I know there are tons of threads with questions about wheels and tires so I'm hesitant to start another, but I'd like some opinions and advice so here goes.
I just purchased my first Mustang (woot!), a 98 GT Vert. I'm generally one that starts shopping for wheels and tires right away when I get a new car. Virtually everything I've ever driven got a new set of aftermarket wheels at some point. However, I'm thinking very seriously about keeping the split spoke wheels that came stock on this GT (see below).
If I do keep these wheels on the car I'll space the back ones so they fit the wheel well better. From what I've read a 1.25" spacer does well. Anyone have photo's or experience with that?
Next..the tires. The tires will need replacing fairly soon. The current rubber is 225/50-17...not the 245/45-17 that came stock. I'm thinking about going back to the 245/45 on the front, but would like to enhance the look on the back with a bigger tire. From what I've read it sounds like a 275/40-17 is about the biggest this wheel will accommodate safely and without looking silly. That would be an increase of a little over 1" in width over stock and almost 2" wider than what's on the car right now. A 285/40 would be in the range of 1.5" wider than stock, but I think that's too much for the 17"x8" rim (Stock GT Split Spokes are 8" wide right). Thoughts and photo's again appreciated.
Lastly, any thoughts on painting the insets on these wheels black? I've seen the pony logo's painted black and liked it...not sure if the inset areas in black would look better or worse.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and thoughts. I know these are questions that others have asked a zillion times...I have researched and found info, just wanted to get some input so I can try and do things right the first time, LOL!
I just purchased my first Mustang (woot!), a 98 GT Vert. I'm generally one that starts shopping for wheels and tires right away when I get a new car. Virtually everything I've ever driven got a new set of aftermarket wheels at some point. However, I'm thinking very seriously about keeping the split spoke wheels that came stock on this GT (see below).
If I do keep these wheels on the car I'll space the back ones so they fit the wheel well better. From what I've read a 1.25" spacer does well. Anyone have photo's or experience with that?
Next..the tires. The tires will need replacing fairly soon. The current rubber is 225/50-17...not the 245/45-17 that came stock. I'm thinking about going back to the 245/45 on the front, but would like to enhance the look on the back with a bigger tire. From what I've read it sounds like a 275/40-17 is about the biggest this wheel will accommodate safely and without looking silly. That would be an increase of a little over 1" in width over stock and almost 2" wider than what's on the car right now. A 285/40 would be in the range of 1.5" wider than stock, but I think that's too much for the 17"x8" rim (Stock GT Split Spokes are 8" wide right). Thoughts and photo's again appreciated.
Lastly, any thoughts on painting the insets on these wheels black? I've seen the pony logo's painted black and liked it...not sure if the inset areas in black would look better or worse.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and thoughts. I know these are questions that others have asked a zillion times...I have researched and found info, just wanted to get some input so I can try and do things right the first time, LOL!