I bought an 88 notchback Saturday with ford racing lowering springs. Current tires do not rub, though they are up in there. I want to buy some new rims and tires but don't want them to rub. Details are below.
Current tires: 215/65-15 Sizes considering: 245/50-16, 255/40-17, 245/40-18 I noticed some sets came with the same tires but narrower rims for the front. Example, 17x8 for front, 17x9 for back.
Posts: 2215
Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: offline
Well, 215's are quite narrow for a Stang, but a 65 series tire is probably where you are losing clearance. I was running 245/40/17"s on my '85 GT and had no issues at all with FRPP springs with pads removed (approx. 2" drop overall). You may have a positive off-set wheel causing the space to be limited near outside fender. You need to consider several things.
One: existing tire diameter can be found on manufactures website to see what you have. Two: find tires you want to run and will be safe to stay same or smaller size diameter Three: confirm off-set (usually stamped on inside of wheel) or measure back-spacing against wheels you want to get. Four: Crawl under car and check all clearances (inside and out, front and back) with wheels turned both directions. Look for rub marks inside fender wells as well. Five: do all these things and talk in person to a local tire shop and look at car/tires/wheels together.
Let us know how turns out.
Jazzer
P.S. Stagered wheels are just fine. I am running 18"x9"s with 275's front and 18"x10.5"s with 295's (soon to be 315's) rear
Posts: 2215
Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: offline
My '85 GT was a hatchback, and had the same well clearances. ***HERE*** are some pics. Was running O.Z. Racing wheels and were 8" wide. Never a clearance issue and only thing that car needed was better brakes.
I was told the other day that I couldn't change out my auto transmission for a manual for reasons ranging from the computer, to major body modification. Then I was told there were no options for me to upgrade my auto transmissing with stall converters and shift kits.
Today I was told I couldn't upgrade a mustang tires from a 215 to a 245 without rubbing without even looking at the car.
Posts: 2215
Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: offline
Sounds like you need to find a LOCAL tire shop that is farther away
I am sure the auto to manual tranny is difficult due to computer issue you mentioned, but certainly not impossible. If someone says you can't replace tires with wider ones, it is b/c the shop is worried about liablilty issues and would be willing to bet it is a chain store and you spoke with a rookie. Contact Tire Rack (site sponsor) and ask for ideas. I have NO DOUBT that you will recieve some options that you like. Typically, you will be able to upgrade up to 2" wider wheels from the base model tires your car had and should not be an issue. I believe the base model of my car came with 245/17/60's. See above post for what I am running currently on my '02 (and what I ran on the same Fox Body Stang as you have now and could have gone 9"s and 10"s if I wanted to push it), and see that your issue just needs the right person to help you out. You may go into another section on MF's and look for Fox Bodys with aftermarket wheels. 245's WILL NOT be a problem on your car, just stay 40 series or less and same off-set as current (I think stock wheels were 22 mm).
Well, I know the score now. I went to a national chain for an oil change and inspection of the wheels and spacing. I meet a very knowledgeable individual named RJ. He really helped out and gave me some great information.
He showed me that I didn't have aftermarket springs, but modified original springs. Cut to lower the car. Said this would be something to replace right away along with new struts. Once I have aftermarket springs I'll be able to go with 275's on the back and 245's on front.
Also found out I'll be yanking the body kit to clean up some rust and have it or another body kit put back on. He's also giving me some other advice on other idea's I had.
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lowering springs and tire size - 
