Question about tires on a 2003 Cobra

MattM · Jan 24, 2006

I have close to 500HP at the rear stock tires (275/40zr-17 tires on 17x9in rims) and they need to be replaced. On launch from a dead stop they tend to hop. So, my question is what size tire should I get to prevent the hopping from launch?

mustangscotty1 · Jan 24, 2006

A 18x10.5 with a set of sticky tires helps a lot.

The 18" rim really helped me a lot. My IRS has only hopped twice since going with the 18" out back.

Solid bushings and a hard launch kit really help a lot to.

Don't go past a 295 tire! If you do, it's time for some spacers. If you don't drive the car much, I highly suggest the 18/295 BFG Drag Radial.

If you drive your Cobra a lot, I suggest a good 18/295/35 tire in the back and keep the 275 tires up front.

As you already know, none of this stuff is cheap. Income tax refund time is coming.. Go through the TireRack !

Uncle Meat · Jan 24, 2006

MattM said:
I have close to 500HP at the rear stock tires (275/40zr-17 tires on 17x9in rims) and they need to be replaced. On launch from a dead stop they tend to hop. So, my question is what size tire should I get to prevent the hopping from launch?

There's no easy answer to your question! First off, stickier tires will improve traction and CAN help reduce overall wheel hop, but there's no guarantee that will solve the problem completely. Polyurethane bushings, differential brace, and stiffer valved shocks all help to reduce the hop.

You can safely fit a set of Nitto 315/35/17 DR's on your stock rims if you want to go that route. That would be an inexpensive way of determining if you want to go even farther with your quest to reduce wheel hop, because it sure as hell won't solve it by itself!

Do a search here in the Tech area for wheel and hop. There are a couple dozen posts referring to wheel hop and ways to combat it.

U.M.

mustangscotty1 · Jan 24, 2006

Uncle Meat said:
There's no easy answer to your question! First off, stickier tires will improve traction and CAN help reduce overall wheel hop, but there's no guarantee that will solve the problem completely. Polyurethane bushings, differential brace, and stiffer valved shocks all help to reduce the hop.

You can safely fit a set of Nitto 315/35/17 DR's on your stock rims if you want to go that route. That would be an inexpensive way of determining if you want to go even farther with your quest to reduce wheel hop, because it sure as hell won't solve it by itself!

Do a search here in the Tech area for wheel and hop. There are a couple dozen posts referring to wheel hop and ways to combat it.

U.M.

I agree..
To curb the wheel hop there are many things you can do. Larger tire diameter is just one that worked for me. The cure of the problem rested with my driving habits. I have not experienced wheel hop for more than a year now.

A few weeks ago, I purchased a solid rear end. Its going in next month.

MattM · Jan 24, 2006

Thanks for the input. I'm going to research these options and go from there.

blk04cobra1 · Jan 24, 2006

if it's not your DD and you wanna keep the stock rims, I highly recommend the Mickey Thompson 275/40/17 drag radial, these are the best drag radials out there, except they dont offer them in 18's yet...If it is your DD, then i'd suggest some BFG KDW's, they're a little softer and will still hold up in the rain. I suggest to all of my customers going high in the HP range to have a second set of rims to put some drag radials on b/c it's hard to get 500hp to stick on the street

jwaknbeef · Feb 13, 2006

Drag radials dont last long enough for a daily driver except for maybe the Nittos.

281pony · Feb 14, 2006

i have heard of clearance problems with 315's on stock wheels. dont recall if they were nitto's or not, even 295's on 18s have hit before. each irs seems to be quite abit different. if your changing tires, just be prepared to grind the bolt head down from what ive seen.

of course this varies with tire brands as some are about an inch wider then others in the same size. im just hoping my 18" saleens with a 295 bfg clear without grinding the bolt head.

cold96snake · Feb 15, 2006

Don't forget to turn of the T/C.

SVT98Snake · Feb 15, 2006

TC= bad. Leans out the fuel...

Have your tuner eliminate it.

O.D. Showtime · Feb 18, 2006

Some of you guys are saying that 315/35-18 will fit on the rear of a mustang, whereas others say you'll need spacers. I'm looking to get 18" rims soon, and plan on going with 315-35 rear tires. Anyone know if that's definitely gonna fit? Also, my car is lowered with H&R Supersports.

Uncle Meat · Feb 19, 2006

O.D. Showtime said:
Some of you guys are saying that 315/35-18 will fit on the rear of a mustang, whereas others say you'll need spacers. I'm looking to get 18" rims soon, and plan on going with 315-35 rear tires. Anyone know if that's definitely gonna fit? Also, my car is lowered with H&R Supersports.

315/35-18's? That's a VERY unusual size.

A lowered car can cause rubbing on the fenderwell lip depending on the width of the tire you choose. You may need to have the fenderwell rolled.

An 18 inch rim clears the IRS better than a 17 inch rim. There are a lot fewer tire choices for 18 inch rims vs 17 inch rims.

Since all 315 tires ARE NOT the same width (it can vary as much as an inch!) you need to tell us what size rim and what size and what manufacturer tire you're trying to stuff in there.

U.M.

mustangscotty1 · Feb 19, 2006

a 295 fit nicely under my wheel wells, no rubbing unless you hit a hard bump with those H&R supersports

around town it rides alright.. coil overs in the rear would be best

Uncle Meat · Feb 19, 2006

mustangscotty1 said:
a 295 fit nicely under my wheel wells, no rubbing unless you hit a hard bump with those H&R supersports

around town it rides alright.. coil overs in the rear would be best

I have 315's on mine that fit just fine, but they are Nitto 315's which run quite a bit more narrow than other 315's. Are your 295's an 18 or 17 inch tire? Why do you feel coil overs would be best? Best for what?

U.M.

mustangscotty1 · Feb 19, 2006

18's

coil overs on the street ride nice

more choice on springs, they are easy to swap out, right height is easier to adjust and the adjustability of the strut is always there.

Uncle Meat · Feb 20, 2006

mustangscotty1 said:
coil overs on the street ride nice

I think you're one of the first people I've heard say that. Most people I talk with state their handling was drastically improved with coil overs but that came with a sacrifice to ride quality.

U.M.

O.D. Showtime · Feb 25, 2006

Based on research I've done, it doesn't appear as if a 315 tire is going to fit an SN95 mustang, assumming the car is lowered 1 1/2" or more. I suppose a 295 tire is my best bet. You guys with IRS can fit the 315's. I also need to take into consideration my bigger, aftermarket catback, which may supposively get in the way of a 315 tire. It's definitely possible to put a 315 on, but it will require me to flip or remove my quad shocks and put up with occasional rubbing under hard cornering. Figured I'd let anyone else interested know.

littleguy07 · Feb 25, 2006

i dont know if anyone else has ever noticed but if you look up the mustang rims on ebay you can buy rims and tires with AA traction and A temp. and 186mph for cheaper than u can buy just the tires?

Question about tires on a 2003 Cobra

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