Tires for 17x9 Cobra Rs

[66sprint6]

Ok, ive searched and read and searched and read all I can about tire size and rubbing etc...but I gotta ask personally about what size tires to get for my setup. 90 LX coupe 5.0 with 17x9 Cobra Rs +20mm offset all around. Im sittin on stock suspension other than MM lowers in the back and eventually some 4cyl springs in the front. What tires size setup should I go with to have the right look, good traction in a H/C/I car with nitrous eventually and not rub when I have people with me or hit some rough roads? I was thinkin 255s all around so I can rotate etc. On the other hand I was thinkin 255s in the front, 275s out back, but dunno. I have 275 drag radials for when I need traction, i just want somethin good for when I daily drive the car that will hold up when I decide to push the go pedal. I appreciate the help guys!!!
Matt

 

[stang&2Birds]

What spindles do you have up front? 255's will be very tight up front! You have a '90. So, you have more room up front for tires than my '86, but less than the 92/93. And, the exact model and year of the tire make a difference in the tread width and section width! Check out tirerack.com!

People go with some cheap *ss Pep Boys 315's that are thinner than stock 225s and then brag about having 315's on their car. NOT ALL 245/45/17's are the same! Not by any means!! And, the same is true for ALL tire sizes.

So, just because some yahoo brags about having some stupid tire size on their car, that doesn't mean ****. Also, when you're that close to rubbing, you're well into the POS tolerances of Fox bodies. Plus, add in that many cars have had body work.

So, again, be very careful about any specific advice and if it will work on your car. I've seen over and over people talk about what they have. But, fail to mention "minor" things like having to push out the fender, roll the fender lips, chop some sheet metal, "relief" (bang in) some sheet metal, trim plastic, use wheel spacers, use a ton of rack limiters, bla, bla, bla.

FWIW: I say go with 275's in the rear and 245's up front.
My car with 245's all around:
Mustang 86 - Mach1 Springs

 

[warriorpluto]

is 235/45/17 a good size? i have those on my car right now. cobra r rims. somebody stole my center cobra caps at a local walmart.

 

[66sprint6]

Stock 4 lug spindles, how will a 245 tire look on a 17x9 wheel? If its not too stretched Ill give it a shot.
Matt

 

[LxVert]

I have toyo proxes 4 - 245/45/17 all the way around on my 17x9 cobra's and they rub a little in the front when at full lock. The tire is not stretched, IMO 255's might be a little rough on the front.

 

[WHT306]

I'M RUNNING 245/45/17 UP FRONT ON AN EIGHT INCH WHEEL BUT MY CAR IS LOWERED AND 275/40/17 IN THE REAR ALSO ON 8 INCH RIMS. NO ISSUES. I STILL HAVE MY FENDER LINERS TOO.

MY FRIEND HAS COBRA R'S AND HE 'S RUNNING 245/45/17 ALL THE WAY ON 17X9 WHEELS ON STOCK SUSP.

 

[stang&2Birds]

is 235/45/17 a good size? i have those on my car right now. cobra r rims. somebody stole my center cobra caps at a local walmart.

A 245/45/17 is the correct diameter tire for a Stang. Not a 235/45/17.
Still, as I said, in reality there is NO FIXED standard for tire sizes! They are like pants sizes! Check out the revs/mile at tirerack.com for a specific tire to be sure.

 

[stang&2Birds]

Stock 4 lug spindles, how will a 245 tire look on a 17x9 wheel? If its not too stretched Ill give it a shot.
Matt

A 245/45/17 should be fine on a 17x9 rim. However, again, tires vary a lot! So, check out the manufacture's spec for what rim sizes they suggest. Again, tirerack.com is your best source for info.

BTW: I didn't want to give a blanket "that's fine" because I have seen some POS thin *ss cheap *ss tires over the years. And, other than the rim size, tire manufactures seem to make up the exact specs for tire sizes as they feel fit. With a little searching, you can find tire models for the same exact tire size that differ by 3%-5%-10% or more in many specs.

That's why ALL ABS/TC systems REQUIRE that all four tires be changed at the same time with the same time and using the same exact tire model on all four wheels. It's in the owners manuals! So, please, don't argue. Yea, people can't read. So, you hear and read tons of BS from people.

FWIW: It is "possible" to mix/match tire sizes in cars with ABS. But, you must be very careful with the tire diameters for that model tire on that specific rim! For eaxmple, for the winter, I run 15" Blizzaks in the back of my Stang because they are a lot cheaper than 17" tires. Because of my Cobra brakes, I have to run 17" tires and rims in the front. An sn95 15" rim works fine with the Cobra rear brakes. I like to try to drive my Stang on a "nice" day in the winter about once a week. But, there are still icy spots on the roads. So, I need winter tires. I hated seeing the Stang sit for 4+ months.

 

[hotcobra03]

My 03 has 275 40 17and ir 17x9 .a eagel f1 is almost even with rim.i have used smaller used tires on rim they look ok but u c all rim .cant help on rubbing issue

 

[DocG]

I have 245/45's on mine as well....same wheel as what you're looking at. My car sits pretty low and no rub on the fenders. Well it did rub with 1/4" spacers in front, but took those out. Now it only rubs at full turn. I don't think they look stretched at all.

 

[Beasty306GT]

Im runnin 235/45/17 up front and they rub when u cut the wheel all the way.....with 245/45/17 out back....i gotta run a spacer cuz it hits the quad shock....u want smaller tires up front....they wont feel every bump in the street and pull ur car...i wish i got 8" rim up front...i got toyo proxies 4 one of the best tires made...

 

[CU racing]

I have sn95 spindles in front and 98 cobra brakes in the rear, 17X9 R's with 255/45/17 Yokahama all the way around. When I first got the wheels they had the 245's, the 255's fit the rim better in my opinion but they rub front and rear with stock springs. I really need to use 17X8's with the sn95 stuff I think I would have lees problems with rubbing. www.cardomain.com/ride/2632197/1 may be some better pics.