Wheels, Tires and Brakes Explanations Please

[davidj2k]

I am thinking about upgrading my wheels, tires and brakes on my 04 GTO, but I do not have any idea what sizes to get, or what rotors/calipers I should be looking for or how to do it, I have read a lot of posts on here about the different sizes people go with and staggered sets, but I would like a simple explanation of what I should be looking for.

[Lothar]

If you don't know what you're looking for, how do you know you want to upgrade what you have?

[deaner17]

go with the 05/06 brakes... way batter than the 04's

[JoeyElbows]

well it all comes down on how much you wanna spend. For brakes you could upgrade to 05/06 brakes. Or you could buy dba 6x6 wiper slots with hawks pads, but if you got deep pockets you can go with wilwoods.
Now for wheels and tires it all comes down to how much money you wanna spend. You could go with Ruff racing wheels 636.00 for 4 wheels and get some cheap tires or go all out and get CCW's. Tires you could go with goodyear F1 all seasons or summitomo's. Plus what style do you want? Chrome, black face polished lip, etc. Your best bet is to search search search. Once you know what you want everything will be more clear to ya.

[LS2Fish]

^^ adding to what he said, there is a sticky at the top of the Wheels/Tires section "the new RMGTO Wheels Repository" which has a link to an excellent and extensive picture book of different wheel setups on different goats. Pick one you like and look at the wheel it says it has, then go shopping.

[ddawson]

To add again to the above.

Make sure the tires is 25.7". 17,18,19 and 20 inch wheel it doesn't matter just make sure the final size is 25.7"

You can mix a 18" front with a 19" rear just by changing the ratio of the tire.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Then you just have to make sure the offsets are correct.

As for brakes bigger is better. If you stick with a 13" rotor setup I know the Baer and Wilwood Big brake kits still fit over the spare and stock 17" wheels.