So I know I just posted a thread on tire recommendations, and I'm thinking that now since I need new tires that it might just be better for me to get slightly bigger and wider wheels. I currently have the stock 17" Bullitts that came on the 2005 GT, and I'm looking for a nice deep dish that will accomodate a wider tire.

So, here's what I have so far:

I could get the American Muscle 18 x 10's out back with 275 rubber and then the American Muscle 18 x 9 in front wtih 255 tires.

Out back: http://www.americanmuscle.com/anthra...8x9-18x10.html

Front: http://www.americanmuscle.com/verde-...heel-18x9.html

Here's the catch. I have LOWERED my car approximately 1.5 inches through the Eibach Spring Kit. So, here are my questions.

1) How well respected is the brand American Muscle among this forum? They are inexpensive, but do they make quality products? Are their wheels good?

2) Would this combination of having wider wheels out back than in front impact anything where any of my instruments would be off or I need a tune?

3) What would a good, not that expensive tire combo to get with this combination of wheels be?


Any other thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: Remember, it says the 18 x 10's only work in the back, this is why I am nervous about them not fitting since I have it lowered. I am also wondering if the 18 x 9's would even fit in the front with my car being lowered...

 

ttt

this is actually very urgent...

thanks!

 

If yo do a search there is many recent threads about this very subject. Most say they are good quality. I have looked at them as well, but plan to make a purchase over the fall versus summer at this time.

 

I searched, I only found a couple people saying they make a good product for my question number 1. I'm still interested in 2 and 3...

 

2) If you keep the overall diameter of the tire the same you should be OK...27.1"
3)The Nitto 555's seem to be a good choice.The Falkens are priced out pretty good.Remember to get a good tire with some of the sidewall advamced technology,bigger tires seem to flex on a lateral roll out on harder turm.They might run a little rougher but it seems to be a safer way to go.The new T/A LDW 2's have this and ran pretty good for me,pricey though.
I run the 18x9's all the way around,the wheels look really wide off the car,don't worry they'll fit.

 

I like the black 18" Bullitts...

 

I don't know how to tell if it would be the same diameter...

Also, in the recommended tires for those wheels it says the front should be 255/45 while the back would be 275/40. Why the different number following the tread width?

 

Also, why is Amerian Muscle suggesting getting 275/40-18 on the back and 255/45-18 on the front? This would make them different diameters! Why would they recommend this? And also, when I order a CAI and tune, do I give the tire size of the front or the back so everything can be calibrated correctly?

Please help, this is very urgent, I can't drive my car until I get wheels and tires, I have a spare on now...

 

I bought my wheels from them over two years ago (they were called MustangTuning.com then). Good quality, good prices, and quick shipping.
Also, use this chart I made to determine the diameters of various sizes: http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...meters%7E0.xls

And front tire size is irrelevant for tuning purposes.

 

Don:

Knowing that I have my car lowered 1.5 inches and that I want to buy these wheels (the two different sizes for front and back), what tires (that are not that expensive) are better to get for the front and back? Could you help me out with what sizes I should be looking at from the information I listed in the first post?

 

Since mine isn't lowered, I'm not the right guy to answer that question for you. But, FWIW, on the street I'm running 28" dia tires on the back (drag radials) and 27" on the front. It's been like that (28 and 27) for over two years and 30K miles. At the track, I run 28" slicks and 26" skinnies.

 

Thanks for your help. I'm still wondering what tire size I should get, like the tire designation numbers for width, size, etc...

 

285/40/18 rear, 255/45/18 front. Same height front to rear, and same as stock (within a tenth of an inch or so). That's what I'm running on 18x8 front, 18x9.5 rears, but I have had those very wheels you're looking at in chrome and the same sizes in my shopping cart several times now, just can't bring myself to spend money to replace something that isn't broken and doesn't make my car go faster (or less likely to break).

 

Thanks, I think that's what I'll go with, except for the rear width at 275 instead of 285. I just went to a tire store and the guy says 275's are the optimal fit. Would 285's adversely affect me on a 10 inch wide tire in the back?

 

You should do the 285's so they will be the same height - you don't want the rears shorter than the fronts (275/40/18 is shorter than 255/45/18). 285 is no problem on a 10" rim. I have 285's on a 9.5" rim right now, and I want to go to a 10" rim for a better fit.

Don't listen to your tire guy - a typical, normal rim size for a 285/40/18 is 18x10. Check the Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com) and look at the specs on any 285/40/18.

Here's a shortcut (if it works): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=6&RunFlat=All

Click "specs" on any of the search results.

 

Thanks a lot for the help. I think I will go with that! My only question remaining is...


Will those back wheels and tires even FIT inside my wheel well knowing that I'm lowered 1.5 inches? I guess the height isn't a problem because it's keeping the same diameter, but how about the width inside the wheel well...

 

BTW, I just called American Muscle and they HIHGLY suggested getting hte 275 width on the back as it is the "better fit". Any truth to this? Would I be doing *anything* wrong by going with 285 on the back?

 

Gt500 Wheels!!!!!

 

Haha, I've already decided on going with the wheels I stated and some Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, which are a great deal.

I just need to make sure 285's will fit in the back and not stick out like some ricer. Do they?

 

1+ on the 285's. Should fit no prob, lots of guys are running wider than that on lowered cars. The kdw'2 are a great summer tire and come in 285/40ZR18. That gives you a 27" dia, almost exactly like stock dia. 275/40zr18 gives you 26.7 which is a little smaller and will throw off the speedo a little(you can adjust it w/ tuner) and lower the rear of the car a little more. Not sure what size the f1's come in. Recently saw they have a good deal on them but the reviews were not too pleasing. IMHO the back wheels could be a little larger in dia than stock to fill up the well a little better so it looks more like the front. I think 285's will fit better on a 10" wheel than 275's. Just my .02...