What's better 17" or 18" for 99-04 mustangs?

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

When it comes down to it, people just have different opinions of what looks good, and what they want to pay. At first I felt that the 17's were too small, and wanted 18's...but really wanted the wider then 10" in the back, so I decided to go with 17's with the 10.5 rears insted and save some cash and weight with them as well. I'm pleased that I went with that size, but everyone has there own taste. I like more of the muscle car look, some people like more bling/exotic.

Also, you don't need wheels to fill out the gaps, just make sure you have the right suspension and ride height.

 

[mustangkid05]

how much heavier are 18's then 17s ? lets say you have saleen 17's and 18's how heavier are the 18s?

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

some people like more bling/exotic.

i wouldn't go that far. There are plenty of cars that now come stock w/ 18/19 wheels or 20" options. Fo me i didn't want to have to slam my car for the wheel wells to look full of wheel. If i hadn't gotten c-springs i wouldn't have an exhaust anymore, so 18's are perfect.

 

[streethorse]

how much heavier are 18's then 17s ? lets say you have saleen 17's and 18's how heavier are the 18s?

not much, about 2 lbs more.

 

[Stang|ess]

15" wheels will clear 13" front brakes with a 3/8" spacer.

18" wheels do not get rid of the fender gap if you get a smaller profile (like you're supposed to), when compared to 17" wheels; You keep the same overall height.

They each serve their own purpose, just like gears.
Btw borla > *

 

[cobrasvtcoupe25]

not much, about 2 lbs more.

Every pound counts when building a drag car.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Every pound counts when building a drag car.

You can have 18" wheels for a drag car since you'll proly have another set of big n' skinnies for dragging anyways

 

[cobrasvtcoupe25]

You can have 18" wheels for a drag car since you'll proly have another set of big n' skinnies for dragging anyways

No not really because I don't have the $ and I'm not tryin to switch tires more than twice a year for raining season.

I use to switch my tires and exhaust on my illegal integra everytime I went to the drag strip and it got old quick

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

No not really because I don't have the $ and I'm not tryin to switch tires more than twice a year for raining season.

I use to switch my tires and exhaust on my illegal integra everytime I went to the drag strip and it got old quick

honestly tho, if you're "building a drag car" you don't need 18's. So the question of whether it looks better or not is negated by utility

 

[cobrasvtcoupe25]

honestly tho, if you're "building a drag car" you don't need 18's. So the question of whether it looks better or not is negated by utility

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

explain.
How many built drag cars do you see running 18's?

 

[yomadmike]

I run 18's because I like to autocross. Less sidewall = less sidewall rolling = better handling. But I would tend to agree if you're dragging you would use a smaller rim.

 

[mransr]

don't think he understands

well there is clearly some not understanding going on here, but it's on my part...

simple put, one wheel and tire combo won't "fill up the wheel well" any better than another if they have the same overall height, regardless of whether that height is achieved with a tall wheel and a short sidewall or visa-versa..

so unless one puts on a taller tire on the 18" wheel (slowing the speedo and losing some gear ratio) an 18" wheel and tire combo doesn't "fill up the wheel well" any better

if you like 18" more power to you, but what I want to know is why people say they fill up the wheel wells better? are you using tall tires? is it just an optical illusion and make you feel like there is less gap? what??? It's a simple question...

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

well there is clearly some not understanding going on here, but it's on my part...

simple put, one wheel and tire combo won't "fill up the wheel well" any better than another if they have the same overall height, regardless of whether that height is achieved with a tall wheel and a short sidewall or visa-versa..

so unless one puts on a taller tire on the 18" wheel (slowing the speedo and losing some gear ratio) an 18" wheel and tire combo doesn't "fill up the wheel well" any better

if you like 18" more power to you, but what I want to know is why people say they fill up the wheel wells better? are you using tall tires? is it just an optical illusion and make you feel like there is less gap? what??? It's a simple question...

and a simple answer, you buy 18's cuz you like the look of a bigger wheel to fill up the "wheel well" (notice most don't call it a tire well). If you assume when people talk about filling up the wheel well they mean with anything, then you must assume they'd enjoy off road tires since the take up a lot of room.
One drops their car when concerned w/ their 4x4 look to lessen the gap between the fender and the WHEEL - otherwise if people wanted the "filled wheel well" look they wouldn't need to drop their car they'd just buy 55 profile tires. Actually there was a thread a few months ago in talk where a guy had 50 series (i think) tires on his rims on an unlowered stang and he got flamed for the whole page (wouldn't included me). Yet i still assume you take the position that we drop our rides (concerning aesthetics) to in effect make our tires fill the wheel well better.

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

Well.....I have 275/40/17's up front and 315/35/17's out back. Now....if I remember right pretty much all 18's use a 35 series tire. Maybe they do but, I don't think just because I have 40 series tires on the fronts, 35's are going to be night a day with the handling. Handling is really from the quality of tire, suspension set up, and the driver. Believe me my handling and traction was dramatically improve when I swapped the 245/45/17's for my setup now, and can't wait until I get my suspension done.

 

[cobrasvtcoupe25]

I run 18's because I like to autocross. Less sidewall = less sidewall rolling = better handling. But I would tend to agree if you're dragging you would use a smaller rim.

+1

 

[cobrasvtcoupe25]

Well.....I have 275/40/17's up front and 315/35/17's out back. Now....if I remember right pretty much all 18's use a 35 series tire. Maybe they do but, I don't think just because I have 40 series tires on the fronts, 35's are going to be night a day with the handling. Handling is really from the quality of tire, suspension set up, and the driver. Believe me my handling and traction was dramatically improve when I swapped the 245/45/17's for my setup now, and can't wait until I get my suspension done.

Your one of the few making sense on my post thanks.

+1

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Your one of the few making sense on my post thanks.

+1

yeah sorry to derail your thread, im done

 

[cobrasvtcoupe25]

yeah sorry to derail your thread, im done

It's fine, I'm always down to listen to ideas, plus everyone has their own view on this subject. Really depends what you are planning to do with our stang. Peace

:SNSign:

 

[98V6 K.I.T.T.]

Your one of the few making sense on my post thanks.

+1

Thanks, I try to be as helpful as I can to this community no matter what vehicle or model. A post like this you will get some debate, it's just normal...but I don't down play someone elses view, I just give my honest opinion overall. Not everyone has an unlimited budget, not everyone likes a certain look, and not everyone looks for performance. However, I just like to get the most for my money and to me 17's were the right choice overall, but may not be to the next person. I've just stated why I felt that was the best for me.