Standard vs. Staggered Wheels

[LSchicago]

Check out this 2018 Mustang GT running a staggered setup, measuring 20x10 275/35/20 Front and 20x11 305/35/20 Rear.
Client loves the flush fitment and ride quality.

Click Below

Nice, but I like my SP2's better.

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[jasonstang]

Unless you are running skinny front tires with massive rear tires, you won't see too much grip difference front to back. Most of the time, tire width difference front to back has very little to do with handling. Handling is more affect by the suspension setup.
Now having more meat on the back will allow you to apply power sooner thus better handling.

 

[jasonstang]

Just keep in mind that the contact patch of a 285 and a 325 at the same pressure is the same, just different shape (and the narrower tire has a longer contact patch which is better for straight line traction). That's one thing people forget when they go to wide tires.

That is not right. If narrower tires have better straight line traction at the same pressure than wider tires, why would any super cars use wide tires?
I think you are looking at it wrong. Yes, the wider the tires, the front to back contact patch length is shorter but the side to side width is wider. So the grip is redistributed to a wider patch.

 

[Velgen]

It all depends on what look you're trying to accomplish. ALot of people run staggered sets. Whats good about a square set is that you can rotate them unlike a staggered set

 

[CEHollier]

Check out this 2018 Mustang GT running a staggered setup, measuring 20x10 275/35/20 Front and 20x11 305/35/20 Rear.
Client loves the flush fitment and ride quality.

Click Below

What are those offsets?

 

[BmacIL]

That is not right. If narrower tires have better straight line traction at the same pressure than wider tires, why would any super cars use wide tires?
I think you are looking at it wrong. Yes, the wider the tires, the front to back contact patch length is shorter but the side to side width is wider. So the grip is redistributed to a wider patch.

Mostly because wider tires, in general, have higher load capacity, less camber sensitivity, and because of the load capacity, can be safely used at lower pressures, increasing the contact patch area. A wider contact patch produces more lateral grip, a usual important attribute of a supercar.

A longer contact patch absolutely has more contact friction in the direction perpendicular to the tire rotation axis. A wider patch has more friction in the direction parallel to the rotation axis. This is physics and racecar vehicle dynamics stuff...not making stuff up.

 

[NorthernMuscle]

What are those offsets?

Yeah, I'm curious about that offset also... I love that I went with 20" wheels this time (for the looks), and IMO Tech7's are a great value, but don't love how the setup I chose have the fronts sitting in about 1/4" further than I'd like. Doesn't sound like much to some, but it makes a big difference to looks.

275/35 SuperSports on 20x9.5” in front
295/35 SuperSports on 20x10.5” in rear
I was a bit concerned that 20" would look "too much" for my liking, but after comparing weights to their 19" counterparts, and adding/removing both from my cart about 10x, I'm happy with them.
IMHO, if you're prioritizing looks at all, go 20". I had the car for a year with the GTPP wheels, 1" spacers all around, and lowered, which still looks pretty decent compared to stock. When I put these wheels on, I got about 10x more comments about the car in general...

*I should also mention, that at 275/295/35, I went with a little taller sidewall than some others choose to do, so the wheel wells would be filled more, and the profile wouldn't be too low, without adding too much to the circumference. These are very usable as a daily driver option.

 

[jasonstang]

Mostly because wider tires, in general, have higher load capacity, less camber sensitivity, and because of the load capacity, can be safely used at lower pressures, increasing the contact patch area. A wider contact patch produces more lateral grip, a usual important attribute of a supercar.

A longer contact patch absolutely has more contact friction in the direction perpendicular to the tire rotation axis. A wider patch has more friction in the direction parallel to the rotation axis. This is physics and racecar vehicle dynamics stuff...not making stuff up.

I don't think that is right that a winder tire would have less front to back compare to lateral grip because the contact patch is widened compare to a narrower tire.
I believe the shape of contact patch has nothing to do with how much force each axis can handle. Most often wider tires have higher load level allowing bigger contact patch at the same pressure.
You can test this yourself. Drag something very long and narrow in both axis and you will notice you are using the same amount of force regardless the shape of contact patch.

 

[BmacIL]

I don't think that is right that a winder tire would have less front to back compare to lateral grip because the contact patch is widened compare to a narrower tire.
I believe the shape of contact patch has nothing to do with how much force each axis can handle. Most often wider tires have higher load level allowing bigger contact patch at the same pressure.
You can test this yourself. Drag something very long and narrow in both axis and you will notice you are using the same amount of force regardless the shape of contact patch.

Not going to keep arguing, as this is long sidetracked from the thread topic. That isn't correct, and tire friction doesn't work like that for a multitude of reasons. I'd be more than happy to discuss over PM though .

 

[michael5.0]

Yeah, I'm curious about that offset also... I love that I went with 20" wheels this time (for the looks), and IMO Tech7's are a great value, but don't love how the setup I chose have the fronts sitting in about 1/4" further than I'd like. Doesn't sound like much to some, but it makes a big difference to looks.

275/35 SuperSports on 20x9.5” in front
295/35 SuperSports on 20x10.5” in rear
I was a bit concerned that 20" would look "too much" for my liking, but after comparing weights to their 19" counterparts, and adding/removing both from my cart about 10x, I'm happy with them.
IMHO, if you're prioritizing looks at all, go 20". I had the car for a year with the GTPP wheels, 1" spacers all around, and lowered, which still looks pretty decent compared to stock. When I put these wheels on, I got about 10x more comments about the car in general...

*I should also mention, that at 275/295/35, I went with a little taller sidewall than some others choose to do, so the wheel wells would be filled more, and the profile wouldn't be too low, without adding too much to the circumference. These are very usable as a daily driver option.

Stock suspension in these pics? Looks real good

 

[NorthernMuscle]

Stock suspension in these pics? Looks real good

No. Mods at the time are listed in my sig.

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