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Tire and Rim Selection

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So as the title suggests, I'm currently trying to figure out what to put on for rims and tires (stock 2012 Boss 302). I currently am interested in the Apex EC-7s, but I am new to all of this and the offset and spacers are confusing. I've been wanting to put on a square 18x11 setup with the EC-7s, but what ET do I need and will I need spacers on the front or back? My next question is will I need some aftermarket panhard bar if I run 11s? I think I read a few different places that it will be needed if I run anything larger than 10.5s but some other posts made no mention of it. Lastly, I have no idea what I should run for tires, I found Apex will mount Michelin PS4S, but they don't offer any 305 for 18. I'd like to have a street friendly tire but also something that could eventually work on a track. I'm not looking for absolute peak performance, but having 18x11 rims will allow me to work my way up to it if I want to.

I'm new to this stuff so, any information would be greatly appreciated! Also, if there are any threads that might be useful that I should look at let me know. There is a lot of information to sift through when picking the right wheel/tire setup.
 

Norm Peterson

Corner Barstool Sitter
939
712
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
a few miles east of Philly
If you're OK with a mildly stretched appearance, 285 and even 275 in 35 or 40 profile are actually OK'd for use with 18x11" wheels. I happen to be running 285/35's on 18x11's (see sig pic).

I'm still running the OE PHB (with a little DIY bushing stiffening) and I did remove the tie-down bracket portions of the bumpstop brackets (left the portion that the bumpstops actually contact in place).


Norm
 
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TMSBOSS

Spending my pension on car parts and track fees.
7,529
5,242
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
10-20 Years
Illinois
No need for suspension mods to fit the 18x11 wheels. Spacer, yes.

As BS1 Please check out the apex site. I believe they are running a sale again.

I have rwo sets of Apex wheels in 18x11” and 19x11”.

Yes on spacers for a square set up. Extended studs for the spacers.
 
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Thanks guys for the information! I looked at the guide from Apex and I probably will run the 285/35 PS4S, but in the guide it said that for 295/35 there needs to be at least -2.5 degrees of front camber and 20mm spacers. How would that translate for a 285/35 setup? Should I just run street camber plates at -2.5 degrees even with the 285/35? From what I read, there would be modifications needed to the strut tower if I want more than -3 degrees and that would be needed for a 305/35 set up.

ARP 3" 1/2x20 S197 are sold from Apex, but I only need these for the front due to the spacers right? The 20mm spacers from Apex seem to only be for Camaro and BMW, so is there a brand/type I should be aware of for the spacers?
 

Norm Peterson

Corner Barstool Sitter
939
712
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
a few miles east of Philly
You should be able to get away with a bit less than -2.5° camber when running 285/35's on 11" wide rims because it's a slightly stiffer configuration than 295/35's on the same width wheels. Think less cornering distortion and less tendency to roll the outboard shoulder under.

I'm running at about -2.0° in my sig pic. Tire wear seems to stay pretty close to even as long as I don't ride the inside curb through a longer arc (doing that puts the outboard tire running at considerably more positive camber relative to the pavement, beating up its outboard shoulder quite a bit more rapidly).

Intermediate-level driving, MPSS, after 10 track days ↓↓↓
MPSS after 10 track days.JPG


Norm
 

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