New wheels ???

[DWRAT]

I need new tires soon and I would really like some bigger wheels as mine are just 16" right now.

What would you all get if you were in the market for wheels?

This will be a easy purchase as the wife already complained about my wheels after seeing Big Wave Dave's wheels. (Thanks Dave)

Dan

[Danr55]

Why do you want bigger wheels? I ask because I've never been able to understand the fascination with 17 or 20 inch rims. The standard car came with 15 inch rims. "Ples splain me this, Lucy"..

[rustyBob]

DWRAT............keep the 16's and buy new tires............and buy the wife something nice with the money you would spend on new rims.............tell her she dosent have to polich new rims now...............

[vettestr]

Originally Posted by Danr55

Why do you want bigger wheels? I ask because I've never been able to understand the fascination with 17 or 20 inch rims. The standard car came with 15 inch rims. "Ples splain me this, Lucy"..

Hey DanR,
The desire to increase wheel diameter is not always a fascination. I agree the current trend to put HUGE diameters on many cars/trucks and whatever is more fad than function. In short I think they look stupid but also see the need for some change in some cases.

The standard cobra in 1966 had a very popular diameter although larger and wider than S.O.P. of sports cars say 10 years earlier. It all comes full circle with supply and demand driving the fact a 15" tire now now is limited in the technology and bang for the buck. A larger diameter allows brake mods and more tire options with pricing a benefit too. There is a middle ground but you know those darn kids with long hair and that wild music ... Ohh that was my generation, never mind !

[*13*]

I prefer the ride of my 15s. Doubt I'll ever put the 17's back on for regular use.

[Maricopa]

I gotta go with Dano here, 16s are already one inch too large.

Buuut, if you insist. These look like a deal.
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227860

[mikiec]

First off.... Do you have 4 lug or 5 lug. If you have either of these then the choice is simple.

Dump the 16's and get 15 INCH.

Mike

[greg schroeder]

I sold my car with the 15s and 17s to my brother in-law. He called me today and asked that I reply to this thread as he doesn't have a user name.

The 17s would be for sale with tires on the wheels. They have the backspace set up for Superformance, five pin. The tires have near all the tread. If interested call any time 480-661-0111.

Maybe the 17s aren't for everyone, but they do look bad a$$ on the car.


Greg

[DWRAT]

Greg, thanks I will call him.

Mike, 15" is just to old school for me.

[mikiec]

Dan,

The SPF back spacing will not work on your FFR.

Mike

[greg schroeder]

Originally Posted by mikiec

Dan,

The SPF back spacing will not work on your FFR.

Mike

The 17" wheels are from Vintage and are their Superformance recomended backspace and tire size. The tires are Yokohama AO32R with the majority of tread left as they have little use. They don't throw stones to speak of with normal city driving temperature. The wheels are in extremely good condition.

Here are the 17s off the car next to two other 15s

[tcrist]

If you have 16" rims and are concidering going to 15" rims be sure that they will clear your calipers before purchasing. Depending on your rotor size they might not fit.

Just a thought,
Terry

[Excaliber]

Tires that don't throw stones, don't have enough traction.

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by tcrist

If you have 16" rims and are concidering going to 15" rims be sure that they will clear your calipers before purchasing. Depending on your rotor size they might not fit.

Just a thought,
Terry

There will be no 15" wheels for me.
I'm thinking something like 17", 18" or even really pimp it out and get some 20".

[tcrist]

Oh yea. Those 20's ought to do it. It will start looking like the Bigfoot monster truck

Terry

[greg schroeder]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Tires that don't throw stones, don't have enough traction.

Your comment is more of a general blanket statement. I might consider some of the variables before discounting all tires which don't throw stones when driving casually.

These particular Yokohama AO32R tires would be extremely sticky if doing hot laps at the track and would throw piles or stones. The traction is optium when smoking hot, but driving on the street they are cooler to not throw many stones and have a decent wear life while providing reasonable traction. I used them on a 10 second Cobra with satisfaction. They do have useful traction.

On the topic of another tire that doesn't throw many stones while cruising consider the Mickey Thompson ET street drag radial. It is about as sticky as a street tire is going to get. Sure do a burn out and it heats fast and tosses stones, but they don't throw stones cruising at cooler temperature. They stick nice even when below optimum temperature just like the Yokohama AO32R.

[Fitz]

17s are good; 18ings are better. I like the looks on mine with the Michelin Pilot PS2s; Sumotomo were very good cheap tires as well. Check out the gallery... Need to work on the radio next..

[Excaliber]

Only 20", go BIG or go home, get the 24".

[Karl Bebout]

DWRAT, be sure to put a big honkin' stereo and an air conditioner in the car to go along with the 20" wheels. Any thoughts to underbody lighting?

[Fitz]

Actually when I get a few extra bucks I will be updating my whole stereo system. It is outdated and takes up too much trunk space. New technology makes everything much smaller and more powerful. An MG type luggage rack, side windows on that hard top and those lights....hum....that is not a bad idea. Now if we could get large enough wheels to just get the car up in the air more, you know up there high above those stone chips!