First year of the Dark Horse R series, but even they killed that for year 2.
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How come nobody rocks the stock 18 inch wheels on 2014 mustang gt? I
- Thread starterDarrylS76
- Start date
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If you have a Dark Horse, then you need to make sure that the 18" you buy will clear the brakes.
The Dark Horse R cars have a smaller brake set up than the regular Dark Horse cars.
Vorshlag tried out several 18" wheels.
The Dark Horse R cars have a smaller brake set up than the regular Dark Horse cars.
Vorshlag tried out several 18" wheels.
blacksheep-1
Epic Contributor
Yeah, thanks for reminding me of that nightmare...junk wheels, junk tires
blacksheep-1
Epic Contributor
I'm not positive on that, Watson told them to run 18 inch wheels, but Ford didn't do it, at the time, as I recall the Darkhorse R, had the Darkhorse brakes, we need to get @steevespro in here, he actually runs a darkhorse
Brembo Dark Horse R LF Caliper
Brembo Brembo Dark Horse R LF Caliper performance part for motorsport and track use.
Your memory as somebody involved in the sport is way better than my internet searching, copying, and pasting, but it was my understanding that they swapped out the rotors and calipers. The rotors are the same diameter, 390 mm, but the caliper has more clearance for the wheels.
"and the front brakes were swapped to Brembo race calipers and rotors."
2024 Mustang Dark Horse R Specifications
Ford Performance is releasing a track-ready, turnkey race car in the form of the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse R. This also coincides with the new IMSA Mustang Challenge series.
Brembo has a lot of social media out a couple of years ago talking about the special caliper, too.
With that having been said, I will defer to whatever you and steveespo say on the matter as the final word.
steveespo
@21CarProductions @NJS58 Racing @NJS58 Eurosport
Not the final word, but my
best advice for a Dark horse brake upgrade would be the kit from AP Racing/Essex Brakes. They are very capable and should fit 18's and can retain the stock rears. Now that doesn't say the DHR brakes aren't fabulous, but here is my take. 1) Cost. the cost of the calipers is super high. $3320, each. That does not include the brake lines which are $800, the rotor hat at $825 each with hardware, Rotor rings @$725 each and a set of pads at $890 and the mounting brackets and stud kit that is another $390 per side. Also the setup is being managed by Bosch ABS and I do not know how it would behave with OEM ABS system. All in with miscellaneous brackets and fab work parts alone would be, $11,300 plus or minus. 2) Consumable cost and life. We have found under race condition pad life with the 35mm Brembo pads is about the same as the 25mm Pagid pads we run/ran on the S550 cars. Rotors are usually good for two sets of pads where the AP rings usually last 3+. Now that may be entirely due to pad compound, again have not tested the Brembo compound with the AP setup.
One of the big reasons I did not go forward with the purchase of a wrecked car from Mc Cumbee McAleer Racing was the extensive brake system damage. I have run the AP system on my S550 for a few years now and at $7000 for the 390 mm DH kit I believe it is a bargain. One caveat, I have not mounted an Apex over this combo, but the Apex 18s clear the OEM 390 setup (barely) and the AP Rad I Cal stuff is definitely tighter. If considering this option I would contact the folks at Essex and discuss what wheel/spacer combo you are planning and ask if they have a clearance template available.
Steve
best advice for a Dark horse brake upgrade would be the kit from AP Racing/Essex Brakes. They are very capable and should fit 18's and can retain the stock rears. Now that doesn't say the DHR brakes aren't fabulous, but here is my take. 1) Cost. the cost of the calipers is super high. $3320, each. That does not include the brake lines which are $800, the rotor hat at $825 each with hardware, Rotor rings @$725 each and a set of pads at $890 and the mounting brackets and stud kit that is another $390 per side. Also the setup is being managed by Bosch ABS and I do not know how it would behave with OEM ABS system. All in with miscellaneous brackets and fab work parts alone would be, $11,300 plus or minus. 2) Consumable cost and life. We have found under race condition pad life with the 35mm Brembo pads is about the same as the 25mm Pagid pads we run/ran on the S550 cars. Rotors are usually good for two sets of pads where the AP rings usually last 3+. Now that may be entirely due to pad compound, again have not tested the Brembo compound with the AP setup.
One of the big reasons I did not go forward with the purchase of a wrecked car from Mc Cumbee McAleer Racing was the extensive brake system damage. I have run the AP system on my S550 for a few years now and at $7000 for the 390 mm DH kit I believe it is a bargain. One caveat, I have not mounted an Apex over this combo, but the Apex 18s clear the OEM 390 setup (barely) and the AP Rad I Cal stuff is definitely tighter. If considering this option I would contact the folks at Essex and discuss what wheel/spacer combo you are planning and ask if they have a clearance template available.
Steve
I have non-stock 18” wheels on my 2017 and the PO put Willwoods front and rear. I like them on the street but have not yet had them at track pace- though he said he loved them in some YT content he made -FWIW (and maybe not worth much 
).
).I have AP on my Corvette. I can’t be more happy with them. Essex is very reasonable and quick with caliper rebuilds. The rings last a long time and are competitive on price to replace. The cars ABS system does not know or care which caliper you have.
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Thanks I sent a PM to Apex and didn't get a reply. I'm surprised there isn't a go-to square setup these days. It's like civilization has taken a step backwards.
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Still no reply from @Apex Wheels
Am I really going to need custom made wheels? What universe is this?
Am I really going to need custom made wheels? What universe is this?
You can put in your year, make, and model, and Boss302, and Apex tells you what wheels fit and even whether they are in stock. Click on forged and it looks like they have 18 x 11 but they also have 18 x 10 for 2005-2014.
Message them on their website contact form - they respond quickly usually - but what exactly are you looking for ? What kind of square setup ?
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OK thanks guys. I used to have SVE Drifts on my other Boss that were 18x10 square and fit perfectly.
I'm not familiar with what offsets SN197 requires but you can pick whatever you like from Apex - I bought four 18x11 ET52 and ran them in S550 with spacers on the front. If you don't need truly square setup, you can pick different front/rear offsets.
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We'll see what they say.
18x10 +40 is pretty standard. These were 20x10 +40 with 285 square
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Thanks guys. I'll probably go with the 18x10's from Apex.
Dave_W
Cones - not just for ice cream
Lots of good info in their online S197 fitment guide. (Guides for lots of other makes & models as well.)
Ford S197 Mustang Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide
Make sure it fits. See our detailed guide with square & staggered fitments for your 2005-2014 Ford S197 V6, GT, Bullitt, Shelby GT500, Boss 302 Mustang. View photos of street & track setups.
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Thanks Dave. JJ from Apex said their 18x10's with 285's work just fine with camber/caster plates.Lots of good info in their online S197 fitment guide. (Guides for lots of other makes & models as well.)Ford S197 Mustang Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide
Make sure it fits. See our detailed guide with square & staggered fitments for your 2005-2014 Ford S197 V6, GT, Bullitt, Shelby GT500, Boss 302 Mustang. View photos of street & track setups.apexwheels.com
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