Posts: 210
Joined: 10/16/2003 From: United States Status: offline
What's the deal guys,
Now that I'm getting the packs, gears, chip and maybe the timing adjuster, I was thinking of my wheels. I've heard that 17' wheels perform better on the street then 18' inches.. (I hope that it's not a stupid questions)
Is this true? 18's look bad a$$, but I want the performance vs the looks...
Will 18's make the car heavier? Slower? Any input on this one?
Posts: 210
Joined: 10/16/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I just don't want the car to feel like it's carrying heavy a$$ wheels. I like the way 17's handle, but man, those 18's look so clean.. My stock 17's feel good but I wanted to fill up my wheel fender with 18's - then I thought- are 18's going to slow me down?
So that's my dilemma right now. I (in theory, I guess) think that 18's are going to be a little heavy for my stang. Then again, I don't know!
Posts: 366
Joined: 9/23/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Im running on 15'' el cheepo pep boys that were very ugly when i first got the car but with some paint and a few hours of cleaning they look pretty sweet but anyway i wanna get some cobra rs 17'' they look sweet
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Joined: 9/23/2003 From: United States Status: offline
sorry i cant tell u bout the performance but if u get 18'' theres hardly gonna be any rubber on that wheel and that cant be good for performance i guess i duno.......
Posts: 210
Joined: 10/16/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Thanks Dan,
Why an inch? I got the Eibach sportline springs laying around. How much will they drop? I also have Tokico adjustables(laying right nex to them). Will I need anything else to have a better suspension?
**off the subject**. What would happen if you added Tokico adjustables for the rear and left the stock shocks in the front? Why I ask? Cause my friend thinks that it's going to be good... Is that right?
Posts: 210
Joined: 10/16/2003 From: United States Status: offline
Ohh, Sorry SVT Cobra for not acknowleding your comment. I think I will take your advise on that aswell.
Speaking of Cobra, My friend has an 03 cobra and just today added 18' saleen wheels with 295/45 tires in the rear.. Those look nasty.. My opinion! But they are Nitto and he's doing about 460 to the wheel right now with the mods he's done. GOT Traction?
THanks again guys. I know that I'll have more questions, and because I'm new to the mustang world, you'll see alot of me here.
Posts: 2199
Joined: 3/31/2003 From: United States Status: offline
In a general rule of thumb, 15/16's will perform better than 17/18/19, ect.. The reason being is the reduced weight REALLY adds up, and they don't give such a short final drive to kill the top end.
Same thing with handling, provided a low-profile tire is added to the mix.
Now that I'm getting the packs, gears, chip and maybe the timing adjuster, I was thinking of my wheels. I've heard that 17' wheels perform better on the street then 18' inches.. (I hope that it's not a stupid questions)
Is this true? 18's look bad a$$, but I want the performance vs the looks...
Will 18's make the car heavier? Slower? Any input on this one?
Thanks again!
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In a straight line 17's "might" perform better. Depends on the tire. The main reason being the hieght of the tire. The 18's will usually have a smaller sidewall hieght thus reducing the "wrinkle effect" when you launch your car.
Depending on how much you are willing to spend you can get 18's that weigh less than 20lbs. a piece for racing and what not. The only drawback to running really light or large rims on the street is they dent easier. Be it R/R tracks or pot holes a rim that uses a taller tire will survive the abuse longer.
Handling wise, a shorter, wider tire will perform better in corners since it has less flex and that energy is transmitted to the chassis. Though the American Iron series will only allow you to run a 17x9 max.
Um, lots of places sell those types of rims. Give a call to Steeda, Saleen, Maximum Motorsports, etc. It mainly depends on the look you are wanting. As in a solid wheel like a Weld or a 5-spoke like a Cobra R.
I just run a set of 16x9 steeda rims. Too cheap to get bigger rims.