daily driver.... size tires/wheel up front?

[NightLife]

hey ya'll what size tire/wheel combo would/could you run safely up front in a daily driven stang?

thinking of a 205/45 R15 so that would be a 15"x5" weldracing draglite

while im on the topic, possible to run weld racing draglites on the street daily?

the combo would be

the 205/45 15's in the front

and nitto 275/50/15's in the rear....

how much will handling suffer?

risk of cracking a rim?

thanks

chad

 

[Michael Yount]

Your Mustang has almost 60% of it's weight on the front tires. Under heavy braking it's more like 80%. The front tires have to turn and stop the car. Be certain the (smaller) tire you're putting on the front has enough load rating to handle what might be asked of it in an emergency manuver or emegency stop.

As you might imagine, I'm not a fan of skinnies on the front of cars driven on the street. They severely compromise the handling and stopping abilities of a car, especially one with a heavy front end weight bias. You're not exactly proposing skinnies - but it is a much smaller tire and wheel than came on the car stock. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 215 section tire, and for that tire I wouldn't go any smaller than a 6" wide wheel - 7" would be better.

 

[NightLife]

Your Mustang has almost 60% of it's weight on the front tires. Under heavy braking it's more like 80%. The front tires have to turn and stop the car. Be certain the (smaller) tire you're putting on the front has enough load rating to handle what might be asked of it in an emergency manuver or emegency stop.

As you might imagine, I'm not a fan of skinnies on the front of cars driven on the street. They severely compromise the handling and stopping abilities of a car, especially one with a heavy front end weight bias. You're not exactly proposing skinnies - but it is a much smaller tire and wheel than came on the car stock. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 215 section tire, and for that tire I wouldn't go any smaller than a 6" wide wheel - 7" would be better.

appreciate your opnion and thats my concern. and i was thinking of 215's on a 6"....

any other opinons out there guys?

 

[5spd GT]

I have 245/50/16's all around on my car...makes it look stout...and handles surprisingly well on the stock 7in ponies...I won't go any smaller or bigger on these rims...

 

[5.0fox]

i have 165/15 and 275/50/15's and i think it stops suprisingly well. handling isnt to good though

 

[Michael Yount]

5spd - those 245 tires could really benefit from an 8" wide wheel. The 7" is really too narrow for them.

5.0fox - I'll promise you if you and another similar weight/similar brakes Stang with 225 tires on the front compared stopping distances, they would stop MUCH shorter in an emergency panic stop than you're capable of with the 165's on the front.

 

[mob]

didnt read the other posts but i have nitto 555 zr's all around on 9' cobra r's. They are 275/40/17 all around. The front rubs alot on the inside fender, i am really afraid to turn with it. I wouldnt suggest 9' in the front at all. I dont really feel a sacrafice in turning, i just feel really soft tires and alot of grip

Pics:

 

[5spd GT]

5spd - those 245 tires could really benefit from an 8" wide wheel. The 7" is really too narrow for them.

Yes I know they would...8in would be perfect...245/45/17's come on the 17x8 inch wheels on 99+ Gt's from the factory...so that shows right there it is a good all-around tire...

I like the look and I can't afford new rims (because if I was I would convert over to 5-lug)...so that is why I keep them...

I don't like the look of a skinny tire up front and bigger out back...and I wanted some added traction (245) and since I don't like the skinny-fat look I went with 245's up front...you'd be surprised how little they actually stick out from the rim lip and how they handle...

 

[NightLife]

well heres what ive decided to go with....

215/50/15's on a 15"x7" rim for the front.

275/50/15's on a 15"x10" rim for the rear.

BFGoodrich G-force sport tires for the front.

Nitto 555R's for the rear.

hows that sound?

 

[mob]

sounds good imo, i bet your going to love those 555r's, not sure how the bfgoodrich are but sounds good imo

 

[Clean_pony]

I have 274/40/17 rear 235/40/17 front... they are Falken Tires and I love them.. they seem to last a lot longer then any other tire i've had.. and with the cross drilled rotors.. they stop MUCH better then stock. I also have Sport line shocks... I've been over 140mph and can still make safe lane changes.. and I drive the car 70+kms a day..