Widest Front Tire?
01-23-2008, 09:17 PM
#11
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: TX
Posts: 304
RE: Widest Front Tire?
Are you just looking for stance? 275s will give a nice look.
Going any widerthan 275 will create a tendency for the car to plow in my experience....you can of course dial that back out but if you are interested in handling 275 is a really good width; I've run 275s (mostly 35 section but a couple 40s too)and got good results fromvarious tire mfgon 18x9.5s and I've also run 285s and frankly they were a PITA.
I generally don't run staggered unless I am cruising - then I think its in the Mustang bylaws you have to
Going any widerthan 275 will create a tendency for the car to plow in my experience....you can of course dial that back out but if you are interested in handling 275 is a really good width; I've run 275s (mostly 35 section but a couple 40s too)and got good results fromvarious tire mfgon 18x9.5s and I've also run 285s and frankly they were a PITA.
I generally don't run staggered unless I am cruising - then I think its in the Mustang bylaws you have to
01-23-2008, 11:25 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 2,179
RE: Widest Front Tire?
so 275's for best handling? that's exactly what i needed to know. and those will fit on a 9" wide rim, correct? would you say 275/35/18's would be best or would you get a 40 section?
01-24-2008, 06:02 AM
#13
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: state of confusion
Posts: 7,635
RE: Widest Front Tire?
275's willfit on a 9" wheel but will work better on 9.5" or wider. Wider (wheels) = better support for the tread.
A 275/35 is a pretty short tire (25.6"). Think "possible ground clearance issues", especially if you're lowered.
A 255/45 is actually a pretty good tire choice for 9" or 9.5" wheels if handling is a priority (the GT500 front tire package is 255/45 on 9.5).Keep in mind that conventional appearance considerations (what most people think in terms of) are based on OE wheels that in most cases are sized a little narrower than what would provide the best performance. Trading away a little ultimate performance in the interest of things like improved ride quality, wheel cost, and more gradual breakaway up toward whatever limit is considered a preferred compromise for the average driver.
Norm
A 275/35 is a pretty short tire (25.6"). Think "possible ground clearance issues", especially if you're lowered.
A 255/45 is actually a pretty good tire choice for 9" or 9.5" wheels if handling is a priority (the GT500 front tire package is 255/45 on 9.5).Keep in mind that conventional appearance considerations (what most people think in terms of) are based on OE wheels that in most cases are sized a little narrower than what would provide the best performance. Trading away a little ultimate performance in the interest of things like improved ride quality, wheel cost, and more gradual breakaway up toward whatever limit is considered a preferred compromise for the average driver.
Norm
01-24-2008, 04:50 PM
#14
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,692
RE: Widest Front Tire?
I had a conversation today with my brother and willshare his comments with you about 255s vs 275s. Heis a qualified Porsche Owner Club instructor with racing experience.
His recommendation was that for a track day newbie like me the 255s are a better choice as on them the transition from hanging on to sliding will be easier for me tolearn. Once I was proficient then I should be better able to handle the more abrupttransition of the 275s.
His recommendation was that for a track day newbie like me the 255s are a better choice as on them the transition from hanging on to sliding will be easier for me tolearn. Once I was proficient then I should be better able to handle the more abrupttransition of the 275s.
01-24-2008, 10:08 PM
#15
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: TX
Posts: 304
RE: Widest Front Tire?
Your brother offers good advice actually, for a Porche driver
255s and a good DOT tire like BFG or Kumho will offer a good stable starting point until you get consistent with the car. Without the ability to provide smooth consistent steering and throttle/braking input, 275s will seem pretty inconsistent when in fact its just you.
With such words of advice I suspect your brother is NOT one of those "you can't trail brake a porche" drivers....if so keep listening to him
FYI, I generally run 275/35s - I am dropped 1" front and 1.5 rear. The other thing to consider is I usually run -2.5 degrees of camber.
255s and a good DOT tire like BFG or Kumho will offer a good stable starting point until you get consistent with the car. Without the ability to provide smooth consistent steering and throttle/braking input, 275s will seem pretty inconsistent when in fact its just you.
With such words of advice I suspect your brother is NOT one of those "you can't trail brake a porche" drivers....if so keep listening to him
FYI, I generally run 275/35s - I am dropped 1" front and 1.5 rear. The other thing to consider is I usually run -2.5 degrees of camber.
01-27-2008, 04:43 PM
#19
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,692
RE: Widest Front Tire?
PonyGt/2005
To make sure I knew what trail braking was I looked it up and found this http://virtualracersedge.com/trail_braking.htm.
Sounds like fun and a good way to overcome the Mustang's inherent understeer.
To make sure I knew what trail braking was I looked it up and found this http://virtualracersedge.com/trail_braking.htm.
Sounds like fun and a good way to overcome the Mustang's inherent understeer.
01-27-2008, 05:48 PM
#20
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 1,313
RE: Widest Front Tire?
OP, just remember that ponygt/2005 is running a smaller diameter than stock, a 275/35/18 is 25.6" diameter tire compared to your stock 27.1".
If you choose to go with a smaller diameter tire you will be essentially changing your rear gear. Since I don't see any listed in your sig, it will give you a nice bump. If you had 4.10s and ran a 275/35/18 tire you would be closer to 4.30s and you may not want this. Then again black S197 is running 4.30s and a 26.7" tire so he's at ~4.40s.
Also, running a smaller diameter tire will generate more wheel well gap so you may look like a 4x4 if you are not lowered a lot.
If you choose to go with a smaller diameter tire you will be essentially changing your rear gear. Since I don't see any listed in your sig, it will give you a nice bump. If you had 4.10s and ran a 275/35/18 tire you would be closer to 4.30s and you may not want this. Then again black S197 is running 4.30s and a 26.7" tire so he's at ~4.40s.
Also, running a smaller diameter tire will generate more wheel well gap so you may look like a 4x4 if you are not lowered a lot.