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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Wheel Tire Upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sonic04
  • Start date Start date Nov 30, 2013
S

Sonic04

New Member
Apr 8, 2005
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0
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Florida
Nov 30, 2013
#1
  • Nov 30, 2013
  • #1
Hi All,
Running basically a stock 2004 GT, save for some easy engine bolt-on's.
This is my daily driver and I like to get out a couple of times a year to a road course.
I'm looking at a wheel/tire upgrade and do not want to give up much in ride comfort, thereby shaking my fillings loose over potholes and expansion joints.
Does anyone have some feedback on comparing the stock 04 cobra wheel/tire to, say a 275/35/18?
I'm a little concerned over the 35 series profile. So far as I can tell, the contact patch is near the same in this comparison.
Anything additional on running a staggered 285 or 295/35 in the rear?
I do plan on updating the rear to a 3.73 gear, and would like to do some suspension upgrades in the future.
Thanks
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,296
18,001
224
Massachusetts
Dec 5, 2013
#2
  • Dec 5, 2013
  • #2
The two sized you are comparing, 275/40/17 vs 275/35/18 will have the same contact patch width, and overall diameter. The 35 will have a shorter sidewall to make up for the increase in rim diamter. Anytime you go with a larger rim, and reduce rubber sidewall, you end up with tighter handling, but lose a bit of ride comfort and traction due to sidewall flex.
 

wms004

Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,864
2
49
Los Angeles
Dec 6, 2013
#3
  • Dec 6, 2013
  • #3
I'm running 275/35/18 on 18x9 w/ 3.73's in the rear. Go with Maximum Motorsports Lower Control arms if you're looking to improve rear suspension.

You'll need at least an 18x10 wheel in rear to run 285/35 or 295/35. See tirerack.com and click on specs for a tire and you'll see the allowed rim ranges.

 
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