Torn between 17" and 18"

[Shanesstang]

Hi everyone,
The Mrs. and I decided to clean the cobwebs off of my 02 GT sitting in the garage (need the space for my new 68 camaro )and the first thing I need are tires/ rims. I really want and need the wide stance, and absolutely love the look of the 315's. I also, however, like the idea of 18 inch wheels. My problem is, I typically only find 18x10 (not 10.5). Any advice on what I should do?
Thanks in advance.

 

[evil281]

trust me the 18x10 is pretty much the same and look a hell of a lot better in my opinion especially deep dish

 

[eliteJAE]

+1

and if you really need 10.5, some companies do carry 18x10.5.

 

[Shanesstang]

Will I see any performance difference between the 2 wheel sizes?
And again, thanks for the replys.

 

[georgio440]

It'll take more power to move bigger rims, obviously, since you're increasing the rotational mass, especially if you go to 18s.

 

[TropicMustang]

+1 with George. I would stick with 17''s because 18'' tires cost a hellva a lot more then 17's

 

[Flghtmstr1]

I was in a similar predicament when I was looking for wheels. The design and finish I liked best (hypercoated FR500) only came in an 18" wheel, so that's what I went with. However, it sucks shopping for tires because they are much more expensive and harder to find.

As for the performance difference, if the wheel and tire package is heavier, it will make the car slower. With that being said, I can't tell a difference between my stock "fish spoke" 17s and my FR500s. I even tried discerning a difference at the drag strip when I was N/A, and my car ran the same both times, so it's not that important.

 

[scupking]

18s look good but the tires are just to much money. I would say go with 17s.

 

[98COBRA281]

go with the 17's

i went from 17x9 rims and 275 tires, to 17x10.5 rims and 315 tires and lost 5rwhp and 5rwtq............

 

[02nightmaregt]

The 18's do look good, but i really like my 17's. I have a 315 rear tire and feel no difference in power at all.

 

[evil281]

It'll take more power to move bigger rims, obviously, since you're increasing the rotational mass, especially if you go to 18s.

that y u have a set of 17's for the track

 

[blksq10psi]

youre gonna have to pony up $$ for 315 x18 's

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

If you can afford 18's do it. I can afford them, I'm just too cheap to buy 18" tires. lol

 

[bwahl602]

the 18s look really good

 

[98stangv8]

+1 with George. I would stick with 17''s because 18'' tires cost a hellva a lot more then 17's

if price is not an issue...get the 18's...I wish I had!

 

[notchnut]

I'm running 18x10.5 03 Cobra's in the rear with 315/30ZR18 Michelin Pilot sport's. Can I just say they look fantastic and are wide and meaty BUT if I blow one of those puppy's it's $486.00 out of pocket to replace it(give or take a few bucks)! Yes I can afford it, but I dont want to have to. So needless to say I take it easy on my tires. Hell I have 18x9's up front with 275/35/18's and one of them has a slice on the inside tire wall, i have been debating replacing it because it's like $260.00 just to replace that tire not including mounting and balancing. I'm not trying to be cheap but I would go with 17"s and spend that extra money elsewhere. I have been thinking of selling/trading my 18"s for
17"s.

 

[98stangv8]

I'm running 18x10.5 03 Cobra's in the rear with 315/30ZR18 Michelin Pilot sport's. Can I just say they look fantastic and are wide and meaty BUT if I blow one of those puppy's it's $486.00 out of pocket to replace it(give or take a few bucks)! Yes I can afford it, but I dont want to have to. So needless to say I take it easy on my tires. Hell I have 18x9's up front with 275/35/18's and one of them has a slice on the inside tire wall, i have been debating replacing it because it's like $260.00 just to replace that tire not including mounting and balancing. I'm not trying to be cheap but I would go with 17"s and spend that extra money elsewhere. I have been thinking of selling/trading my 18"s for
17"s.

Hey,

How many lbs of boost are you pushing with your setup and what numbers did you get?

Have any pics of your rims? I would love 18's...

 

[EPIK]

Although 17's look good on 94-04 Mustangs, 18's look better IMO...


17's look perfect on fox bodies though....

 

[notchnut]

Hey,

How many lbs of boost are you pushing with your setup and what numbers did you get?

Have any pics of your rims? I would love 18's...

11lbs before the fmic install. the car is sitting in the garage right now, I have been waiting for my HPX MAF to finish the install. Once I'm done I'll have it dyno tuned and I'll post the numbers. I'm sure it will be pretty average (400-415rwhp).

here is a pic of the car when i first bought it, it has since been lowered and i polished the wheels, but you get the picture.

 

[westgastang5.0Coyote]

I say go with the 17's. The 18'2 look sick but it's like me and my friend were saying about 18's $$$. That's what stopped me from getting some.