Best tire size for 16in ARE's?

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Hey guys, long time no see. Just wondering what everyone is running for 16 inch tires. I'd like to get the widest I can get without too much side bulge and I'd like to run the same width front and back so I'm assuming the front will dictate the max width I can run.

[viking]

This is probably not what you want to hear, but I'm running 225/55's on my 16 x 7 Enkei's. I have made a number of handling improvements and would like more tire on the road but felt like wider tires on an 7" rim would lead to too much sidewall flex. 7" supports the 225 width good. 235 would probably be good, but saw very little selection in that size.

[E2ZZGLX]

225/50/16 here...

[smitty54]

225/50/16 on my Fittapaldi's

[quickshift]

Deleted

[Patrick Olsen]

Hey guys, long time no see. Just wondering what everyone is running for 16 inch tires. I'd like to get the widest I can get without too much side bulge and I'd like to run the same width front and back so I'm assuming the front will dictate the max width I can run.

"Too much side bulge" is subjective; it's hard for us to tell you what you will like.

If the AREs are 16x7", then I'm with viking - 225/55s (or 225/50s) would be the way to go. If they're 16x8s, you should be able to run 245/50s, but there aren't many options in that size. 225/55 will give you the best selection.

[xctasy]

Due to Fords isolated rubber mounts, you can use stiff side wall, ultra soft Posche 928S spec replacement tires in 225/50 16 without too much harshness, or risk of too much entry understeer to snap exit over steer if you keep the rear tire size down. Pirellis performance tires still gives the sharpest steering, and on your car, shouldn't tram line.


That's option one. Rich V said it best.....power AND traction, weak stuff starts to break.

You know, I liked your green 85 SSP Mustang 347 pretty much the way it was locked down. BFG's safety net is there abilty to incinerate rubber without hooking up. The hook up is the prblem when you go big.

16X 7 's are a problem. I love 1/2" shaved down 235/60 16 Pirellis, they last longer shaved than they do at std height as the rubber can tear out. Sadly, they push the wheel envelope too much height wise. And 235's are rare and too tall unless you have them shaved down . If it were me, 225/50's and 225/55's or 255/50's at the back. As you go bigger, you downgrade the tire compound to harder to avoid hookup if you cars got such imense grunt like 347's do.



rob342's I liked. If you want the best tire compunds for safety, don't grab BFG's like you did, go 225/50's and grab Pirellis.


Try this

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...rom-LMR/page12

OK finally got a chance to get the wheels changed on the beasts and go for a drive....quite pleased with them. I went with an all season 225/50/16 BFG tire recommended by the tire guy....didn't realize till they were installed but they got a little different look to them.

In retrospect I think a 50/55 front rear combo would be perfect. IMO the 50's on the front are just the right height with my current springs...but sure is nice to have decent options on tires now !!

Just so happened the kids car inherited a wheel upgrade as well. They are 215/70/14 and are slightly taller but still look great on these cars IMO.

Cheers,



Attachment 103079Attachment 103080

Remember, don't be afraid to go 255/50R16 at the back....but you've made your descision, if it hookes up with that power, your going to have some problems concealing that "Uzzi at an Italian wedding" 347 engine...

[noac]

I feel the stock size 225/55/16 tires always look best on a fox with 16" tires.

[JKengineering]

I run 225/55-16 on a 7" rim on the front and 255/50-16 on a 8" in back with my ARE 229's.
Mike

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Well, may as well throw up some pics?

[svono50]

It all depends on the rim width as to what tire width works 'best' and also figuring out what your end game is (i.e.- street cruising, 1/4 mile, auto-x, road course, etc). Anything wider than 225 on a 7" rim will look 'sucked in' a bit and anything wider than 245 on a 8" rim will have the same effect. I ran both 225/50's and 245/50's on my stock 16x7's and the 245's certainly had the bulging sidewalls (see pics). I could snap some current pics of them if you wish, they are still resting in my rafters. I now run 17x8's with 245's on them (see pics) and they look much more 'square', which is how I prefer them and they perform very well on the auto-x & road courses...again, my intended purpose. YMMV.

245/50 on a 16x7" rim:




245/45 on a 17x8" rim: