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Topic: Advice on wheels. (Read 1118 times) previous topic - next topic

Advice on wheels.

I'm looking at removing my weld wheel setup(15x5,15x10) and upgrading to 17's or 18's this winter or early spring when my cougar drives again finally. I can't make up my mind on a new rim setup the three options are
 Option 1 is 95 cobra r rims in 4 lug
 17x8 front with either 225 or 245 tire
17x10 rear with 275 or 285 tire
Option 2 is saleen sc wheels 4 lug
17x8 front  225 or 245 tire
17x10 rear 275 or 285 tire.
Option 3
95 cobra r rims or saleen sc wheels
18x8 front
18x9 or 18x10 rear.
Any recommendations or pro or cons of each would appreciate it and any pictures with these wheels to give me a idea since been looking at mustang with these setup since can find any pictures of cougar or Thunderbirds anymore.
84 el camino ss-daily driver(efi mild sbc,2004r, posi 3:42 rear.)
84 mercury cougar v6- was a v6/ nitrous drag car, going back to mostly stock
81 chevy malibu-protouring/  drag car.( efi sbc supercharged 283 that will rev to the moon, 2004r, 4:11 posi rear)

Re: Advice on wheels.

Reply #1
The only thing I would caution is you will need to revise your suspension setup for the added weight (15" vs 17" or 18").    the added unsuspended weight will make the springs too light and blow through the stroke of the shocks giving a py ride.

I went from 16" to 17" and it isn't too bad but the wheels definitely weigh more.  There are still plenty of options in wheel sizes on the 17's.  I went with the square look of 17 x 8.5 with 235/50R17 on all 4.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

Re: Advice on wheels.

Reply #2
If you are changing wheels why not bite the bullet and got to five lug and upgrade to the SN95 brakes?  Your world of wheel options really opens up and the SN95 brakes stop the car so much better, are easier to service, and the rotors are lots cheaper.

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Re: Advice on wheels.

Reply #3
I would upgrade to 5lug if I was going to make it more of a high horsepower driver again or protouring vibe. This cougar was my drag car for a while it had upgraded 10inch brakes with drilled and slotted with upgraded pads, bigger drums in the rear. But since I dont race it anymore it going back to stock and some nice wheels to enjoy it since Cougars are hard to find now adays. Use to not be the case 10 years ago when everything was readily available everywhere still.
All my other cars have big brakes, big power.
84 el camino ss-daily driver(efi mild sbc,2004r, posi 3:42 rear.)
84 mercury cougar v6- was a v6/ nitrous drag car, going back to mostly stock
81 chevy malibu-protouring/  drag car.( efi sbc supercharged 283 that will rev to the moon, 2004r, 4:11 posi rear)