a lug pattern.

This lug pattern consists of two parts:

1. The first digit shows the number of lugs used.
2. The second part depicts the diameter of the illusory circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs. This is also known as Pitch Circle Diameter, or PCD for short.

There have been no changes throughout the years for the Nissan 350Z, and it has used the same lug pattern throughout.

• 2003 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)
• 2004 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)
• 2005 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)
• 2006 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)
• 2007 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)
• 2008 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)
• 2009 Nissan 350Z lug pattern – 5×114.3 (5×4.5″)

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What Is A 114.3 Lug Pattern?

Now that we know that all model years of Nissan 350Z use a lug pattern of 5×114.3 let’s dissect what this figure means.

As explained before, the first digit, 5, shows that Nissan 350Z uses five lugs fastened onto the wheel stud. These 5 lugs make a diameter of 114.3mm, or 4.5 inches.

If you come across a bolt pattern of 5×4.5 – don’t worry – 5×114.3 is simply the metric variant of 5×4.5 – there is practically no difference between these two.

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What Other Cars Use A 5×114.3 Bolt Pattern?

This bolt pattern is far from exclusive to the Nissan 350Z. Many other JDM cars and drift cars use the same bolt pattern.

The likes of Nissan, Infiniti, Lexus, Toyota and Subaru commonly use the 5×114.3 bolt pattern. Still, we highly recommend checking the sticker usually located inside the wheels to ensure they’re correct.

If you’re a fan of aftermarket wheels, you’re in luck. Almost every aftermarket wheel manufacturer, such as WORK, or Cosmis Racing, will offer a wide variety of 5×114.3 wheels since they’re common.

However, the lug pattern isn’t the only thing you need to consider when upgrading to aftermarket wheels. You’ll also need to consider the likes of offset and hub center bore to ensure the perfect fitment.

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Nissan 350Z Stock Wheels & Tires

Opting for the original stock wheels instead of aftermarket ones has its perks.

OEM or stock wheels mean that the wheels are made by the same company that manufactured your vehicle.

The 350Z used 17-inch rims (Base model) and 18-inch rims (Touring & Track models) in stock form.

They opted for a staggered setup for the Nismo model, with 18-inch fronts and 19-inch rears.

Given that the superior models in the line-up had 18s and 19s, Nissan knew that they were the better choice, which most tuners prefer.

If you go beyond 19s, chances are you’ll be adding weight alongside worsening the handling and traction, and tires will only become more expensive.

So, for us, we would personally recommend sticking with either 18’s or 19’s for a performance-oriented 350Z, and we’d only consider going beyond that if stance, and looks, are your priority.

Nissan 350Z Stock Wheel Specs

Whether you prefer solid cornering and high-speed performance, or better handling with superior ride quality, considering the correct stock rims size for your Nissan 350Z is essential.

Nissan 350Z stock wheels come in two rim sizes:

• 2002-2005 350Z’s used a stock rim size of 17×7.5J ET30 front, and 17x8J ET33 rear
• 2006-2009 350Z’s used a stock rim size of 18x8J ET30 front, and 18×8.5J ET33 rear

Let us dissect this rim size. What does it mean, and what parts should you pay attention to?

7.5J – Rim Width – The first number (7.5 & 8 in this case) shows the rim width in inches.

17 – Rim Diameter – The most crucial part of the rim – the second number after ‘x’ shows the rim diameter.

ET30 – Offset – The stock wheel offset shows how far (inward or outward) the hub mount is from the wheel’s center.

A car with a low or a negative offset will have tires “sticking out” of the fender, which will likely require fender rolling.

Similarly, a car with a high offset value will mean your tires are tucked slightly inside the fender.

Having unusually high or low offset values can negatively affect your driving experience. In addition, you’ll potentially have to face problems like poor handling, damaged suspension, and braking issues.

Additional 350Z Model Wheel Specs

Basic knowledge of these specs will go a long way – especially if you’re an avid drifter who likes to change things with his 350Z.

Different stock wheels such as 350Z Anniversary wheels, 350Z Nismo wheels, and 350Z deep dish wheels are pretty similar – with only a few differences that we’ve carefully explained here.

Nissan 350Z Nismo Wheels

When it comes to the wheel sizes for the Nissan 350Z Nismo edition, they’re 18×9” on the front and 19×10” on the rear.

The ideal tires for the Nismo 350Z wheels come in 245/40 R 18 93W (Front); 265/35 R 19 94W (Rear).

As expected, the lug pattern remains 5×114.3.

Nissan 350Z Anniversary Wheels

The Anniversary collector-edition Nissan 350Z wheels come in the following size:

18×8” (+30 offset) front and 18×8.5 (+33 offset) rear.

As for tire sizes, they use 255/35 R 18 (Front); 275/45 R 18 (Rear).

As you probably guessed, the lug pattern is once again 5×114.3.

Nissan 350Z Stock Tire Specs

The Nissan 350Z stock wheels use a tire size of 225/50R17 94W (models from 2002-05). For models from 2006-09, Nissan 350Z uses a tire size of 225/45R18 91W.

This gibberish-looking figure might leave you confused – and you certainly won’t be the first. But don’t worry – we will elaborate on every part of this figure to help you understand the specs of your stock 350Z wheels.

Here is a list of stock wheel specs you might encounter while buying Nissan 350Z wheels. We have explained in detail what they mean and which model year of Nissan 350Z comes with which specifications.

225 – Tire Width (In mm)

The first three digits on your tire indicate the tire width (usually in mm) from sidewall to sidewall.

/45 – Aspect ratio

The two digits followed by a forward slash indicate the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is the height of the sidewall (measured from wheel rim to top of the tread), expressed as a percentage of tire width.

For Nissan 350Z, the aspect ratio is either 45 or 50, meaning the sidewall is 45% or 50%, as high as the tire is wide.

R – Construction Type

The following letter indicates the construction type of the tire. For example, the letter R indicates Radial Construction – the most popular tire construction used by most sports cars.

Radial construction means the tire is constructed from rubber-bonded steel cords that run perpendicularly (at 90 degrees) to the center tread line.

17 – Wheel Diameter

The next two digits dictate the wheel size (in inches) – from one end to the other. Simply put, this is the diameter of the tire.

91W – Load Index & Speed Rating

The last set of digits and a single letter indicate the maximum load carrying capacity of the tire and the speed rating. These numbers correspond to different ranges of load index and speed limit.

91 means that these tires can withstand a load of 615kg.

The letter next to the load index shows how fast these tires can go on a scale of A-Z. For example, tires with a rating of “W” can achieve a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h).

Do All Nissan 350Z Models Use The Same Tire Size?

Not all tires are created equal. The same stands true for the stock wheels of Nissan 350Z.

There are two different tire sizes that Nissan 350Z uses.

2002-2005 – Nissan 350Z manufactured in these years use the tire size of 225/50R17 94W.

2006-2009 – Nissan 350Z manufactured in these years use the tire size of 225/45R18 91W.

But don’t worry – both of these tires can be used interchangeably. The difference in diameter of these tires is around 0.4%.

As a rule of thumb, as long as this difference doesn’t exceed 3%, your driving experience will likely remain unchanged.

The speedometer might show a slight deflection – it will deviate from the actual reading by 0.3mph. So if your speedometer shows 60mph, your actual speed might be 60.3mph or 59.7mph.

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Will 370Z Wheels Fit 350Z?

The crown jewel of the Nissan Z family – the 370Z, is the successor to the 350Z.

The newer 370Z is lighter, curvier, and faster than its predecessor – making it a superior all-round sports car. If you’re interested in the differences, we put them head-to-head in our 350z vs 370z guide.

But will 370Z wheels fit on 350Z? Let’s find out. Here is a side-by-side comparison of both tires used by both cars.

Nissan 370Z Wheel specs

Rim Size – 19×9.5J ET40

Tire Size – 245/40ZR19

Lug Pattern – 5×114.3

It is evident that although all models of Nissan 350Z & 370Z share the same lug pattern, they have slightly different tire and rim sizes.

Although these can be used interchangeably, you might have to make small changes and always ensure that you’re using the correct torque specifications.

If you’re planning on using 370Z wheels on a 350Z, we’d suggest you use wheel spacers on the fronts. This will help you derive the maximum performance out of the 370Z tires.

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Aftermarket Wheels On A Nissan 350Z

Stock wheels are all reliable and convenient – but the aftermarket parts have their unique charm, alongside potential performance benefits.

Aftermarket wheels give you more control over your car’s performance, handling, and, most importantly – visuals.

Whether you want lightweight rims for acceleration advantages or wider tires and a low profile for better drifting, there is always an aftermarket option to help you do that.

350Z Aftermarket Wheel Advantages

Aftermarket wheels come with their share of advantages. These include:

• Wider aftermarket wheels and tires provide improved surface traction, offering better handling and braking ability.
• Ultimate personalization – customized wheels often improve a car’s overall appearance, making it stand out from the rest.
• Choose the wheels that suit your driving style. With a wide selection on the market, some tuners will go for their favorite look, while others will prioritize size and weight.

350Z Aftermarket Wheel Disadvantages

Opting for aftermarket wheels is not always worth it. They have their cons as well.

• Cheap wheels, commonly known as reps, are often made with cheaper materials. As a result, they are less reliable and are prone to breaking down earlier than expected.
• Aftermarket custom wheels could potentially damage your car. Ensure you research the proper fitment for your ride and carry out fender rolling if necessary.
• Using bigger wheels without changes (such as wheel spacers or hub-centric rings) can severely hamper the ride quality and be potentially dangerous.

Custom Offset Range

Customizing your wheel’s offset will allow you to dictate the overall aesthetics of your car.

The wrong offset value can reduce vehicle stability and mess up your brakes – therefore, we suggest you keep your offset in the prescribed range of -23mm to 45mm.

Custom Rim Sizes

The 350Z uses custom rim sizes in the range of 18×10.0 – 20×9.5. We’ve written about several aftermarket wheels for Nissan 350Z, offering bespoke rim sizes.

Use Hub Centric Rings

Aftermarket wheels are created for fitment on a wide range of vehicles.

A common predicament faced by Nissan 350Z mod enthusiasts is that the aftermarket wheel of their liking doesn’t quite fit on their car, largely due to a difference in bore size.

This is where the hub-centric rings come in. These rings are constructed from hardened plastic (occasionally steel) and fit smoothly over your car’s hub – ensuring perfect fitment when correctly measured.

Nissan 350Z Deep Dish Wheels

Deep dish wheels use a wider tire, varying depending on the difference in the offset measurement. Deep dish wheels typically come with wider widths and lower offsets.

We’ve written a comprehensive guide to finding the ultimate fitment with aftermarket deep dish wheels on your Z, which we highly recommend checking out.

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350Z Lug Pattern FAQ

Here are the most common queries related to the bolt pattern of a Nissan 350Z.

What is the lug pattern for a Nissan 350Z?

The Nissan 350Z uses a lug pattern (also known as bolt pattern) of PCD 5×114.3.

What lug size is 350Z?

Nissan’s 350Z uses a lug nut with a thread size of M12 x 1.25.

What is a Z33 350Z?

The Nissan 350Z is known as Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) in Japan. If you’re interested to know more about the history of this legendary drifter, you can check out our ultimate 350Z guide.

What is the hub center bore in a 350Z?

Nissan 350Z uses a hub center bore size of 66.1 mm.

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There we have it! We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about the 350Z lug pattern in this guide.

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