Staggered Wheels and Suspension
03-24-2013, 04:56 PM
#21
I'm a huge fan of 20's on these cars...IMO, they just look great! As far as the suspension is concerned, you can lower it for looks/performance gains, but its not necessary.
If you get aftermarket wheels, you shouldn't need any wheel spacers.
If you get aftermarket wheels, you shouldn't need any wheel spacers.
03-24-2013, 05:26 PM
#22
well thanks for all the info guys.. after browsing around i really don't think tire options are too bad. i mean, i doubt i'll ever spend top dollar on tires because i don't take my mustang to the track, and i really don't drive it hard. she's my DD so i gotta keep care of her. with the stock diameter at 27.632", i think i'm just gonna go with the staggered 19 inch wheels (27.69" in the front, 27.66" in the back). they most easily match the stock diameter.
American Muscle wins, i believe, because while they'll cost me about $20 more than buying the wheels separately, and getting tires via tirerack, twenty bucks seems like it is worth avoiding the hassle of going to a shop to get mounted and balanced.
seriously though guys, thank you for the info and thoughtful discussion. it really helped me make a decision and think through what i wanted. you guys rock!
American Muscle wins, i believe, because while they'll cost me about $20 more than buying the wheels separately, and getting tires via tirerack, twenty bucks seems like it is worth avoiding the hassle of going to a shop to get mounted and balanced.
seriously though guys, thank you for the info and thoughtful discussion. it really helped me make a decision and think through what i wanted. you guys rock!
03-24-2013, 06:16 PM
#23
haha, okay one last question!
how does the speedometer work in a 2011+ mustang? it is based on the rear wheels right (since they are connected to the driveshaft/transmission)? if so, an 18 inch wheel on the rear at 275/40/18 is nearly an inch smaller than stock diameter. so how much would my speedometer be affected? plus or minus 5 mph maybe (just guessing)?
how does the speedometer work in a 2011+ mustang? it is based on the rear wheels right (since they are connected to the driveshaft/transmission)? if so, an 18 inch wheel on the rear at 275/40/18 is nearly an inch smaller than stock diameter. so how much would my speedometer be affected? plus or minus 5 mph maybe (just guessing)?
03-24-2013, 07:17 PM
#24
Resident Ginger
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Cali
Posts: 4,624
haha, okay one last question!
how does the speedometer work in a 2011+ mustang? it is based on the rear wheels right (since they are connected to the driveshaft/transmission)? if so, an 18 inch wheel on the rear at 275/40/18 is nearly an inch smaller than stock diameter. so how much would my speedometer be affected? plus or minus 5 mph maybe (just guessing)?
how does the speedometer work in a 2011+ mustang? it is based on the rear wheels right (since they are connected to the driveshaft/transmission)? if so, an 18 inch wheel on the rear at 275/40/18 is nearly an inch smaller than stock diameter. so how much would my speedometer be affected? plus or minus 5 mph maybe (just guessing)?
Matthew
03-24-2013, 07:46 PM
#25
Okay i again did some math and dimensional analysis. I determined the rotations per hour for my stock wheels @ 60mph to be 43815.1614 revolutions per hour. That's the stock 17s, using the circumference based on the diameter.
Taking that number I can multiply it against the circumference of the 18 inch wheel (the circumference must be in units of miles) to determine the new speed. It comes out to be that when my stock rated speedometer says 60mph I'll actually be going 57.9 mph. Not too bad.
I also checked 19 inch wheels on 275/40/19s and at 60mph you'll actually be going like 60.08 mph. Or something close to that. The 19's wheel and tire package from AM most closely match stock ford 17 inch wheels and tires. But three pricier.
Anyone think I did the math wrong haha? I may have made a mistake but I'm pretty confident. I based this all on rear wheel circumference since those wheels are connected to the driveshaft where the speedometer receives signals from.
Taking that number I can multiply it against the circumference of the 18 inch wheel (the circumference must be in units of miles) to determine the new speed. It comes out to be that when my stock rated speedometer says 60mph I'll actually be going 57.9 mph. Not too bad.
I also checked 19 inch wheels on 275/40/19s and at 60mph you'll actually be going like 60.08 mph. Or something close to that. The 19's wheel and tire package from AM most closely match stock ford 17 inch wheels and tires. But three pricier.
Anyone think I did the math wrong haha? I may have made a mistake but I'm pretty confident. I based this all on rear wheel circumference since those wheels are connected to the driveshaft where the speedometer receives signals from.
03-24-2013, 10:31 PM
#26
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DC
Posts: 642
Just so you know my 20's with Toyo Proxes 4Plus tires (255/35R20 - 295/30R20) ride a let better than my stock 19's did with factory Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercars in 255/40R19 all around. It was actually the first thing my fiancee noted, was that the car didn't ride as rough with the new wheels/tires on the car.
03-25-2013, 09:46 AM
#27
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 49
all this talk of diameter matching.. ANY wheel between 15"-20" can be made to match or closely proximate the factory sizing. You will lose Sidewall size when doing so, or gain it depending on which way you go. my '06 came factory with 18" pony Torq Thrust styled wheels, wrapped in 235/50/18.. if you're going to a 19" wheel you're looking at a 40 series tire on the rear to stay within factory speedo/odo numbers. there are numerous tire oversize calculators out there to figure these numbers out. but for quick reference.. every inch you add figure you'll lose 10% of your sidewall size.. give or take. So.. if it comes with 17" 60 series.. an 18" will run a 50 series.. 19" 40 series.. 20" 30 series.. And Yes less % side wall does increase ride stiffness, it also improves handling/cornering ability as the wall has less give. there's a reason high performance cars have skinny tires cosmetics aside. a 60 series tire will NEVER grip like a 30 series in cornering/handling. If you want the 19"s go with it. 255/40/19 in the front 275 or 285/40/19 in the rear.. I offer the two sizes as you said it wasn't really performance you're after so the 275 tire will be just as kewl looking but cheaper to replace.. the 255/40/19 is the STOCK size found on 2012 Mustang GT's btw, so this will keep you within factory O.D. requirements for your speedo/odo.
03-25-2013, 10:26 AM
#28
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 341
As far as the speedo is concerned, i'm pretty sure you can easily just plug in any tuner and adjust the Revs Per Mile of your current tires (or gear ratio) and that should fix any variance in the speedo. Dont even need to flash a new tune.
03-25-2013, 07:03 PM
#29
well thanks again everyone. AmericanMuscle went full awesome and let me swap their wheel package out with the tires i wanted. Went with 18 inch wheels, 255/45/18 in the front and 285/40/18 in the rear. Then they threw on the forum discount, the guy on the phone was incredibly informative and just rocked it. You guys did your part and helped out too. Thanks all, now I just gonna wait for my wheels!