Hey all,
I am finally getting around to some stuff on my Cougar, namely the 1993 Cobra rims (17x8.5") are now in my possession.
The fronts might stick out a tad (hard to tell with the car raised up and suspension fully extended) and that's a little scary but the rear looks pretty good.
Question is...since these wheels are 8.5" wide I am wondering about using 255/45/17 tires. 245s might be stretched a little. I am planning on getting two 255's, mounting them and trying them on the front. If they hit the strut, they will go on the back axle. If they don't I'll just order another set of 255s and forget about 245s in the front.
Any advice before I take the plunge? Just want to get as many ideas before I do it.
Sorry about the duplicate thread. The excitement is getting to me. :(
The 255's would be a nice fit on the 8.5's.
How much room do you have between the strut and the wheel w/o the tire?
Not much, about a pinky finger or so. The 255s
might clear the strut, though I'm sure they will rub the wheelwells or something else at full lock.
There's probably enough room for a 275 in the rear but I'd be happy if 255s will fit all around. I'm gonna go with a 255/45/17.
Oh, and these wheels look awesome. The company that makes them is about 20 minutes away from me, and if anyone is interested in them I can probably get you a good deal on them. I paid $480 for all four wheels, chrome lugnuts, lock nuts, chrome valve stems and tax.
Keep your fingers crossed.
I have 255/40/17's on 9" wheels all the way around. In the front the tire hits my sway bar and without the spacers the wheels rub the strut when the wheel is stressed. Rear has lots of room. Still wish I would have went with '93 Cobra style 8.5" wide 17s
Mine fit fine, and have never rubbed. 255 might be stretching it.
*edit*
Oops. This is for Cobra wheels. Carry on as if you were normal. :)
Be sure to post up some pics after you get those wheels mounted!
I can't wait to get this done but I'm overthinking and worrying about this to no end. 255s all around? 245s all around? 245s up front and 275s out back? Then factor in the rolling diameters matching the stock 225/60/15 is driving me nuts. :dunce:
I think I'll just get a set of 245s all around, even if they do stretch on a 8.5" wheel. I just want them installed and ready to roll!
Pics will follow, whenever the heck I get it done!
Keep us posted. I've been thinking about a set for mine. You can be the ginny pig so I can see how they look/work on a fox Bird or Cat.:cool:
Now I know my place LOL... :)
Don't worry guys, you'll be the first to know how it works out. Its gonna be great, whatever I do.
My road racing friends run 225-width tires on 8.5" wide wheels. This places the edge of the tread exactly where the edge of the wheel is, giving maximum stiffness to the sidewall.
You probably don't want that for the street, the ride will be harsh and there won't be any wheel protection from curbs, etc.
You can run 245 or 255s on them no problem at all. I wouldn't try to run a 255/45 up front because that tire is a little tall for the nose of these cars, especially if you lower it.
Also these cars (visually) need a significantly taller tire in the rear than up front IMO. I'd run the 255/45s in back, and run either a 245/45 or 255/40 up front. The 275/40s won't fit all that great on an 8.5" rim, there will be a lot of sidewall pooge.
Well someone has to be the ginny pig and try something out to see if it works. Since you already have the wheels you're a perfect candidate :grinno:
Geez fellas.
It's GUINEA PIG. :D :D :D
I ordered a set of 245/45/17 Firestone Wide Ovals (these are great summer tires) from Tirerack and they'll be here tomorrow.
Pics by this weekend!
Tires are on, wheels are bolted in.
1. NO fitment issues with 245/45/17s. Even turning at full lock I get no rubbage.
2. 245s are too narrow for this wheel, looks a little stretched. More importantly, it looks like 255s will fit just fine and still clear the front strut with no problem.
3. This wheel/tire combo is heavy! Must be 10+lbs heavier than stock wheels with BFGs on them. Bummer. :(
Here are the pics! (before)
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m13/pro-five-oh/1988%20Cougar/88merccougarXR7SMnewwheels2.jpg)
After:
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m13/pro-five-oh/1988%20Cougar/88merccougarXR7SMnewwheels3.jpg)
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m13/pro-five-oh/1988%20Cougar/88merccougarXR7SMnewwheels.jpg)
I'll get pics with the centercaps on when the weather clears up and I can wash the thing. But I like 'em. :)
looks great! might look better without caps little chrome lugs and, well maybe not.
all around Car looks great
Those look nice on there! You're right about the tires looking a little stretched though. Hey, just out of curiosity, what kind of strut tower brace is that?
i think it has to do with the overal lenght of the car and the color. bc. it's looking sharp. wish they looked that good on my mustang (lx no gt here stock hight) id have me a set of those. but also the stang guys played them out to no end. so ehhh. but looks good
I'm gonna guess Kenny Brown....
^^^^x2
wheels look great. maybe a small spacer in the rear to set them closer to the outter lip?
Can't hide the Kenny Brown goodness from you. ;)
I'd like a spacer in the back, not sure what size to get but I'll worry about that later.
I've always liked the look of the '93 cobras, especially with that color car. I remember the early talks over at corral.net about the replicas. I don't remember them being that affordable. I'd seriously consider them, but that would be at least a year off.
Great now I have to buy some silver ones with 245s for my car. Jerk :D j/k
Not 245s, 255s. Loser. :p:flame:
Fine I'll get 255s as long as they fit:flip: j/k:D
Serriously the 255s should fit fine correct? I really don't want the wheels to hit the front fenders if the car goes over a big bump.
Just bust out the hammer if they do.:sawzall: But that looks snazzy man. Can't wait to see it all cleaned up with centercaps.
Here's how I see it. The 245s I got have a big lip on them to protect the rim from curb rash. That lip sticks out farther than 255s would on the rim. So because that lip clears the fenders, control arms and strut I think a 255 will be fine.
Oh, I only drove the car around the block and up/down my driveway (at full lock) so I haven't seen it all yet. I'll post more after I get some miles on them. And if I don't, feel free to PM me later.
That looks fantastic.
If all goes well I hope to get some for my Bird next summer (2008) so I hope we'll hear how they are by then:D
If the weather wasn't so cold (ice down here, not a good idea on summer tires) I'd be driving it and telling you more! ;)