How do I work out the wheel offset for a Mini-Z body?

Each AutoScale body specifies a recommended wheel width and offset (e.g. "Narrow +1.5"). Add them to get a target total. To run a different wheel width, keep that total constant: needed offset = target total − your wheel width. Example: a body spec'd at narrow (8.5) + offset 1.5 = 10.0 total; to run wide (11.0) rears, offset = 10.0 − 11.0 = −1.0, so you run "wide −1" wheels.

What does a positive vs negative Mini-Z offset mean?

A bigger / more-positive offset pushes the wheel further OUT (wider track); a negative offset tucks it IN. Narrow wheels come in 0 / 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5; wide wheels in −1.0 / 0 / 1.0 / 2.0 / 3.0. Front and rear are set independently.

My AutoScale body won't sit on the chassis — is that an offset problem?

No. If the shell won't sit down or the arches don't line up with the wheels, that's a wheelbase mismatch — change your motor mount / rear pod to the body's wheelbase (e.g. from a 94 mm RM to a 98 mm MM). Offset only controls how far the wheels sit in or out, not whether the body fits front-to-back.

What's the difference between a narrow and wide Mini-Z wheel?

Narrow wheels are 8.5 mm wide, wide wheels are 11 mm — a 2.5 mm difference per side (5 mm overall). That's why switching width changes the offset you need to keep the same fit.

Mini-Z Wheel Offset Calculator

Fitting an AutoScale body to your Kyosho Mini-Z? Work out the exact wheel offset to run when you change wheel width — front and rear — so the wheels sit right and don't rub.

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The fitment rule

Every AutoScale body lists a recommended wheel width + offset. Add them to get a target total. To run a different width, hold that total constant — change the offset the opposite way. This calculator does that for you: enter what the body calls for, pick the width you want, and it returns the offset to buy.

Front

The body recommends

Wheel width

Offset (mm — from the body box/manual)

Target total = 10 mm (8.5 + 1.5)

I want to run

Run these wheels:

Narrow 1.5

Exact match — this keeps the same fit.

Rear

The body recommends

Wheel width

Offset (mm — from the body box/manual)

Target total = 11 mm (11 + 0)

I want to run

Run these wheels:

Wide 0

Exact match — this keeps the same fit.

Wheelbase & motor-mount reference

Offset makes the wheels sit right; wheelbase is what makes the body physically fit. Match your motor mount / rear pod to the body's wheelbase first.

Code	Wheelbase	Typical mount	Character
S	86 mm	RM, HM	Shortest — twitchy, hardest to drive
M	90 mm	RM, HM	Short, nimble
L	94 mm	RM (also HM, MM2)	Common scale wheelbase
LL	98 mm	MM (also MML, MM2)	Most stable — beginner-friendly
3L	102 mm	MM / LM (also MML, MM2)	Very stable, slower to rotate
4L	106 mm	MM (also MML)	Longest — niche

Heads up: the mount letters (RM / MM / LM / HM) are used inconsistently — they describe either the motor's front-to-back position or its height, and even sources disagree on what some stand for. Trust the wheelbase in mm, not the letter. Full guide to Mini-Z rear pods, wheelbase & fitting a body →

Changing pods? The exact parts, by pod type

When a body needs a different wheelbase, you're really changing the rear pod. These are Kyosho's own part numbers for what makes up each RWD pod — from their official pod reference cards.

Pod	Wheelbases	Diff gear	Motor case	Rear spring
RM	S / M / L (changeable)	MZ207	MZ216B	MZW213 (20 mm)
MM	LL (98 mm)	MZ207	MZ215B	MZW202 (23 mm)
LM	3L (102 mm)	MZ302	MZ305B	MZW202 (23 mm)
HM	S / M / L (changeable)	MZ207	MZ156B	MZW213 (20 mm)

All four pods share the same suspension-parts set: MZ403B.

AWD (MA-020) conversions

MA-020 tread, narrow → wide: MD202 + MD203 + MD205
MA-020 wheelbase, M (90 mm) → LL (98 mm): MDW100-04 + MDW205B

Part-number links go to AMain search and are affiliate links (ad). Unlinked part numbers aren't stocked there.

How to use this calculator

• Find your AutoScale body's recommended width + offset (printed on the box/manual, e.g. "F: Narrow +1.5 / R: Wide −1.0").
• Enter those for the front and rear panels above.
• Pick the wheel width you actually want to run.
• The calculator returns the offset to buy, and flags it if no factory wheel reaches that fit.
• Wheel widths: narrow = 8.5 mm, wide = 11 mm. Available offsets — narrow: 0 / 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5; wide: −1.0 / 0 / 1.0 / 2.0 / 3.0.

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