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Topic: Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage? (Read 1345 times) previous topic - next topic

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

All,

Ok, I've got my bone-stock 88 T-bird Sport, and it's got the 14-inchers with 215/70R14 tires on it.

I've considered getting a set of stock Mustang rims and have been told that I can use the following sizes and retain about the same overall tire diameter:

215/65R15
225/60R15 (is this the stock late 80s Mustang size?)
235/60R15

But, my question is: Is there much to be gained by this?

I know obviously the wider tires should offer me better grip, but what other advantages/disadvantages are there?

I wouldn't mind if the rolling resistance was reduced.

I don't need it to be a stiffer ride, it's plenty firm already for my tastes.

Given how brutally long my commute is, I would rather not do anything that notably reduces fuel economy, or, for that matter, increases road noise.

Any other thoughts/info from the more knowledgeable than me (which should probably cover almost everyone!) would be appreciated.
1988 Thunderbird Sport V8 - only 1 previous owner, and 110% bone stock so far... and sold to Nate!

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #1 –
Youll get less sidewall deflection, better handling.
It's Gumby's fault.

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #2 –
The wider tires may lower your fuel economy slightly, but probably not by any measurable amount. The better handling you'll get out of it will more than make up for it. The stock 215/70R14 tires almost roll right off the rim when cornering even moderately. The lower sidewall height will, as Shawn says, decrease sidewall deflection and make it feel like the steering wheel is actually connected to something.

225/60R15 is indeed the stock 80's Mustang size. Some 4-cyl models with 10-holes also had 215/65R15. I've got 235/60R15's on my car right now (until I get the snowflakes on). Going from 14" to the 235/15's made a huge difference.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #3 –
Sounds pretty good then.

There's no added roughness or harshness to the ride, is there?  Or is that more dependent on which tire I get rather than the difference of going from 70-profile to 65 or 60?

Thanks.
1988 Thunderbird Sport V8 - only 1 previous owner, and 110% bone stock so far... and sold to Nate!

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #4 –
Don't worry, there's more than enough sponginess in the stock suspension in your car to make up for a lower profile tire. You might notice harshness if you go to a 35-series tire, but a 60 ain't gonna shake your teeth out...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #5 –
it looks beter and makes the car look not so blah . turbines are the wheels that belong on these cars. many other wheels look nice to
trick flow street heat intake , 24lbs injetors, ported GT-40's (Chip) long tube headers. and a Performance Automatic C4, with a hurst shifter!

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #6 –
I second the vote for the GT turbines. Check out Carls car, it looks awesome with the turbines! If you run 225-60/15's you shouldn't notice any deterioration in ride quality at all.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Dogcharmer;104567
I second the vote for the GT turbines. Check out Carls car, it looks awesome with the turbines!...


I'd love to . . but, uh, while I don't want to sound like a total doofus, who's Carl?  And where do I click to see his car?
1988 Thunderbird Sport V8 - only 1 previous owner, and 110% bone stock so far... and sold to Nate!

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #8 –
I guess his thread is a little buried now. Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=9809
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

Thoughts? Is going from the 14" to 15" rim really much of an advantage?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dogcharmer;104567
I second the vote for the GT turbines.


If I remember correctly the turbin came on the Cougar first then the GT and few year later but any way.

You could always jump to a 16 inch rim and run some 245/50s on it.