PF01's now available in black...

 

Incredibly helpful information, thank you very much!

My goal is to find some winter wheels that I can put some winter tires on. Do you think that 19x9.5 45 mm offset wheels would work as well as 18x9.5?

I don't want to put huge meaty tires on, I'm thinking 265/40 or 275/35 in 19". Just very scared to buy anything and have fitment problems!

 

For snow tires you want to go narrower. I run 255/45/18 winter tires on a second set of Steeda Ultra Lite 18 x 9.5 x 45 mm rims.

Tires for 19 rims are likely to be more expensive than for 18s.

 

I know, I definitely don't want wide tires but I'm just concerned about how narrow a tire I can go on a wheel with a width of 9.5".

I'd really like to stick with a 19" wheel. At this point I'm considering the RTR wheels, AM's 19" GT500 wheels (19x8.5/19x10....probably would choose 8.5 all around), and any other wheel that isn't ghetto fabulous (i.e. heavy with huge lip).

 

255/45/18 is the stock front size on the earlier GT500 and they run 18 x 9.5 x 45 mm offset. The rears are 285/40/18 on the same rms. both tires are a stock 27 " diameter. I run 285/40/18s in the summer.

Check out www.tirerack.com or the tire manufacturer for recommended rim sizes for a particualr tire size.

http://www.nittotire.com/index.html - the fifth column

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ce+T%2FA+KDW+2 - the seventh column

 

For snow tires I wouldn't run a 255 on a 9.5" rim. If you're going to run a tire for winter I;d run a set of stock 18's (8.5) and the 255-45 will fit perfectly. You don;t need the width in the snow, nor do you need the stiffened sidewall that comes with running the narrow tire/wide rim scenario. As with the suspension, I think it's better to have a little more compliance (a little more "give") when driving in the snow.

 

Regarding offset/wheel width ratios and caliper clearance...Will a different width/offset of the same wheel have different caliper clearance?

For example, if the Enkei RPF1 18x10 et38 has enough clearance for Stoptech 4 piston brakes, would the same wheel in 18x9 et35 have different caliper clearance for same brake package?

My first guess was 'yes' but then I realized that the difference in lateral position of the rim (offset 38 v. 35) in relation to wheel's hub/spokes may not necessarily effect brake clearance.

I wanted to contact Enkei for the answer but as far as I can tell, they do not list contact info on their website.

BTW Vorshlag has started a great thread in the SCCA Forums that chronicles their current track prep process for a 2011 Mustang. They have posted a detailed exploration of lightweight wheels, with great pics, that focuses on the PF01 and RPF1 inlcluding weight, fitment etc. Granted the 2011 GT is a different beast but still great info.

I wasn't sure if I'm allowed to post links to other forums so I didn't but you can find the thread in the dealer area under the company name 'Vorshlag'.

 

This is an excellent question because I am also interested in those Enkei wheels.

I am, however, concerned when they start talking about hub adapters. I don't know who makes those and how much they cost or even where I can go to get one.

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a set of these wheels as winter is almost here and I need to get winter wheels ASAP.

Here is a link to the information from Vorshlag. This is highly recommended reading for anyone who is interested in S197 wheels.

http://www.vorshlag.com/forums/showt...near#post56023

 

Skullbussa,
I've been looking into hub rings as well. Some wheel manufacturers like TSW provide rings while others don't. I'm guessing that Enkei doesn't.
Seems that there are a few sites that offer plastic hub rings and a few sizes in aluminum, but a member of Mustang Forums suggested that I skip plastic rings and have aluminum or steel rings made if I could not find the correct size. I'm willing to do this if necessary.
Others have had success without hub rings by carefully centering the wheel when installing.

 

My Enkei PF01s arrived with aluminum hub rings but I suspect the the retailer installed them.

Don't even think about plastic if you are going to track the car. My fronts get so hot, even with brake cooling, that the centers caps are "wrinkling".

I'm really happy with mine.