Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: dinn (Michael 'Moose' Dinn)


Slighty off topic - but I suppose I'm allowed, I do run the list. :-)


I'm upgrading my '87 from the 10-spoke rims that came stock on it to a set of
pony rims from a 91-93.

According to what I've read, in 91:

-GT & LX 5.0L receive 16 x 7" 5-star wheels with P225/55ZR16 Goodyear
uni-directional Gatorbacks.

-Different front fenders with larger wheel opening were installed to
accommodate the bigger wheel/tire combo.

But when you compare tire sizes at

1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

the original tires have an overall diameter 25.62 inches, while the stock
'91-93 tires are at 25.74 inches. Is this really enough to make a difference?



Now to make things complicated, 3 of my rims came with tires - Potenzas on the
rear, stock 91-93 size, which I plan to keep - they look a little worn, but
they'll get me through a summer or two.

The one front that had a tire has a no-name 205/50R16 - but it looks brand
new! it's 6% smaller in diameter (24.07 inches) - but would that cause a
problem other than making it a little harder on the brakes?

Anyone else done this swap and care to share?

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: keven (Coates, Keven)

I've swapped tire sizes from my old 225/60/14 tires to 215/60/15 to
245/50/16 now. They're really not that different in terms of purely
diameter (although the new tires have a contact patch over 10" wide, so
the traction is great!). I didn't even change speedometer gears and
I've verified my mileage is spot on (although I'm not so sure how
accurate it was before I changed tires).

Tire diameter really doesn't affect much at all except possibly the
speedometer.

That having been said, never put different sizes of tires on the rear
end with a limited slip differential, because obviously it would hate
the speed difference and you'd prematurely wear your differential
clutches.

The 6% smaller one should live fairly happily on the front, but it may
cause alignment issues. If you put it up there and it steers funny,
especially under braking, you may not like it, but it's worth a try. It
shouldn't cause any undue wear on the other tire.

Keven

-----Original Message-----
From: classic-mustangs-bounces at lists.twistedpair.ca
[mailto:classic-mustangs-bounces at lists.twistedpair.ca] On Behalf Of
Michael 'Moose' Dinn
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 6:29 AM
To: Coates, Keven
Subject: [CM] rims and tires...


Slighty off topic - but I suppose I'm allowed, I do run the list. :-)


I'm upgrading my '87 from the 10-spoke rims that came stock on it to a
set of
pony rims from a 91-93.

According to what I've read, in 91:

-GT & LX 5.0L receive 16 x 7" 5-star wheels with P225/55ZR16 Goodyear
uni-directional Gatorbacks.

-Different front fenders with larger wheel opening were installed to
accommodate the bigger wheel/tire combo.

But when you compare tire sizes at

1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

the original tires have an overall diameter 25.62 inches, while the
stock
'91-93 tires are at 25.74 inches. Is this really enough to make a
difference?



Now to make things complicated, 3 of my rims came with tires - Potenzas
on the
rear, stock 91-93 size, which I plan to keep - they look a little worn,
but
they'll get me through a summer or two.

The one front that had a tire has a no-name 205/50R16 - but it looks
brand
new! it's 6% smaller in diameter (24.07 inches) - but would that cause a
problem other than making it a little harder on the brakes?

Anyone else done this swap and care to share?


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