Wheel offsets and spacers

[sunburned]

I've been looking at numerous different wheels to replace my big, heavy saleen replicas. I'm pretty set on getting 18x9.5" wheels all around and putting on 265 or 275 tires. The 275 yokohamas I have on my front 9" wheels run very wide, so I figure a 265 would fit perfectly on the 9.5" wide wheel.

My concern is that many of the lightweight, japanese wheels I'm considering only come in certain offsets. I'm pretty much sticking to sizes from +20 to +28. I've seen a few guys (Largeorangefont) running somewhere around a +22 and saying it fits great, so thats what I'm basing my beliefs off of. Also, I think the stock offset is something like +24. Would it be ok to get something around a +27 or 28 and run a small 1/8" spacer? And do you think it would still fit in the front fenders ok with a 9.5" wide wheel?

Looking at these wheels (last 2 in particular because they are very affordable)...

Wedsport TC-105N 18x9.5" - 17.6 lbs

Volk CE28N time attack edition 18x9.5" - 17.5 lbs

Work Emotion CR Kai 18x9.5" ~ 21 lbs

Enkei NT03+M 18x9.5" very light :shrug: and cheap :thumbsup:

 

[gcassidy]

Dale, are you thinking of putting these wheels on a '98 Cobra (if you get that one), or (God forbid) your Jeep?

 

[sunburned]

I'd put them on my car now if I get them before it sells. But yeah, I'd be putting them on the '98 eventually if I get one. I'm kind of torn between the last 2. The Work's, I wouldn't have to run spacers and I'm sure they would look awesome on a mustang. The Enkeis would probably need small spacers being a +27 offset and I'm not sure how they would look on a stang, but they are at least 3 lbs lighter each and $100 cheaper for the set.

 

[gcassidy]

I don't know about the red wheels on silver, I think black wheels look best on that color (re:Scott's car). But if they're going on your next car, then it doesn't matter.

 

[sunburned]

Well, the orange on the last Evo is a custom job, so I'd get silver or a hypercoat like my current saleens. I'd really love to see what a set of really light wheels feels like while driving. I know when going from my stock 01 cobra wheels to the saleens, the car felt like a pig (this was pre-blower as well).

I have a really itchy mouse trigger finger and I'm getting tons of good offers from shops through another forum. I want to get new wheels bad, plus nobody has any of these wheels on a Mustang yet and I know I'll get so many haters for having 'tuner style' wheels lol.

 

[sunburned]

Here is one more option in 18x9.5" +29. Haven't got a price yet, but I've always loved these wheels.

 

[gcassidy]

Remember to plan ahead. If you plan to get a 98 (or something like it), and if you plan to turn it into a track car, and if you plan to put on Brembos some day, make sure what you get will clear them.

 

[gcassidy]

Here is one more option in 18x9.5" +29. Haven't got a price yet, but I've always loved these wheels.

I like those. If they had 17s in black, I'd consider them, too.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I'd run NT03+Ms just to piss domestic and import owners off...

I would stay away from any offset that requires you to run spacers though.

 

[gcassidy]

I'd run NT03+Ms just to piss domestic and import owners off...

Those wheels look like they have 2 valve stems.

I have enough trouble keeping up with one per wheel.

 

[sunburned]

I'd run NT03+Ms just to piss domestic and import owners off...

I would stay away from any offset that requires you to run spacers though.

I do like those wheels, and they are cheap, but they are +27 offset so a very small 1/8 spacer might be required.

Greg, I think they do have 2 valve stems. I've heard it has something to do with evacuating the air and running nitrogen in the tires. Makes that easier to do. Nitro in one, air out the other.

Also, think you can do a photoshop of those NT03's on my car?

 

[gcassidy]

Sorry, couldn't fix the brakes. LOL

And that's a great idea for getting air out and nitrogen in. Here's the old method:

Of course, studies show you want to run no more than 94~97% nitrogen, or you start losing the benefits.

 

[sleepless]

The Wedsports are nice wheels. I have the SA-70s on my '03 (18x9 +20 in the front and they fit great with 275's). Ray's sells several GramLights wheels that are 18x9.5; take a look at TireRack.com to see how they all fit on your car.

There is nothing wrong with spacers; I never understood why people have an aversion to them. The only issue with spacers is that on cars with lug bolts, it's hard to get the spacers on and then the wheels. But with wheel studs, they are not a problem. Obviously, you have to make sure your studs are long enough for the spacers you choose.

Here are my wheels:

 

[sunburned]

Thanks for the pic Greg and sleepless, your car looks great. I remember you getting the SA70's a while back and I loved the look. I really think the NT03's might be the way to go, maybe the Work's depending on the prices I can still get. The Work wheels wouldn't require a spacer at all and the Enkei's would only need a 1/4" spacer which is nothing.

Here is a little chop I did, dropped the car a bit too...

 

[sunburned]

Also, sleepless, what tires are you running? I have 275/35 Yokohama AVS ES100's in the front on my 18x9" saleen and they rub like crazy on the fenders. They are a very wide tire and actually stick out quite a bit on the sides of the 9" wheel. I could probably run them on a 9.5" or 10" without a problem. I'm worried that if I run a 275 with a crazy wide and offset wheel, its going to continue to rub or be even worse. I guess I could trim the fenders, but I wouldn't want to start cutting the tires on them by accident.

 

[sleepless]

I also run 275s up front. No rubbing issues. They are Eagle F1 GS-D3

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I lightly rub the drivers side fender liner, that is it.

 

[sunburned]

I like those. If they had 17s in black, I'd consider them, too.

Greg, they do have the Advans in 17", but I don't think they have black. Besides, they are way more than you want to spend, probably $1500 at least for a set of 17x9".

 

[gcassidy]

Greg, they do have the Advans in 17", but I don't think they have black. Besides, they are way more than you want to spend, probably $1500 at least for a set of 17x9".

What, do you think I work for the DOD or something? LOL
Yeah, I was looking more in the range of less than $800, but the two eading contenders are coming in at less than that, which allows more $$ for street tires, since my 2 sets of track tires are still holding up.

And FWIW, with my 275s on 9" Cobra Rs, I rub the upper lip of both front fenders and the liners, but not bad. Summit Point's Shenandoah Karrasul causes the most rubbing, you can hear the tire singing the whole way around.

 

[sunburned]

Thought I'd try to get a little input from Bruce on this one...

What size tire is normal for road racing a mustang? I was planning on 275's, but with the amount of rubbing I'm already getting in the front from the wider tires, would it be ok to go with a 265? I've read on other forums that certain tires (yokohama, dunlop) run pretty wide, and seen pictures of a 265 fitting almost perfect on a 9.5" wide wheel. Would that be enough rubber on all 4 corners to get decent handling? Probably going to try out the new Dunlop Direzza Z1, its got a 200 treadwear and I hear is very grippy with a stiff sidewall, but also fairly wide.