Are the springs too tall or the tires too small?

[Husky44]

OK, I'm really beginning to wonder whether the first issue to address is lowering springs or bigger tires/wheels?

Car is currently on 255/40/17s, with factory suspension. There's too much gap between the fender lip and the rubber, but not sure whether a lowering kit is going to get me there or if I need to go to a different wheel and tire setup.

Advice?

 

[gcomfx.com]

Remove the mud flaps, then it won't look like a 4x4 truck.

Just messin' with you. I'm not big on lowering cars. Roads here suck. A small drop wouldn't hurt though. Springs definitely. 18" tires cost too much for me.

 

[95BlueStallion]

The wheels look nice, and going to 18's wont make a huge difference. I would get a set of drop springs to start. I have BBK springs that came on my car, and roll on the stock 17" wheels. The gap is still a couple inches, but not near what it started at. I saw a stock stang a couple days ago with the same wheels, and it had quite a gap!

 

[reddy351]

Eibach Pro kit. All the way. It dropped mine about 1", all the way around. (Claims are for 1.5" but my OE springs had been "settling" for over 10 years.) It sits at 26.75" all the way around. Measured at the top of the wheel openings. There are places where the exhaust "drags" a little, but it's not too bad. I certainly don't worry about most speed bumps and stuff. Any lower and I'd be hating it.

Your wheels and tires are fine. I've got 255/40/17's on the front of mine. I wouldn't want to go any taller to fill the wheel opening. Some on here are using a 275/40 on the front.

Put some springs on it, then do that cat-back. (So I can at least "place" on my bet for the first mod.)

 

[Black Stampede]

Your tires are fine. Get some lower springs and it will look great. H&R Supersports are very nice.

 

[inphiniti]

Eibach Pro kit. All the way. It dropped mine about 1", all the way around. (Claims are for 1.5" but my OE springs had been "settling" for over 10 years.) It sits at 26.75" all the way around. Measured at the top of the wheel openings. There are places where the exhaust "drags" a little, but it's not too bad. I certainly don't worry about most speed bumps and stuff. Any lower and I'd be hating it.

Your wheels and tires are fine. I've got 255/40/17's on the front of mine. I wouldn't want to go any taller to fill the wheel opening. Some on here are using a 275/40 on the front.

Put some springs on it, then do that cat-back. (So I can at least "place" on my bet for the first mod.)

+1 if u dont want a tremendous drop

 

[Husky44]

Eibach Pro kit. All the way.

OK, so anybody got a set of Eibachs for sale? Cheap?

Your wheels and tires are fine. I've got 255/40/17's on the front of mine.

Just when I'd decided that a set of black 18" Bullitts would look really sweet, you guys try to talk me out of it...But reddy351's car description sounds like maybe he's got another reason for saying my wheels are "fine". Who wants "fine" anyway? That's how most people describe another crappy day at the office--"How was your day?" "Fine"

Great, now I've got a wheel inferiority complex...

 

[HISSIN50]

I agree with Rob and Jimmy and the Prokit idea. Take a look at some pics though. You seem a little picky and while the PK is the best compromise I know of (I'd be afraid to go lower on a true DD), I think the cars look a lot better when even lower (Sportlines, H&R, etc).
We don't want ya to be unhappy with the aesthetic. On the other hand, my recollection of the roads up your way is that they often are heaved and suck.



Good luck.

 

[reddy351]

OK, so anybody got a set of Eibachs for sale? Cheap?



Just when I'd decided that a set of black 18" Bullitts would look really sweet, you guys try to talk me out of it...But reddy351's car description sounds like maybe he's got another reason for saying my wheels are "fine". Who wants "fine" anyway? That's how most people describe another crappy day at the office--"How was your day?" "Fine"

Great, now I've got a wheel inferiority complex...

I said they were fine because of your other post that says that this car isn't for modding. It's a driver. Therefore, 255/40's will do just fine.

I was making a recommendation based on what YOU said you wanted to do. $1500+ for wheels/tires, is a modification that you said wasn't going to happen. Even if you buy some 18's and don't lower it, it will still have the 4x4 look that you are trying to eliminate.

 

[Husky44]

I said they were fine because of your other post that says that this car isn't for modding. It's a driver. Therefore, 255/40's will do just fine.

I was making a recommendation based on what YOU said you wanted to do. $1500+ for wheels/tires, is a modification that you said wasn't going to happen. Even if you buy some 18's and don't lower it, it will still have the 4x4 look that you are trying to eliminate.

Oops, probably didn't use enough smileys. Intent here was to have some fun. No harm meant.

my recollection of the roads up your way is that they often are heaved and suck.

Frost heaves+fast car=BIG AIR!!!

Thanks for the input from all. It's being seriously considered between the smart@$$ replies.

 

[rio95]

255/40/17's are a bit shorter than stock diameter. Hard to notice, but they are. If your car is low enough, it doesn't matter. I wish there was a 265 that had the correct diamter for 17 in rims. That would be perfect.

 

[reddy351]

Oops, probably didn't use enough smileys. Intent here was to have some fun. No harm meant.

I didn't take it wrong. I should have been an attorney. (My morals and "un-slimey-ness" got in the way.) I love to argue a point. That's what I was doing. All in good fun.


Also, "Smartass remarks"...it's what I do!

 

[1TallMF]

I used to have 255/45's on the front when I had my 17x8 '98 Cobras, and the slightly higher sidewall closed up the gap without loosing ground clearance. And the sidewall difference between the front and back tires isn't noticable, even after staring at it for a prolonged period of time. Plus the 255/45 are a little cheaper than 255/40's (in my case, they were $50 cheaper, each, which was the deciding factor for me).

I'd still drop it 1" with springs though. For sure.