Daily driver+occasional track setup

[Mustang_Eh]

Hey guys,

I was poking around the threads trying to scope out some setups that fit my needs, but still I am at the crossroads between 19s and 20s. So I figured I'd ask for a personalized suggestions from you guys based on my needs below:

- Car is primarily a daily driver. I do live in Ontario, Canada and drive it in the winter. This is relevant to lowering the car.
- I want to take my car to the track (not drag strip) 2-4 times a year, however I have never been, so my intent is to learn/have fun, not chase lap times.
- My budget is around $2000 CAD. It can go up is required.
- I'm not sure if staggered set up makes sense in my use case.
- Primarily, my goal is aesthetics. I want to fill the well gap as much as possible without lowering the car because I drive it in winter and do not want to get stuck in snow. For that reason, I am thinking 20s. Considering my budget, I can't go for 285s or 305s, but at the same time I don't want to run skinny tires.
- 19s seem to look really good, but do need lowering. I am vaguely considering coilovers so I can adjust ride height throughout the year.
- ***I do not know if it makes sense to get all season or summer performance tires as they will be driven in all kinds of weather (excluding snow as I have winter wheels).
- I considered getting spacers, but I'm unsure if they are safe for tracking the car.

This is all I can think of right now, so, please, suggest away! Hopefully I can pick something around xmas time for some delicious discounts.

TL;DR looking for a best bang for my buck daily driver setup with occasional non-competitive track use

Thanks

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[Laztug]

With your goal, I would do 20s with a 305/35 275/35 setup at stock height.

Here is my car before I lowered it 315/35 rear 275/35 fronts

 

[GTP]

Here is my current thinking, as applied to your situation.

- Car is primarily a daily driver. I do live in Ontario, Canada and drive it in the winter. This is relevant to lowering the car.
- I want to take my car to the track (not drag strip) 2-4 times a year, however I have never been, so my intent is to learn/have fun, not chase lap times.
- My budget is around $2000 CAD. It can go up is required.
Mine is $2500 (goal)

- I'm not sure if staggered set up makes sense in my use case.
It does not, IMO. As DD, rotation allows you to improve wear, and have mileage warranty whether summer or A/S tires. Word is that squared setup is better at the track, too, as it combats natural low-speed understeer tendency.


- Primarily, my goal is aesthetics. I want to fill the well gap as much as possible without lowering the car because I drive it in winter and do not want to get stuck in snow. For that reason, I am thinking 20s. Considering my budget, I can't go for 285s or 305s, but at the same time I don't want to run skinny tires.
I am against lowering my car so far. I like the way the wheel well gap is constant around the tire at stock height. I want maximum suspension travel, and whether I put on aftermarket suspension parts or not.

- 19s seem to look really good, but do need lowering. I am vaguely considering coilovers so I can adjust ride height throughout the year.
What a hassle. Try this. Stand far back from a Mustang with 18's, one with 19's, and one with 20's. That will really help you decide what looks best. (19's for me on this test.)

- ***I do not know if it makes sense to get all season or summer performance tires as they will be driven in all kinds of weather (excluding snow as I have winter wheels).
At first I was planned on using my 8" stock A/S tires for fall/spring, and then adding 19x10" summer tires & wheel set. But I am leaning towards 285/35 squared A/S tire setup now, bc as DD I can relay on uniform tire behavior no matter the outside temperature. IOW, I don't need a hot day, or 10min of aggressive driving before my summer tires will hold. I may use the 18x8" for long trips.

- I considered getting spacers, but I'm unsure if they are safe for tracking the car.
I am considering MRR M350, if only for their "ready to run" fitment. Try to find something that fits the width you want with no hassles.

This is all I can think of right now, so, please, suggest away! Hopefully I can pick something around xmas time for some delicious discounts.

TL;DR looking for a best bang for my buck daily driver setup with occasional non-competitive track use

Thanks

 

[Mustang_Eh]

Here is my current thinking, as applied to your situation.

Thanks for your input. You have some valid points regarding squared setup. Besides, it's easier to "maintain" and will last longer with tire rotation.

 

[Mustang_Eh]

With your goal, I would do 20s with a 305/35 275/35 setup at stock height.

Here is my car before I lowered it 315/35 rear 275/35 fronts

That actually looks pretty good and I might just have to settle for 20s. The reason I say settle is because I do prefer the lowered look, but in my situation it might not be an option.

Edit: what is the rim width/offset do you have? I really like how the back tires are sitting.

 

[Cloak]

Hey guys,

I was poking around the threads trying to scope out some setups that fit my needs, but still I am at the crossroads between 19s and 20s. So I figured I'd ask for a personalized suggestions from you guys based on my needs below:

- Car is primarily a daily driver. I do live in Ontario, Canada and drive it in the winter. This is relevant to lowering the car.
- I want to take my car to the track (not drag strip) 2-4 times a year, however I have never been, so my intent is to learn/have fun, not chase lap times.
- My budget is around $2000 CAD. It can go up is required.
- I'm not sure if staggered set up makes sense in my use case.
- Primarily, my goal is aesthetics. I want to fill the well gap as much as possible without lowering the car because I drive it in winter and do not want to get stuck in snow. For that reason, I am thinking 20s. Considering my budget, I can't go for 285s or 305s, but at the same time I don't want to run skinny tires.
- 19s seem to look really good, but do need lowering. I am vaguely considering coilovers so I can adjust ride height throughout the year.
- ***I do not know if it makes sense to get all season or summer performance tires as they will be driven in all kinds of weather (excluding snow as I have winter wheels).
- I considered getting spacers, but I'm unsure if they are safe for tracking the car.

This is all I can think of right now, so, please, suggest away! Hopefully I can pick something around xmas time for some delicious discounts.

TL;DR looking for a best bang for my buck daily driver setup with occasional non-competitive track use

Thanks

I would get 19x10 +40 offset wheels all around, with dedicated summer tires, something like 275/40r19, or 285/35r19. You said you already have snow wheels.

The MRR M350 wheels is a good option. Their FS01 are nice too. You can also look into Forgestar F14s, CF5V, CF5 or CF10, but theyre about $400 a piece.

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

You have a number of great options both in 19" and 20"

I would aim for a great 19" application with a good tire you can use on and off the track

I would aim for a flow forge or rotory forged wheel which will be light and strong.

Forgestar
MRR M350
MRR FS01

All of these are great choices.

You can easily run a 19x10 all around and rock a 275/40/19 or 285/35/19 tire for a nice good contact patch application.

 

[Mustang_Eh]

Thank you guys for your suggestions.

If I were to go with 19x10 275/40/19 this wouldn't fill up the well as good as 20s with 35 sidewall would correct? As I mentioned earlier, the car will almost certainly will stay stock height and I'm more about aesthetics.

Definitely a positive for 19s is that with 40 sidewall the ride quality will not be as bad as 20s with 35.

 

[GTP]

I highly recommend this site to answer all your questions about wheel and tire sizing, plus relative comparisons for fitments.

I put in some starting values for you. Stock GT Premium 18" wheels and tire on the left, and a 19x10" wheel with 285/35 tires on the right.

Have a look at the overall tire diameter. For a square setup, you really want to keep the overall diameter at around 690mm. As the rim size increases, the tire aspect ratio decreases. The sidewall gets thinner, but the OD remains constant. Get it?


(Trust me on my advice to stand back from the side of the car to judge wheel diameter, sidewall height, drop/stance, and the proportional appearance of the wheel with the car.)

 

[Cloak]

Thank you guys for your suggestions.

If I were to go with 19x10 275/40/19 this wouldn't fill up the well as good as 20s with 35 sidewall would correct? As I mentioned earlier, the car will almost certainly will stay stock height and I'm more about aesthetics.

Definitely a positive for 19s is that with 40 sidewall the ride quality will not be as bad as 20s with 35.

it depends on the overall diameter of tire, based on width and aspect ratio. a 275/40r19 is 27.7" tall, and a 275/35r20 is 27.6" tall, which is pretty much the same. a 285/35r19 would be shorter, overall, at 26.9", which is almost an inch shorter, but also about the same height as the front 255/40r19 (27.1) , unless you have a non-performance package mustang, in which case it would be about 27.1" all around anyway from factory

Personally, I would at least get lowering springs on the mustang. The difference in handling feel is worth it alone.

 

[Mustang_Eh]

Personally, I would at least get lowering springs on the mustang. The difference in handling feel is worth it alone.

I'll be plowing snow in my neighborhood \\:(

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

Asthetics the 20s would suit you better.

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