Need Opinions! Would the Mustang GT look goofy with 18" vs.17" Bullit Rims?

hoop · 04-17-2003

RE: my search for a step up in wheels on my GT. (today I have the bullit 17 inch stock...which I will sell with tires if anyone is intersted. They ahve 4K miles on them on a new mustang.
I have found Bullit wheels - the replicas - that are 18" and in the same grey polished look as the 17" from FORD. Also I was told by the tire rack and discount tire that you should not GO OVER a 255/40 17 on teh stock 8 inch rims. Despite what people say I was told that a 274/40 is no good. Is that true???? I would like to in fact to use the stock tires up front and the rear use the larger ones and keep my rims if at all possible. Thanks!!!

Here is the link on the wheels tires:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...item=2411848699

StalkerStang · 04-17-2003

A 275/40 would definatly go better on an 8.5 or 9 inch rim, but you can put them on an 8 inch rim without huge problems. I run 275/40's on my 17x8 wheels and I have no problems with them.

hoop · 04-21-2003

Hello. I have a new opportunity to purchase some 18 inch replica bullet wheels. They are 18x9. Today I have the stock Bullits at 17X8 on a GT. I want to run a wider tire on the back. I have seen some people say it is ok with the 17x8 and other (even on this forum) suggest it may not be safe. I am not so concered about performance as safety. SO I have seen the 18" replicas and they look very nice. The caps are interchangable so I could use the Pony caps. With the 18" I was considering running the suggested (by Tire rack and others ) 245/40/18 upfront and the 275/35/18 in the rear. MY ONLY question is will the Mustang GT look goofy with 18" Bullits vs. The 17's. If someone could really convince me of the ability to run 275's on the rear and be 100% safe I would jsut do that and keep the 245/45 size up front on the stock Bullits. ANY IDEAS???? If you were me what would you do?????[size=3]

NoSlow5oh · 04-21-2003

In my opinion it would make it look better because it would get rid of some of the fender gap you have even with the lowering springs. Your combo sounds great.

hoop · 04-21-2003

thanks so much! By the way, what is your feeling about cat back vs just mufflers. I have magnaflows now but my personal taste is for a bit raspier sound so I am considering a FlowMaster Deltaflow 50 series catback or just th mufflers themselves. Any noticable difference you think? (since it is several $ 100 more money) - thanks!
Kevin

matt_unl · 04-21-2003

About the wheels, I would definatle make sure that you have at least a 9" width wheel if you are putting 275/40's on them. Coopertires.com has a helpful chart that shows the tire widths that will safely fit in different wheel widths. Im not sure, but I think that going to a 18" rim will throw off your speedometer a little too. Just something to think about.

If you are wanting a raspier sound I would go with Flowmasters, but not the deltaflows. The whole marketing behind them is better performance with less noise. I have Flowmaster Force II's behind a MAC off road H pipe and love the sound.

Hope this helps!!

hoop · 04-21-2003

thank you! The 18"s actually will have the same height as the stock 245/45's. I am going to use 275/35 in back and 245/40 in front. Height on teh stock ones is 25.7 (the 275's are 25.6 and the 245's for the 18 inch are 25.6)
Thanks!

StalkerStang · 04-21-2003

I would also like the 18's on there better, but the 275/40's should not affect the safety of the vehicle if you mount them on an 8 inch rim. I have been running 275/40's on my 17x8's for 3 years now, and I've never had any problems with them, performance wise, or safety wise. Just something to think about.

GJP · 04-21-2003

Are you running the 275 all around or just on the rear.

StalkerStang · 04-21-2003

Front and back.

GJP · 04-21-2003

I want to go to 17 x 9 in the rear but I cant find them that match the front. I need the bullit style. I can only find them in silver and not gray like the stock ones