Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: 88BlueBird on April 18, 2008, 02:43:40 PM

Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: 88BlueBird on April 18, 2008, 02:43:40 PM
Just a little background, I currently have 225/60/16 tires on my car, which has the "snowflake" wheels.  The car originally came with the 14" wheels, but I upgraded to the snowflakes a long time ago. I really want to put 245/50/16 tires all the way around, but I'm concerned they will rub my front struts.  Has anyone 245s up front on the snowflakes? Any help is appreciated!
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: Tbird232ci on April 18, 2008, 03:02:40 PM
I don't have them on snowflakes, but I do have them on some 16x7" mustang wheels. I've never had an issue. Plenty of clearance.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: 88BlueBird on April 18, 2008, 03:17:01 PM
Tbird232ci....do you have the 10in or 11in brakes up front?  I still have the 10in brakes
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: martin0660 on April 18, 2008, 03:18:02 PM
I always ran 245/50/16 on my TC with stock snowflakes. They fit great. Every once in a while, on an absolute hard turb in a parting lot a front one would scuff the inner liner, but no real issue.

(http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/25179/1286296781066453426S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1286296781066453426ndGwHn)

Front
(http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/26004/1299149059066453426S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1299149059066453426XwkzuY)

Rear
(http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/42881/1299149203066453426S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1299149203066453426xnaYTv)

And even with 245/50/16 Nitto Drag radials.
(http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/28533/1340770867066453426S600x600Q85.jpg) (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1340770867066453426wbNcus)
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: 88BlueBird on April 18, 2008, 04:13:18 PM
Cool pics...that size tire looks good on the car!
Mine still has the 10in brakes (it wasn't a TurboCoupe). I wonder if the front spindle spacing is the same between the regular 88 birds and the 88 TurboCoupes??
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: Innes on April 19, 2008, 08:00:31 AM
245 on mine snowflake out back and plan on going bigger to 255X50R16
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: Tbird232ci on April 19, 2008, 09:13:52 AM
I have the 11" brakes.

I have both a TC and non-TC, and the spindle spacing is the same, or at least so close it's not noticeable. I had the turbines from the my red bird on my TC, and they fit exactly the same.

Also, I never had any rubbing issues with my 245's. Might be between different tire makes. I use Falkens.

These are the only two pics I have hosted of the car before it got stripped.

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n184/Tbird232ci/DCP_1393.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n184/Tbird232ci/DCP_1392.jpg)
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: 86T-bird on April 21, 2008, 01:34:59 PM
I can't make a full lock turn w/mine.  It's the same w/snowflakes and the aftemarket rims.  The car is lowered w/11" brakes.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: jlewis05 on April 21, 2008, 01:41:27 PM
They typically fit fine, I ran them, but I won't do it again because being more concerned with handling, I now know that a 245 is a bit wide for a 7" wide wheel and gives more sidewall flex.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: t3skidoo on April 21, 2008, 06:15:31 PM
Tbird232ci,

Did you modify the front end of that grey bird?


88BlueBird,

You shouldn't have to worry about 245s, and the rear wheel wells can handle a little more, too.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: Tbird232ci on April 21, 2008, 06:47:12 PM
No sir. Mustang wheels have a bit more backspacing than the snowflakes, so the stance appears to be wider. The rear uses Lincoln axles, in addition to the offset to fill the wheel well a bit better.

I have the exact same setup on my black bird in the user rides section.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: t3skidoo on April 21, 2008, 09:27:42 PM
okay, thanks.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: 88BlueBird on April 22, 2008, 04:40:34 PM
Thanks everyone for your feedback.
I need to get some new tires soon.....mine are going on 10yrs old!
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: SillyMan on May 08, 2008, 02:20:52 AM
What did you go with??  i have 245/50/16 on 16x8 wheels and they
fill it up nice with a real wide look just shy of sticking out the wells.
on a 1988 Cougar btw.
Title: 245/50/16 tires
Post by: 88BlueBird on May 15, 2008, 08:32:18 PM
I just ordered the 245/50/16 tires. I will let everyone know how they fit...