Why not a square 305 setup on Base GT350?

[TDC]

Was at cars and coffee this morning and saw two GT350's. Dam the white looks so much better in person than pics :love:.

Anyway, on to the thread topic. One thing that struck me was the front tires are a little tucked into the wheel wells and that had me thinking why Ford chose 295 for the front instead of a 305 setup all around? Is that really the limit considering the R uses wider rubber in the front BUT with a lower aspect ratio. Maybe it was done to make the car under steer a little for more predictable handling?

Thoughts?

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[Shift]

Was at cars and coffee this morning and saw two GT350's. Dam the white looks so much better in person than pics :love:.

Anyway, on to the thread topic. One thing that struck me was the front tires are a little tucked into the wheel wells and that had me thinking why Ford chose 295 for the front instead of a 305 setup all around? Is that really the limit considering the R uses wider rubber in the front BUT with a lower aspect ratio. Maybe it was done to make the car under steer a little for more predictable handling?

Thoughts?

I have no technical facts to contribute.

I would definitely consider this set up if it had no ill effects, mainly for simplifying tire purchase, and properly rotate the wheels for wear and tear, and replace them all at the same time.

 

[Bossing]

Just to add... with the advent of more understeering (than oversteering) for pedestrian safety purposes, isn't this also a component of why manufacturers have to incorporate "understeering" into their vehicles courtesy of DOT and/or NHTSA guidelines & requirements? Thus a reason for narrower F tires/wheels in order to contribute (in addition to the ESC mandates from the gubmint).

 

[bdub85]

Is there any reason why we couldn't run 305's on the front?

 

[C7 B8]

Is there any reason why we couldn't run 305's on the front?

350s fit. Doubt anyone will take the car to >8/10ths to know the real difference.

 

[1mic]

Probably to save money.
Ford went cheap with 285 rears on a 662hp gt500. I read it was for fuel economy though (no gas guzzler tax).

But yeah, wider front tires equals more grip so your 0-60 and 1/4 performance will go down.

 

[TDC]

I agree that most of the time there isn't the need for additional grip afforded by wider fronts but what I would enjoy is having a truly neutral balance in a long sweeper. I haven't driven the car yet but from reading reviews it sounds like it may have some under steer. This upcoming Friday that should all change ;)

I believe it would also make the front track of the car look a little more intimidating with the rubber flush to the wheel lip. It shouldn't effect vehicle speed indicators since it's isn't associated with the front wheels.

 

[MAV]

Would the N4SM 20x11 work with 305/30s all the way around? What about the offset? It think it's 50 mm for those wheels.

 

[Grimace427]

I believe it would also make the front track of the car look a little more intimidating with the rubber flush to the wheel lip.

The slight amount of tire stretch on the wheel actually increases tire stability under hard cornering forces. I would personally go with 305 square but with matching wheels as well.

 

[nastang87xx]

I think I might end up going with this setup for racing:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...h=325/&rearRatio=30&rearDiameter=19&zip-code=

Edit: Crap, URL didn't work. But Potenza RE-11's in 305/30-19 and 325/30-19.


Not a lot of options right now unless you want really drastically change things up. I've also decided against using 18's for racing because of brake clearance. Call me crazy but I've become paranoid about stuff getting lodged in between the wheel and front disc.

 

[Bossing]

I think I might end up going with this setup for racing:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...h=325/&rearRatio=30&rearDiameter=19&zip-code=


Not a lot of options right now unless you want really drastically change things up. I've also decided against using 18's for racing because of brake clearance. Call me crazy but I've become paranoid about stuff getting lodged in between the wheel and front disc.

Agree... the clearance between the caliper and wheel barrel is like business card thin! Similar clearance issues with some BMW M owners... :eyebulge:

I like the setup/sizes including the Potz RE-11's... and these Ventus too... had them on my radar for a while but undecided on wheels yet for now.

 

[jasonstang]

Agree... the clearance between the caliper and wheel barrel is like business card thin! Similar clearance issues with some BMW M owners... :eyebulge:

I like the setup/sizes including the Potz RE-11's... and these Ventus too... had them on my radar for a while but undecided on wheels yet for now.

The V12 EVO2 was horrible. They flat spot just after one day in the garage. I had the EVO and was better. The EVO2 felt greasy and slow.
I really liked the Potenza RE050A that came with my RX-8 R3. Very sharp steering and very good grip.

 

[FPCV8YO]

Agree... the clearance between the caliper and wheel barrel is like business card thin! Similar clearance issues with some BMW M owners... :eyebulge:

I like the setup/sizes including the Potz RE-11's... and these Ventus too... had them on my radar for a while but undecided on wheels yet for now.

Recently switched from MPSS to the Ventus on my wife's sedan and I wouldn't recommend them on this car. While they improved ride quality they lost performance. Too bad the RE71Rs weren't available in the size that you need as they are so much better than the RE11s. I just switched from RE11s to RE71Rs on my car.

 

[nastang87xx]

Recently switched from MPSS to the Ventus on my wife's sedan and I wouldn't recommend them on this car. While they improved ride quality they lost performance. Too bad the RE71Rs weren't available in the size that you need as they are so much better than the RE11s. I just switched from RE11s to RE71Rs on my car.

Yeah unfortunatley I don't think we'll see an RE71R size that would make sense. Damn those S2000 bastards!

 

[FPCV8YO]

Yeah unfortunatley I don't think we'll see an RE71R size that would make sense. Damn those S2000 bastards!

That's too bad as I can't imagine a better tire short of the Sport Cups or Trofeos.

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