Will the GT350 R be able to run alloy wheels?


Xcentric

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 9, 2012
5,213
Myakka City, Florida
Without suspension mods?
 

Cobrar

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 24, 2006
4,027
Metro Detroit
The GT350 (non-R) wears aluminum alloys, so wheels from that car should be a direct fit to the R.

Assume that you looking at an R and don't want to use the CF wheels on he street?
 

Xcentric

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 9, 2012
5,213
Myakka City, Florida
Well, ownership is a dream. But, I'm wondering how a suspension set up for CF wheels would perform with 50 lbs added to rotating mass. This is major new tech. Would warranty apply if much heavier wheels were used? Would handling be significantly disturbed?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 

Cobrar

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 24, 2006
4,027
Metro Detroit
Good questions, and I would bet those same questions will be popular with those that buy and drive their R. I'd call Ford Performance and get tech support.

On a related note, you'll notice that the 'R cars racing in class are not wearing CF wheels, they are running the forged aluminum BBS wheels with a different offset. So again, I would guess a Ford performance tech could help you on your questions.
 

Xcentric

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 9, 2012
5,213
Myakka City, Florida
The racing Rs, so far, are R-Cs. CF wheels and magnetorheological (did I spell that right?) shocks are not permitted. So no comparison with production 350-Rs.
 
Last edited:

B. West

GT Owner
Dec 17, 2012
363
Irvine, CA
The R will be able to run alloys however, it will have to be re-tuned for maximum performance as the R is tuned from the factory for the CF wheels.
 

Indy GT

Yea, I got one...too
Mark IV Lifetime
Jan 14, 2006
2,545
Greenwood, IN
Care to elaborate on what you think "re-tuned" means?
 

w.a.nelson

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Feb 29, 2008
1,119
Asbury, NJ
At a reported 13 pound difference per wheel, I'm thinking that the "magneto*****' shocks might be capable of handling it. Or, "retuning" may mean a different programming of the shocks? I don't think you'd change springs for 13 pounds?
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,862
Largo, Florida
Gary, with a set of lightweight forged wheels you're not going to notice the difference. A pro driver probably would, but not you and me.
 

Xcentric

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 9, 2012
5,213
Myakka City, Florida
Speak for yourself counselor.

I see these CF wheels as a major bargain OEM. I also see replacement of one as the equivalent of a GT headlight or worse.

So much to want about the R, but seriously, no desire to deal with CF wheel damage. Especially since they don't look good (shape yes although derivative; gloss black paint NO) to begin with.

My plan if able to buy an R is to use sale of the CF wheels to offset about $12k of the purchase price. Not that that is a big deal, but it would make me feel good.

And then, I'd be driving an R with some awesome looking silver wheels.
 
Last edited:

B. West

GT Owner
Dec 17, 2012
363
Irvine, CA
If any of you do get the "R", make sure you get Tire Care or Triple Care coverage. Just sayin......:)
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,862
Largo, Florida
Speak for yourself counselor.

I found some wheels for you Mr. Lauda.

Stone wheels.jpg
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,213
Las Vegas, NV
I guess I don't see what you get by getting a -R and selling the wheels that you couldn't get from a regular car with the track pack?
 

Xcentric

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 9, 2012
5,213
Myakka City, Florida
I guess I don't see what you get by getting a -R and selling the wheels that you couldn't get from a regular car with the track pack?

I get that CF wing. Isn't that enough? ;)

And no rear seat! And I get to buy back A/C! And they take the resonators off for me!
 

Cobrar

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 24, 2006
4,027
Metro Detroit
I found some wheels for you Mr. Lauda.

View attachment 38924

Now that's funny!