Front brake modifications to fit 18s

[Nightmonkey]

The options for top tier performance tires in 19" sizes that fit our cars are highly limited. Far more options for 18's.

Without demand, nothing will ever change in this regard.
From my point of view, the sidewall of the usual 19" options is large enough, if you choose a with a reasonable rolling circumference.
You do not end up with laminated rubber wheels, as they can only be used for show & shine for trailer queens.

Nevertheless, the AP Racing brake is without doubt a real goodie!

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[mavisky]

Without demand, nothing will ever change in this regard.
From my point of view, the sidewall of the usual 19" options is large enough, if you choose a with a reasonable rolling circumference.
You do not end up with laminated rubber wheels, as they can only be used for show & shine for trailer queens.

Nevertheless, the AP Racing brake is without doubt a real goodie!

The issue isn't sidewall, it's tire width. Especially in that many racing organizations require a 200tw tire rating limit and the majority of tires in that size are woefully limited in their widths when you go to a 19" wheel. Most of them make a maximum of 295-305 where as in 18" you can go anywhere from 315 up to 345 if you'd like. Most of the other cars on the market are either utilizing an 18" wheel or a 20" wheel and tire manufacturers can't justify making tires for just one model of vehicle.

As i also mentioned if you want to run actual full slicks, the 18" is the most commonly available option. They'll last longer, set faster lap times, and are priced cheaper (for scrubs) than anything anyone can buy in 19".

If you're only using the car on the street the 19's are fine and there's no reason to change them, but if you're truly focused on lap times then 18's offer a distinct advantage on literally every available metric.

 

[MAGS1]

Without demand, nothing will ever change in this regard.

Do you know how many people want a 305/35/19 tire here in the US (and likely overseas too)? Virtually every S197-S650 Mustang owner that wants a wider performance tire that has a decent sidewall. And yet the only options are Nitto, Pilot Sport (not 4S’s) and Cup2’s. There is a large demand for that size and yet they still won’t make them. I send messages to Continental and Michelin all the time about it.

It’s one of the reasons I opted to go to 20’s. I could get the tire I wanted (Continental Extreme Contact Sport) in a proper size (285/35/20). If there was a 305/35/19 option, I would’ve gone 19x11 square or 19x10/19x11 staggered instead.

 

[Ewheels]

Do you know how many people want a 305/35/19 tire here in the US (and likely overseas too)? Virtually every S197-S650 Mustang owner that wants a wider performance tire that has a decent sidewall. And yet the only options are Nitto, Pilot Sport (not 4S’s) and Cup2’s. There is a large demand for that size and yet they still won’t make them. I send messages to Continental and Michelin all the time about it.

It’s one of the reasons I opted to go to 20’s. I could get the tire I wanted (Continental Extreme Contact Sport) in a proper size (285/35/20). If there was a 305/35/19 option, I would’ve gone 19x11 square or 19x10/19x11 staggered instead.

305/35/19 is an odd size; that's awfully tall. Do you mean 305/30/19? There's plenty of options in that size.

 

[MAGS1]

305/35/19 is an odd size; that's awfully tall. Do you mean 305/30/19? There's plenty of options in that size.

No I meant 305/35/19. That’s the equivalent size to the stock 235/50/18 on the GT (it’s taller than the stock GT350 and Mach HP wheels though). You are correct that 305/30/19 has a lot of options, I prefer 35 to get a little more sidewall with the roads we have around here. 305/30/19 would give a little more feel on the track so probably a more optimal size for that use (not my area of expertise though)

 

[svttim]

Cheaper in the long run, not short term.
Spend the money up front to save $200-$500 per set of tires.
Some track guys burn through a set of tires in one weekend. That's massive savings over the years.

I buy 19 inch slicks for that price

 

[coyote.colby]

Yes they do but definitely drag racing oriented and if lose alot of braking performance.

Idk if we are looking at the the same kit here but you shouldn’t these cars bias the rear brakes pretty heavily

https://www.beefcakeracing.com/ac-2...yVaBmT6T_TdbXsuzabeiS4XDvcVL2PkwCCQzXt2bFEZ7n

 

[mavisky]

305/35/19 is an odd size; that's awfully tall. Do you mean 305/30/19? There's plenty of options in that size.

305/35-19 is the stock rear tires size for GT350's, but there are very few tires offered in that sizing.

 

[coyote.colby]

305/35-19 is the stock rear tires size for GT350's, but there are very few tires offered in that sizing.

This^ this why I switched to 20’s

 

[Nate22]

Do you know how many people want a 305/35/19 tire here in the US (and likely overseas too)? Virtually every S197-S650 Mustang owner that wants a wider performance tire that has a decent sidewall. And yet the only options are Nitto, Pilot Sport (not 4S’s) and Cup2’s. There is a large demand for that size and yet they still won’t make them. I send messages to Continental and Michelin all the time about it.

It’s one of the reasons I opted to go to 20’s. I could get the tire I wanted (Continental Extreme Contact Sport) in a proper size (285/35/20). If there was a 305/35/19 option, I would’ve gone 19x11 square or 19x10/19x11 staggered instead.

They do make the extreme contact in 295/35r19. if i stay 19s that's what I'll be going with on an 11 inch wheel. Hopefully won't be too much of a stretch.

 

[Nate22]

Idk if we are looking at the the same kit here but you shouldn’t these cars bias the rear brakes pretty heavily

https://www.beefcakeracing.com/ac-2...yVaBmT6T_TdbXsuzabeiS4XDvcVL2PkwCCQzXt2bFEZ7n

Ya those are the ones I saw. They will be smaller than the rear brakes at that point lol
If I was wanting to do 17s with a drag pack they'd be a great choice

 

[mavisky]

They


They do make the extreme contact in 295/35r19. if i stay 19s that's what I'll be going with on an 11 inch wheel. Hopefully won't be too much of a stretch.

I run the Yokohama 295/35-19's this season and they fit fine on a 19x11.

 

[MAGS1]

They do make the extreme contact in 295/35r19. if i stay 19s that's what I'll be going with on an 11 inch wheel. Hopefully won't be too much of a stretch.

The Conti’s run a little narrow but you should still be ok

 

[Champale]

Do you know how many people want a 305/35/19 tire here in the US (and likely overseas too)? Virtually every S197-S650 Mustang owner that wants a wider performance tire that has a decent sidewall. And yet the only options are Nitto, Pilot Sport (not 4S’s) and Cup2’s. There is a large demand for that size and yet they still won’t make them. I send messages to Continental and Michelin all the time about it.

It’s one of the reasons I opted to go to 20’s. I could get the tire I wanted (Continental Extreme Contact Sport) in a proper size (285/35/20). If there was a 305/35/19 option, I would’ve gone 19x11 square or 19x10/19x11 staggered instead.

100% agree with this. Went with 20s on my R (the horror!) 5 years ago and haven't looked back. Running the AD09 in 295/305/30/20 currently and LOVE them way more than the GT500-spec PS4S I formerly ran. Grip for days and a much sharper front end. And quieter than the Michelins by a long shot!

 

[MAGS1]

100% agree with this. Went with 20s on my R (the horror!) 5 years ago and haven't looked back. Running the AD09 in 295/305/30/20 currently and LOVE them way more than the GT500-spec PS4S I formerly ran. Grip for days and a much sharper front end. And quieter than the Michelins by a long shot!

Oooh, let’s see that R on 20’s! (I’ve seen 20’s on R’s, I just like to see pics of R’s )

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