I've been trying to decide on what set of tires and wheels to go with for quite a while now. 17,000 miles and still rolling on stockers.

My dilemma, I kind of like the stock Bullitts, and they are farily light (22lbs) and the color looks good with the Mineral Grey. Stock tires are way to skinny and have to go.

I want something that fills in the rear wells a little more, there is way too much gap back there with the stock setup, and with my driveway, I can't lower the car without scrapping with barelly a half inch of clearing as it is.

Been considering getting 255/50/17's in the Nitto 555 all the way around, but can't find many pics on how these will look. Any body got any pics they would like to share?

Also, been thinking of getting a little bigger tire in the back, maybe a 265 or 275, but the Nitto 555 doesn't come in this size, thought the 450 does.

Also, been considering a set of CT-R's with 255/45/18 on 18X9's up front and 18X10's with 284/40/18's out back, but not sure if I want the extra weight 18's on there, thought CT-R's are pretty light for 18's under 29lbs each.

I'll be dropping the hammer on a Whipple soon, and I know the stock tires aren't going to cut it, so I'm looking for recommendations.

Thanks!


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The widest you can go on the stock 17x8 rim is a 275, although some will want to argue that is too wide.

You are right with the whipple you are def. going to need new tires to handle the added power. It is really up to you if you want to get new wheels/tires or just tires. Also-I don't think you are going to notice the added weight of MOST 18 inch rims over the stock 17s.

 

I have the Nitto 450 255-50/17 on the 17X9 chrome Bullitt wheel and am real happy with the wear and performance. I have always like the 17 inch wheel on this car and probably will never go any bigger.

I believe you can put a 275-50/17 Nitto 555 on if you want something wider.

Rich-

 

I suggest looking at some lightweight 18 inch wheels, either wedsport, BBS, or SSR, alot of the wheels in proper sizing for the 05+ are being discounted, and they weigh around 20lbs or less.

www.tirerack.com

 

Brad,
Those tire sizes are only going to give you wider tires. They won't fill the wheel wells anymore than the stockers already do since the overall tire diamter isn't going to change.
I know that driveway sux, but the only ways to make the gap smaller are to either lower the car, get larger diameter tires - and have to recalibrate the speedometer, or do some major body work.

Also, getting bigger wheels doesn't close the gap either.

 

Mmm, here's an idea:

18x10's with 295/45's in the rear, which is 1.3" taller than the stock tire, which will raise the rear of the car .65", then drop the rear only with Steeda Ultralites, which drop about an inch. So after I"m done, the front will be stock ride height (where the clearance issue is) with 18x8's and 255/45's and the rear will be about a third of an inch lower, but with an extra 1.3" of tire filling the gap, and two inches wider.

And of course, adjust the Xcal for the taller tire to heal the speedo.

 

I honestly think that the 255/50R17 tire size is the best for handling, as the 50% aspect ratio gives you the correct amount of spring action for the un-sprung weight of the rear axle. Additionally, the Hankook version of the tire is only about $100 each, and has excellent dry weather traction and wear, and pretty good wet weather traction.
Side View:

Tire Close-up:

 

Not a bad plan, Brad. I wonder how that taller tire will look.
Don't forget you'll have to cut that 1.3" in half for filling the gap so it will only be .65" less.

GRAYPNY & Gearhead, I love that old school look of the 255/50/17's. If I had it to do all over again, I would've gotten the 17" black Bullitts from Ford and gone that route.