Well...it's time for new tires on my car so seems that now is the time to upgrade if I choose.
Does the car handle different / better when increasing the wheels' diameter? Trying to decide between just purchasing new 16" tires for my Pony wheels or making the move to 17". Currently using 225 50 16 and 245 50 16 and have the opportunity to go to 245 45 17 already mounted on some nice 4 lug wheels for only $200-300 more than what the 16" tires ought to cost me. Of course, then there's the whole 5 lug issue, but I don't think financially I can do that right now (even at the $400 price tag from Latemodel Restoration). The car is an 88 and has been lowered 1.5", not sure if that makes for any clearance issues.
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1988 LX 5.0 5spd Moonroof
Tri-Ax shifter, CAI, 75mm Granatelli MAF, BBK 70mmTB, 24#, BBK fuel press regulator, RPM II, E cam, Ford Aluminum GT40X heads, Comp Cams push rods, 1.6 SVO rockers, Electric fan, A9L, Diablo Revolution chip, BBK long tubes, 2.5" X pipe Magnaflows no cats, Auburn 3:73 gears, Strange axles, lowering Ford C springs, bump steer kit, BBK rear control arms, Eibach sway bars, sub frame connectors. Cobra R hood. 140mph Speedo. Dynojet = 287rwhp & 302rwtq.
Well...it's time for new tires on my car so seems that now is the time to upgrade if I choose.
Does the car handle different / better when increasing the wheels' diameter? Trying to decide between just purchasing new 16" tires for my Pony wheels or making the move to 17". Currently using 225 50 16 and 245 50 16 and have the opportunity to go to 245 45 17 already mounted on some nice 4 lug wheels for only $200-300 more than what the 16" tires ought to cost me. Of course, then there's the whole 5 lug issue, but I don't think financially I can do that right now (even at the $400 price tag from Latemodel Restoration). The car is an 88 and has been lowered 1.5", not sure if that makes for any clearance issues.
I have an '88 GT and personally like my 17's, and it doesn't rub. I like the look of the 17's on a 5.0 over the 16's. It's only an inch but I can tell. I will also be doing the 5 lug conversion, then get chrome rims instead since my car will soon be white. Just waiting to save enough $$ and do it all at once. I have too many things I want all at once! I always say do it right the first time, because you will have to live with what you bought, longer after you forget how much it cost. Not saying you wouldn't be happy not doing it, but down the road you may regret not saving that extra $400 to do it all at once. Plus you will have some 4 lug rims that won't work on your car anymore once you do the swap. As far as handeling differences, I don't know. I used to have a Lincoln Continental with factory 16's, well I put 20's on it and it turned a lot sharper, and was a lot more responsive, etc. But an inch may not make much of a diff. Bigger rim, less tire-wall. Maybe someone else can explain that one better.
Well...it's time for new tires on my car so seems that now is the time to upgrade if I choose.
Does the car handle different / better when increasing the wheels' diameter? Trying to decide between just purchasing new 16" tires for my Pony wheels or making the move to 17". Currently using 225 50 16 and 245 50 16 and have the opportunity to go to 245 45 17 already mounted on some nice 4 lug wheels for only $200-300 more than what the 16" tires ought to cost me. Of course, then there's the whole 5 lug issue, but I don't think financially I can do that right now (even at the $400 price tag from Latemodel Restoration). The car is an 88 and has been lowered 1.5", not sure if that makes for any clearance issues.
doesnt 5.0 resto have a complete kit with wheels and tires for 1k? im going 17s on mine soon. you probably wont feel that much difference in harshness since you are running a 5% lower aspect ratio than stock.
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Sr. Master Ford nerd.
saludos caballeros del ovalo azul
I think I'm just going to keep the 16" Pony wheels till it's time for the 5 lug conversion. 5.0 resto does have a complete 5 lug kit, but it's $1400ish for silver wheels and more for chrome Cobra R. I actually drove my car to work today and am reminded of how much fun it really is.
Anyway - if I could get black Pony wheels I'd probably keep everything and just go for a rear disc brake conversion and be "done" with it. Or, if the 1993 Cobra replica wheels in black come with a black center cap - now you're talking!!
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1988 LX 5.0 5spd Moonroof
Tri-Ax shifter, CAI, 75mm Granatelli MAF, BBK 70mmTB, 24#, BBK fuel press regulator, RPM II, E cam, Ford Aluminum GT40X heads, Comp Cams push rods, 1.6 SVO rockers, Electric fan, A9L, Diablo Revolution chip, BBK long tubes, 2.5" X pipe Magnaflows no cats, Auburn 3:73 gears, Strange axles, lowering Ford C springs, bump steer kit, BBK rear control arms, Eibach sway bars, sub frame connectors. Cobra R hood. 140mph Speedo. Dynojet = 287rwhp & 302rwtq.
16" or 17" wheels / tires on a Fox? 
