10" wide wheels up front

[BizJetTech]

Sorry, you can't get those "grey" Bullitt's for S197's anymore, only for new edge now. But these were the style/company I got them from (I cut down stock stang center caps and glued them in). Pictured (above) is 18 X 10/9 set they used to sell. Tires were 295/40 NT05 in rear and a 255/45 NT555 front.

https://www.oewheelsllc.com/Bullitt-Wheels_11

AM still makes these rims though. They call them anthracite, but they are really silver, with a tiny hint of green/blue to them.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/mustang-deep-dish-bullitt-anthracite-wheel-18x10-28324.html

Weird, I just found these too, claims for 05-09, not sure why they would be different than 10-14.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/anthracite-2005-deep-dish-bullitt-wheels-18x9-18x10.html

I bought a set of them also for my drag racing setup (10 rear, 8 front). You could have the spokes powder coated a true grey to match what I have. This is what those rims look like (they are the same 18 x 10 with 45 offset as the first AM's I posted about above, so should fit just as easily except for brake caliper clearance, which won't matter unless you have Brembos).

I think a 285/40 (or maybe 45) would fit with no spacers, and be plenty big enough for rear also. Something like this, they are only .2 inches smaller in diameter than stock 14 S197 tire size. .

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ewall=Blackwall&partnum=84YR8PS4SXL&tab=Sizes

Funny, I just found this image on AM, looks like just the setup you want.

The downside is these deep dish rims are an absolute nightmare to mount a tire. The deep dish makes the recessed part of rim really far away from outer rim edge. Tends to want to try and rip the bead when putting a stiff summer low profile tire on (see pic below). Luckily, it is easier to get them on than off, but hopefully, when you are taking them off, that means they are shot.

Those rims made me upgrade my tire machine with a bead compression setup instead of trashing inside of rim with crow bars.

@OX1 - Great info and helps me out a LOT - Thanks so much!
My 2010 GT came factory with 19x8.5 wheels +50et with 245/45/19 tires
so I want to stay as close as possible to the 27.7" tall tire - IMO, that's easiest to do with
a 19" or 20" wheel - but with the 18's its a little more difficult - I'm wondering if I could run
all 4 wheels 18x10 +45et with 275/45/18 tires ???
Bridgestone Potenza Sport | 275/45R18 (tirerack.com)
What do you think?

 

[Cum Grano Salis]

Others might not agree but sure. Smaller rim with tire that measures a bit taller to match OEM height. Too wide in front though might affect steering also. Too much contact with Road and those under/over tire pressures that wear out tread life way quick. Turning and steering with that much contact surface. Must have something to do with caster/camber numbers I would almost be certain. Going any taller than stock could really screw things up like speedometer, performance lag and clearance in wheel wells/rubbing.

No expert but have just tried those things one time or another. Do know a more conventional tire worked way better and much cheaper than those “Goodyear Stickies” in the real world. BREMBO’s probably wouldn’t clear smaller rim in front?

 

[BizJetTech]

Others might not agree but sure. Smaller rim with tire that measures a bit taller to match OEM height. Too wide in front though might affect steering also. Too much contact with Road and those under/over tire pressures that wear out tread life way quick. Turning and steering with that much contact surface. Must have something to do with caster/camber numbers I would almost be certain. Going any taller than stock could really screw things up like speedometer, performance lag and clearance in wheel wells/rubbing.

No expert but have just tried those things one time or another. Do know a more conventional tire worked way better and much cheaper than those “Goodyear Stickies” in the real world. BREMBO’s probably wouldn’t clear smaller rim in front?

@Cum Grano Salis - Yea, probably better (and easier) to go 18x9 +30et fronts with 255/45/18 tires
Thanks !!

 

[Pentalab]

I have tried various combinations on my 2010 GT (oem font + rear brakes).

I use AM deep dish chrome bullitt wheels front + rear...( all 10" wide) Started off with 275-40-18's on the rear,on 18x10 rims(+45 ET)......and 255-45-18's on 9x18 rims on the front (+40 ET).

Then tried 285-40-18 on 18 x 10 rims (45mm et) on the rears....and 275-40-18 (45 mm et) on the fronts.... this required a 3mm H+R brand hubcentric spacer on the fronts only. (3mm = .118").

Currently I use a 305-35-19's on 19x10 ( 48mm ET) on the rears............and 285-40-18's on 18x10 ( 45mm et) on the fronts. (3mm spacer required on the fronts). Stand back, either a few feet, or across the street, and there is no way in hell you can tell that the rears are 19" rims..and the fronts are smaller...at 18".

ALL wheels are AM deep dish chrome wheels.... and chrome AM lugnuts. I used steeda HD camber front strut mounts..and tweaked for max neg camber. Also air cooled the front brakes with the CDC lower chin spoiler option. Oem front + rear calipers, but the rotors replaced with..'power slot' rotors and hawke HPS brake pads.

I would not mess with a 255-45-18 front setup. U want as wide as practical on the front. If I had to do it again, I would either use 285-40-18's on all 4 x corners..... or 275-40-18's on all 4 x corners.

Unless u are laying on ur stomach, on the grnd, u can see any stagger anyway. With a ..'square' setup, u can rotate front to back. With Michelin tires, and some others, u can rotate side to side too.

 

[BizJetTech]

I have tried various combinations on my 2010 GT (oem font + rear brakes).

I use AM deep dish chrome bullitt wheels front + rear...( all 10" wide) Started off with 275-40-18's on the rear,on 18x10 rims(+45 ET)......and 255-45-18's on 9x18 rims on the front (+40 ET).

Then tried 285-40-18 on 18 x 10 rims (45mm et) on the rears....and 275-40-18 (45 mm et) on the fronts.... this required a 3mm H+R brand hubcentric spacer on the fronts only. (3mm = .118").

Currently I use a 305-35-19's on 19x10 ( 48mm ET) on the rears............and 285-40-18's on 18x10 ( 45mm et) on the fronts. (3mm spacer required on the fronts). Stand back, either a few feet, or across the street, and there is no way in hell you can tell that the rears are 19" rims..and the fronts are smaller...at 18".

ALL wheels are AM deep dish chrome wheels.... and chrome AM lugnuts. I used steeda HD camber front strut mounts..and tweaked for max neg camber. Also air cooled the front brakes with the CDC lower chin spoiler option. Oem front + rear calipers, but the rotors replaced with..'power slot' rotors and hawke HPS brake pads.

I would not mess with a 255-45-18 front setup. U want as wide as practical on the front. If I had to do it again, I would either use 285-40-18's on all 4 x corners..... or 275-40-18's on all 4 x corners.

Unless u are laying on ur stomach, on the grnd, u can see any stagger anyway. With a ..'square' setup, u can rotate front to back. With Michelin tires, and some others, u can rotate side to side too.

@Pentalab - thanks, this helps me a lot - are you sure about the offset on your AM 18x9 wheels?
I am seeing AM 18x9 Bullitts with +30mm ET on their web site - I am thinking with 4 18x9 et +30 I should be able to run 275/45/18 at all 4 corners with no need for spacers on the fronts ?? The reason I want 275/45/18 is they are the same overall (27.7") height as my original 245/45/19's - If not, the 275/45 rears and 255/45 fronts will work good for me - I'm curious as to why you did not like the 255/45/18 fronts ??
Can you post some pics of your set up? - TY

 

[FredB66]

I'm running the AM Bullitts with 18x9s and 255/45s in front and 19X10s and 275/40s in back. My only complaint is the fronts poke out just a little from the fender and the rears are about flush. That little aesthetic detail bugs me, so if I were to do it again, I'd probably go for the 19x8.5s in front to keep it inside the fender.

 

[skwerl]

I purchased some Ford Racing wheels from Cam on this group (forgot his user name) for my 2014 GT. They were either 9.5 or 10"x19". I ran Michelin 285 wide tires on all four corners and it was the best handling setup I ever drove. Lots of feedback from so much rubber on the pavement but it never got loose on me. I had the stock springs from my 2009 Bullitt on the car so it was only lowered by an inch or so. No rubbing anywhere ever.

 

[oldVOR]

I purchased some Ford Racing wheels from Cam on this group (forgot his user name) for my 2014 GT. They were either 9.5 or 10"x19". I ran Michelin 285 wide tires on all four corners and it was the best handling setup I ever drove. Lots of feedback from so much rubber on the pavement but it never got loose on me. I had the stock springs from my 2009 Bullitt on the car so it was only lowered by an inch or so. No rubbing anywhere ever.

IIRC, they were the 19x10 Boss 302 wheels like the ones on Cam's GF/Wife's 2013 Boss 302.

 

[BizJetTech]

I'm running the AM Bullitts with 18x9s and 255/45s in front and 19X10s and 275/40s in back. My only complaint is the fronts poke out just a little from the fender and the rears are about flush. That little aesthetic detail bugs me, so if I were to do it again, I'd probably go for the 19x8.5s in front to keep it inside the fender.
View attachment 85635
View attachment 85636 View attachment 85636

@FredB66 - what is the offset of your AM 18x9 front wheels ??
AM has made several different offsets of 18x9 Bullitt style wheels over the years
IMO, it looks awesome the way it is

 

[FredB66]

Thanks! My 18x9s are 30mm offset.

 

[BizJetTech]

 

[Pentalab]

@Pentalab - thanks, this helps me a lot - are you sure about the offset on your AM 18x9 wheels?
I am seeing AM 18x9 Bullitts with +30mm ET on their web site - I am thinking with 4 18x9 et +30 I should be able to run 275/45/18 at all 4 corners with no need for spacers on the fronts ?? The reason I want 275/45/18 is they are the same overall (27.7") height as my original 245/45/19's - If not, the 275/45 rears and 255/45 fronts will work good for me - I'm curious as to why you did not like the 255/45/18 fronts ??
Can you post some pics of your set up? - TY

I stand corrected. Indeed, my 18x9 bullitts ARE 30mm ET. WATCH OUT, one of my experiments was
Replacing the 255-45-18's on their 18x9 rims (on the front) with 275-40-18's. That was a FN disaster, don't do it!

The...'measuring' width of a 275-40-18 is 9.5". The MIN width is 9". What happens when you put a 275-40-18 on a 18x9 rim is..... it handles like absolute shit, (with them on the front).

The steering becomes... "rubbery"...and..."unresponsive". It's like there is a delay between turning the steering wheel.... and actually turning. I hated it with an absolute fn passion. I tried juggling the air pressure in the fronts...to no avail.

So swapped the 275-40-18's to WIDER 18x10 bullitt rims (ET-45)...+ a small 3mm spacer. Ok, NOW it handles like a dream. Response was improved 300%. You can throw it all over the road, and the response is instant. The difference was apples and concrete.

On 10" wide rims, the 275-40-18's are now stretched 1/2". (The 255-40-18's on 9" wide rims are also stretched 1/2"..and handled superb).

275-40-18's on narrow 9" rims might sorta work on the rear.... but they sure as hell don't work on the front.

The 3mm front hub centric spacer's on the front is a non issue. On a 2010, the front lug's are longer than the rear lug's. They are still longer than the rears, even with the 3mm spacers installed.

As far as..'poke' on the fronts... I don't have any. I installed the Steeda adjustable camber setup, and tweaked em for max negative camber. What that does is it brings the top of the tire in towards the wheel well..... while the bottom of the tire goes away from the vertical center line. By dialing in some negative camber, these cars handle one helluva lot better than oem.

And you still maintain the SAME strut clearance as before. When you 'cant' the tire over at the top, the entire tire/wheel/ front strut all move as one ensemble. The spacing / angle between front strut + rim remain the same.

Currently I use 285-40-18's on the fronts..on 18x10 bullitt rims. 10" IS the ..'measuring width' for a 285-40-18. They handle good.... but they really should be on 10.5" wide rims. The actual rubber on the road on a 285-40-18 ( 18x10 rim) is exactly 1/4" wider than a 275-40-18 (18 x 10).

Tire height on a 285-40-18 is 26.97"
Tire height on a 275-40-18 is 26.66"
Difference is .316"

 

[BizJetTech]

I stand corrected. Indeed, my 18x9 bullitts ARE 30mm ET. WATCH OUT, one of my experiments was
Replacing the 255-45-18's on their 18x9 rims (on the front) with 275-40-18's. That was a FN disaster, don't do it!

The...'measuring' width of a 275-40-18 is 9.5". The MIN width is 9". What happens when you put a 275-40-18 on a 18x9 rim is..... it handles like absolute shit, (with them on the front).

The steering becomes... "rubbery"...and..."unresponsive". It's like there is a delay between turning the steering wheel.... and actually turning. I hated it with an absolute fn passion. I tried juggling the air pressure in the fronts...to no avail.

So swapped the 275-40-18's to WIDER 18x10 bullitt rims (ET-45)...+ a small 3mm spacer. Ok, NOW it handles like a dream. Response was improved 300%. You can throw it all over the road, and the response is instant. The difference was apples and concrete.

On 10" wide rims, the 275-40-18's are now stretched 1/2". (The 255-40-18's on 9" wide rims are also stretched 1/2"..and handled superb).

275-40-18's on narrow 9" rims might sorta work on the rear.... but they sure as hell don't work on the front.

The 3mm front hub centric spacer's on the front is a non issue. On a 2010, the front lug's are longer than the rear lug's. They are still longer than the rears, even with the 3mm spacers installed.

As far as..'poke' on the fronts... I don't have any. I installed the Steeda adjustable camber setup, and tweaked em for max negative camber. What that does is it brings the top of the tire in towards the wheel well..... while the bottom of the tire goes away from the vertical center line. By dialing in some negative camber, these cars handle one helluva lot better than oem.

And you still maintain the SAME strut clearance as before. When you 'cant' the tire over at the top, the entire tire/wheel/ front strut all move as one ensemble. The spacing / angle between front strut + rim remain the same.

Currently I use 285-40-18's on the fronts..on 18x10 bullitt rims. 10" IS the ..'measuring width' for a 285-40-18. They handle good.... but they really should be on 10.5" wide rims. The actual rubber on the road on a 285-40-18 ( 18x10 rim) is exactly 1/4" wider than a 275-40-18 (18 x 10).

Tire height on a 285-40-18 is 26.97"
Tire height on a 275-40-18 is 26.66"
Difference is .316"

@Pentalab - Wow, good info there for sure, thanks for sharing.....

What are your thoughts on using a 275/45/18 tire ?? I want the 45 series for the added overall diameter - they match my OEM 19" tire diameter exactly at 27.7 inches

 

[BizJetTech]

@Pentalab - @FredB66 - @Wow, good info there for sure, thanks for sharing.....

What are your thoughts on using a 275/45/18 tire ?? I want the 45 series for the added overall diameter - they match my OEM 19" tire diameter exactly at 27.7 inches

 

[BizJetTech]

@Pentalab - @OX1 - @FredB66 - @oldVOR

What are your thoughts on using a 275/45/18 tire on an 18x9 +34 et (or +30) wheel on all fours ?? I want the 45 series for the added overall diameter - they match my OEM 19" tire diameter exactly at 27.7 inches and IMO, they fill up the wheel openings better.

 

[Pentalab]

@Pentalab - @OX1 - @FredB66 - @oldVOR

What are your thoughts on using a 275/45/18 tire on an 18x9 +34 et (or +30) wheel on all fours ?? I want the 45 series for the added overall diameter - they match my OEM 19" tire diameter exactly at 27.7 inches and IMO, they fill up the wheel openings better.

As I said before, the 275-40-18 on a 9" wide rim (ET-30) on the front, handles like crap, unresponsive and rubbery. If ur gonna use 275-45-18's use 10" wide rims on all 4 x corners.

I don't think anybody even makes a 275-45-18, never seen one. 275 x .45 = 123.75mm.
123.75 / 25.4 = 4.87" tall sidewall...which is just massive. On a skinny 9" rim, it WILL handle like shit.
9" rim way is too narrow, and coupled with a huge sidewall, the sidewalls will be flopping back and forth on every turn.

9" wide rims don't work worth a shit, as is, with a 275-40-18. They would be just horrid with a 275-45-18..which I'm 95% positive, does not exist. If it does even exist, look up the...'measuring width for it". It would be > 9" for sure.

 

[OX1]

@Pentalab - @OX1 - @FredB66 - @oldVOR

What are your thoughts on using a 275/45/18 tire on an 18x9 +34 et (or +30) wheel on all fours ?? I want the 45 series for the added overall diameter - they match my OEM 19" tire diameter exactly at 27.7 inches and IMO, they fill up the wheel openings better.

What stock size was 27.7" ? Plenty of available tires in that size you mention. My favorite street tire is still the Mich PS4S. https://www.1010tires.com/Tires/275-45R18.

Mich claims 8.5 to 10.5 rim width, which I assume they think a 9.5 is optimum (according to them). but Pent has a point that the "rage" these days is a much wider rim, for a given section width.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-pilot-sport-4?tyreSize=18

I'm currently using a 255/40R19 PS4S front and
305/35R19 Nitto 555RII's rear on Leguna Seca Boss 302S, 19 X 9/10's.

I went up to 19's to try and get better "turn in" (and no spacers with brembos), which it does, but still not as good as my Fusion Sport. That thing with only sway bars and 245 PS4S's, turns in like a go cart. Only big
difference is I'm on stock struts/shocks on Stang, but Fusion has factory adjustable struts that firm up in sport, good enough for road course use.

I still think Bulletts look way better, especially with S197's (even the 13/14's) retro body style. Couple pics of latest look

 

[BizJetTech]

As I said before, the 275-40-18 on a 9" wide rim (ET-30) on the front, handles like crap, unresponsive and rubbery. If ur gonna use 275-45-18's use 10" wide rims on all 4 x corners.

I don't think anybody even makes a 275-45-18, never seen one. 275 x .45 = 123.75mm.
123.75 / 25.4 = 4.87" tall sidewall...which is just massive. On a skinny 9" rim, it WILL handle like shit.
9" rim way is too narrow, and coupled with a huge sidewall, the sidewalls will be flopping back and forth on every turn.

9" wide rims don't work worth a shit, as is, with a 275-40-18. They would be just horrid with a 275-45-18..which I'm 95% positive, does not exist. If it does even exist, look up the...'measuring width for it". It would be > 9" for sure.

@Pentalab - guys on the other forums disagree with you - I've never tried them myself but other guys tell me its no problem and it handles same as stock - see this link Bridgestone Potenza Sport | 275/45R18 (tirerack.com) there are a variety of 275/45/18's (and 19's) available - they are 27.7" diameter which is an exact match to my 245/45/19's on the car now (sidewall measurements 4.9 vs 4.3) but I like how it fills up the wheel openings and the look is still good - thanks for the input, always good to hear different opinions

 

[BizJetTech]

What stock size was 27.7" ? Plenty of available tires in that size you mention. My favorite street tire is still the Mich PS4S. https://www.1010tires.com/Tires/275-45R18.

Mich claims 8.5 to 10.5 rim width, which I assume they think a 9.5 is optimum (according to them). but Pent has a point that the "rage" these days is a much wider rim, for a given section width.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-pilot-sport-4?tyreSize=18

I'm currently using a 255/40R19 PS4S front and
305/35R19 Nitto 555RII's rear on Leguna Seca Boss 302S, 19 X 9/10's.

I went up to 19's to try and get better "turn in" (and no spacers with brembos), which it does, but still not as good as my Fusion Sport. That thing with only sway bars and 245 PS4S's, turns in like a go cart. Only big
difference is I'm on stock struts/shocks on Stang, but Fusion has factory adjustable struts that firm up in sport, good enough for road course use.

I still think Bulletts look way better, especially with S197's (even the 13/14's) retro body style. Couple pics of latest look

@OX1 - thanks again for the info - my OEM 245/45/19's are 27.7"

I am strongly considering using the Bullitt's 18x9 30 or 34 et (AM's are +30et & American Racing are +34et)
with 275/45/18's square - The 275/45/18 size is rated for an 8.5-10.5 rim width so 9" wide rim is ideal - IMO, it should fit good with no rubbing, etc and fill up the wheel openings with no issue on my speedometer.

BUT, I really like the APEX EC-7 and Forgestar FX14 wheels as well - BUT, those Bullitts sure look awesome!! So many wheel choices make it hard to decide.

 

[BizJetTech]

As I said before, the 275-40-18 on a 9" wide rim (ET-30) on the front, handles like crap, unresponsive and rubbery. If ur gonna use 275-45-18's use 10" wide rims on all 4 x corners.

I don't think anybody even makes a 275-45-18, never seen one. 275 x .45 = 123.75mm.
123.75 / 25.4 = 4.87" tall sidewall...which is just massive. On a skinny 9" rim, it WILL handle like shit.
9" rim way is too narrow, and coupled with a huge sidewall, the sidewalls will be flopping back and forth on every turn.

9" wide rims don't work worth a shit, as is, with a 275-40-18. They would be just horrid with a 275-45-18..which I'm 95% positive, does not exist. If it does even exist, look up the...'measuring width for it". It would be > 9" for sure.

@Pentalab - Measure rim width for the 275/45/18 is 9" - rim width range is 8.5 - 10.5
I'm not going to any track days - my car is a car show garage queen and casual Sunday morning drive to Cars & Coffee so I dont think it should be an issue