gman73

I have BFG KDW 245/45/17. The wheel height is about 25.7. Does anyone have pics of mustangs or know anybody that lowered their S197 with a wheel diameter of around this size? I should have checked online about the tire height, I didn't think it would be that much smaller than my previous tires 255/50/17. In the next 6 mths or so I plan on lowering it, but if I lower it too much then I will really have to worry about speed bumps. I am thinking about 1.5 rear and 1.2- 1.3 front. I have seen one other S197 lowered with 245/40/17 tires. It looked good.

Jazzer The Cat

Are you running stock rims?The amount you want to lower is a good and would be a bad idea to lower further via Sportlines, IMO. I think you will have quite a gap around wheel, and run a little close to the ground on that drop, but going larger wheels is the best way to address it. Since you have nice tires now, you may want to upgrade rims/tireswhen worn outand just accept the look you have [&o]. Many like 20"s on S197's, but personally think 18"s or 19"s are a better choice. This would help with clearance and fill the well up to be more proportional.


Jazzer

gman73

They are stock rims. I am thinking that the 1.2 front and 1.5 rear would be ideal. It would feel the gap a little more. It would probally look like a 1/2" drop with tires that are 27".

ybnormal

Use rousch or steeda springs they seem to be in the 1 to 1 1/4 range.
you do make the gap look a lot worse with the 17 inch rims. But I cant see where you would be too too low I am running 235 x 19 with an 1 1/4 drop only reason I am to low is side pipes. my (car never bottoms out just exhaust)

Jazzer The Cat

I agree with the amount you want to drop. Those are good numbers, but could go a little lower by removing one or both spring pads on either sides of springs. I assume you could do this, as I had done it on my '85 GT Stang many, many years ago. This will give you another 1/4"~3/8" probably, and not change spring rate. You could measure them and do the math if interested. I would NOT, however, go with Sportlines, asothers may tempt youto do. These are nearly a 2" drop, and will give you clearance problems as well as remove much needed suspension travel. I have about a 2" drop, but have completely aftermarket suspension that has completely different geometry and has no issues with that much drop.

Anyway, back to solving your issue the best way I can offler. To give youa good example, here's whatSaleen does with the S281's on the '05+ models. They run 20" wheels with 275/35's up front and 275/40's outback. The 40 seriesare 28.7" around and are HUGE!!!! That is a full 3" larger diameter than your current tires andthe Saleenis lowered the amount you want to go.That is1.5" less space around wheel well and tireand anequal distance higher off the ground. That makes a lowered car basically stock hight. The S197 has the fender well to accept this much diameter, so going with 17"s (unless 75 series ) are going to look small to most eyes.

I think you may want to upgrade to larger rims once tires are worn out.

Jazzer

gman73

It may be 1 1/2 years before I am due for new tires. Well at least it gives me some time to save. I would probablly not get 20" but 18" or maybe 19".

Argonaut

I have a set of 17X9s mounted with 255/40/17 (25.3" diam)and the car is lowered with Eibach pro. No way is this a street setup (I use them on the track), don't even go there.Every speed bump is a challenge, any pull off into the dirt is potential disaster trying to get back on, can't get a floor jack under the front or back. IMO you should use up those KDWs before lowering it.

gman73

Thanks for the advice.