18's or 20's
05-03-2005, 09:10 AM
#25
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 93
RE: 18's or 20's
I personally like Steeda's Ultralite 05 wheel. they are 18 x 9.5. these rims were especially made for the 05 mustang. i'll be putting them on my car the day i pick her up. (mine will be satin, not chrome). Steeda has the same rims in black coming out in June 05.
05-03-2005, 12:58 PM
#27
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 284
RE: 18's or 20's
I've got 20's on my Suburban but it's a little much on the GT for me. I like a liitle meat on my rim. Anyway an 18" doesn't look like a 15" just check out Gearhead, thats a great look... My question though is there any advantage to bigger tires in the rear or is it an old school thing? Does the same size tire all the way around a bad thing?
05-03-2005, 01:12 PM
#28
I ♥ Acer
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,939
RE: 18's or 20's
ORIGINAL: mauiboy
My question though is there any advantage to bigger tires in the rear or is it an old school thing? Does the same size tire all the way around a bad thing?
My question though is there any advantage to bigger tires in the rear or is it an old school thing? Does the same size tire all the way around a bad thing?
I know the stock tire/wheel combo is about 27.2" tall, and I do not want to go smaller than that... and not only because of the look. Since my plan is to change my rear gears and put a supercharger on, I definitely want/need a taller tire on the rears (with plenty of sidewall). Otherwise, I will have horrible traction. That's why I need at least a 275/50-17 tire (about 27.8" tall). If I could find a 285/45-18, it would be about 28.1" tall.
But, since I'm not finding any 285/45-18 tires, and can't locate an 18x10 Bullitt (with the correct 2005 offset), it looks like I will end up with 17x9s and 275/50s all the way around. But, I'm still in search mode.
05-03-2005, 01:19 PM
#29
MF Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Missouri
Posts: 3,441
RE: 18's or 20's
Mauiboy;
TIRES 101!
-The Condensed Version…
Tire configuration is totally dependant on HOW you plan on driving the car.
Same size all the way around is the best configuration for "Passenger Cars"... Routine driving to and fro! No special needs, and simplifies the purchase the replacements as well as allows you front/rear rotation allowing you to extend the useful lifespan of the tires.
Since the car is a REAR Wheel Drive - you get better performance and handling with having slightly wider tires in the rear to provide the best forward traction. Narrow tires in the front to avoid “Scabbing in turns gives you quicker turning response. The sacrifice for performance is you will no longer be able to rotate tires, therein will shorten tire life causing you to replace tires more often. This will also cause you to keep tighter tabs on alignment of the fronts - End result is increased maintenance expense.
Wheel diameter configuration is based on the type of performance you want. Handling in curves or best grip on launch, or… best all-round launch and handling. The larger the wheel, the worse the launch the better the turns. The smaller the wheel, the better the launch, the worse the curves. Something in the middle (17’/18”) gives you a blend of both.
Compound also plays a factor. High Mileage tires use a harder compound and so don’t grip the road as well, giving you poor performance. Performance tires are very sticky but since they are made of a soft compound they don’t last very long.
TIRES 101!
-The Condensed Version…
Tire configuration is totally dependant on HOW you plan on driving the car.
Same size all the way around is the best configuration for "Passenger Cars"... Routine driving to and fro! No special needs, and simplifies the purchase the replacements as well as allows you front/rear rotation allowing you to extend the useful lifespan of the tires.
Since the car is a REAR Wheel Drive - you get better performance and handling with having slightly wider tires in the rear to provide the best forward traction. Narrow tires in the front to avoid “Scabbing in turns gives you quicker turning response. The sacrifice for performance is you will no longer be able to rotate tires, therein will shorten tire life causing you to replace tires more often. This will also cause you to keep tighter tabs on alignment of the fronts - End result is increased maintenance expense.
Wheel diameter configuration is based on the type of performance you want. Handling in curves or best grip on launch, or… best all-round launch and handling. The larger the wheel, the worse the launch the better the turns. The smaller the wheel, the better the launch, the worse the curves. Something in the middle (17’/18”) gives you a blend of both.
Compound also plays a factor. High Mileage tires use a harder compound and so don’t grip the road as well, giving you poor performance. Performance tires are very sticky but since they are made of a soft compound they don’t last very long.
05-03-2005, 02:43 PM
#30
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 284
RE: 18's or 20's
Hey Professor, thanks for the schoolin'. This is my first sports car in 15 years. I had a new 88' Toyota Supra with the 1st V6 and Wow, it was similar to the old 280Z's *** end drops and your doing 140 with ease. Unfortunatly I blew a front tire out doing 90 and rolled it. Anyway off the subject, this is a weekend car for us but I do like to play with the local rice burners and opening it up on the Interstate. 18' will be the rim size i'll be putting on, it was the width and profile I needed advise on. Different size front to rear doesn't bother me. Most new Mustangs i've seen in town are quick to throw the 20' with 30 profile tires for show but i'm looking for long term performance. My neighbor has a 03' Vette 20 or 22inch rims and low profile's and i'll tell you what, he can't lock-up those tires to save his life....