[Don]

I have a 99 performance red GT and I am looking for chrome wheels but can't decide on which ones. I like the 03 Cobras 17x8 front & 17x10.5 rear. But I prefer Y2k's 17x8.5 front & 18x9.5 rear but I don't know if this will affect performance? Also it might look european being a 17" & 18". I plan on alot of autocross & drag use so I want to get the best performance but it still has to look bada$$. What are yalls thought's and oppinions. I am also open to other cool looking racing wheels. Thanks...

[Don]

Anyone Anyone!!!

[chewie]

Originally Posted by Don

I plan on alot of autocross & drag use so I want to get the best performance but it still has to look bada$$.

If this is in your plans, then chrome shouldn't be on your list. Look into lighter wheels as chrome is not. Believe it or not the lightest OE rims are the "5 stars" or whatever they are called. Look at the Konig rims on MM's website.

[Mestizo]

I love the "rake" look; 17's and 18's would look cool.............however....if you're planning on racing they'll slow you down slightly.

Seeing as how the Mustang is a RWD the 18's is what would determine the RPMs etc. If you mark a spot on a 17 and a 18 inch wheel then spin both wheels like a clock the 17 will make a full rotation before the 18 because it has less distance to travel. That being said, when you're trying to get off the line and get into the higher RPM the 18 is a hinderance not a helper.

Like Chewie said Chrome rims usually weigh more, and if you plan on heavy racing then you're best option might be to use chrome rims for daily use. Then when race day approaches swap on some welds.

Also I was really disappointed in Steeda's "lightweight" rims. They weighed like 21lbs for 17X9s. I bought some black bullitts that weighed like 23lbs for 17X9s, but cost like $100 less per rim. $100 is worth 2lbs for me. On top of that the deep dish weighed 25lbs.

Also the to me the "rake"(ie small wheels in front big wheels in back) symbolizes American Muscle(see 70s cars) not a European thing. I'm kinda pissed because I wanted to have 17s and 18s with polished bullitts.....sure enough if you read Feb 06 Muscle Mustangs Fast Fords, Scott Hoag has a 2001 black Bullitt restored with 17 and 18 black deep dish bullitts. Oh well....it does look nice though. Check out the mag just to see what the stance looks like.

Anyways.....hope that helps. Also....Performance Red is the best red!!!

[mach2]

I have 03 chrome cobras on my 1997 rio red cobra, in 17x9 with 255-45-17 on all 4. I wish I would have gone with 18x9 on all 4 with a 275-35-18, like the ones on my 04 mach. They are almost exactly the same diameter, but seem to fill the wheel openning better. Now I need to drop the cobra.If I wanted performance, these are too heavy, and too much maint.

[01MidNiteBlue]

also with 18's on the back they say it wil slow you down a lil bit but i would just go the same size all the way around. and chrome is a lil to heavy.

[PonyTx]

Originally Posted by Mestizo

Also the to me the "rake"(ie small wheels in front big wheels in back) symbolizes American Muscle(see 70s cars) not a European thing.

I love that look, I also love the look of deep dish in the back, what about draglite's?

Ebay Link

[311-420]

i like fr500s, 10th anniversary cobras and 03-04 cobras

[mach2]

This is how the 03-04 chrome cobras look on a 97 red cobra-17x9 with 255-45-17.I will be putting 275 on the rear at least, wish I would have gone with 10.5 in the rear, 17 or 18's.

[CrewChiefLite]

Your best bet would be to get the wheels you like, and save the stockers for autoX usage. That way you don't have to worry about messing up your nice wheels or your daily drive tires.

[srswap]

let's go Don...it's time to get those wheels. Just get you those Kinesis and call it a day. I'll go in half with you...

Eddie

[bigred90gt]

Originally Posted by mach2

I have 03 chrome cobras on my 1997 rio red cobra, in 17x9 with 255-45-17 on all 4. I wish I would have gone with 18x9 on all 4 with a 275-35-18, like the ones on my 04 mach. They are almost exactly the same diameter, but seem to fill the wheel openning better. Now I need to drop the cobra.If I wanted performance, these are too heavy, and too much maint.

Actually, the 18's (275/35 18 tires) are about 1/2" smaller in diameter than the 17's (255/45 17 tires) mentioned. So, it would actually leave a slightly larger gap going with the 18's.

[CrewChiefLite]

I just put Mach 1 wheels on my car and boy are they heavy