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Topic: larger wheels and lower profile tires (Read 2162 times) previous topic - next topic

larger wheels and lower profile tires

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.
Mike

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #1
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.
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: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #2
I run 245/50/R16's on my stock TurboCoupe wheels.
1988 Thunderbird
306 HO w/ A9P processor
AOD w/ Transgo Reprogrammer
Full Digital Dash w/ twin Cyberdyne A-pillar gauges 
245/50/16 Tires on Snowflakes
Engine swap - CA smog compliant

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #3
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
Mike


Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #5
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
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #6
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
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: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #7
Thank you!  That car looks great. 17x8.5 wheels.
Mike

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #8
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.
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: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #9
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.
How fast is fast?

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #10
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
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.
1988 Thunderbird
306 HO w/ A9P processor
AOD w/ Transgo Reprogrammer
Full Digital Dash w/ twin Cyberdyne A-pillar gauges 
245/50/16 Tires on Snowflakes
Engine swap - CA smog compliant

 

Re: larger wheels and lower profile tires

Reply #12
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

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


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp