Fao LuS1fer & any other 20 inch wheel 'stangers
Discussion
Just been chuckling at your "garage" video, very similar to my situation although I have
to push the car in as there is insufficient room to get out of the car once parked!
Anyway I am close to going the 20 inch wheel route & wondered how much they affected the
ride & handling of your car. I can't recall if your car is lowered or not, it does appear so in the video.
I have a set of Eibachs waiting to go on shortly along with the potential wheel upgrade.
Many thanks
Jeff
to push the car in as there is insufficient room to get out of the car once parked!
Anyway I am close to going the 20 inch wheel route & wondered how much they affected the
ride & handling of your car. I can't recall if your car is lowered or not, it does appear so in the video.
I have a set of Eibachs waiting to go on shortly along with the potential wheel upgrade.
Many thanks
Jeff
How long is this piece of string.
The problem with 20's is always going to be weight and there is a lot of crap talked about how much 20's will ruin your handling. Firstly, I went for a very slim spoke design as I wanted to keep down the weight. However, the overall weight of the wheel and tyre adds 10lbs to each corner (scientifically weighed on bathroom scales) even to my set-up. However, I'm not entirely convinced this is down to the wheels because the weight I saw advertised was fairly close to the stock wheel. I couldn't weigh like for like because I still had the tyres on the old wheels. To those who say "Ah, they add weight", they're 1.5" and 2.5" wider front and rear and carry 275 tyres so of course they're heavier. Here's the answer to that though - Saleen use much heavier 20" wheels as standard and they handle just fine.
My car is lowered using Roush springs which I don't think drop the car as much as the Eibachs. However there is a guy called Tim Jessop who lurks on www.mocgb.net who has the Eibachs and 20's and he has no complaints. My car also has Tokico D-Spec dampers front and rear and carries the benefits of a strut tower brace on the front at the top and an A-arm brace at the bottom. It also has billet rear control arms.
As to handling, well I think I can best answer that after a recent Pistonheads run up through Brecon taking in dual carriageway and twisting narrow mountain lanes. I can report that the car never put a foot wrong and had zero issues in respect of grip, traction, damping, axle-hop or bump-steer. Given it was behind a hard-driven Elise for the twisty bits, it took everything the Elise could throw at it without drama or complaint and never once felt like it was hampered in any way. Overall, it was a remarkable easy drive.
So on my experience, the 20's have no effect on handling and the only time you ever notice them is perhaps on badly made urban roads where you get some jiggle and can sense the additional weight. However, the disadvantage of that is far outweighed by the better grip and traction.
I should qualify all that by saying your tyres will make a difference. I had to wait for ages for a set of Dunlop Powermaxx tyres in the correct size because you're limited with 20's (no Goodyear F1's for example) and they are fantastic tyres even if they are up to £250 a corner.
The problem with 20's is always going to be weight and there is a lot of crap talked about how much 20's will ruin your handling. Firstly, I went for a very slim spoke design as I wanted to keep down the weight. However, the overall weight of the wheel and tyre adds 10lbs to each corner (scientifically weighed on bathroom scales) even to my set-up. However, I'm not entirely convinced this is down to the wheels because the weight I saw advertised was fairly close to the stock wheel. I couldn't weigh like for like because I still had the tyres on the old wheels. To those who say "Ah, they add weight", they're 1.5" and 2.5" wider front and rear and carry 275 tyres so of course they're heavier. Here's the answer to that though - Saleen use much heavier 20" wheels as standard and they handle just fine.
My car is lowered using Roush springs which I don't think drop the car as much as the Eibachs. However there is a guy called Tim Jessop who lurks on www.mocgb.net who has the Eibachs and 20's and he has no complaints. My car also has Tokico D-Spec dampers front and rear and carries the benefits of a strut tower brace on the front at the top and an A-arm brace at the bottom. It also has billet rear control arms.
As to handling, well I think I can best answer that after a recent Pistonheads run up through Brecon taking in dual carriageway and twisting narrow mountain lanes. I can report that the car never put a foot wrong and had zero issues in respect of grip, traction, damping, axle-hop or bump-steer. Given it was behind a hard-driven Elise for the twisty bits, it took everything the Elise could throw at it without drama or complaint and never once felt like it was hampered in any way. Overall, it was a remarkable easy drive.
So on my experience, the 20's have no effect on handling and the only time you ever notice them is perhaps on badly made urban roads where you get some jiggle and can sense the additional weight. However, the disadvantage of that is far outweighed by the better grip and traction.
I should qualify all that by saying your tyres will make a difference. I had to wait for ages for a set of Dunlop Powermaxx tyres in the correct size because you're limited with 20's (no Goodyear F1's for example) and they are fantastic tyres even if they are up to £250 a corner.
Thank you for that very detailed response, it is the answer I was hoping for & I shall proceed withthe changes. I do have a set of the Eibach Pro-Dampers on order but they are currently out of stock. Also whilst at the Fun Ford weekend dragrace in Florida I picked up a pair of billet rear lower control arms which are waiting to be installed.
Cheers
Jeff
Cheers
Jeff
I have just installed Eibach Sportline suspension to my GT. 1.6" front drop, and 2" rear drop. I'm running 20" Shelby Razors and the tyres/wheel line comes right up to the arch with very little space left. I've had 3 heavy blokes in the car and gave it some stick on bumpy roads. Never rubbed once. I'm running the standard shocks as I want to keep a smooth ride as much as possible. The handling/grip/cornering levels are much improved. And the ride on gentle undulating roads is nearly as good as the standard car. It means the car is comfortable when you want it to be, with the promise of an entertaining/safe drive when you are pushing it.
And of course, the car looks utterly fantastic now!
And of course, the car looks utterly fantastic now!
Further to my previous post. I've actually managed to upload some pictures of the car in question. And as previously stated, I have driven the car at speed on a bumpy roads with 3 heavy guys in the car. Probably around 320kg's worth! One of the guys is a big fella, and he's 20 stone odd. He was the one in the back too!!!
And... no rubbing... at all!
Anyway, here's the pics...
And... no rubbing... at all!
Anyway, here's the pics...
Lus1fer, you seem to know your USA machinery.
What can the 4.6 engine go to reliably and is it a lot lighter than the 5.4 motor?
Would 500 bhp be out of the question, with reliability thrown in?
Does it suffer, bearing in mind the old American adage, 'no replacement for displacement', by being a small-ish engine?
Ta muchly.
What can the 4.6 engine go to reliably and is it a lot lighter than the 5.4 motor?
Would 500 bhp be out of the question, with reliability thrown in?
Does it suffer, bearing in mind the old American adage, 'no replacement for displacement', by being a small-ish engine?
Ta muchly.
Beemer-5 said:
Lus1fer, you seem to know your USA machinery.
What can the 4.6 engine go to reliably and is it a lot lighter than the 5.4 motor?
Would 500 bhp be out of the question, with reliability thrown in?
Does it suffer, bearing in mind the old American adage, 'no replacement for displacement', by being a small-ish engine?
Ta muchly.
What can the 4.6 engine go to reliably and is it a lot lighter than the 5.4 motor?
Would 500 bhp be out of the question, with reliability thrown in?
Does it suffer, bearing in mind the old American adage, 'no replacement for displacement', by being a small-ish engine?
Ta muchly.
From what I've read on US Forums, the 4.6 3v will take 500bhp without too much problem at the flywheel. Others claim 450rwhp is the limit. Some have pushed still higher to 550bhp but it's a risk. Vortech go to 462hp and you can bet your bottom dollar that that will be a relatively conservative tune otherwise they'd have Mustangs breaking all over the place and the fact is, they don't. Mine certainly never feels stressed.
The main difficulty is getting the correct tune. Once you start upping the ante, it only takes a minor glitch, the car runs lean and it's all over. Procharger are currently offering 540+hp from their Mustang kit:
www.procharger.com/2005_mustang.shtml
I think the Saleen Extreme is 550bhp and they have forged internals so that should tell you that the line is somewhere around there. I know Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords used a 462hp Vortech kit and tried to increase the power to 500 but it kept leaning out at the top end so it needed bigger injectors or a bigger fuel pump. For that reason, I've avoided changing mine. As long as it's stock, I've got some guarantee it won't go wrong.
Thanx for that.
I must admit, i like plenty of displacement in my USA cars.
I had a 454 ci 'vette which was 'built' to 500 bhp and the same in lbs-ft. Last year it was a 367 ci Monaro with some tuning done.
One of the reasons i am so fond of the new Corvette is the sumptuous 7011cc capacity.
I must admit, i like plenty of displacement in my USA cars.
I had a 454 ci 'vette which was 'built' to 500 bhp and the same in lbs-ft. Last year it was a 367 ci Monaro with some tuning done.
One of the reasons i am so fond of the new Corvette is the sumptuous 7011cc capacity.
Zektor
Your car looks great, the reason for my late reply is that I have just returned from
the NHRA race at Vegas, whilst there I popped over to the Shelby facility where the Hertz
cars were converted. They had a couple of blown V6's wearing those wheels on display, very sharp indeed.
Wlii make a final decision this week & let you guys know.
Cheers
Jeff
Your car looks great, the reason for my late reply is that I have just returned from
the NHRA race at Vegas, whilst there I popped over to the Shelby facility where the Hertz
cars were converted. They had a couple of blown V6's wearing those wheels on display, very sharp indeed.
Wlii make a final decision this week & let you guys know.
Cheers
Jeff
Zektor-- Darren great to see you changed the wheels in the end. Bring it round to the showroom next time you are passing Luton so I can see what you have done. We have a supercharged Roush mustang here 425hp which makes a huge difference. As a roush agent we can get it done as well as any body kit you might want
Hi James,
Yes. I managed to find the wheels I wanted in the end. You know I couldn't make a decision for ages! And then I saw these Shelby wheels. They looked perfect (in my opinion), and they are perfectly sized to fit the Mustang's arch.
I might pay you a visit next Saturday if you're around?
Yes. I managed to find the wheels I wanted in the end. You know I couldn't make a decision for ages! And then I saw these Shelby wheels. They looked perfect (in my opinion), and they are perfectly sized to fit the Mustang's arch.
I might pay you a visit next Saturday if you're around?
OK Zektor, I've now decided that those Shelby Razor's are the best looking 20" wheel for the Mustang (apologies to everyone else running 20"s, this is just my personal opinion).
I still think 18" in Bullitts looks superb but, for some reason, they don't look quite as good when they're 20" in diameter.
Oh, and please, don't change another thing on you car, 'cos when you're bored of it (yeah, right, that's gonna happen!) I want it!!! I'm not into supercharging or any really serious mods, so you can save that for your next car!
Well, OK, you can get a rear 3/4 window scoop (smooth please, not vented), but that's it
I still think 18" in Bullitts looks superb but, for some reason, they don't look quite as good when they're 20" in diameter.
Oh, and please, don't change another thing on you car, 'cos when you're bored of it (yeah, right, that's gonna happen!) I want it!!! I'm not into supercharging or any really serious mods, so you can save that for your next car!
Well, OK, you can get a rear 3/4 window scoop (smooth please, not vented), but that's it
Giving safety priority over looks. Shame on you 
It's a good point, but my 300zx has very small 3/4 windows (heavily tinted on mine) and very thick C pillars.........so I'm kind of used to it.
Did you know, the original Capri was due to use much smaller 3/4 windows, but at customer clinics there were complaints of claustrophobia. Cue the classic reverse C window
It's a good point, but my 300zx has very small 3/4 windows (heavily tinted on mine) and very thick C pillars.........so I'm kind of used to it.
Did you know, the original Capri was due to use much smaller 3/4 windows, but at customer clinics there were complaints of claustrophobia. Cue the classic reverse C window Twin Turbo - Yep. I love the bullitt design as well. But also agree with you... they look kind of strange in the 20" size. I bought a set of Torq Thrust 2's for a previous Corvette that i owned... They were in a 15" size (fat tyres). But I think about 17" or 18" is about the max you can make a bullitt style wheel without looking daft.
I love the Shelby Razors on the Mustang. I'm so glad I went with this wheel... everyone who's seen them (outside of this forum) thinks they look perfect on the car. I agree. I was more than pleased when I saw the result after fitting them. I know I can get some better pictures of the car. Hopefully the weekends weather will be nice again, I'm going to get some better pictures together and then post them up here.
Meanwhile. Here is a picture of my old C3 Corvette with a "bullitt" style wheel on it...
I love the Shelby Razors on the Mustang. I'm so glad I went with this wheel... everyone who's seen them (outside of this forum) thinks they look perfect on the car. I agree. I was more than pleased when I saw the result after fitting them. I know I can get some better pictures of the car. Hopefully the weekends weather will be nice again, I'm going to get some better pictures together and then post them up here.
Meanwhile. Here is a picture of my old C3 Corvette with a "bullitt" style wheel on it...
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