Help with tire size please. (New Question)

mattmathis · Mar 4, 2014

Ok, I'm newly registered on here although I have been reading and using this site as a resource for quite a while. I have a 94 GT. I will post more details in the greetings section soon. But I want to order some new wheels and tires before my tax money goes down the drain! lol

I have decided to go with black bullitt 18x9s. Right now I have 17x8's and am running 245/45/17s. I like the way it looks despite being a little 4x4ish as I've seen it said on here. I am definitely going to put a drop kit on. 1.5 in all around. But I'll make a separate post on that.

I know tire size is a big debate as I have found out reading past posts. Some peopel like a lot of tire and some dont. So that's why I"m making a new thread for my specific tastes. I do like the low profile look.Several of the sites I plan to but the wheels from recommend 265/35/18 and 275/35/18.

What tire size should I run with those rims considering a 1.5 inch drop? Oh, and pics are always welcome. I'm putting a pic of mine just for the hell of it.

Thanks a lot in advance!!!

96blak54 · Mar 4, 2014

Since your using a wider tire for the back, why not just go wider wheel?

Musturd · Mar 4, 2014

I would get staggered bullits . It's the only way I can handle them that's my opinion though . I would get 18x9 and 18x10's

OnyxCobra · Mar 4, 2014

if you want the same size wheel and tire all around and you like the lower profile tires you could go with 265/35-18 and they'll be .4" shorter than the current tires you have. 275/35 will give you the stock tire height but may be a little wide for the front.

I agree with the other guys though unless you feel the need to rotate them go with the staggered 18x9 and 18x10, it will look a lot better and also let you put some 295 or 315s out back.

mattmathis · Mar 4, 2014

Ok, it seems like I know less about this than I thought. smh So what you're saying is, the 265/35-18 will make the 4x4 look worse without lowering. And make the lowering less noticeable if I do lower it. Right?

OnyxCobra · Mar 4, 2014

well it's probably not going to be that noticeable once it's done but either way it's going to look a little out of place until you lower the car. I have 265/35-18s up front and I thought they looked good with my H&R springs.

hondarocks61 · Mar 4, 2014

mattmathis said:
Ok, it seems like I know less about this than I thought. smh So what you're saying is, the 265/35-18 will make the 4x4 look worse without lowering. And make the lowering less noticeable if I do lower it. Right?

Wider and lower is better. Period.

mattmathis · Mar 4, 2014

OnyxCobra said:
well it's probably not going to be that noticeable once it's done but either way it's going to look a little out of place until you lower the car. I have 265/35-18s up front and I thought they looked good with my H&R springs.

I actually love the way yours sits! How much is it lowered?

OnyxCobra · Mar 4, 2014

mattmathis said:
I actually love the way yours sits! How much is it lowered?

thanks man. In my sig it's lowered on coilovers about 3" in the front.

Ferocious · Mar 5, 2014

hondarocks61 said:
Wider and lower is better. Period.

Yesssss! Praise the low and wide.

If you want to rotate them, 265 or 275 all around. If not, I'd get some x10" in the rear with a 295-315 for that classic look.

Win · Mar 5, 2014

OnyxCobra said:
thanks man. In my sig it's lowered on coilovers about 3" in the front.

Dang really

my H&R race springs for a 99-04 Cobra said 1.75" drop and I'm almost exactly what you are in the front

mcglsr2 · Mar 5, 2014

This is 17 x 9" all the way around, with 255/40 - 17's. I must have rotate-ability. Suspension at this point was H&R Race springs, with poly isolators.

mattmathis · Mar 5, 2014

Ok, If I choose not to lower the car but want reduce the 4x4 effect. What size tire will best fill in the gap between the fender and tire? With either 17x9 or 18x9?

mcglsr2 · Mar 5, 2014

You can fill the gap with a bigger tire if you want, Google tire size calucaltor, there are tons out there (one I use all the time is "Miata Tire Size Calc" - Google that). The stock ratio on the Mustang was 245/45-17, which results in something like a 25.7" tall tire. Play around with the calc using different tire sizes (255/45-17, 265/45-18, etc) to see the difference. Once you find a couple, go look at tire stores online to make sure tires are made in that size (for example, you probably won't find a 245/20-17).

Having said all that, keep in mind that changing your tire size will affect your speedometer and speed. My suggestion would be to find a tire/wheel combo that retains close to the stock tire height and then get some springs to lower it a bit. Most popular springs will give you about 1 to 1.25" drop depending. Coilovers if you race the car or want a significant drop.

Ferocious · Mar 5, 2014

Win said:
Dang really

my H&R race springs for a 99-04 Cobra said 1.75" drop and I'm almost exactly what you are in the front

:2qa5jxf:

Win · Mar 5, 2014

Ferocious said:
:2qa5jxf:

Haha

Come here and you won't be saying that.

OnyxCobra · Mar 5, 2014

mattmathis said:
Ok, If I choose not to lower the car but want reduce the 4x4 effect. What size tire will best fill in the gap between the fender and tire? With either 17x9 or 18x9?

that's not going to look good at all.