Oversize Wheels on 2005 Mustang GT - Advice Required
Hi,
Im hoping that someone can offer some advice, Im looking at replacing the wheels on my '05 GT but im unsure of the effects. Currently i have 235/55/17 but im not too excited about how they fill up the wheelarch. I was hoping to go to a slightly bigger wheel, Possibly a 255/45/19 but the overall diameter of these is a fraction over 28" (approx 1/2" bigger). Can someone advise as to whether this is going to be a problem.
Obviously the speedometer etc will be incorrect, would it be possible to re-calibrate?
Also the gear-ratio would be altered slightly, what effect would this have on performance? - i guess reduced acceleration.
Im also guessing that the resulting increase in ride-height of 1/4" will not have a major effect on perforamance, or would you reccomend lowering at the same time (would this also then cause wheel rub)
I didnt want to go much below 45 profile as i didnt want to reduce the smoothness of the ride *too* much.
Your thoughts and advice on this would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks
Tim
Your 235/55/17s are 27.18". A 255/45/19 would be 28.04". Almost an inch taller. The speedometer is an easy recalibrate if you have a handheld tuner. Just need to adjust revs/mile.
Thanks,
But how do you think it would affect the ride quality, would lowering by ~1.5" with the FRPP handling pack compensate?
Tim
You won't be sacrificing ride quality at all as far as the rubber is concerned. Going to 19's will have a very slight negative effect for handling but nothing too drastic. If I were you I would consider 18's. I feel the 18's are a nice compromise for looks and performance. Dropping a bit always looks better and gives a bit of an edge with handling as ell. I have the stock 18 inch Fanblades on my 06 with the stock rubber. I have lowered it 2" in the back and 1,5" in the front with springs and an adj. panhard bar from BMR Fabrication Inc.
I like the ride better than stock and it has a nice stance and DOES NOT look slammed to the ground. Most people prefer to drop an 1.5 tops.
Let us know what yo decide!
Snack
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Hi,
Im hoping that someone can offer some advice, Im looking at replacing the wheels on my '05 GT but im unsure of the effects. Currently i have 235/55/17 but im not too excited about how they fill up the wheelarch. I was hoping to go to a slightly bigger wheel, Possibly a 255/45/19 but the overall diameter of these is a fraction over 28" (approx 1/2" bigger). Can someone advise as to whether this is going to be a problem.
Obviously the speedometer etc will be incorrect, would it be possible to re-calibrate?
Also the gear-ratio would be altered slightly, what effect would this have on performance? - i guess reduced acceleration.
Im also guessing that the resulting increase in ride-height of 1/4" will not have a major effect on perforamance, or would you reccomend lowering at the same time (would this also then cause wheel rub)
I didnt want to go much below 45 profile as i didnt want to reduce the smoothness of the ride *too* much.
Your thoughts and advice on this would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks
Tim
Hi Tim,
Why not just buy wheels and tires that fit properly? You do know that your ride is going to go to hell with anything larger than an 18" wheel even on moderate roads right? 18" wheels are much more comfortable and you will cut your tires less often. The stock height tires are 27" tall and if you want to fill out your wheel wells you need a tire that is at least 27" tall. In looking at the wheel wells and where stuff rubs on my own car I'd have to say the biggest problem is going to be the strut and strut spring perch followed by the inner fenderwell covers when turning the wheel all the way over. These are the limiting factors in how tall you can go with tires. You can go taller if you go with a 255 wide tire and just realize that wider is not going to fit if tall is what you are after.
The 27" tall tire sizes are shown below but scattered here and there are oddball tires that are a bit taller. You can't really go much taller than about 1" or stuf will become a problem and the tires will rub too much on the inner fender wells and some of the hardware like the brake hard lines. Rubbing stuff like the brake lines and ABS wires is not good and while they might be able to be moved enough to reduce the chances of damage you really should leave them alone and use the OE mounting hardware.
18" 255/45 and 285/40 255/45 has many good tires in all performance classes and many price points
19" 255/40 and 285/35 fewer tires but still has many of the same tires at higher prices
20" 255/35 and 285/30 even fewer tires in this size and there are no inexpensive tires here
Good luck!
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18s are fine...bigger than that I believe the ride is going to suffer a bit and you increase the chances of damaging your wheel (i.e. a lot less rubber between the wheel and the road)...
Just to throw a monkey wrench into the pile here....I have 255/40ZR/20 on my car...the the overall diameter oof the tire/wheel is 27.2". I have lowered my car (1.8" in rear and 1.4" in front) and I have no rubbing whatsoever. I grant, my ride quality is likely to be degraded compared to smaller wheels with thicker tires, but I am very happy with stance, the look, and even the ride.
Now to be honest, if I were to do it all over, I would go 18" wheels, probably something like 255/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear.
Just to throw a monkey wrench into the pile here....I have 255/40ZR/20 on my car...the the overall diameter oof the tire/wheel is 27.2". I have lowered my car (1.8" in rear and 1.4" in front) and I have no rubbing whatsoever. I grant, my ride quality is likely to be degraded compared to smaller wheels with thicker tires, but I am very happy with stance, the look, and even the ride.
Now to be honest, if I were to do it all over, I would go 18" wheels, probably something like 255/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear.
20s go well on your car but they don't look right on every car.
I ran two different wheels combos with my 06'GT and had the FRPP Handling Pack installed.The 18's in the first pic was IMO the best ride,the second with 20's handled well looked great but hiway driving was nothing but feedback and road thump(could be the Denver streets).
Oversize Wheels on 2005 Mustang GT - Advice Required 
