Hello,

I'm setting up a Mustang S550 for track use. I was originally going to run an 18x11 and use different front and rear offsets (+26 and +52) to make it work as spacers are illegal in Australia. I was planning on a 295-305 tyre.

However, I realised this would be a huge pain for tyre rotation having to go to a shop every time. So I've decided that I'll go for an 18x10 and run a 275-285 tyre with the same front and rear offsets.

Now, I know that 18x10 +40 is the standard default for a Mustang GT and works fantastic for a 275 tyre, but can require a 2-3mm spacer for a 285 tyre. Apex have obviously spent a lot of time working this out. I understand that this offset sits virtually flush at the rear and leaves a bit of a gap at the front.

I'd opt for Apex wheels, but the shipping to Australia kills the affordability.

However I found an Australian brand, Koya, who offer custom offsets. Therefore, if I order my wheels in 18x10 +36 to give myself 4mm extra clearance from the struts I'm wondering if I can give myself room to cleanly run a 285 tyre without needing front spacers but am worried that doing so will cause the rear tyre to make contact with the fender under compression.

I'm wanting to run -2.8-3 degrees of front camber and -1.5-1.8 at the rear. I'm unsure if this would be enough to pull the rear wheel in enough to clear the fender if I go for a +36.

Also secondarily - am I going to regret opting for an 18x10 for the sake of rotation simplicity? Is 285 on a 10 a major compromise over 295-305 on an 11?

I'm planning on running Hankook RS4's or Yokohama AD09's in the first years while the car is dual purpose and moving to a Nankang CRS when I want to purely chase lap times. I'd rather not buy wheels twice.

I think you are making this too hard. You have cost effective access to custom offsets so get the 18x11 and be done. I use 295/35-18 on my S197. It’s the same on your newer car. There are few tires in 285-18. Most seem to be 275, 295, 315 at least the newer products are that way. 19 inch tires more often come in the even number sizes such as 285.

I like the 295 on 11 inch because the sidewall is optimum. Lots of racers here run 315 with no problem.

Rotating the tires is a nice idea but rarely done. You will want to carry spares. Cutting a tire means losing a day or two session with all that lost cost and opportunity. If a full spare set of 4 is not possible you will need an extra front and rear for offsets. I am able to carry just one because we use the spacers so my wheels are all the same. I still don’t rotate them.

Just be aware that we have the PP2 package as standard so the larger brakes. The 18's need the right barrel shape to clear the caliper body and spoke offset for the caliper face.
Have a close look at the step in the barrel.

Running a spacer will probably be the least illegal part of the car by the time you are finished. Run black wheels with matching black spacers. Have to look hard to notice them.

For comparison, i ran 285/305 combo on 20's initially and ran the 36.6 at winton. The 285 is on a 9.5' and allowed me to max the camber on the strut/hub interface as well as the strut top. Going wider caused a truck load of work.

GAR944 said:

Just be aware that we have the PP2 package as standard so the larger brakes. The 18's need the right barrel shape to clear the caliper body and spoke offset for the caliper face.
Have a close look at the step in the barrel.

PP2 Wheels and Tires

My first question is, does anyone know if the old S197 Track Pack/Brembo Wheels will fit on a PP2 car? I'm considering trading in to a 2018 PP2 car and since it's winter time here I was going to see about putting a set of TP/Brembo wheel with Blizzaks on the car.Second, is anyone out there...

trackmustangsonline.com

Running a spacer will probably be the least illegal part of the car by the time you are finished. Run black wheels with matching black spacers. Have to look hard to notice them.
View attachment 111636
For comparison, i ran 285/305 combo on 20's initially and ran the 36.6 at winton. The 285 is on a 9.5' and allowed me to max the camber on the strut/hub interface as well as the strut top. Going wider caused a truck load of work.
View attachment 111638View attachment 111639View attachment 111637

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Hello,

Is this the staggered setup in the photos? If so what offsets/spacers and effective offset?

With the 19x11 setup have you gotten it to fit well and if so, what offsets?

Upon further research, Hankook RS4 305 30r19 pricing is better than the 275 and 285 18 inch pricing and when I move to a Nankang CRS the 19 305 isn't all that costly over the 18 295. So since making this post I've started considering 19x11 again ha.

https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/ very handy as it allows calc with spacers. Nothing will show you how close to the strut you are though which is a camber issue.

Pretty sure these are the specs on the 20' wheels in bottom photos
https://www.forgestar.com/wheels/performance/f14#specs Herrods may have had their own offests done as i was pretty sure the 11's were a 54 offset. I can find the photos of the backs of the wheels. The Apex 19x11's are a 52 and run a 25mm spacer on the front.

GAR944 said:

https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/ very handy as it allows calc with spacers. Nothing will show you how close to the strut you are though which is a camber issue.

Pretty sure these are the specs on the 20' wheels in bottom photos
https://www.forgestar.com/wheels/performance/f14#specs Herrods may have had their own offests done as i was pretty sure the 11's were a 54 offset. I can find the photos of the backs of the wheels. The Apex 19x11's are a 52 and run a 25mm spacer on the front.

View attachment 111655View attachment 111656

Click to expand...

Thanks a ton for this.

I'm leaning towards the 19x11 in case I ever want to upgrade the brakes and I'm going to eventually want the 305 square setup so I may as well accept the pullover risk. I'm only really going to drive to the track and back anyway. I'll just put the stock wheels back on in between. After finding some photos on Apex website, the 19x11 square setup doesn't look insanely outrageous anyway so it'll probably be fine. Have you had any issues street driving yours?

I think I'll go for the in ET26 front and ET 52 rear to avoid the spacers anyhow as I've never been keen on them.

Before I do though, did you find an easy way to source Apex wheels over here or did you just take the shipping costs on the chin? The Apex wheels are reasonably priced in 19x11 SM10 but the shipping is approx $900 so if you found a way I'd love to know.

I bought a stang not long after the first post I made regarding handling where you responded with a Winton video. It'd be cool to tee up a track day.

Cheers,

I wait for Apex to have their sale and $900 for shipping 4 wheels is really cheap. I have paid $250 to ship a pulley made of aluminium. Last time i ordered from them. Even my camber plates were like $650 to ship. The Australian dollar sucks bad. Pays to plan out what you want and if you can get multiple items from one location to try cut down on delivery.
@Mikael.RevRunners from REVRUNNERS here in Australia was really helpful with some special parts i wanted also. https://revrunners.com.au/collections/all/2015-2017-ford-mustang-gt-esi6854485

Mustang Motorsport have my car at the moment and once i know we are all good to go i intend entering this day.

pokerdoker said:

Have you had any issues street driving yours?

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I don't spend a lot of time on the road with it but don't go looking for attention and it tends not to find you. Have driven some very track focused cars past police and they probably don't want the paperwork if you aren't being a dick. Mind you the workshop foreman asked how i hadn't been pulled over with the canards on the front. Didn't help he had tried to open up his thigh on them when he forgot they were there as it was siting at waist height.

pokerdoker said:

I think I'll go for the in ET26 front and ET 52 rear to avoid the spacers anyhow as I've never been keen on them.

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Nothing wrong with spacers done properly. Long studs and hub centric spacer is no different to different offset wheel. Absolute staple for this forum. Early Porsches also ran the exact same spacer setup.

GAR944 said:

I wait for Apex to have their sale and $900 for shipping 4 wheels is really cheap. I have paid $250 to ship a pulley made of aluminium. Last time i ordered from them. Even my camber plates were like $650 to ship. The Australian dollar sucks bad. Pays to plan out what you want and if you can get multiple items from one location to try cut down on delivery.
@Mikael.RevRunners from REVRUNNERS here in Australia was really helpful with some special parts i wanted also. https://revrunners.com.au/collections/all/2015-2017-ford-mustang-gt-esi6854485

Mustang Motorsport have my car at the moment and once i know we are all good to go i intend entering this day.

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I don't spend a lot of time on the road with it but don't go looking for attention and it tends not to find you. Have driven some very track focused cars past police and they probably don't want the paperwork if you aren't being a dick. Mind you the workshop foreman asked how i hadn't been pulled over with the canards on the front. Didn't help he had tried to open up his thigh on them when he forgot they were there as it was siting at waist height.


Nothing wrong with spacers done properly. Long studs and hub centric spacer is no different to different offset wheel. Absolute staple for this forum. Early Porsches also ran the exact same spacer setup.

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Yeah that's a good idea. I'm strongly considering MCA Pro Circuits which are camber tops so that takes out the need for camber plates. Once suspension and wheels/tyres and a stop the hop kit are done I'll leave it alone for a while and prioritise seat time.

And awesome, I'd been looking into the Drive Events coached day at PI on December 9th but may actually be able to make the one you linked if I get everything setup by November.

The car also came with a corsa extreme catback so I definitely need to baffle or replace that before tracking.

Thanks for getting me onto revrunners, I was unaware of their existence. Damn that canard would have hurt.

Do you get much extended life by being able to rotate? I may consider the spacer route but if it doesn't preserve that much life I can get a direct fit anyway.

Might see you in November!