I wan't to keep the tires as close as possible to stock height, but I also want to go as wide as I can without major rubbing problems. I would also like to keep all 4 tires the same so I can rotate them.
I know 275/40zr18 fits but they are nearly .5" shorter. 285/40zr18 is much closer to the 235/55zr17 stock height,but are they going to be too wide for the front??
Well at some pont I think you have to bite the bullit and go with with smaller tires on the front. That is, if performance is your goal.
Corners and wide tires go hand in hand, while your skinny front tire is great for a straight line.
Well, I say that with the assumption --and it's probably the correct one-- that most Mustangers on this site care only about straight lines. Sorry if i'm making generalizations.... which i dont think i am.... but either way, you get what im saying.
< Message edited by PhattyDre16 -- 1/14/2008 7:38:24 PM >
I get the impression that milo doesn't quite fit within that particular generalization and is looking to refine a slightly different approach to performance.
I think that 275/40's tend to be more like 0.3" shorter than 285/40's, at least where both sizes are available in the same make/model of tire. Across tire mfr/model lines you could get 0.5" difference between them, but you also get almost 1/4" difference among the various 285/40's. Anyway, that 0.3" represents only a little more than 1% on the diameter, and is only about half as much as the difference between a brand new 285/40 and the very same tire worn down to the wear bars. And 1% is well within a rather rough 3% general guideline associated with some ABS systems (the Mustang's is apparently a little more tolerant than that based on what I've read here).
IOW, you might see the difference with 275/40's up front and 285/40's on the rear - or you might not. You probably wouldn't pick up if all four were 275/40 vs 285/40 without reading the sidewall.
The gap to the fender only opens up by half of that 0.3". I'd challenge just about anybody to notice a little over 1/8" difference in this without already knowing it was there, especially if the car was moving. That 1/8" or so also applies to your ground clearance (less with the 275/40's, duh).
Norm
< Message edited by Norm Peterson -- 1/16/2008 10:42:07 AM >
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275/40r18 fit, but will 285...?? - 
