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1981 Nissan Fairlady 280Z Wheels & Rims: Bolt Pattern, Offset & Sizes
Fitting Nissan Fairlady 280Z wheels? This page gives the 1981 Nissan Fairlady 280Z bolt pattern (4x114.3), centre bore, factory rim size and the offset range for aftermarket and forged Nissan Fairlady 280Z rims: the same spec sheet ANKUSI uses when machining forged wheels for this car.
Nissan Fairlady 280Z (1981): 4x114.3 bolt pattern, 73.1mm center bore. Factory wheels: 14x6.0J at ET15 offset, front and rear. Reference fitment ranges.
Bolt Pattern4x114.3
Wheel Bolt/NutM12x1.25 Nut
Center Bore73.1mm
Wheel Load Rating700–850 kg/wheel (Performance / Sports Car segment reference)
Year1981
CategorySports Coupe
Data check: the bolt pattern and center bore on this page have not yet been confirmed by a second independent source. Measure your hub or ask us before ordering. How we verify
Wheel Size & Offset at a Glance
| Configuration | Wheel Size & Offset |
|---|---|
| Factory (OE) | 14x6.0J F/R |
| Flush Fitment | F 15x7.5J ET0 / R 15x8.0J ET-5 |
| Maximum Aggressive | F 16x8.0J ET-10 / R 16x9.0J ET-15 |
Forged Wheel Designs for the Nissan Fairlady 280Z
Every design below is forged to order, so it can be machined to the Nissan Fairlady 280Z's 4x114.3 bolt pattern and 73.1 mm center bore, with the width and offset calculated for your setup.
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How to Read Wheel Offset & Measurements
Use these two references before ordering: the left diagram shows where each spec (PCD, center bore, offset, width and diameter) is measured on the wheel; the right diagram shows how positive, zero and negative offset shift the wheel face relative to the hub centerline.
ANKUSI Engineering Expert Advice
On a performance-oriented coupe, the wheel is one of the few components where shaving weight has a compounding effect — less rotational mass means less work for the brakes, the drivetrain, and the chassis on every input. A forged wheel gets there without compromising the strength margin the factory engineered in.
The Nissan Fairlady 280Z runs a 4x114.3 bolt pattern, 73.1mm center bore, and a 14x6.0J, front and rear, wheel from the factory. Our Flush Fitment reference is F 15x7.5J ET0 / R 15x8.0J ET-5, which tucks the tire under the fender lip on a stock-height Nissan Fairlady 280Z. Our Maximum Aggressive reference is F 16x8.0J ET-10 / R 16x9.0J ET-15 — beyond that offset, expect rubbing against the inner fender liner under compression without further trimming.
Nissan Fairlady 280Z OE Wheel Specs
The 1981 Nissan Fairlady 280Z (Sports Coupe) uses a 4x114.3 bolt pattern with a 73.1mm center bore. Factory wheels are 14x6.0J F/R.
Why the factory spec works for most owners:
- Keeps unsprung weight low to preserve the factory handling balance
- Matches the wider, performance-oriented tire sizing typical of this platform
- Maintains clearance for the factory brake package and suspension geometry
- Balances grip with ride comfort for daily and spirited driving
ANKUSI builds these wheels — we are the forging factory, not a reseller. For the Nissan Fairlady 280Z (1981) we drill the 4x114.3 pattern and cut the centre bore to 73.1mm on our own CNC line, so the wheel hub-centres on the car with no spacer rings, in whatever diameter, width and offset you specify.
Converting these ET figures to backspacing? Use the wheel offset and backspacing calculator.
The figures on this page are part of our open wheel fitment dataset — 10,093 vehicles, free to download, CC BY 4.0.
Offset & Backspacing Reference
Backspacing is calculated as wheel width (in) ÷ 2 + offset (mm) ÷ 25.4 + 0.5 (flange allowance):
- OE: 14x6.0J ET15 → ~4.09″ backspacing
- Flush: F 15x7.5J ET0 → ~4.25″ F backspacing, R 15x8.0J ET-5 → ~4.3″ R backspacing
- Max: F 16x8.0J ET-10 → ~4.11″ F backspacing, R 16x9.0J ET-15 → ~4.41″ R backspacing
A Note on Clearance
Final clearance depends on the exact tire model, suspension height, brake package, alignment and vehicle tolerances. A physical test fit is recommended before production.
Want to check a different width or offset before you order? Use our Offset & Backspacing Calculator to solve the numbers yourself, or looking for your exact Nissan spec, or want a wheel built to a custom offset for your Nissan Fairlady 280Z? Contact ANKUSI with your bolt pattern and offset target and we will confirm the correct forged wheel spec for your build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bolt pattern (PCD) does the Nissan Fairlady 280Z use?
The 1981 Nissan Fairlady 280Z uses a 4x114.3 bolt pattern.
How many lug bolts does the Nissan Fairlady 280Z use?
The Nissan Fairlady 280Z uses a 4-lug bolt pattern (4x114.3), so you need a 4-lug forged wheel to bolt straight on.
What is the center bore size on the Nissan Fairlady 280Z?
The Nissan Fairlady 280Z's center bore is 73.1mm. If an aftermarket wheel has a larger center bore than this, hub-centric rings are recommended so the wheel centers on the hub itself rather than relying on the lug bolts alone.
What size are the factory (stock) wheels on the Nissan Fairlady 280Z?
Factory wheels on the Nissan Fairlady 280Z are 14x6.0J F/R.
What is the biggest wheel size I can fit on my Nissan Fairlady 280Z without rubbing?
The most aggressive fitment we recommend without fender work is F 16x8.0J ET-10 / R 16x9.0J ET-15. Going beyond this typically causes rubbing under compression unless you roll the fenders or add camber correction.
What does a flush wheel fitment look like on the Nissan Fairlady 280Z?
For a flush look with minimal to no rubbing, we recommend F 15x7.5J ET0 / R 15x8.0J ET-5 as a starting point on a stock or mildly lowered Nissan Fairlady 280Z.
Do I need wheel spacers for my Nissan Fairlady 280Z?
No. ANKUSI forges each wheel to your exact target offset, including the flush or max specs above, so you get the correct fitment without stacking spacers. Spacers are typically only used to push out an existing OE-offset wheel without replacing it, which isn't necessary when you're ordering a custom-offset forged wheel.
How do I calculate wheel backspacing for my Nissan Fairlady 280Z?
Backspacing (in inches) = wheel width (in) ÷ 2 + offset (mm) ÷ 25.4 + 0.5 (flange allowance). For example, the flush spec above works out to roughly 4.25" backspacing up front and 4.3" in the rear.
What's the difference between wheel offset and backspacing?
Offset is the distance in millimeters from the wheel's true centerline to its mounting face (positive offset pulls the wheel in, negative pushes it out). Backspacing is the distance in inches from the mounting face to the back edge of the wheel barrel. They describe the same fitment from two different reference points, which is why ANKUSI lists both above — some shops and tuning guides quote offset, others quote backspacing.
Can I run staggered wheels (different sizes front and rear) on my Nissan Fairlady 280Z?
Yes — the Nissan Fairlady 280Z's factory and our recommended flush/max fitments already use staggered sizing (different width front and rear), and ANKUSI can forge matching staggered sets to your target offsets.
Wheel Installation Reference: Torque, Thread & TPMS
Thread & Fastener: M12x1.25, conical-seat lug nut.
Factory Torque Spec: 103-122 Nm (76-90 ft-lb). Range covers most Nissan passenger cars and crossovers on M12x1.25 studs.
TPMS: Vehicles built before the 2008 model year were not federally required to carry factory TPMS in the US, though many manufacturers adopted it earlier; verify whether your specific build has TPMS before ordering sensor-compatible wheels.
Tire Pressure: Always set tire pressure to the value on your vehicle's tire placard (driver's doorjamb or glovebox), not the max PSI printed on the tire sidewall — this is trim- and tire-size-specific and stays the same reference point when you switch to a different wheel and tire combination.
Reference data compiled from published OEM service specifications and cross-checked against independent repair sources; always confirm against your owner's manual or door-jamb placard before installation.