Wheels, 18s

[Vicinity]

I do like the chrome fanblades on the LSC, but I have a feeling that some of the driving behaviors I favor on the bird comes from the 18's with the wider and shorter tire profiles. Does anyone remember the differences in ride when they switched from 15s to 18s (or 17s)?

Also, this article cites a wheel source from a website that is no longer operating.

Thread 'Tires, Wheels and the MN12'

Sep 14, 2023

This technical article was written in approximately 2004 and is borrowed from Gagfish Saleen (John).

His website is no longer online except as a web archive at the following address:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080513132040/http://www.gagfish.com/

I found this article very informative when I first began looking at modifying my car. TM

Tires, Rims & the MN12​

What do those numbers mean? Tires size is measured by three numbers which will be displayed on the side of the tire and one letter representing the speed rating. A stock MN12 (except for...

• Trunk Monkey
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Tires and Wheels

• 

Any other recommended sources for window shopping?

 

[theterminator93]

Yeah, when the T-bird had 15/70 tires it was noticeably cushioned from road feedback through the suspension and steering response. With the 17/45s that I had right after I switched, steering response was much improved but there was also much more feedback from the road. Every little bump and imperfection made its way to me in some way, vs. the taller sidewall tires absorbing a portion of it.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Where you really feel the difference is on long interstate drives. You’ll feel low profile tires after 1000 miles the next day.

Width doesn’t really matter in ride quality but you might observe a 1-2mpg drop depending. Steering feedback however is substantially improved with wider tires.

 

[Kenz]

The weight of the wheel/tire combo makes a big difference for the steering feedback as well. IMO heavier and bigger wheels feel more planted to the road, but less nimble. Guess it all depends on what you are going for