Argh... My new tires look small :(

babino · Apr 7, 2004

I thought I did my research, but I guess I was wrong. Today I had my new wheels and tires put on my '03 GT. Here is the setup:

Wheels:
Wheelreplica's Deep Dish Bullitt's - Anthracite
Wheel

Front:
Wheelreplica's Bullitt 18x9
Kuhmo Ecsta MX 275/35R18

Rear:
Wheelreplica's Bullitt 18x10
Kuhmo Ecsta MX 295/35R18

Kuhmos:
Kuhmo's

In clear hindsight, I guess my problem started by ordering the same sidewall height tire. I'm not lowered at all and want to immediately replace the rears with something more 'filling'. Any suggestions to calm my current rage???

Also, I have two new Kuhmo 295/35R18's for sale

Any comments and/or thoughts would be appreciated. I'll take pictures today to try and post tonight.

Gumby · Apr 7, 2004

315s

98GTVortech · Apr 7, 2004

Gears- 4.10 i wish i would have. Tires- I know that BFG came out with a larger DR for the 18's may want to take a look at that otherwise 295 isn't that small??

babino · Apr 7, 2004

?

Gumby said:
315s

Aren't we talking more about the sidewall height than the width? Forgive me if I'm a little confused, but I'm far from being considered a tire expert. I do believe that the 315's would raise the sidewall a little, but would it be enough to fill the larger than life gap above the sidewall to the bottom of the wheel well? That is what has me so frustrated...

Gumby · Apr 7, 2004

Without getting too tall of a tire the 315s will stand up a little more. Without the tires looking silly your only way to really get rid of this gap is lowering the car. If you don't want to go too low, get Ford C springs, that will bring the car down about an inch all around and look kick @$$ with those wheels and tires!!! Unfortunately our Stangs look more like monster trucks and the wheel/tire combo you have will only make this more apparent without lowering the car.

Sorry if this isn't the info you're looking for?!

babino · Apr 7, 2004

digging for more..

Gumby said:
Without getting too tall of a tire the 315s will stand up a little more. Without the tires looking silly your only way to really get rid of this gap is lowering the car. If you don't want to go too low, get Ford C springs, that will bring the car down about an inch all around and look kick @$$ with those wheels and tires!!! Unfortunately our Stangs look more like monster trucks and the wheel/tire combo you have will only make this more apparent without lowering the car.

Sorry if this isn't the info you're looking for?!

I'd rather lower it a little with the springs than replace the tires if it will look good. I swear I've seen Stangs with the same tire combo and they look great! Can I safely assume they were lowered? There are a couple guys in these forums that posted pics and they look great! I've attached one (hope that was ok in these circumstances). Also, where can I find these C springs and is that something the dealer will install? Thanks for your help!

Gumby · Apr 7, 2004

Yeah, that car is definitely lowered and probably with Eibachs from the look of it!! The best place to get the FMS springs is at here. They're nice because the lower the front a little more than the back, also as far as getting them installed you'd have to check with a local dealer. Try a dealer that deals in SVTs, Roushs, Saleens, that'll be the best shot at them being able to do it for you. With the car lowered the tires would look fine!!

If you don't mind going lower than that you could get the Eibachs and your car would look a lot like the one you posted!!

Hope this helps.

02GT02 · Apr 7, 2004

All you need is a 1" drop and they will look sweet.In my opinion,35's are really low profile,I prefer the 40's.I realize most people like the lower side wall for handling,etc. - Just my opinion.
You can get C springs right here in Stangnet's Partshopper($169)

babino · Apr 7, 2004

Other suspension mods while replacing springs?

02GT02 said:
All you need is a 1" drop and they will look sweet.In my opinion,35's are really low profile,I prefer the 40's.I realize most people like the lower side wall for handling,etc. - Just my opinion.
You can get C springs right here in Stangnet's Partshopper($169)

Sounds like a good idea since it is too late to consider the 40's. Is there anything else that can be done to the suspension at the same time as the springs that could save me another trip to the mechanic? Thanks!

babino · Apr 7, 2004

What about the Bullitt suspension kit?

Bullitt Suspension Kit

What about this kit instead of the C springs? I'm just thinking that if I'm replacing the springs anyway it might be easier to do other suspension mods at the same time. Is there a better setup instead of this? Sorry to switch topics, but I guess it is all related to making the best of the horrible tire situation I have now... I expected so much more from it!

Thanks for any help!

4.6gtredline · Apr 7, 2004

Well I just put the same combo on my car MOnday. 18x9 front and 18x10 rear bullit anthracite. i went with the toyo T1S in a 265 35 18 and 285 35 18. My setup looks sick...no regrets at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

babino · Apr 7, 2004

Sweet

4.6gtredline said:
Well I just put the same combo on my car MOnday. 18x9 front and 18x10 rear bullit anthracite. i went with the toyo T1S in a 265 35 18 and 285 35 18. My setup looks sick...no regrets at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Sounds great! Any pics?

02GT02 · Apr 7, 2004

Take a look at www.mustangracing.com.This is where I got my suspension and I love it.
It's supposed to be "better" than the Bullitt suspension although I have no proof of that.
Also I would not use the dealer to do the work,they are way too expensive.

babino · Apr 7, 2004

Suspension parts and more!

Since I'm looking at the C springs, gefracing.com shows other related items like the Bump Steer Kit, Caster Camber Plates, and Offset Rack Bushings. Are these 'niceties' or something I can't live without together with the springs?

Also, how does a rough estimate of $300 to install just the springs sound? Big O' Tires quoted me this until they can actually see what needs to be done... ouch.

What have I got myself into???

AdRock · Apr 7, 2004

$300 to just instll the springs is tooo much. It's a fairly easy job, especially if you have a lift and some airtools. Shouldn't take more than an hour in those conditions.

LordJish · Apr 7, 2004

I love the way that black bullit looks!

Gumby · Apr 7, 2004

The only problem with that Bullitt kit is that the springs are specific rate and not progressive. You definitely want to make sure that what ever you get is progressive and not specific, you won't be happy with specific rate springs.

babino · Apr 7, 2004

Good info

Gumby said:
The only problem with that Bullitt kit is that the springs are specific rate and not progressive. You definitely want to make sure that what ever you get is progressive and not specific, you won't be happy with specific rate springs.

For simplicity sake, would I be OK with just the Ford C springs? I heard that the camber is adjustable in the '03 GT so should this be all I need? Thanks!

wms004 · Apr 7, 2004

babino said:
I thought I did my research, but I guess I was wrong. Today I had my new wheels and tires put on my '03 GT. Here is the setup:

Wheels:
Wheelreplica's Deep Dish Bullitt's - Anthracite
Wheel

Front:
Wheelreplica's Bullitt 18x9
Kuhmo Ecsta MX 275/35R18

Rear:
Wheelreplica's Bullitt 18x10
Kuhmo Ecsta MX 295/35R18

Kuhmos:
Kuhmo's

In clear hindsight, I guess my problem started by ordering the same sidewall height tire. I'm not lowered at all and want to immediately replace the rears with something more 'filling'. Any suggestions to calm my current rage???

Also, I have two new Kuhmo 295/35R18's for sale

Any comments and/or thoughts would be appreciated. I'll take pictures today to try and post tonight.

your tires aren't the same sidewall height. the diameters are clearly different between 295/35 and 275/35. Maybe you should consider some 315/30's if you can find some.

wms004 · Apr 7, 2004

02GT02 said:
All you need is a 1" drop and they will look sweet.In my opinion,35's are really low profile,I prefer the 40's.I realize most people like the lower side wall for handling,etc. - Just my opinion.
You can get C springs right here in Stangnet's Partshopper($169)

It depends on the with.. the second number (ex. 35 and 40) is a PERCENTAGE of the first number.. thats why 245/40/18 and 275/35/18 have the exact same sidewall height pretty much.

If you want to go bigger than 295's on an 18" wheel you are going to need to go with a 30 series tire in order for it not to look ridiculous.

Argh... My new tires look small :(

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