Wheels & Tires with Springs-Non Handling Pack-Dark Horse

[topdawg4ever]

I currently have a Non-Handling Pack Dark Horse.
Current Stock Wheels:
Front: 255/40/19
Rear: 275/40/19

I want to use the Handling Pack Sized Wheels of
Front: 305/30/19
Rear 315/30/19

I realize in order to do this, I need to install lowering springs. Can someone recomend the correct lowering spring to match the ride height of the Handling Pack Dark Horse? Will M-5300W achieve this correctly, or another spring.

I also realize I need to add the fender moldings front and rear if I do this.

Bottom line, I am just looking for the right wheel/tire/spring set-up

Appreciate the help!!!

TD

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[Ken H.]

I’m no expert on suspension/springs. There are more knowledgeable people on this forum. However, I just changed wheels/tires on my DH HP & will share what I learned.
1. You stated wheels but gave tire sizes. To go to the HP tires, I’m pretty sure you will need to change wheels. I don’t know what your stock wheel specs are but the HP wheels are:
19x10.5” +24mm offset front
19x11” +52mm offset rear.
2. Tirerack.com will let you look up specs on different tires. There, you can see what wheel diameter is needed for a specific tire size.
The stock HP Pirelli PZero Trofeo RS 305/30/19 & 315/30/19 need a 10.5-11.5” rim width.
3. The Pirelli has a smaller tread width than a similar or even “smaller” Michelin. You get more rubber on the road with the Michelin. So, while a Pirelli will fit inside the fender, the same size Michelin may stick outside.
4. I went with Ferrada 20x10 +28mm front & 20x11 +50mm rear with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 285/35/20 & 305/35/20. Fit is perfect. No rub. Another guy wrote that he put larger Michelins on front & rear without problems.
5. Velgen also making nice 20’s. Just released one with +35mm front. 6.35mm=0.25 in, so this wheel will be 0.25” more inside the fender so wider front tire may work.
5. I recommend the Michelin over the Pirelli. Cheaper. Longer wear. Better rain traction.
6. Not sure you “have” to change springs. I think that’s just preference- appearance/handling. Will definitely affect clearance.
7. Not sure you “have” to add the fender moldings. They don’t add much IMO. Just a visual cover if tire extends past the fender. Maybe some rock protection. I’ve thought of removing them. Already replaced 2 push pins that fell out.
Good luck.

 

[Ken H.]

PS.
My Michelin OSHA A/S 4 305/35/20 tire is 1.9” taller than stock. My speedometer runs 3 mph slower than GPS speed.
The 305/30/20 is only 1/2” taller, so speedometer error would be less.

 

[young at heart]

I’m no expert on suspension/springs. There are more knowledgeable people on this forum. However, I just changed wheels/tires on my DH HP & will share what I learned.
1. You stated wheels but gave tire sizes. To go to the HP tires, I’m pretty sure you will need to change wheels. I don’t know what your stock wheel specs are but the HP wheels are:
19x10.5” +24mm offset front
19x11” +52mm offset rear.
2. Tirerack.com will let you look up specs on different tires. There, you can see what wheel diameter is needed for a specific tire size.
The stock HP Pirelli PZero Trofeo RS 305/30/19 & 315/30/19 need a 10.5-11.5” rim width.
3. The Pirelli has a smaller tread width than a similar or even “smaller” Michelin. You get more rubber on the road with the Michelin. So, while a Pirelli will fit inside the fender, the same size Michelin may stick outside.
4. I went with Ferrada 20x10 +28mm front & 20x11 +50mm rear with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 285/35/20 & 305/35/20. Fit is perfect. No rub. Another guy wrote that he put larger Michelins on front & rear without problems.
5. Velgen also making nice 20’s. Just released one with +35mm front. 6.35mm=0.25 in, so this wheel will be 0.25” more inside the fender so wider front tire may work.
5. I recommend the Michelin over the Pirelli. Cheaper. Longer wear. Better rain traction.
6. Not sure you “have” to change springs. I think that’s just preference- appearance/handling. Will definitely affect clearance.
7. Not sure you “have” to add the fender moldings. They don’t add much IMO. Just a visual cover if tire extends past the fender. Maybe some rock protection. I’ve thought of removing them. Already replaced 2 push pins that fell out.
Good luck.

OP, Ken H. here may say he’s no expert but he sure seems to me to know what he’s talking about. While I have no experience with his Michelin recommendation and am not doubting what he says, I will say that in my many years of owning and driving high performance vehicles I have never come close to experiencing a wheel/tire combination that remotely approaches the grip of the as-delivered stock DH HP setup. I don’t know what it would take to get the ass end of the car out of shape in a tight curve but so far I haven’t had the huevos to do it. And yeah, it’ll tramline a little once in a while but this a driver‘s car anyway. No big deal. This setup isn’t made for adjusting the A/C while you’re singing along to the radio.

I’ve about decided that rather than dreaming about custom wheels, painted calipers, etc. I’d be better off just ratholing my $ to replace the stock Trofeos every 4-5 K miles or as needed. For me (street only) they’re that good and confidence inspiring. They are a joy to drive! Maybe just me.

Speaking of “just me”, probably only about 3 other guys and me go back far enough to care about this, but wow, 11” wheels from the factory?! I remember like yesterday when we would change out our GTO (and other muscle car) wheels to 8” wide American mags and we really thought we were cool. Now, we got factory 11s. What times we live in!

 

[Ken H.]

Young at heart, I’m on of those 3 guys like you. These are great times for motor heads like us. All the speed, handling, braking & horsepower & we can get 20+ mpg on the highway. I don’t disagree at all with your analysis of the Pirellis. They are sticky & give great traction. Can’t really go wrong staying with them. I may put them back on for summer use. My issue was that I have cold weather & wanted to drive with temps in the 30’s so I needed to change to all seasons to extend my driving season. And, I wanted black wheels instead of the gunmetal stock color. When I built it online & ordered it, I thought it had black wheels. I was shocked on delivery day when I walked up to it at the dealership. I thought they had screwed up the order. While I’m enjoying my new wheel/tire setup, I’m not crazy about the speedometer discrepancy. Still trying to adjust to it.
Enjoy your modern ride. We are on the same page.

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