Im considering 15"x8" Magnum500 wheels with 225/50/15" BFGoodrich G-Force Sport tires. Is that pushing the limit on how wide a tire I can put on the 8"? Tirerack's fitment chart says 6"-8" wheels...

 

They should fit ok. The sidewall will probably be straight up and down, which is better for handling anyway.

 

That size tire is what came on my 16s stock. I have a 235 in the rear, and they are 16x7s. Should be able to go bigger than that, if you want to that is.

 

No. They give you 8", and FWIW you're better off up at the "wide" end of the wheel width range than down at the "narrow" end for a number of reasons. It'll handle a little more "crisply" with that size on 8" wide wheels than on wheels of their 7" "measuring width", but the ride will be a little more firm.

8" is OK up to about a 245-width tire, maybe even OK for a slightly larger tire in profiles too tall to fit (think sport truck tires). Keep in mind that the 225-width tire will gain a few mm due to being stretched slightly from its meassured configuration (it'll look almost like a 235/50).


Norm

 

Gotcha! Sounds like I'm in agreement..

Now, 225/50 or 225/60? I personally like a meatier look to wheels, but don't want to sacrifice handling. And the 50's are 432$ a set, while 60's are 398$ a set (that makes alot of sense, more material!)

 

I'd go with the 60's. The 225/50R15's are less than 24" tall, which is very short on a Mustang. The 225/60R16's are 25.6" tall, which will fill the wheel wells much better.

 

60's
45

 

IIRC, a 195/70-14 is pretty close to OE tire dimensions. A 225/50-15 is about 7/8" shorter while a 225/60-15 is about 7/8" taller. If you're either raised or lowered at all that may make the difference a little clearer.

I don't think the 60's are going to give up much, given that you're out to 8" wide with them. Here's what 225/60-15 looks like in a hard turn on 15 x 8.5's on a slightly heavier car (3500-ish, and yes, I'm aware of the "extra" half inch).





Hope that helps.


Norm

 

I saw some 215/60/15's today at work, didn't look that bad, so the 225's should be good. Thanks for the info!

I completely redid the suspension, so it should be pretty tight underneath. 620's, 5leaf mideyes, KYB's, 1" & .75" bars, roller saddles, all new rubber & joints, braced, and new steering. Beefed up disc brakes allround too

 

4.5 BS on 15x8 front, right?