Wheels-Tires New to SN95 & need some advice...

I know there are tons of threads with questions about wheels and tires so I'm hesitant to start another, but I'd like some opinions and advice so here goes.

I just purchased my first Mustang (woot!), a 98 GT Vert. I'm generally one that starts shopping for wheels and tires right away when I get a new car. Virtually everything I've ever driven got a new set of aftermarket wheels at some point. However, I'm thinking very seriously about keeping the split spoke wheels that came stock on this GT (see below).

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If I do keep these wheels on the car I'll space the back ones so they fit the wheel well better. From what I've read a 1.25" spacer does well. Anyone have photo's or experience with that?

Next..the tires. The tires will need replacing fairly soon. The current rubber is 225/50-17...not the 245/45-17 that came stock. I'm thinking about going back to the 245/45 on the front, but would like to enhance the look on the back with a bigger tire. From what I've read it sounds like a 275/40-17 is about the biggest this wheel will accommodate safely and without looking silly. That would be an increase of a little over 1" in width over stock and almost 2" wider than what's on the car right now. A 285/40 would be in the range of 1.5" wider than stock, but I think that's too much for the 17"x8" rim (Stock GT Split Spokes are 8" wide right). Thoughts and photo's again appreciated.

Lastly, any thoughts on painting the insets on these wheels black? I've seen the pony logo's painted black and liked it...not sure if the inset areas in black would look better or worse.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and thoughts. I know these are questions that others have asked a zillion times...I have researched and found info, just wanted to get some input so I can try and do things right the first time, LOL!
 

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If you like those wheels, but maybe want a wider tire, check these out:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/black-machined-gt500-wheels-9498.html

You could put a 285/35-18 on the rear. They come in different colors too.

Thanks for the link. If I end up going aftermarket I think I'll go with something like the Bullits in which case I would go staggered with a 10" or so wheel in the back. For now I'm really thinking about staying with the stock rims so I'd like to see what the consensus is on how wide a tire is reasonable on the stock 8" rim.
 
Check out maximum motorsports regarding the wheel spacers. They have multiple sizes available and an excellent tech article regarding wheel spacers.

Me personally, I wouldn't put a 275 tire on an 8" wheel. But if an 8" wide wheel falls in the safe mounting range of a particular tire you are shopping for you would be OK. Just check manufacturer specs. They have a minimum and maximum rim width requirement.

I'm also going to make a wheel suggestion:
http://www.americanmuscle.com/anthracite-10th-9498.html

Those DO come in up to a 10.5" width for the rear.
 
First off, welcome to Stangnet and to Mustangs in general. Some websites are anal about repost, but not here (screw that shiet). here is no stupid thread or stupid question. Everyone starts somewhere.

As for your question (or one of them)....no wider than 275 on an 8" wheel
 
First off, welcome to Stangnet and to Mustangs in general. Some websites are anal about repost, but not here (screw that shiet). here is no stupid thread or stupid question. Everyone starts somewhere.

As for your question (or one of them)....no wider than 275 on an 8" wheel

Thanks for the welcome (and to all who have said welcome). I've been around many forums over the years. I used to own a saltwater/reef business and sponsored a number of boards, so I understand how the "culture" can be very different with different groups. This seems like a very friendly and easy going bunch.

Thanks for the info on the tires too. I've seen a few 275's on 8" wheels in my searches so that helps confirm that.
 
I like it the way it is, also having a hard time understanding why you spend so much on wheels and tires. Staggered means no rotating so again more expensive.