trackedstang

I just picked up a 2007 Mustang GT with Steeda springs and Koni shocks. The car needs wheels and tires and I plan on buying 9x18 square or 9x18, 10x18 staggered. I like what I here about the Hankook RS-3's and will probably buy them. What I would like is some feedback on to go squared or staggered and what size RS-3's to get. I do HPDE events and are not new to them but this will be my first time in a Mustang. Thanks

Andy13186

if you go squared id say go with 9.5 inch wide rims

i have staggered though with 19x9 and 20x10.5s on the rear and im pretty happy..

May have gone with 19x9.5s and 19x10.5s on the rear though if i redid it.

depends on tire you want though, it may not be offered in a size that fits those rim sizes

Norm Peterson

Go with a square setup, with either 18 x 9.5 or 18 x 10 wheels.

In 18 x 9.5, quite a few people run the GT500 wheel with various tire sizes. With 285/40 up front, I think some have gotten a little light rubbing, but 275/40 seems to work.

The Forgestar 18 x 10 F14 wheel has been verified to work with 265/40/18, 275/40/18, and 295/35/18 tires without issue, courtesy of Vorshlag Motorsports. Terry Fair is a member here.

18 x 10.5 is do-able, but will probably stick out some and put your paint at a little more risk. Sam Strano's Stranoparts (site sponsor).

You can run 265/40 or 275/35 without any issue on either size wheel as long as the wheel offsets are OK, maybe 285/35's. 265's are even approved for wheel widths out to 10.5".

I'd plan on running the front tires 3 or 4 psi higher inflation than the rear tires.


Norm

trackedstang

Norm, do you run any road course with your car? If so have do you run square or staggered setups? What tires do you run? The Hankook RS-3's come in limited sizes 265/35, 265/40, 275/35 18's.

Thanks Frank

Norm Peterson

Last spring I ran NJMP's Lightning course on my "3-season" setup - 18 x 9.5 GT500 wheels with 255/45-18 GY Asymmetrics. Was well up in 4th gear down the main straight with 3.55's, but probably still had room to accommodate slightly shorter tires and later braking without wanting 5th. Being close to the top of 3rd coming in to T7 (↓↓↓) as it was might have me grabbing 4th briefly approaching here, though.




I've done a lot more autocrossing.


I'm seeing the RS-3 in 285/35. 265/35 might be a tad short depending on your tracks and axle gearing.


I'm looking at getting 18 x 10's and somewhat wider rubber, just that it needs to be 200 treadwear for some of the events I have in mind. Michelin PSS comes in a 265/40 that's wider in the tread than the 275's and the same tread width as the 285/35. Can't legitimately run the Asymmetrics any more, had to patch one.

I wouldn't even run a staggered tire setup on the street unless I was having to cope with forced-induction levels of torque. It makes little sense to me to build understeer in with the tire sizes and then try to crutch that with intentionally loose suspension tuning.


Norm

philstireservice

Run 275/35R18 on the 18x9.5 Jongbloed Racing wheel. It's a flow form wheel stronger than the GT500 wheel.

trackedstang

Norm, you are looking good on the road course. I tried autocross and didn't care to much for it. Road course is for me. Thanks for that info. Looks like I am going with the 265/40/18 RS-3's all around. I can go with an 18/9 or 18/10 wheel. I don't want any rubbing issues that's for sure. What do you think 9 or 10 inch wide?

Norm Peterson

Given that the choice is free of any adverse side effects like rubbing, bad offset, or a wheel design that I simply can't stand, I'll choose the wider rim every time.

My next set of wheels is almost certainly going to be the F14's in 10" wide, so that I can make better use of 265 or 275 width tires. Those will be reserved for track days.


Norm