Lower suspension or wheels and tires first?
10/30/15, 12:50 PM
#1
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Lower suspension or wheels and tires first?
I've got a 2014 Track Pack GT I use as a daily driver. I'd like to lower it and also switch to 18" wheels instead of the 19" OEM wheels.
For lowering I was thinking about the Steeda Ultralite springs (and additional hardware) which drop 1.25" (front) and 1.5 (rear).
Like I said, it's a daily driver but down the road (no pun intended) I'd like to try autocross. Should I lower it first or do the wheel/tire switch?
For lowering I was thinking about the Steeda Ultralite springs (and additional hardware) which drop 1.25" (front) and 1.5 (rear).
Like I said, it's a daily driver but down the road (no pun intended) I'd like to try autocross. Should I lower it first or do the wheel/tire switch?
10/30/15, 02:30 PM
#4
I Have No Life
Lower.
Why?
If you get wheels/tires first, I'm assuming you'll go larger than the stock ones...it will further exaggerate the 4x4 look.
Lower first to enjoy the looks and handling benefits.
Steeda is superb.
Why?
If you get wheels/tires first, I'm assuming you'll go larger than the stock ones...it will further exaggerate the 4x4 look.
Lower first to enjoy the looks and handling benefits.
Steeda is superb.
10/30/15, 02:37 PM
#5
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I was actually thinking of going smaller on the wheels/tires downsizing to 18's from stock 19's.
10/30/15, 02:52 PM
#6
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18 and 19" = same over height or within hairs most times. Just more sidewall which would be nice on a lowered car. For me at least once I lowered on stock tires I just felt it was a good starting point for picking tire heights and side wall height.
Also if you go with a 35 series on the front get the 35 series tires on the rear as well. 255/35 front and 275/35/20 rear. Just wish I would have went with 285 or 295 on the rear. Lack of dollars stopped that.
Also if you go with a 35 series on the front get the 35 series tires on the rear as well. 255/35 front and 275/35/20 rear. Just wish I would have went with 285 or 295 on the rear. Lack of dollars stopped that.
10/30/15, 03:16 PM
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18 and 19" = same over height or within hairs most times. Just more sidewall which would be nice on a lowered car. For me at least once I lowered on stock tires I just felt it was a good starting point for picking tire heights and side wall height.
Also if you go with a 35 series on the front get the 35 series tires on the rear as well. 255/35 front and 275/35/20 rear. Just wish I would have went with 285 or 295 on the rear. Lack of dollars stopped that.
Also if you go with a 35 series on the front get the 35 series tires on the rear as well. 255/35 front and 275/35/20 rear. Just wish I would have went with 285 or 295 on the rear. Lack of dollars stopped that.
Would 295's stick out the side of the fender? I'm kind of trying to avoid that?
Should 295's be 35 also?
Sorry for the ton of questions.. I'm a noob on this modding stuff.
10/30/15, 04:34 PM
#8
Bullitt Member
I've got a 2014 Track Pack GT I use as a daily driver. I'd like to lower it and also switch to 18" wheels instead of the 19" OEM wheels.
For lowering I was thinking about the Steeda Ultralite springs (and additional hardware) which drop 1.25" (front) and 1.5 (rear).
Like I said, it's a daily driver but down the road (no pun intended) I'd like to try autocross. Should I lower it first or do the wheel/tire switch?
For lowering I was thinking about the Steeda Ultralite springs (and additional hardware) which drop 1.25" (front) and 1.5 (rear).
Like I said, it's a daily driver but down the road (no pun intended) I'd like to try autocross. Should I lower it first or do the wheel/tire switch?
10/30/15, 05:42 PM
#9
Bullitt Member
I have the Steeda Sports and I wish they were a bit lower too, they do ride good and handle great for normal street driving.
Definitely lower it first, plus you have the Track Pack, I don't think there are many choices for 18" wheels that will clear the Brembo brakes.
Definitely lower it first, plus you have the Track Pack, I don't think there are many choices for 18" wheels that will clear the Brembo brakes.
10/30/15, 06:58 PM
#10
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Lower it first, you'll be glad you did. I have Steeda ultralites on my trackpack and I am very happy with them. Don't expect to get the 1.5" drop in back though. Mine dropped 1 1/4 in front and only about 1 1/8 in the rear. This is with Steeda pro action shocks and struts installed at the same time. The ride is fantastic, but I wish they were a little lower in back. Perhaps different shocks will give different results.
10/30/15, 07:00 PM
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10/30/15, 07:05 PM
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Kanine I'm leaning towards these http://www.americanmuscle.com/mt-sc5-wheels-1014.html dunno if they're any good, I'm still researching them.
Last edited by Blue Notch; 10/30/15 at 07:07 PM.
10/30/15, 07:14 PM
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Anyway, all the recommendations here say lower first so I'll do that which would force me to switch wheels/tires in the summer.
10/30/15, 07:18 PM
#14
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I've been thinking about staggering but I'm not sure on the daily driving effect doing that would have, or if I auto-x. Would it hurt either?
Would 295's stick out the side of the fender? I'm kind of trying to avoid that?
Should 295's be 35 also?
Sorry for the ton of questions.. I'm a noob on this modding stuff.
Would 295's stick out the side of the fender? I'm kind of trying to avoid that?
Should 295's be 35 also?
Sorry for the ton of questions.. I'm a noob on this modding stuff.
10/30/15, 09:02 PM
#15
I had 295's on 9" wheels and it did not stick out on mine. Do your home owrk on tha one tho. I say yes 295/35 or if you want less of a gap after dropping it maybe go 35 series in front and 40 series in back. I've never been a fan of rotating tires so staggered set up never bothered me. I don't think it would hurt you at the auto x course to much if any
10/30/15, 09:07 PM
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BlueNotch, just to be sure I asked them. Will post here when I get a reply. Since they don't specify that the wheels don't clear Brembo's I assume they do. But here I go assuming...
Anyway, all the recommendations here say lower first so I'll do that which would force me to switch wheels/tires in the summer.
Anyway, all the recommendations here say lower first so I'll do that which would force me to switch wheels/tires in the summer.
10/30/15, 10:22 PM
#17
Bullitt Member
I test fitted a 18x9 MT SC-5 wheel which cleared the 4 piston Brembo calipers on my ‘14 GT and measured 2.0 mm of clearance between the wheel spoke and caliper. I’d suggest adding a 1/8” wheel spacer:
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/18...tang-P576.aspx
The 18x9 SC-5 will fit in the spare tire well, but was never test fitted with a tire mounted.
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/18...tang-P576.aspx
The 18x9 SC-5 will fit in the spare tire well, but was never test fitted with a tire mounted.
10/31/15, 05:50 AM
#18
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Some 18" wheels will clear brembos -- it depends on the shape of the spokes; they need to be way out at the edge of the wheel to clear the calipers.
I would do the wheels first if I came across a deal on craig's list or e-bay -- always worth keeping an eye on both of those because fantastic deals do come along from time to time.
The tires will not stick out if you have the correct offset on the wheels. Offset really depends on the wheel width, not tire width. Tires should match the wheel width; meaning make sure the wheel width is within recommended range for the tire you are choosing. For example, 295 is too wide for a 9" wide wheel . . . sure it will go on there, but it will not fit correctly and you will not get full performance from the tire; about a 255 would actually perform better on a 9" wide wheel.
I also have and like the Steeda Sport springs.
I would do the wheels first if I came across a deal on craig's list or e-bay -- always worth keeping an eye on both of those because fantastic deals do come along from time to time.
The tires will not stick out if you have the correct offset on the wheels. Offset really depends on the wheel width, not tire width. Tires should match the wheel width; meaning make sure the wheel width is within recommended range for the tire you are choosing. For example, 295 is too wide for a 9" wide wheel . . . sure it will go on there, but it will not fit correctly and you will not get full performance from the tire; about a 255 would actually perform better on a 9" wide wheel.
I also have and like the Steeda Sport springs.
10/31/15, 06:52 AM
#19
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I test fitted a 18x9 MT SC-5 wheel which cleared the 4 piston Brembo calipers on my ‘14 GT and measured 2.0 mm of clearance between the wheel spoke and caliper. I’d suggest adding a 1/8” wheel spacer:
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/18...tang-P576.aspx
The 18x9 SC-5 will fit in the spare tire well, but was never test fitted with a tire mounted.
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/18...tang-P576.aspx
The 18x9 SC-5 will fit in the spare tire well, but was never test fitted with a tire mounted.
You recommend using a spacer. I've read that spacers aren't really safe specially if you take the car to the track. Any thoughts, experience on that?
Last edited by ZeeGT; 10/31/15 at 06:56 AM.
10/31/15, 07:12 AM
#20
Mach 1 Member
Do it right and also upgrade the shocks/struts. Believe what you read that the stock suspension does not go well with a lowered car. I lowered mine first for about a year with a 1.5" drop. After a year of driving it like that, my toe and camber were off and my rear shocks were pretty much done. I upgraded to full FRPP suspension and a 1" drop. It made a world of difference.
Last edited by Last1; 10/31/15 at 07:15 AM.