larger wheels and lower profile tires

Topic: larger wheels and lower profile tires (Read 2722 times) previous topic - next topic

larger wheels and lower profile tires

April 30, 2019, 08:57:15 AM

Its getting pretty hard to get much choice in 15 inch tires anymore, and I can get decent 235/50/17 tires for the same price. The overall size is very close to the same as my 235/60/15 I'm running now.

This leads to my question. You guys running 17" wheels, did you notice much ride quality degradation when going to the lower profile tires, such as the ones I mentioned?

Mine already doesn't ride that soft now, cut front stock springs and Tokico Blue shocks all around.

thanks guys.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #1 – April 30, 2019, 11:29:21 AM

Tomorrow I am going to the 235/50R17 tires on my TC. It'll be different from what you are comparing since mine was 16" and different shocks. Curious what others have noticed.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #2 – April 30, 2019, 03:07:23 PM

I run 245/50/R16's on my stock TurboCoupe wheels.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #3 – April 30, 2019, 03:26:54 PM

What about 9" wide wheels on the front? Ive read a lot of mixed success.

I have 88 Cougar with Fox GT brakes up front and TC rear in back.

I having a hard time finding decent 8" wide wheels on the mustang vendors sites.

I was leaning toward this. My car is black, would it be too much black?

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-1007JB/17X9-Mustang-Black-03-Cobra-Style-17X9
Wheel Specs
Size: 17x9
Offset: +18mm
Backspacing: 5.75
Weight: 23lbs
Bolt Pattern: 4x108 Site says need to run a spacer to prevent dust boot rubbing

The Cobra R said need to run a spacer for grease cap popping the center cap out.... Hell with it, guess I should just keep the turbines. ughh

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #4 – April 30, 2019, 04:12:55 PM

Anybody heard about, or run these wheels?

https://www.oewheelsllc.com/Mustang-Cobra-Deep-Dish-Wheel-anthracite_4

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #5 – April 30, 2019, 07:23:35 PM

Quote from: mcb82gt – on April 30, 2019, 04:12:55 PM

Anybody heard about, or run these wheels?

https://www.oewheelsllc.com/Mustang-Cobra-Deep-Dish-Wheel-anthracite_4

Didn’t Vinnie run those wheels at one time on the Sport? He has the anniversary wheels now I believe.. He may chime in later. Nice wheels either way.
Ray

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #6 – May 02, 2019, 08:09:59 AM

I got about 50 miles on the car last night with the new wheels.

Stock ride height 235/50R17

I am happy with how the car drives. I didn't notice the car harsh over any bumps with the added weight. It is a big improvement over the tires I had on the rear that gave too much sidewall deflection (previous owner put 265/50R16 on the rear).

Edit: this is where I ordered them from and have details on rim size
https://lmr.com/item/WK-1007RSRL/mustang-93-cobra-wheel-kit-silver-4-lug-7993

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #7 – May 02, 2019, 10:20:56 AM

Thank you! That car looks great. 17x8.5 wheels.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #8 – May 02, 2019, 11:30:02 AM

Quote from: mcb82gt – on May 02, 2019, 10:20:56 AM

Thank you! That car looks great. 17x8.5 wheels.

Thanks & correct.
One thing to note is I have the shocks set in firm mode so the valving is increased in the shocks. That helps offset the added weight of the wheels (unsprung weight). Going from 15" to 17" is going to add a lot to the unsprung weight and might need different springs & shocks to help the ride.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #9 – May 03, 2019, 11:33:45 PM

Couldn't fit it all in, but I stop caring... lol. 295/60/15. 15x8, 4.25 backspace wheels. 1" higher than stock with che control arm. No rubbing, no driveway rubbing, no hammering.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #10 – May 06, 2019, 02:09:29 PM

She's not on the road yet, but I've put 16" TC snowflake wheels on my '86 GS, with 225/55R16's in the front and 245/50R16's in the back. Again, I haven't driven it yet (while it's still waiting for a trans replacement) to know for sure, but it sure looks like the 225/55 inner sidewalls in the front are rubbing the strut. If they're not, they're so dang close it's hard to see a gap. Anybody else had this experience?

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #11 – May 10, 2019, 02:48:00 PM

225's won't rub the struts, I ran that width for years on my 88 with stock front end.. granted it's close at 1/4" or so. I have 245's on snowflakes up front now and have to run 1/4" MM spacers for clearance.

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #12 – May 14, 2019, 02:34:45 PM

You should be able to run a 245/40/17 up front with no spacers if they have the correct backspacing and offset on the wheel. If you can find a set used and they are a little off then spacers come in mighty handy. Just remember that our wheels are lug centric meaning the lugs are used to center the wheel. If you get spacers I would suggest you get the hub centric type as that will center the space on the hub of the rear axle or front hub. This is good for balance reasons i.e. keeping tire shake (or what you might assume to be tire shake) down. Also, pay attention to how much spacer you are using, the studs are only so long as you need a minimum thread engagement for safety reasons.

https://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_wheels_spacers.aspx

I tired setting up a couple threads to have people post up what they are running but not a lot of responses:

Front Wheels and Tires - https://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/index.php?topic=37575.msg434586#msg434586

Rear Wheels and Tires - https://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/index.php?topic=37576.msg434588#msg434588