Tires...

86GT · 02-11-2000, 07:36 PM

I was wondering what size of tires I should put on my Pony rims. I've got 205-55s on two of them (front) and 245-50 on the other two(rear), that was done for the 1320, but I was wondering what I should do for the awesome twisties?

drudis · 02-14-2000, 12:41 PM

Size does matter... :-)

Get something like 245's all around.
The tire brand is up to you. I presonally drive so few miles on the street (and too cheap for a second set) that I drive around
on my 275-40-17 g-Force R1's. Get a lot of looks at work when they tell me my brand new tires are bald already... :-)
Without a long debate on what is THE best tire, go to http://www.tirerack.com and decide based on your budget.

86GT · 02-14-2000, 11:18 PM

If I run 245-50-16s up front will that create a clearance problem? Also, could 255s fit safely on Pony rims?

12sec93GTConv · 02-16-2000, 06:26 PM

i have 245-50's all around on my '93 and have no clearence problems i used to have 255-50-16 bfg drag radials on the back and they fit ok but they looked really wide on the ponys

------------------
GT-40P heads, Ported Cobra Intake, E-303 Cam, 24LB injectors, 75mm pro-m mass air, 65 mm throttle body, 3.73 gears, 3000 stall precision industries converter, transgo shift kit, ccm upper and lower control arms, bbk springs, mac exhaust all the way back, autometer water temp, trans temp, chrome ponys w/ 245-50-16 SZ-50's, kenny brown chassis stiffening kit, 190LPH FP, 3 core radiator, 1.6 frpp roller rockers, MSD 6al, MSD blaster TFI coil, powerslot rotors, koni shocks & struts

drudis · 02-17-2000, 10:42 AM

245-50-16's fit (with care) on a pre-1991 Mustang.
My 89LX, on the driver's wheelwell, at the
9:00-o'clock position, you get "some" tire rub (maybe). The tire is too "tall" (diameter) and may rub ever so slightly, on full lock turns, and maybe in backing
out the driveway. It was so slight, that
I just kept an eye on it when parallel parking. Thats about it.
I got the same problem with my 275-40-17's http://www.mich.com/~drudis/wheels/126.jpg

------------------
Darius Rudis
Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-)
My Mustang Page

86GT · 02-17-2000, 11:28 PM

Thanks for the advice, and nice car! I like the pics. So if I run 245-50's up front and 255-50's in the back, I should have my tires set for a while? Or at least until I can get some 17" rims.

autoX · 02-18-2000, 03:18 PM

drudis,
I am also debating what size of tires to put on my 16 x 8 rims. I will not be going any larger than 245-50-16 in the rear and I am really having a tough time deciding on what to do about the front... I heard that someone with my same wheels (ROH ZR6) had some 245-45-16s on and didn't rub at all in the front. That would be great, but I would like to have all the tires the same size so I can still rotate them. So, do I go with the 50 series or the 45 series? I know drudis was saying that they barely rubbed on his car, but it seemed like that was just during parking and all... How about when you are driving all-out at an auto-cross? Do they rub the fenders then? I would think so, due to body roll and all... Also, I have some Kenny Brown springs on my car, so the front is lowered some... Help me out here!!!
86 GT,
Keep in mind that even though 255's might "fit" on the pony rims, you might end up with even less of a footprint on the ground! When the tire is too wide for the rim, it means that the tire will bow some... You will wear your tires out in the center, and might even have less traction, due to decreased footprint on the road! I have heard that you should get the widest wheels that a certain size of tire will fit on. In your case, it seems like you are trying to stuff too big of a tire on too small of a wheel... It may be self-defeating.

------------------
Red '90 GT Kenny Brown Springs & Subs, KYBs, FFR Upper & Lower Control arms, K&N, Cervini 2 1/2 cowl, & Polished ROH ZR6 wheels...

Johnny Fort · 02-19-2000, 07:52 PM

If you ever plan to lower your car, don't get 245/50s. With my fenders rolled, the tires rub on both sides very often. I would recommend 225/50s up front and 245/50s up back. There is very little room up front and the big ones might rub anyway without the car being lowered.

------------------
'89 GT- Dynomax mufflers- Hurst billet shifter- K&N- Eibach springs- KYB shocks/struts- 3.55s- pulleys- 130K miles- 14.31@97.5

drudis · 02-21-2000, 08:54 AM

I had the EXACT same ROH ZR6 wheels as my first set. I also had 245-50-16's. http://216.59.112.100/~drudis/stuff/mustangall/
Later, I went with softer compound tires for open track events, and these were 245-45-16 A008RSII's.
You _may_ have some rubbing, but in my opinion, you can easily avoid this. Even on my lowered car I had to be careful, but it was ok.

------------------
Darius Rudis
Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-)
My Mustang Page

autoX · 02-21-2000, 03:26 PM

Yeah, that is what I figured... One person says, "Don't do it." and another says "Just be careful!" I suppose I will just have to get two tires mounted and just try them out in the front for a little while. The only thing now is, do I try the 245-45s or the 245 -50s first? What do you think? drudis, I know you were saying that I just have to be careful, but, I don't know if ripping around corners in an auto-cross would be being careful, you know? I hate to rip the heck out of my fenders. I just spent way too much money on my paint and body work to be doing that! But, on the other hand, I know a larger footprint in the front would really help in an auto-cross. I hate to just use 225s... That is no better than my stock rims...
Also, if the tires did rub, where would the rubbing be? Are we just talking about the black plastic inside the fenderwell, or the actual fender? Is there any modifications that I can do to that inner fenderwell to make it accomodate the larger tires that you know of? I know I could get some '91-'93 fenders, but I am not going to do that...
I am thinking as cheap as possible here! :-)
Thanks all...

drudis · 02-22-2000, 12:24 PM

Try a pair of the 245's.
I did do some fender stretching and light fender rolling to get them to fit. Thus, my be careful. If you dont want ANY hastle, then get 225's (or 175-78-14's)... (Smart *** ).
I know several people that managed 245's successfully, it just takes some work. I pulled the fender outward (by hand) until the plastic liner and fender had a gap at the 12:00 position (about a good 3/4" pull).
I raced on open track events, my car with this combo. But if you pull into a steep driveway for a gas station on a 90-degree turn... it rubbed.
Mount up a pair. Worst case you use them for the back.

------------------
Darius Rudis
Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-)
My Mustang Page

autoX · 02-22-2000, 03:40 PM

drudis-
Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure that I am going to get the 245s mounted up. I'm sure they will be fine...
About your home-built torque arm & panhard bar suspension. How did you ... You know, I think I am just going to start a new topic for this... How does that sound?

86GT · 02-23-2000, 12:01 AM

Well for curiosity's sake I tried my 245-50s up front. It rubs only when I have my wheel turned full over (when making a slow tight turn into a parking space) but it was very slight thankfully. I think I'm gonna run the 245-50's in the back with 245-45s up front for a little more clearance. Thanks for all the help!

02-11-2000, 07:36 PM	#1
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Tires... I was wondering what size of tires I should put on my Pony rims. I've got 205-55s on two of them (front) and 245-50 on the other two(rear), that was done for the 1320, but I was wondering what I should do for the awesome twisties?

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02-14-2000, 12:41 PM	#2
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Size does matter... :-) Get something like 245's all around. The tire brand is up to you. I presonally drive so few miles on the street (and too cheap for a second set) that I drive around on my 275-40-17 g-Force R1's. Get a lot of looks at work when they tell me my brand new tires are bald already... :-) Without a long debate on what is THE best tire, go to http://www.tirerack.com and decide based on your budget.

02-14-2000, 11:18 PM	#3
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	If I run 245-50-16s up front will that create a clearance problem? Also, could 255s fit safely on Pony rims?

02-16-2000, 06:26 PM	#4
12sec93GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 58	i have 245-50's all around on my '93 and have no clearence problems i used to have 255-50-16 bfg drag radials on the back and they fit ok but they looked really wide on the ponys ------------------ GT-40P heads, Ported Cobra Intake, E-303 Cam, 24LB injectors, 75mm pro-m mass air, 65 mm throttle body, 3.73 gears, 3000 stall precision industries converter, transgo shift kit, ccm upper and lower control arms, bbk springs, mac exhaust all the way back, autometer water temp, trans temp, chrome ponys w/ 245-50-16 SZ-50's, kenny brown chassis stiffening kit, 190LPH FP, 3 core radiator, 1.6 frpp roller rockers, MSD 6al, MSD blaster TFI coil, powerslot rotors, koni shocks & struts

02-17-2000, 10:42 AM	#5
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	245-50-16's fit (with care) on a pre-1991 Mustang. My 89LX, on the driver's wheelwell, at the 9:00-o'clock position, you get "some" tire rub (maybe). The tire is too "tall" (diameter) and may rub ever so slightly, on full lock turns, and maybe in backing out the driveway. It was so slight, that I just kept an eye on it when parallel parking. Thats about it. I got the same problem with my 275-40-17's http://www.mich.com/~drudis/wheels/126.jpg ------------------ Darius Rudis Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-) My Mustang Page

02-17-2000, 11:28 PM	#6
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Thanks for the advice, and nice car! I like the pics. So if I run 245-50's up front and 255-50's in the back, I should have my tires set for a while? Or at least until I can get some 17" rims.

02-18-2000, 03:18 PM	#7
autoX Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 113	drudis, I am also debating what size of tires to put on my 16 x 8 rims. I will not be going any larger than 245-50-16 in the rear and I am really having a tough time deciding on what to do about the front... I heard that someone with my same wheels (ROH ZR6) had some 245-45-16s on and didn't rub at all in the front. That would be great, but I would like to have all the tires the same size so I can still rotate them. So, do I go with the 50 series or the 45 series? I know drudis was saying that they barely rubbed on his car, but it seemed like that was just during parking and all... How about when you are driving all-out at an auto-cross? Do they rub the fenders then? I would think so, due to body roll and all... Also, I have some Kenny Brown springs on my car, so the front is lowered some... Help me out here!!! 86 GT, Keep in mind that even though 255's might "fit" on the pony rims, you might end up with even less of a footprint on the ground! When the tire is too wide for the rim, it means that the tire will bow some... You will wear your tires out in the center, and might even have less traction, due to decreased footprint on the road! I have heard that you should get the widest wheels that a certain size of tire will fit on. In your case, it seems like you are trying to stuff too big of a tire on too small of a wheel... It may be self-defeating. ------------------ Red '90 GT Kenny Brown Springs & Subs, KYBs, FFR Upper & Lower Control arms, K&N, Cervini 2 1/2 cowl, & Polished ROH ZR6 wheels...

02-19-2000, 07:52 PM	#8
Johnny Fort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Naperville, Illinois, USA Posts: 35	If you ever plan to lower your car, don't get 245/50s. With my fenders rolled, the tires rub on both sides very often. I would recommend 225/50s up front and 245/50s up back. There is very little room up front and the big ones might rub anyway without the car being lowered. ------------------ '89 GT- Dynomax mufflers- Hurst billet shifter- K&N- Eibach springs- KYB shocks/struts- 3.55s- pulleys- 130K miles- 14.31@97.5

02-21-2000, 08:54 AM	#9
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	I had the EXACT same ROH ZR6 wheels as my first set. I also had 245-50-16's. http://216.59.112.100/~drudis/stuff/mustangall/ Later, I went with softer compound tires for open track events, and these were 245-45-16 A008RSII's. You _may_ have some rubbing, but in my opinion, you can easily avoid this. Even on my lowered car I had to be careful, but it was ok. ------------------ Darius Rudis Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-) My Mustang Page

02-21-2000, 03:26 PM	#10
autoX Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 113	Yeah, that is what I figured... One person says, "Don't do it." and another says "Just be careful!" I suppose I will just have to get two tires mounted and just try them out in the front for a little while. The only thing now is, do I try the 245-45s or the 245 -50s first? What do you think? drudis, I know you were saying that I just have to be careful, but, I don't know if ripping around corners in an auto-cross would be being careful, you know? I hate to rip the heck out of my fenders. I just spent way too much money on my paint and body work to be doing that! But, on the other hand, I know a larger footprint in the front would really help in an auto-cross. I hate to just use 225s... That is no better than my stock rims... Also, if the tires did rub, where would the rubbing be? Are we just talking about the black plastic inside the fenderwell, or the actual fender? Is there any modifications that I can do to that inner fenderwell to make it accomodate the larger tires that you know of? I know I could get some '91-'93 fenders, but I am not going to do that... I am thinking as cheap as possible here! :-) Thanks all...

02-22-2000, 12:24 PM	#11
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Try a pair of the 245's. I did do some fender stretching and light fender rolling to get them to fit. Thus, my be careful. If you dont want ANY hastle, then get 225's (or 175-78-14's)... (Smart *** ). I know several people that managed 245's successfully, it just takes some work. I pulled the fender outward (by hand) until the plastic liner and fender had a gap at the 12:00 position (about a good 3/4" pull). I raced on open track events, my car with this combo. But if you pull into a steep driveway for a gas station on a 90-degree turn... it rubbed. Mount up a pair. Worst case you use them for the back. ------------------ Darius Rudis Home built t-arm/panhard suspension powered by an S-trimmed motor :-) My Mustang Page

02-22-2000, 03:40 PM	#12
autoX Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 113	drudis- Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure that I am going to get the 245s mounted up. I'm sure they will be fine... About your home-built torque arm & panhard bar suspension. How did you ... You know, I think I am just going to start a new topic for this... How does that sound?

02-23-2000, 12:01 AM	#13
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	Well for curiosity's sake I tried my 245-50s up front. It rubs only when I have my wheel turned full over (when making a slow tight turn into a parking space) but it was very slight thankfully. I think I'm gonna run the 245-50's in the back with 245-45s up front for a little more clearance. Thanks for all the help!