Project Novican gets new shoes! May 14, 2005, 01:33:18 PM Well at long last after hinting on these forums about a change and being in the works for the past 6 months, I finally got my new custom made wheels and tires. After running the Cobra R's since '96 I grew tired of them....I still think it's a great wheel but everybody and their brother has them now so this time I went with something nobody has done on a T-Bird and probably aren't likely to follow ($$$). Saved my money for a couple years to make this change and I think the results were well worth the wait and expense. I stepped up to 18" wheels this time around. I went with IForged AERO 3 piece forged wheels that were custom made to my offset specs. According to the folks at IForged, this is the very 1st T-Bird to ever be fitted with a set of their wheels. Sizes are as follows:18 x 9 front18 x 10 rearTires: BFG KDW II's255/40-18 Front = 10.2" Section, 8.3" Tread295/35-18 Rear = 11.9" Section, 9.9" TreadTires look MASSIVE on the rear and really fill it up well. Before someone asks....No rubbing issues whatsoever front or rear. Remember....You saw it here first ladies.... :D Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #2 – May 14, 2005, 01:36:54 PM Wow! I can't believe how different your car looks now. Nice choice. ^_^ Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #3 – May 14, 2005, 02:26:09 PM dude, thats awesome.........i liked it before..now i like it even moreit makes your brakes look tiny in the back Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #4 – May 14, 2005, 02:29:26 PM Quote from: 87thunderbirdBlackJackit makes your brakes look tiny in the backLOL!! Yeah, tell me about it....they looked small before! I'm planning on installing 11.65" Cobra brakes on the rear in the future. Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #5 – May 14, 2005, 02:43:13 PM good choice, like i said its an awesome setup..... Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #6 – May 14, 2005, 09:13:46 PM DIE.... :flip: Looks wicked Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #7 – May 14, 2005, 11:01:01 PM hows the difference in handling/ride quality? we all know you did it for performance only Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #8 – May 14, 2005, 11:58:47 PM Who needs pornography when we can look at your car? Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #9 – May 15, 2005, 12:41:51 AM Quote from: Tbird232cihows the difference in handling/ride quality? we all know you did it for performance only Believe it or not the ride quality actually IMPROVED over my Cobra R/Firestone SZ50 combo......I kid you not! I attribute that to the fact I didn't go stupid with the aspect ratio. The 295/35's and 255/40's still have a pretty decent sidewall. Handling is just as good as before with a small improvement in feedback. Quote Selected
Re: New wheels for the Bird Reply #10 – May 15, 2005, 03:15:32 AM Quote from: The HawkSome more.....That is one shagy car you got!!! !! Just to let you know I stumbled across your car on the net awhile back and you are the reason why I kept my bird. It was up for sale until I saw your car. Is it me or does it look like your rear lug nuts aren't fully tightened?James Quote Selected
Re: Project Novican gets new shoes! Reply #11 – May 15, 2005, 09:22:55 AM that wheel size seems perfect for the wheel well. i agree, it does "fill" up the wheel wells.so,,,,im curious about your new top speed with the larger tires? or are you gonna have to estimate? Quote Selected
Re: Project Novican gets new shoes! Reply #12 – May 15, 2005, 10:13:51 AM Nice Hawk looking great as always Quote Selected
Re: Project Novican gets new shoes! Reply #13 – May 15, 2005, 11:11:55 AM QuoteIs it me or does it look like your rear lug nuts aren't fully tightened? Rest assured...they are tight. They stick out a bit because of the way the center section of the rear wheels are machined to get the nice fat lip......the idea being to pull the centre section in as tight as possible to maximize lip size. Plus the fact my lug nuts are exceptionally long. I plan on changing them out for shorter ones which eliminate them sticking out.Quoteso,,,,im curious about your new top speed with the larger tires? or are you gonna have to estimate?No....I just merely have to re-calibrate my Auto Meter Electronic speedo. All I have to do is depress the trip reset button for 5 seconds, drive it from a dead stop and cover a known 2 miles and come to a stop and press the button again......speedo is then calibrated for the new tires. Same thing applies for gear changes as well. Quote Selected
Re: Project Novican gets new shoes! Reply #14 – May 15, 2005, 03:10:28 PM whats the backspacing of the rear wheels, if you dont mind me asking Quote Selected