what front tires to run with drop springs

[NFGTragedy]

Just today I finished my whole front end freshening up on my 89lx... with new a arm bushings, balljoints, eibach prokit, my 5 lug spindle setup... and i lastly put on my new 17 cobra rims... here lies my question... I noticed my front tires seem to be very close to hitting the fender (within an inch maybe less)... So I was just wondering what you guys run up front especially those with drop springs, so that I won't rub on a bump... I currently have my car on 235/45/17's... do you think 235/35/17's would be a better fit or what?... On the rear I got 275/40/17's and they seem to have some room but the front also seems a bit lower then the rear by a little bit... any ideas?

 

[795.0pacecar]

I have 255s on the front, they are close to the fender lip but so far they have never hit, and I've had the tires for over a year.

 

[NFGTragedy]

I have 255s on the front, they are close to the fender lip but so far they have never hit, and I've had the tires for over a year.

Whats the height on your tires?... I'm worried more about the height then the width... i'm sticking with 235's unless someone things 225's would be better... but i doubt that will happen.

 

[NFGTragedy]

nevermind i see it in your mods on your post... :-x 255/45/17's... hmmm mine just seems really damn close to the fender... but the springs are damn stiff so maybe it wouldn't travel that inch to hit but i need new tires anyways so i'm just wondering which way to go... maybe even 235/40/17??

 

[powertrax91]

I have 255s on the front, they are close to the fender lip but so far they have never hit, and I've had the tires for over a year.

Same here... 255/40's on a 17x9 wheel... no rub'n

the 235/40 is the safe way to go

 

[NFGTragedy]

no one has problems hitting / rubbing?... interesting. I guess the springs won't travel too much... you said 235/40/17's would be the best way. Sounds about right. I was just wondering if there was a big difference handling wise between the 40 and 35 wall.

 

[iwashmycar]

the only thing you may want to think about is that your 89 has smaller fender wheel openings than a 90 and later mustang....it makes a huge difference in rubbing..

i realized that i have one of both on my car....mine is an early 90 that had a fender-bender at one point or another and they put on a newer fender (i think this happened in like 92) and with the 17" rims i had on, the fender with the smaller opening would rub over bumps and the other one never made a sound...

kinda sucks for me but it is extremely hard to differentiate side to side

-adam

 

[powertrax91]

no one has problems hitting / rubbing?... interesting. I guess the springs won't travel too much... you said 235/40/17's would be the best way. Sounds about right. I was just wondering if there was a big difference handling wise between the 40 and 35 wall.

part of the reason there's no rubbing, is that a 255/40/17 has an overall diameter of only 25.03"... a stock 225/55/16 has an overall diameter of 25.74"... as you can see the stock wheel is almost 3/4'' taller...

the section width difference between a 255 and 225 is just under 1 1/4'', which is not much at all.

I think that wheel selection will be the key, you will need to make sure that you have proper width, off-set and back spacing for you application.

 

[fidstang]

When I do my brake upgrade and run 17" wheels, I plan on rolling the lips on all 4. Running 275's up front and 295's out back. Mustangs are nose heavey and need all the help they can get in the corners/twisties. More tire up front better grip and less push/over steer. If you don't like the turns and want a good stance. Go with 235's in the front and 275's out back.

 

[fidstang]

Same here... 255/40's on a 17x9 wheel... no rub'n

the 235/40 is the safe way to go

By the way, awsome ride. I love the saleen front clip and wing look on the LX's. Looks like it's ready to race!

 

[powertrax91]

thanx