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SVT wheels and tires from GT500

9K views 18 replies 9 participants last post by  2011candyredGT 
#1 ·
I read that the SVT performance package made a big difference in the handling of the GT 500 for 2011. Here is a discussion on why it is so helpful. They also lowered the car and increased the stiffness of the suspension, which I did as well to my Mustang GT:

The new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has a surprise in store for true performance enthusiasts – an optional SVT Performance Package. One lap around the racetrack, and drivers will feel the difference.
Data show the 2011 coupe with the SVT Performance Package is 3.0 seconds faster per lap than the 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track. Cars with the optional package will be able to pull 1.0 lateral g, with stopping distances improved by 7 percent versus the base 2011 Shelby.
“More and more enthusiasts are putting their cars on the track to have some fun,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “It’s a great way to enjoy the performance of your car in a safe environment. No one likes to run at the back of the field, so a track-oriented package is a smart option for the serious Shelby GT500 owner.”

Tires make the difference
The SVT Performance Package features the first application of the all-new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2, a tire that offers superb dry traction and precise handling, complete with a high-performance tread compound with more grip. SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop the new compound, and it’s only available on the 2011 Shelby GT500. The tire is unidirectional, corner-specific – meaning the directional tread must match its specific location.
“We wanted to couple the improved weight distribution and the improved handling of the vehicle with the new tire, and with that offer the customer one of the most advanced summer tires from a manufacturer,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer. “That led us down a road to the new tire. It’s instantly recognizable with an all-new tread pattern and construction.”
The new ultra-high-performance compound is made of a proprietary blend of race-derived carbon black and high-stiffness polymers and resins that help deliver enhanced wet and dry handling performance on both the road and track. Asymmetrical, directional tread designs with massive tread blocks on the outboard side of the tire help enhance dry cornering grip. Sweeping Aquachannel™ grooves on the inboard side of the tread help move water. An innovative multi-radius mold shape offers precise handling and smooth, even wear.
“These tires are as close as you can get to a race car tire,” said Eric Zinkosky, SVT technical specialist. “We have a tire that’s way more capable, with better grip, is firmer and more race-oriented. From there, we tuned the chassis around it. The tires told us what we had to do.
“We took some lessons from the Shelby KR program and applied them to these tires,” he added. “That was our first attempt at a similar compound, and we learned a lot and rolled those lessons into the new Shelby to provide an even better tire.”
Nineteen-inch forged-aluminum wheels in the front, which are 4.7 pounds lighter than the base Shelby GT500’s, complement the all-new wider 265/40R-19 front tires. New 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels at the rear are 2.8 pounds lighter than the standard 19-inch wheel, and the new 3.73 rear axle ratio takes advantage of the new larger rear wheels and tires.
 
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#2 ·
I read that the SVT performance package made a big difference in the handling of the GT 500 for 2011. Here is a discussion on why it is so helpful. They also lowered the car and increased the stiffness of the suspension, which I did as well to my Mustang GT:
Yeah, well your quote only attributes the diff. to tires. I'd certainly HOPE a 2011 GT500 would be faster than a 2010 - tires or not!

The trade-off with tires like the Eagle Supercar, if you use them as a DD, is of course tire LIFE. I'll bet a GT500 won't get more than 10,000 miles (if that) on the rears.

Oh, and the BIG downside of a fully unidirectional, diff. f/r size setup like this: you can NOT rotate tires for longer life!!!

Better have a $$$ tire budget going this route...

IMHO a better option for most is a dedicate set of track wheels+tires, with something more reasonable for DD. The P-Zero (Brembo GT) are a fairly good DD compromise (if you live where it doesn't snow!) - still pretty short life though. At least you can rotate f/r with 255's all around.

If you're into 1/4 mile, I'd bet Nitto NT05 would be cheaper and better. For Auto-X (depending upon class) a set of R compound tires will kick some Eagle behind. On the RR track, same thing.
 
#4 ·
the gt500's tire problem is not compound related; it is width.

550hp and 285 width = traction issues even if your tread compound is as soft and sticky as a magic eraser.

camaro z28 will have 330's in the rear..looks like chevy understands that tire width improves traction...hell, the base 400 hp mustang gt has 235's I really hope ford learns
 
#5 ·
the gt500's tire problem is not compound related; it is width.

550hp and 285 width = traction issues even if your tread compound is as soft and sticky as a magic eraser.
Maybe?!? Have you ever tried running real R compound tires. Trust me, compound makes a HUGE difference - more than just going "wider". Going from a TW 220 to a TW 60 compound is gonna get you WAY more traction than going from 255 to 295.

BUT... You do need to get 'em heated up first. That said, I'd love to go with the SVT setup on the GT (really SHOULD have 295 rears at least). Then I looked at the $$$ - can't rotate tires, more expensive tires+wheels (and a LOT heavier). There is a down side to going bigger. Kinda PO'd though that stinkin' BMW 3 series have bigger rears than we do!
 
#6 ·
ha! just realized everyone posting in here is from california.

awesome

icckart, i agree with you but the OEM tires on the GT500 are NOT r-compound, so what is their excuse now? they put some decent/ok max performance summer tires that are still too narrow for that kind of power. find me another sports car with over 500hp with tires as narrow as the gt500's...there is a reason these cars have super wide tires (and it isn't just for looks)
 
#7 ·
Yep I guess I'll jump in the Califest:bigthumbsup I really like those 2011 trackpack wheels and was just about to pull the trigger on a set.

I then decided to go with the black trackpack wheels 19x9 all the way around with 245/45-19 Continental extreme contact DW tires

let me tell you guys along with my Koni STR.T's and UPR UCA and LCA
Maximum motorsports adj panhard bar and caster camber plates

I have transformed my car into a new animal.There is no comparison to my old stock suspension tires/wheels etc.I had bad wheel hop at the track and no traction at all with the allseason 18's

now with everything dialed in by a professional including pinion angle
I can launch with no hop and I hit the canyons yesterday and this baby drives like a slot car.

We all have to get togeather and go for a nice drive:bigthumbsup
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#10 ·
i really like the black wheels on white, looks great. let me know how you like those continental tires (based on tirerack they got insanely good reviews and the price is very reasonable)

let me know next time you guys decide to go for a pleasure cruise..the weather has been great. i wont be able to keep up with a lot of you guys though lol. financial situation is a little tight and i had to put car mods on hold and save some money so she is mostly stock (just axle backs)
 
#9 ·
Boy those SVT trackpack wheels look good:bigthumbsup you are only the second person I've seen with these wheels on a 2011 GT

I know they cost a pretty penny but to me I think they are worth it.I like the staggered set up and I bet you are just like me when it comes to replica wheels:nono: lol
 
#11 ·
I would have gone with 19 inches all around, but I got too good a deal on the take off set of SVT wheels and tires to pass on it. they were off the widebody GT500 that Galpin made with 13 inch rear wheels... Tires make a huge difference in the performance so I am accepting the idea of a new set each year. I use the car for work so it is tax deducible...
 
#16 ·
SVT Track pack wheels

I bought my car with what I have on it now. It has the FRPP handling package minus the anti-sway bars with a 1" drop. It has alot of what you are talking about with the GT500 stuff for lowering, etc. Plus it has the GT500 bembro brakes if it is any different than the bembros on the GT. I have the SVT Track Pack wheels on it now. This is all on my car now which is my avatar. The wheels are 19x9s (255/40R19s front) in the front and 19x10s (285/35R19s rear) in the rear of which the tires that came with the car are Eagle Supercars. I also have an adjustable panhard. I haven't gotten any wheel hop so far.
 
#17 ·
the downside of the SVT track pack is the shortage of replacement tires in the 265/40ZR19 size and the 275/35ZR 20 size. BF Goodrich has a 275/35 ZR20 g force kdw tire for only $187, but you give up lots of summer grip for longer treadware and maybe better rain performance... The Hankook ventus v 12 in 275/35ZR19 is $199. I will see what is available a year from now and decide whether Goodyear Supercar tires are worth the difference...
 
#18 ·
I went with the UPR double adjustable upper W/mount and billet lower.Pinion angle was adjusted with the upper after car was lowered and everything else installed.

I could have went wider on the tire/rim combo but I'm glad I went with the 245/45-19 and 19x9 all around works perfect with my set up and has a nice stance IMO:bigthumbsup

I considered the relocation brackets for the LCA but after a little research I'll go without them.I eliminated any wheel hop already and for the type of canyon driving I do they are not really needed.
 
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