Tire size?

[letemsmoke]

I was just wondering what size tires I can get under my 90' stang. For the front I was planning on upgrading to 91-93 fenders for the extra clearance. I have heard of people getting 275/40/17s to fit with rolling the fenders, but I have also heard of people having rubbing problems with 245/45/17s. some direct input would be really helpfull. I also know that proper offset and backspacing is important I just don't know what it sould be. I have a set of 275/60/15s on the rear now with enough rubbing that rolling the fenders will not help (though the air shocks help). It does appear that I have more room before I rub the shocks on the inside. I don't know the offset of my current wheels because they were on the car when I bought it. My plans are to make this into a nice street car. (lose the 15" rims for some 17's). I just want the widest tires I can fit under it.

[HiFlow5 0]

I really don't think you would want 275's on the front! The widest tire I would go is 245's. I have 245/50/ZR16 and the steering definitely feels a lot different then the stock 225's.

275's should fit under the rear with little modifications. It would be wise to flip the quad shocks for more clearance. From what you said, this sounds like your problem with rubbing.

Let me ask you this, why do you want such wide tires? For traction? For road handling? Or just cause it looks cool? What are you plans with the car? Are you going to auto cross it? Drag it? show it? Or just cruise in it?

IMO I think it's pointless to have 275's all the way around. Rear's I can see for better traction, but the front end will be slushy. Just something to think about.

[GTStang]

I agree with what's posted above. Also I got to say... do you really need that much rubber or is it just for the sake of having that much and nothing else?

[letemsmoke]

One reason is for traction. I also love the look. I'm not really into any kind of racing. But I'm leaning towards an auto cross type of styling. My 275/60/15s may be just enough traction but the sidewall is too tall. 17" rims look nice under the Fox bodied Mustangs. I also have a final goal of out-running a Viper on street tires. Horsepower shouldn't be a problem. And for handling I'm planning on a Maximum Motorsports road & track kit. It just seems my only problem will be with traction. I know that slicks or drag radials would help, but it seems like cheating for me(don't take it the wrong way!!). Plus I don't plan on doing alot of racing. Just mostly drive on the streets. I love the look of the "Pony R" wheels ( 17 x 8 ). Simple styling Modern size. The only problem is they aren't available in 9" wide (for the rear).

[HiFlow5 0]

Getting traction is a lot more then wide tires. They way the car's suspension is set will make a tremendous difference in handling and traction. I would address this as well before stuffing tires that are way too wide under the car. Remember that bigger tires will actually slow you down, unless you have a crap-load of HP and can burn up a set of 275/60/15's with the touch of the pedal.

It sounds to me that your still not sure of what you want. You said you don't really do any racing, so why would you care about traction? But then you said you want to beat a viper, isn't that racing? Just cause something looks cool, doesn't mean its the proper way to do things.

Also if you plan on better a viper you will need a hell of a lot more then tires!!

[letemsmoke]

This is mostly for future reference. I am currently looking at a long block from D&D motorsports(forged crank and rods). Its a 331 with AFR 185 heads. My friend has a ported mildly Holley Systemax intake that I may buy if he lowers the price. Lastly I eventually want to get an ATI procharger P-1SC. I don't think horsepower will be a problem though it will take some time. It won't be my daily driver, just a fun and reliable weekend car. The beating a Viper thing is basicaly just a goal of a sub 12 second street car. The previus owner did most of the mods to my car. I only took it to the track once(my first time to the track). I ran a 14.2 with a tire smoking first gear, slipping clutch through second gear, and a totally shot clutch after third. This was with the BFG radial T/A 275/60/15. My car has alot of miles on it. It's time for a total overhaul. I just want to be prepared for my future power levels.

I'm not sure every thing the previus owner did to the car, but I do know it has 373 gears B&M shifter, Superchips module, cam, March ram air, and pullies. And of course the Air shocks to keep the tires from rubbing the fenders.

[GTStang]

You are too hung up on the size of the tire. There a lot of things that are more important. I never heard anyone use the size tires you are using on a stang but 17x9 rims with proper size tires won't rub on the rear those years so I think you should be ok there. On the front 17x8 are gonna rub on the A-arm with proper size when turned all the way in each direction. So you adding bigger rubber is just going to compound the problem up front.

[rwhp]

I have 315/35/17 nitto drag radials on the rear of my 1994 cob
ra. No mod needed to fit .