As far as cars that originally came from Japan go, you cannot go wrong with any of the Nissan Z models produced over the past 50 years or so.
From the 1st-generation Nissan S30 to the newest Nissan Z for the 2023 model year, this popular lineup of sports cars from Nissan is still alive and kicking.
Amid all of the stylings and performance figures that differentiate one generation from the next, we’re here to focus more on what’s written on the title.
The bolt pattern, as well as other related specifications, are very important when you plan to change the wheels on your Nissan Z.
Just keep in mind that, due to the obsolete data of some older Nissan Z models, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of some of the details listed in this article.
Otherwise, this article will still be a nice general guide for when you just happen to be curious about the measurements that go with each Nissan Z’s factory wheels.
What is the bolt pattern of a Nissan Z?
The Nissan 350Z, along with models starting from the turbocharged Z31 300ZX in 1984 to the 2023 Nissan Z, uses a bolt pattern that measures 5×4.5 inches (5×114.3mm)
Nissan Z models starting from the 1969 Nissan S30 to the 1986 non-turbocharged Z31 300ZX used the 4×4.5-inch (4×114.3mm) bolt pattern.
Despite us mentioning some pretty specific models above, we bet that you’re still glad that there are only two bolt patterns that the Nissan Z lineup had to this day.
This makes things a lot easier to remember, but we’re not done just yet.
As we’ve hinted earlier, we’ve also included other related and equally important specifications of the Nissan Z that you should also keep in mind when you plan on changing its wheels.
These will be none other than its bolt specifications and wheel specifications, which can vary quite a lot depending on the generation.
So come along for the ride as we travel back through over 50 years of history for the Nissan Z, and hopefully, you’ll be well-equipped to find the perfect wheels by the end of it.
Wheel and Bolt Specifications of the Nissan Z
When it comes to the Nissan Z (also called Fairlady Z in Japan), or just about any car with a relatively lengthy history, specifications can change due to modern technology and regulations.
But while it’s common for one generation’s specifications to bear some semblance to others, we’ve actually found more similarities between the Z generations than we initially expected.
Thus, we will be highlighting each Nissan Z generation’s similarities in wheel and bolt specifications when necessary.
The wheel specifications refer to all of the factory tire sizes and rim sizes offered for each Nissan Z generation’s trim levels.
Such trim levels are indicated using the engines that they were fitted with. These, along with the tire sizes and rim sizes, have all been tabulated below under each generation.
As for the bolt specifications, these are comprised of each generation’s center bore diameter, wheel fastener type, thread size, and torque tightening specification (torque spec).
7th Generation: Nissan Z (RZ34) (2022/Current)
The newest iteration of the Nissan Z (also colloquially called the 400Z by some enthusiasts) can arguably be called the modern-retro result of the Z lineup’s history throughout the years.
Taking design cues from the rear of the 90s 300ZX, the front of the 70s S30, and the body shape of the 350Z and 370Z, it’s quite hard not to notice what they were going for design-wise.
It was first unveiled as a prototype model called the “Nissan Z Proto” in 2020, with the manufacturing of the 2022 production model eventually starting in 2021.
Going to its bolt specifications listed below, you’ll find that they are going to be very similar, if not identical to ones found on several of the previous generations that we’ll be going through later.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.6 inches (66.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 80lb-ft (108Nm)
The new Z is powered by a 3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine known as the VR30DDTT, which is actually used for both of the trim levels we’ve listed below.
The first half of the chassis codes included in the trim levels, namely 3BA and 5BA, actually refer to the manual (M/T) and automatic transmission (A/T) variants for the new Z, respectively.
This is probably unbeknownst to a lot of people unless they dig up info from Japanese automotive websites, as we did.
But regardless of the transmission, the current Z only has two sets of tire sizes and two sets of rim sizes.
The first tire and rim set allows all four wheels to be fitted with the same 245mm tire size and 9Jx18 rim size.
The second option, however, can equip it with 255mm front tires and wider 275mm rear tires. These two different tire sizes also had their own respective rim widths and offsets.
6th Generation: Nissan 370Z (Z34) (2009 to 2020)
The 6th Z model is known as the Nissan 370Z, which is actually still sold new in some countries worldwide despite 2020 being its last model year.
The 370Z also has one of the longest production runs of any Z model. It’s the last naturally-aspirated (N/A) Z model.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the bolt specifications of the new 2022 Z model were also used for previous-generation models, one of those being the 370Z.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.6 inches (66.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 80lb-ft (108Nm)
The 370Z had tons of wheel specifications over the years depending on the specific market it was sold, whether or not it was a Nismo trim, and whether or not it was a facelift model.
2012 to 2020 Model Years (Facelift)
The facelift model years came in the base 3.7i trim and the 3.7 Nismo trim. Their wheel specifications also varied slightly for the US market and the European market.
Generally speaking, the trim levels in both markets had different front and rear tire sizes and rim sizes.
The USDM 3.7i trim received two sets of tire sizes and rim sizes, while the EUDM 3.7i only received one.
The 3.7 Nismo for the US and European markets were exactly identical in terms of tire sizes but differed when it came to their rim sizes.
2009 to 2012 Model Years (Pre-Facelift)
In terms of the exact names, the trim levels offered during the pre-facelift model’s production run were no different from the ones offered during the facelift model’s time.
It’s just that the European market did not receive the pre-facelift Nismo trim during this time period.
Notice how the pre-facelift USDM 3.7i trim has almost identical wheel specifications to its facelift counterpart above.
The only difference is that the tires used during this period were “Z-rated” (e.g. ZR18), meaning that they are capable of going at speeds in excess of 149mph (240kph).
Apart from that, both the pre-facelift EUDM 3.7i and USDM-only 3.7 Nismo trims had the exact same wheel specifications as their facelift counterparts.
5th Generation: Nissan 350Z (Z33) (2003 to 2009)
If there was ever one Z model that appealed to so many car enthusiasts during its time and even up to this day, it would have to be the Nissan 350Z of the early 2000s.
With over 170,000 units made for the US and Canada alone, it’s quite a ubiquitous Japanese sports car that’s still popular for its affordability and versatility up to this day.
Its bolt specifications remain identical to the newer Z models, which is unsurprising considering how similar it looks to them.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.6 inches (66.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 80lb-ft (108Nm)
The 350Z got its name from its 3.5-liter V6 engine, which has actually been revamped a couple of times throughout its production run.
It first started out with the 287hp (276hp for EUDM models) VQ35DE, which was then later upgraded to 300hp (296hp for EUDM models) for the 2005 model year.
By 2007, it was replaced with a new VQ-series engine called the VQ35HR, which had a power output of 306hp from the factory.
With that said, earlier 350Z models that had the first VQ35DE engine were fitted with their own wheel specifications that were smaller on average compared to the later ones.
In contrast, all later 350Z models that were fitted with either the upgraded VQ35DE or the newer VQ35HR received the same set of wheel specifications.
4th Generation: Nissan 300ZX (Z32) (1990 to 2000)
The 4th-generation Nissan 300ZX Z32 was also sold as the “Fairlady Z” in Japan and is actually the second generation of the 300ZX right after the Z31.
In a sense, the Z32 is very similar to the new Nissan Z today, as it also came with a 3-liter twin-turbocharged engine option.
Not to mention that the rear-end design of the new Z is based on the Z32’s rear end, as we’ve said earlier.
Moving on to its bolt specifications, they’re almost identical to the ones found in the newer generations, except for the 80 to 85lb-ft torque spec range.
This is because sources out there vary regarding the Z32’s exact torque spec, so the range we’ve provided is just an estimate more than anything else.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.6 inches (66.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nut (5)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 80 to 85lb-ft (108 to 115Nm)
The Z32 300ZX came with either a naturally-aspirated V6 (VG30DE) or a twin-turbocharged V6 engine (VG30DETT). This was true for both its facelift and pre-facelift model years.
However, these two engine variants were further split into several trim levels that were denoted by their chassis codes (e.g. GF-GZ32).
1998 to 2000 Model Years (Facelift)
The facelift model years started in 1998 with the “GF” chassis designation, and there were two naturally-aspirated trims and two twin-turbocharged trims.
300ZX trim levels during this time period received a new front fascia, optional rear spoiler, optional xenon HID headlights, tail lights, and other external and internal features.
But regardless of the trim level, there was only one set of wheel specifications that was ever used for all of them.
1989 to 1998 Model Years (Pre-Facelift)
The pre-facelift models for the Z32 300ZX first went into production in 1989 with the “E” chassis designation.
While four of the trim levels were offered all at once starting in 1989, another naturally-aspirated trim level with the chassis code “E-HZ32” was added in 1992.
Other than that, all of the pre-facelift trim levels were no different from their facelift counterparts in terms of wheel specifications.
3rd Generation: Nissan 300ZX (Z31) (1984 To 1989)
The 300ZX name first started with the Z31 for the 1984 model year, and it was also the first ever Z model to use a V6 engine as its powerplant.
The Z31’s design was more reminiscent of the earlier Z models, and the V6 engine used in question was an earlier VG-series engine called the VG30E (VG30ET for turbocharged models).
As you can probably tell from the bolt pattern section previously discussed, the Z31 had some pretty specific models when it came to the number of bolts (or lug nuts) that it used.
All of the turbocharged models used 5 lug nuts, while non-turbocharged (naturally-aspirated or N/A) ones either had 4 or 5 lug nuts depending on the model year.
The torque spec range for this generation was also rather wide, with an almost 30lb-ft difference between the lowest and highest possible value.
If you own a Z31, we recommend asking for help from an authorized tire mechanic so that you can be sure you’re not over or under-torquing your lug nuts in instances like this.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.6 inches (66.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: All Turbocharged/1986 to 1989 N/A Models: Lug Nuts (5)
1984 to 1986 Non-Turbocharged Models: Lug Nuts (4)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 57.5 to 87lb-ft (78 to 118Nm)
As for its wheel specifications, there have been a lot of nuances with its tire sizes, rim sizes, and even rim offsets throughout its production run.
Despite the table below not having as many entries as the ones for the 350Z and 370Z, it’s actually considerably simplified already due to the complexity of the Z31’s specs.
Thus, to avoid getting too convoluted with our explanations, we’re going to let the table summarize all of our findings instead.
2nd Generation: Nissan 280ZX (S130) (1979 to 1983)
The 2nd-generation Nissan Z, with the S130 designation, had a completely different name because of its slightly smaller 2.8-liter “L-series” engine.
Unlike the newer generations that all sported V6 engines, the Z models from this generation and earlier all had inline-6 (I6) engines instead.
This is also one of only two generations that ever used a different center bore diameter. The diameter was bigger by 7mm (73.1mm) than the one in the newer generations (66.1mm).
This generation had a whole range for its torque tightening specification rather than an exact value. As usual, we recommend consulting a mechanic for your wheels’ exact torque value.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.88 inches (73.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nuts (4)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 58 to 72lb-ft (78.6 to 97.6Nm)
The S130 280ZX’s original factory wheel specifications are quite difficult to get your hands on due to the car’s age, but thankfully, there are still some alternative sizes available for it today.
You can opt for either 195mm tires paired with 14-inch rims, or wider 205mm tires paired with bigger 15-inch rims.
You also don’t need to worry about whether your 280ZX is a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged model, as both have the exact same dimensions either way.
1st Generation: Nissan/Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z (S30) (1969 to 1978)
The entire Nissan Z lineup that spans over 5 decades first established its roots with the 1969 Nissan S30.
Interestingly, the S30 was called the “ Nissan Fairlady Z” in Japan but was marketed under the Datsun brand abroad, which is actually also owned by Nissan Motors.
The S30 had three distinct models that were all named according to their engine displacement, namely the 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z.
All three models shared the exact same bolt specifications with each other, which is partly why we grouped them together for this entry.
The specifications themselves were not that different from the 2nd generation, apart from the slightly lower maximum torque tightening specification.
Center Bore Diameter: 2.88 inches (73.1mm)
Wheel Fastener: Lug Nuts (4)
Thread Size: M12x1.25
Torque Spec: 58 to 65lb-ft (78.6 to 88.1Nm)
Luckily, we’ve managed to find details about the S30’s original factory wheel specifications in Nissan’s factory service manual.
But do keep in mind that the tire sizes are listed slightly differently from how we usually list tire sizes nowadays, so ask an authorized tire mechanic for the closest equivalent to them.
The 240Z was the first to be released in 1969, followed by the 260Z and 280Z after. You can see how their wheel specifications gradually grew throughout the years to provide more grip.
How to Tighten the Bolts on the Nissan Z
Tightening the bolts (or lug nuts) on your Nissan Z, or just about any vehicle, is crucial to get right so that your wheels stay on your car and your car stays on the road.
We know for a fact that the Nissan Z wheels came with either 4 or 5 pieces of lug nuts, so we can refer to it as having either a 4-lug or 5-lug pattern.
When it comes to such tightening patterns, you need to follow a specific tightening order to avoid unequal distribution of tightening force across the wheel’s face.
With that said, we’ve provided you with two different diagrams below that demonstrate the proper tightening order for both 4-lug and 5-lug wheels.
As seen above, the first diagram shows a simple criss-cross pattern that should be followed when tightening 4-lug wheels.
The second diagram, however, demonstrates a star-shaped pattern that should be followed when tightening 5-lug wheels due to the odd number of lug nuts.
Be sure to only tighten them snugly enough or halfway when you’ve currently got the car jacked up.
When you’ve already lowered the car back down, you can then tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench to the appropriate specifications that we’ve listed for each generation above.
It’s generally recommended to drive the car for about 50 miles to check if the lug nuts maintain their tightness. Retighten them immediately afterward if you notice any changes.
When to Change the Tires on the Nissan Z
Regardless of the wheel specifications of your Nissan Z generation, you eventually need to change its tires to keep it from pulling a random “Tokyo Drift” on you on the road.
The Nissan Z is, after all, a sports car, and sports cars are pretty notorious for having shorter-lasting tires.
While the average car tire lasts for around 60,000 to 75,000 miles, expect yours to last a little bit shorter, especially if you regularly take your Z to the track.
If you haven’t got a clue how many miles you’ve driven on your tires, then you can either look for their “tread wear indicator bars” or insert a penny upside down between the treads.
The indicator bars shown on the left photo allow you to check the height of your treads in relation to the bars.
The bars initially sit deep on newer tires, but if yours are already at the same height as your treads, then it’s time to swap out your tires for some new ones.
The penny trick on the right also works very similarly. If you can’t see half of Lincoln’s head, then you still have a good amount of tread life left.
But once his entire head is exposed, then you have less than 1/16 of an inch left on your treads, and it’s definitely time for a fresh set of tires.
How and When to Rotate the Tires on the Nissan Z
Tire rotations on your Nissan Z will ensure that whatever tires you have on can wear evenly and last a bit longer before eventually getting changed.
As we always talk about in our other automobile articles, tire rotation patterns can depend on the car’s drivetrain layout.
But there’s also another thing to consider, which is whether the tires are directional or non-directional.
Directional (unidirectional) tires are made to rotate in only one direction, and they are commonly used in performance vehicles.
If your Nissan Z has unidirectional tires like the Federal SS595 tire shown on the left, then they will simply be rotated from front to back and vice versa, as shown on the right.
Notice how the grooves on the unidirectional tire only point towards one direction, which aids in stability and traction.
Otherwise, if your Nissan Z comes with non-directional tires, then we’ll be looking at its drivetrain as the deciding factor.
Since every single Nissan Z model in existence only came in rear-wheel drive (RWD), non-directional tires will be rotated using the “rearward-cross” pattern above.
As for the tire rotation frequency for the Z, it should be between 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000km) driven on the tires.
