2009 FS

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:36 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

My 09 mantra-

If it needs more than a 1/4" socket set and phillips head screwdriver to accomplish, Im not doing it.

If you follow through with this mantra Ryan, you will be so much happier.

MartynWheeler · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:30 pm **Posts:** 303

If anyone wants a cheap ticket into FS now that I'm out of it, Captain Blinky (with both lights now always up) is for sale cheap. 94 TransAm, LT1 automatic, Konis, Strano hollow front bar, K&N filter, catback system, extra rims (corded Hoosiers on them). ODB-I so no annual emissions testing. Full set of shop manuals. Needs brakes, which since I've been running Carbotech autocross compound means rotors as well, but other than that ready to run. A/C and ABS don't work, but I bought it that way myself. One of the fog lights just went out a few weeks ago.

Kind of rough cosmetically but it's been a solid autocross car and reliable daily driver. I've always done the oil/filter with Mobil 1, everything else was done at Carolina Import, synthetics throughout, new AC Delco Optispark, new window motors, and so on. Even with the automatic the car was pretty competitive with Jim P's Purple People Eater, and I never had to replace the clutch.

At some point I was going to put it up in swap and sell, if I could figure out how to do photos... although if you need to see photos you probably don't want it. Since I'm a lousy salesman I thought I'd say $800 firm rather than set a fancy price and haggle.

And no, before you suggest it, you can't fix the headlights with a set of brass gears from the internet.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:49 pm

I wanted to bring up a point here that was brought up in my r-comp thread and tire sizes. If I heard everyone correctly, from a stock classed car, if the car was bought from the factory w/ 18's, then that's fine. If the car was purchase w/ 17's from the factory, as in my case, then running a set of 18's would be illegal even though it was an approved option? If you don't have a window sticker for your car, how can you prove/disprove?

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:54 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

I wanted to bring up a point here that was brought up in my r-comp thread and tire sizes. If I heard everyone correctly, from a stock classed car, if the car was bought from the factory w/ 18's, then that's fine. If the car was purchase w/ 17's from the factory, as in my case, then running a set of 18's would be illegal even though it was an approved option? If you don't have a window sticker for your car, how can you prove/disprove?

Rodney, it's up to you to provide the proof that it's legal in a protest. In this case, I know that only the California Edition, Shelby GT and the Bullitt versions of the S197 came with the 18" wheels that are stock legal, so unless you convert your car to one of those packages, 17" wheels are it. - AB

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:59 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

I wanted to bring up a point here that was brought up in my r-comp thread and tire sizes. If I heard everyone correctly, from a stock classed car, if the car was bought from the factory w/ 18's, then that's fine. If the car was purchase w/ 17's from the factory, as in my case, then running a set of 18's would be illegal even though it was an approved option? If you don't have a window sticker for your car, how can you prove/disprove?

Rodney, it's up to you to provide the proof that it's legal in a protest. In this case, I know that only the California Edition, Shelby GT and the Bullitt versions of the S197 came with the 18" wheels that are stock legal, so unless you convert your car to one of those packages, 17" wheels are it. - AB

That is not true. 18x8.5s were offered on any regular deluxe or premium GT.

There are different bump stops on the steering rack that was offered with different wheel packages however. I would assume to be completely legal you would have to change to those.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:04 pm

Michael Westerfield wrote:

That is not true. 18x8.5s were offered on any regular deluxe or premium GT.

There are different bump stops on the steering rack that was offered with different wheel packages however. I would assume to be completely legal you would have to change to those.

Hmm... is deluxe and premium an '09 thing, because that was all the talk back when the Shelby GT/California package came out was that a option package was needed to do the conversions for the better wheels (in the case of California package) and the better springs/swaybar in the Shelby GT.

Rodney would need to figure out what was offered in his model year, and the Shelby GT/California package was not around until '07. - AB

Edit: Rodney, you have an '07, so you could do the conversion depending on what came with the wheels, like Michael stated.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:18 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

Michael Westerfield wrote:

That is not true. 18x8.5s were offered on any regular deluxe or premium GT.

There are different bump stops on the steering rack that was offered with different wheel packages however. I would assume to be completely legal you would have to change to those.

Hmm... is deluxe and premium an '09 thing, because that was all the talk back when the Shelby GT/California package came out was that a option package was needed to do the conversions for the better wheels (in the case of California package) and the better springs/swaybar in the Shelby GT.

Rodney would need to figure out what was offered in his model year, and the Shelby GT/California package was not around until '08. - AB

No, my 08 is a "deluxe". "Deluxe" is just what they call the base GT. Jason Mauldin's 07 came with one of two 18" wheel options on his GT. I don't know if his is a deluxe or premium though. All 18" mustang wheels are 18x8.5 50mm except for the Gt500 which had a wider wheel. I'm also not sure on the Shelby GT. All others, CS, bullitt, etc just offer different visual packages of the same 18x8.5 options available on all GTs. It was a seperate line item for the wheels on GTs too for the years I know of. The only thing to worry about here is...
1. Bump stops on the steering rack
2. If it's a second set of wheels you should probably have the TPMS sensors inside.

I wasn't planning to do #1 or #2 at the local level. Mine came with 17's, but I plan on running stock 18s.

You are right on the springs, shocks, and sways though.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:29 pm

Michael Westerfield wrote:

No, my 08 is a "deluxe". "Deluxe" is just what they call the base GT. Jason Mauldin's 07 came with one of two 18" wheel options on his GT. I don't know if his is a deluxe or premium though. All 18" mustang wheels are 18x8.5 50mm except for the Gt500 which had a wider wheel. I'm also not sure on the Shelby GT. All others, CS, bullitt, etc just offer different visual packages of the same 18x8.5 options available on all GTs. It was a seperate line item for the wheels on GTs too for the years I know of. The only thing to worry about here is...
1. Bump stops on the steering rack
2. If it's a second set of wheels you should probably have the TPMS sensors inside.

I wasn't planning to do #1 or #2 at the local level. Mine came with 17's, but I plan on running stock 18s.

You are right on the springs, shocks, and sways though.

This brings up an interesting question about the TPMS. I need to get Doug Gill to clarify on whether all wheels would need the sensors in stock. My guess is no, considering the wheels/tires are open (as long as they are stock size wheels with offset within 1/4") and I see the sensors as part of the wheel. If not, any car with TPMS would need the sensors on all of the wheels, which would be really expensive... - AB

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:33 pm

I just sent in a note to Doug. I'm sure we'll find out in a month or so. - AB

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:57 pm

Mine is a premium edition that has 18" wheels.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:04 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

I just sent in a note to Doug. I'm sure we'll find out in a month or so. - AB

Thanks for asking. I think TPMS is standard on all 08 and newer cars. If they are required I'm sure in addition to the money it could be a real PITA. Ford's system can be reprogrammed when switching sensors with a key fob they sell for 10-15$. I'm sure on some other makes it could be harder though. The sensors can be found cheap on fleabay, but on the mustang you have to buy new band clamps to put them on as the factory ones are a one-time-use.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:23 pm

Seems that others have the same question about the TPMS

http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=21677

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

18x8.5 wheels (Fanblades and Torque-Thrust) were options starting with 2006. I guess we can ask Donnie (or Sam Strano, since it's his class) about whether changing the STEERING stops is an issue. (The part # that the Ford Racing catalog says is needed when upgrading to 18's looks like a Ford part number, not a Ford Racing part number.)

TPMS is standard beginning with 2007. $347 for 4 from Tire Rack, with reusable bands.

Problem with the 18x8.5 Ford wheels is that they're HEAVY. I've seen the Fanblades listed at 30 lbs (Ford Racing) or 27.5lbs on Tire Rack. (Painted Fanblades are on closeout at Tire Rack for $109 each. Not a lot of $$$ for that much high quality lead.

)

The Torque Thrust 18x8.5s are 28 or 25 lbs, depending on the catalog or site. I'm sure there are weight variations between polished, painted and chromed. (The standard painted 17x8s Torque Thrusts are 25 or 22 lbs.)

I saw a new 18x8.5 wheel (Kazera KZ-K) on Tire Rack.
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelClo ... sort=Brand Offset is +45mm instead of the stock 18x8.5 +50mm, so it's within 0.25" of stock. (Does that increase the track or reduce it?) I don't like the need for a spacer ring or different lug nuts, but they are advertised at 22.6 lbs. It's an inexpensive cast wheel, and I'm suspicous of the spokes, which look thinner than last year's KZ-As, so I wonder how strong they are.

Stranoparts lists a very nice forged 18x8.5 wheel http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetails. ... &ModelID=5
that he claims are a "scant 16lbs each". I guess $400 each isn't that bad for what they are, but it seems a shame that you have to machine out the hub center.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Arthur McDonald wrote:

Offset is +45mm instead of the stock 18x8.5 +50mm, so it's within 0.25" of stock. (Does that increase the track or reduce it?)

Lower offset increases track. Opposite of backspacing.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:25 am

If you guys need a custom, built to order, very light set of wheels for your Mustangs, I know a guy.

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