Mustang factory under tired?
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GT Member
Joined: August 28, 2014
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Mustang factory under tired?
When I bought my 2013 Mustang GT I felt it really spun the stock 255/40/19 tires pretty easy so I was wondering how many of you think the modern 5.0 mustang is under tired from the factory? Do you feel they should come from the factory with something wider 275's 285's etc?
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Joined: September 19, 2014
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Cobra Member
Joined: April 21, 2014
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From: Canada, Ontario
I have to agree.... I have the Performance pack on my V6 and it has the Pirelli's 255/40/R19 squared setup and they break loose fairly easy on my V6. I'm surprised that the GT's didn't have a much wider tire (even without the track pack option)
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 2,318
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From: CT
What's your definition?
These cars keep getting faster the stickier the rubber...but it's not reasonable to drive around with slicks so at some point you have to draw a line.
The standard 235s and the track pack 255s were chosen as the best combination for "good enough" traction while being affordable, not causing fitment issues, all while having low enough rolling resistance to meet the target EPA numbers.
275s are the biggest you'd want to go on a 9" wide wheel and OEM always leaves some margin of safety for durability purposes, etc. It's plausible that they could have offered a 265/40 which would have helped a bit but it coud have been a matter of production costs for Pirelli or some other market based reason...
ALSO, I'm about to put "extreme performance" (RE-11s) 285s on mine (9.5" wheel) and I'm still not going to be able to just step of the clutch at 4,000 rpm. So is it still under-tired?
These cars keep getting faster the stickier the rubber...but it's not reasonable to drive around with slicks so at some point you have to draw a line.
The standard 235s and the track pack 255s were chosen as the best combination for "good enough" traction while being affordable, not causing fitment issues, all while having low enough rolling resistance to meet the target EPA numbers.
275s are the biggest you'd want to go on a 9" wide wheel and OEM always leaves some margin of safety for durability purposes, etc. It's plausible that they could have offered a 265/40 which would have helped a bit but it coud have been a matter of production costs for Pirelli or some other market based reason...
ALSO, I'm about to put "extreme performance" (RE-11s) 285s on mine (9.5" wheel) and I'm still not going to be able to just step of the clutch at 4,000 rpm. So is it still under-tired?
Last edited by MRGTX; Mar 12, 2015 at 09:20 AM.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 6, 2012
Posts: 2,060
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From: Crofton MD
What's your definition?
These cars keep getting faster the stickier the rubber...but it's not reasonable to drive around with slicks so at some point you have to draw a line.
The standard 235s and the track pack 255s were chosen as the best combination for "good enough" traction while being affordable, not causing fitment issues, all while having low enough rolling resistance to meet the target EPA numbers.
275s are the biggest you'd want to go on a 9" wide wheel and OEM always leaves some margin of safety for durability purposes, etc. It's plausible that they could have offered a 265/40 which would have helped a bit but it coud have been a matter of production costs for Pirelli or some other market based reason...
ALSO, I'm about to put "extreme performance" (RE-11s) 285s on mine (9.5" wheel) and I'm still not going to be able to just step of the clutch at 4,000 rpm. So is it still under-tired?
These cars keep getting faster the stickier the rubber...but it's not reasonable to drive around with slicks so at some point you have to draw a line.
The standard 235s and the track pack 255s were chosen as the best combination for "good enough" traction while being affordable, not causing fitment issues, all while having low enough rolling resistance to meet the target EPA numbers.
275s are the biggest you'd want to go on a 9" wide wheel and OEM always leaves some margin of safety for durability purposes, etc. It's plausible that they could have offered a 265/40 which would have helped a bit but it coud have been a matter of production costs for Pirelli or some other market based reason...
ALSO, I'm about to put "extreme performance" (RE-11s) 285s on mine (9.5" wheel) and I'm still not going to be able to just step of the clutch at 4,000 rpm. So is it still under-tired?
GT Member
Joined: March 1, 2010
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They spin too easy and don't corner well.
I just bought 285's and 255's myself this week and am throwing them on a staggered set of LS wheels and am looking forward to feeling the improvements afterward.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 2,318
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From: CT
Certain 285's will fit 9 inch rims just fine. When you compare the Shamero 1LE with good sticky tires at 285 square the "comparable" Track Pack GT is way out gunned. I can't speak for GT Premium or any other iteration/package, but the Track Pack cars should have been 275 or better 285 square with something other than the greasy horrible Pirelli tires.
I was going to put 285s on my stock BBP wheels but this forum (and others) pointed out that there's probably less contact patch with 285s than there would be with 275s...and certainly a whole lot more sidewall flex, thanks to the squeeze this requires of the tire.
Super Boss Lawman Member
Joined: February 5, 2015
Posts: 4,247
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From: Yukon, OK
275 is nearly an inch wider than 255 Track/Brembo cars and should help. Compared to 235's on standard GT's, it should REALLY make a difference.
I won't go staggered simply because I don't want to lose the ability to rotate tires.
I won't go staggered simply because I don't want to lose the ability to rotate tires.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: August 15, 2013
Posts: 801
Likes: 6
275 is 20 mm wider than a 255, or .787 inches. It depends a lot on compound as well. Hard compound tires get poor traction. Soft tires are much better but they wear a lot faster.
I'd love to put 275's all the way around on my '14. I will have to get different rims though. Mine has the stock 18X8" on it right now. I want the GT500 5 spoke rims.
I'd love to put 275's all the way around on my '14. I will have to get different rims though. Mine has the stock 18X8" on it right now. I want the GT500 5 spoke rims.
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Joined: August 2, 2013
Posts: 3,090
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From: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
Certain 285's will fit 9 inch rims just fine. When you compare the Shamero 1LE with good sticky tires at 285 square the "comparable" Track Pack GT is way out gunned. I can't speak for GT Premium or any other iteration/package, but the Track Pack cars should have been 275 or better 285 square with something other than the greasy horrible Pirelli tires.
Can you fit 285s on 19x9? Sure, but it won't ride as intended.
I have 275s on 9.5" wire rims per tire manufacturer's recommendations for track days. Much better grip than 255s
Last edited by 5.M0NSTER; Mar 12, 2015 at 02:05 PM.
