Cobra 17 x 8 Rims

[jpywell]

I just picked up a set of new Cobra 17 x 8 rims. I was looking at putting on 245/45/17 tires on there but not sure which would be a good choice, I am looking at putting strictly street/summer sport tires on there. Any good suggestions?

[50 Proof]

The widest you want to go on a 17x8 with our fox body stangs is 255/45. I have 17x8 bullitts with 245/45 17's on the rear of my notch now. I need new springs and shocks so the rear sags a little, but I barely scrape on the driver side sometimes when going up a steep driveway, and I haven't rolled the fenders either.
If you want you can put 255/45 in the rear and 245/45 up front but then you wont be able to rotate your tires. If it were me, i'd stick to 245/45 all around.

[jpywell]

I just replaced the rear shocks and springs on my mustang yesterday with regular stock ones for the moment. It took at whole of 45 minutes to do it. Poly bushings of course. In the spring I plan on replacing the uppers and lowers and putting on a lowering kit with air bags if I ever put any weight in the rear.

I was considering either BF Goodridge or Nitto depending on the pricing of the rubber and of course if I can get it at cost through work. I just picked up a 1200$ tailgate for my '74 ford F250 last week for 80 bucks through work... wont find deals like that all the time, but heh.

[Mumfts85gt]

The 245/45 17's come stock on 17X8s from the factory. I am running Goodyear Eagles since they came with the wheels I have. I will probably put Kumho's on it when I replace them.
http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=2749

[LTDScott]

I will probably put Kumho's on it when I replace them.


The Kumho 712s are decent performers, especially for the price. I'm running Hankook Ventus tires on my car. They're not super common in the US but they're very popular in Australia (where I'm originally from).

They're damn good tires for the money and I'll probably buy them again. My old grandpa sedan had no problem hanging with a group of my friends (pretty experienced autocrossers) in their cars (M3, WRX, RX8, couple of Miatas) in a spirited drive through San Diego mountains. I was really impressed.

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/SVT-LTD/DSCN0119.sized.jpg[/img]

[50 Proof]

i've had the 712's when I had my civic. They are okay for the money. A bit noisy of a tire, not great in the rain either.

[83GT289]

not to threadjack but Scott, i LOVE your ltd! I had an 84 SSP car that looked allmost identicle. After a few mods it was awesome to pull up beside a stock 5.0 and waste 'em :D. Sweet car


J.

[Coupester]

The widest you want to go on a 17x8 with our fox body stangs is 255/45

To be quite honest... this isn't the best suggestion. A better tire is either a 255/ 40/ 17 or a 245/45/17

[Coupester]

And yes ... that LTD is truly outstanding ... too bad more LTD LX owners don't do similar build ups.

[Evil86lx]

I will probably put Kumho's on it when I replace them.


The Kumho 712s are decent performers, especially for the price. I'm running Hankook Ventus tires on my car. They're not super common in the US but they're very popular in Australia (where I'm originally from).

They're damn good tires for the money and I'll probably buy them again. My old grandpa sedan had no problem hanging with a group of my friends (pretty experienced autocrossers) in their cars (M3, WRX, RX8, couple of Miatas) in a spirited drive through San Diego mountains. I was really impressed.

http://www.ltdlx.org/albums/SVT-LTD/DSCN0119.sized.jpg[/img]

8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O

DANG....I love that car...

kyle

[underdogGT]

I run a 245/45/17 on all 4 corners. I have had 2003 cobra wheels and tires on my car before that were 275/40/17 on a 17x9 wheel. I have rolled my fenders and only had slight rub in the rear with them. With the 96 Cobra wheels I never have had them rub. My car is lowered also

here is what Nitto tire specs are

diameter width
245/45/17 25.67 9.61
255/45/17 25.95 10.08
255/40/17 25.08 10.16
275/40/17 25.59 11.02

The idea is that the wider tire even though it's not as tall would rub on the outside edge of the fender, not the inner fender liner

[joelliott]

Whats up. I run 17x8 front with 255-40-17 and 17x9 rear with 255-40s. I like the combo. Works well so far. I would lke to get some netto555s tho. But whats on there is good for now.
Joe E.

[MJ86GT]

I run 255/40/17 kumho 712's on 17x9 OEM cobra r's for the street, and 255/40/17 front and 275/40/17 rear victoracers for autocrossing. Only get slight rubbing on pass side tailpipe on hard cornering. I have rolled the quarters and installed MM panhard bar with lowering springs.

17x8 cobra's should fit no problem all around giving that your suspension is flat worn out.

[Mumfts85gt]

i've had the 712's when I had my civic. They are okay for the money. A bit noisy of a tire, not great in the rain either.

50 Proof, are you sure? Could it have been your Civic? I rechecked the reviews on The TireRack because I remembered someone saying that he prefered driving his Mustang in the rain after getting them. Many people commented on how great the performed in the rain, Mustang, Corvette and Porsche drivers included. Several people also commented on how quiet they were also.

MJ86GT how do you like the victoracers? I plan to get a second set of wheels to run stickier tires someday. I will be comparing them all to get the best bang for my buck.

[50 Proof]

tires are tires. a civic wont make them noisy. General consensus(sp?) that i've gathered is basically "you get what you pay for". They may be decent in the rain when new, but how well do you think they will be after you've used them for a little bit? They are just OK tires. I'd definately shop around more and consider something different. IMO tires are something you don't want to cheap out on.

[LTDScott]

And yes ... that LTD is truly outstanding ... too bad more LTD LX owners don't do similar build ups.

Thanks for the compliments guys. The next time I get tires I think I'm gonna step down to 235/45/17s. I get too much rub on the outer fender lips with the 245s (yes they've been rolled). But that's not a problem for most of you Stangers since your wheel well openings are not half as low slung as mine..

[MJ86GT]

Mumfts85GT, the victors are probably the best bang for the buck. Good wear and very sticky. I might downsize the rears to 255/40/17's for sake of rotating.

The 712's are great as long as they are dry. Now maybe its just my car or how wide they are but they suck in the rain. If theres a hint of rain it doesnt come out of the garage or high tale it to the garage. A buddy has them on his focus and it wont pull itself off of the slightest bit of snow.

[Mumfts85gt]

Thanks, MJ86GT. I knew Kumho was coming out with something to compete with the other companies tires with softer compounds. How do they, the victors, do in wet conditions. I don't plan on driving my car in the rain or snow, that is good to know in case I ever get caught out in the wet stuff.

[MJ86GT]

I wouldnt recommend running victors on the street unless your just making a short trip to the local autocross or opentrack. They wont last on the street due to there extreme treadwear rating. I've seen a few guys run them on the wet asphalt at our races and dont do to well. Just not enough tread the disperse the water.

Definately not a daily driver tire. Especially at $173.00 each.