Bigger tires on rear....Bad idea?
#1
GT Member
Thread Starter
Bigger tires on rear....Bad idea?
OK first off I really don't understand much about tire sizes, suspensions, etc.
We have 2014 GT and the Pirelli's it came with are shot already at 18,000
From a looks standpoint, I think slightly bigger tires would be cool, especially on the back.
So....what do you guys suggest?
Keep the factory size on the front, then bigger (if so, what size) on the rear?
I was told that changing sizes at all would mean a new tune....does that affect warranty?
Thanks much
Tom
We have 2014 GT and the Pirelli's it came with are shot already at 18,000
From a looks standpoint, I think slightly bigger tires would be cool, especially on the back.
So....what do you guys suggest?
Keep the factory size on the front, then bigger (if so, what size) on the rear?
I was told that changing sizes at all would mean a new tune....does that affect warranty?
Thanks much
Tom
Last edited by oceantracks; 12/16/14 at 05:23 PM.
#2
Shelby GT350 Member
Many many people run wider rear tires on the mustangs. You can get wider tires that very closely match OEM tire outer diameter so your speedo will remain accurate.
On stock rims you can usually go up to two sizes wider, such as going from a 255 tire to a 275. Lots of options
Post your current tire size and we can help guide
On stock rims you can usually go up to two sizes wider, such as going from a 255 tire to a 275. Lots of options
Post your current tire size and we can help guide
#3
GT Member
Thread Starter
Hey thanks I just checked and I have 235/50 ZR 18 97 followed by what looks like a "w"
I'm trying to keep my wheels to save money for now....and I'm just wondering how big I can safely go without adversely affecting performance like cornering, etc.
Thanks!
I'm trying to keep my wheels to save money for now....and I'm just wondering how big I can safely go without adversely affecting performance like cornering, etc.
Thanks!
#4
Shelby GT350 Member
Typically wider tires are more performance oriented. A wider rear tire will result in more traction from the rear tires (in general, assuming matching tires front and rear in terms of tire make/model). By increasing rear grip, the handling of the car will be more towards understeer at the limit, which in general is "safer" in that the front just pushes away rather than the rear coming around.
I have run square (all tire widths the same) setup on the street and at the track as well as staggared (wider rear tires), and personally I like a square setup best, but I also have years of experience driving in a track environment and understand the cars handling dynamics quite well.
If I were you, I'd consider looking at a 255/45/18 tire for front and rear. That would result in about 0.8% lower speedo reading (70 mph indicated would be 69.4 mph actual. Negligable difference), and the slightly shorter sidewall would help handling a bit.
You would have to double check your wheel widths to ensure you could fit a 255 tire on there (the wheel will have 18x7.5 or 18x8 or something marked on one of the spokes). Then you can simply go on Tirerack and check out tire specs. The min and max recommended wheel widths for every tire on there is listed.
I have run square (all tire widths the same) setup on the street and at the track as well as staggared (wider rear tires), and personally I like a square setup best, but I also have years of experience driving in a track environment and understand the cars handling dynamics quite well.
If I were you, I'd consider looking at a 255/45/18 tire for front and rear. That would result in about 0.8% lower speedo reading (70 mph indicated would be 69.4 mph actual. Negligable difference), and the slightly shorter sidewall would help handling a bit.
You would have to double check your wheel widths to ensure you could fit a 255 tire on there (the wheel will have 18x7.5 or 18x8 or something marked on one of the spokes). Then you can simply go on Tirerack and check out tire specs. The min and max recommended wheel widths for every tire on there is listed.
#5
Shelby GT500 Member
This is just my opinion, but if you're going to go for big rear tires you will need to get a set of wheels that will accommodate them. Going from a 235/50/18 to a 255/40/18 will give you roughly the same diameter (I'm guessing, the numbers won't be exact, and a 255/45 might be closer) with a wider tire. But a 255 isn't going to help you all that much in terms of performance. If you want wider tires, go WIDE. As in, 305s or 315's. They will provide a significant difference in traction and will require a 10.5" or 11" wheel to fit properly. Save your money and get something that fits roughly what you have now, then when you have the cash to lay out for a set of wider wheels AND the tires to put on them, you can think about getting really wide. Again, all of this is just my opinion.
#6
Shelby GT350 Member
Can't argue the above, nothing wrong with that approach, depends on personal preference
As a counter point, I track my car at various road courses with a 275 width tire and keep up with just about everything out there. Would I gain much from a 305? Maybe a bit, but I like the significantly lower prices of slightly narrower tires and I get grip all day long depending on tire compound selection.
Lots of options to suit lots of budgets and personal preferences!
As a counter point, I track my car at various road courses with a 275 width tire and keep up with just about everything out there. Would I gain much from a 305? Maybe a bit, but I like the significantly lower prices of slightly narrower tires and I get grip all day long depending on tire compound selection.
Lots of options to suit lots of budgets and personal preferences!
#7
Shelby GT350 Member
#8
Legacy TMS Member
#9
Shelby GT500 Member
Can't argue the above, nothing wrong with that approach, depends on personal preference
As a counter point, I track my car at various road courses with a 275 width tire and keep up with just about everything out there. Would I gain much from a 305? Maybe a bit, but I like the significantly lower prices of slightly narrower tires and I get grip all day long depending on tire compound selection.
Lots of options to suit lots of budgets and personal preferences!
As a counter point, I track my car at various road courses with a 275 width tire and keep up with just about everything out there. Would I gain much from a 305? Maybe a bit, but I like the significantly lower prices of slightly narrower tires and I get grip all day long depending on tire compound selection.
Lots of options to suit lots of budgets and personal preferences!
#11
Shelby GT350 Member
888's need some good heat in them to have grip. Even my OEM tires will absolutely light up rolling on the gas in 3rd when it's below 50 out and tires are cold.
With my BFG R1's, I basically can't get the rear to step out if I try once they are hot.
Anyways, to the OP, look at tire compound seriously as well aside from just width.
#12
GT Member
Thread Starter
Typically wider tires are more performance oriented. A wider rear tire will result in more traction from the rear tires (in general, assuming matching tires front and rear in terms of tire make/model). By increasing rear grip, the handling of the car will be more towards understeer at the limit, which in general is "safer" in that the front just pushes away rather than the rear coming around.
I have run square (all tire widths the same) setup on the street and at the track as well as staggared (wider rear tires), and personally I like a square setup best, but I also have years of experience driving in a track environment and understand the cars handling dynamics quite well.
If I were you, I'd consider looking at a 255/45/18 tire for front and rear. That would result in about 0.8% lower speedo reading (70 mph indicated would be 69.4 mph actual. Negligable difference), and the slightly shorter sidewall would help handling a bit.
You would have to double check your wheel widths to ensure you could fit a 255 tire on there (the wheel will have 18x7.5 or 18x8 or something marked on one of the spokes). Then you can simply go on Tirerack and check out tire specs. The min and max recommended wheel widths for every tire on there is listed.
I have run square (all tire widths the same) setup on the street and at the track as well as staggared (wider rear tires), and personally I like a square setup best, but I also have years of experience driving in a track environment and understand the cars handling dynamics quite well.
If I were you, I'd consider looking at a 255/45/18 tire for front and rear. That would result in about 0.8% lower speedo reading (70 mph indicated would be 69.4 mph actual. Negligable difference), and the slightly shorter sidewall would help handling a bit.
You would have to double check your wheel widths to ensure you could fit a 255 tire on there (the wheel will have 18x7.5 or 18x8 or something marked on one of the spokes). Then you can simply go on Tirerack and check out tire specs. The min and max recommended wheel widths for every tire on there is listed.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....num=35YR8PSSXL
The factory specs on my car say "P235/50R18 all-season; 18 x 8.0-in. wide-spoke painted aluminum wheels;"
Thanks!
Tom
#13
Shelby GT350 Member
Yep, those Michelins are excellent tires, and that pricing looks quite good. You'd likely notice a huge difference just going to that tire compared with the OEM all seasons.
#14
Legacy TMS Member
So would these work? http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....num=35YR8PSSXL The factory specs on my car say "P235/50R18 all-season; 18 x 8.0-in. wide-spoke painted aluminum wheels;" Thanks! Tom
#15
Shelby GT500 Member
Yeah, you definitely drive the car a bit differently than I do! I use 1st gear about once a month I think, always start out in 2nd and am rarely into the throttle until 3rd gear.
888's need some good heat in them to have grip. Even my OEM tires will absolutely light up rolling on the gas in 3rd when it's below 50 out and tires are cold.
With my BFG R1's, I basically can't get the rear to step out if I try once they are hot.
Anyways, to the OP, look at tire compound seriously as well aside from just width.
888's need some good heat in them to have grip. Even my OEM tires will absolutely light up rolling on the gas in 3rd when it's below 50 out and tires are cold.
With my BFG R1's, I basically can't get the rear to step out if I try once they are hot.
Anyways, to the OP, look at tire compound seriously as well aside from just width.
#16
Shelby GT350 Member
The 235 Michelins would be excellent for summer tires. Excellent point about cold or snowy conditions though
#17
Shelby GT350 Member
Well I think it has as much to do with the fact that I have more than enough TQ and HP to shred anything but a steamroller barrel, but yeah, I probably do use it differently than you do yours. My gears are 3.08's so I stay in 1st through about 30mph before going up to 2nd. Even with those gears, it's still impossible to keep it from spinning when the tires are cold without grandmothering the throttle. But that's ok, since when their hot, they do a very good job of holding the car on the road and providing traction, and it's hot here a lot more than it's cold.
#18
GT Member
Thread Starter
Yeah and I actually meant to find a 255 tire, but couldn't find one that was
255/45/18....think I found "19"....but I suppose that won't work.
So at that price for the 235 (and it's a great tire I know), I might do that and just wait until I had $ for bigger wheels, or else double check tomorrow at the tire store near me whether Michelin Super Sports come in 255/45/18.....
255/45/18....think I found "19"....but I suppose that won't work.
So at that price for the 235 (and it's a great tire I know), I might do that and just wait until I had $ for bigger wheels, or else double check tomorrow at the tire store near me whether Michelin Super Sports come in 255/45/18.....
#20
Legacy TMS Member
The Super Sports aren't going to be that great in the rain. To be honest, I'd just look at replacing the stock tires for as cheap as possible, and save up for a summer set of staggered 20s with summer tires.