Since their inception into the market, the 2011 Mustang GT and the 5th Generation 2010+ Camaro have attracted much attention, and I must note I too fell prey to their new designs.
In February, I took ownership of a 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 6-speed. The only options on my car were the Brembo performance brake and wheel package and the 3.73 rear gears. I wanted the fastest base Mustang GT I could buy, but yet even that was not without room for improvement.
My first step toward correcting the lackluster steering response and turn-in feel was to replace the spring and strut / shock assemblies. My components of choice were the off-the-shelf 2011 Mustang GT Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set and a set of 2010 Mustang GT model Bilstein struts and shocks. Although Bilstein does not yet have a 2011 Mustang GT specific fitment at this time, the use of 2005-2010 Ford Racing strut mounts and the 2010 model Bilstein struts allowed me to successfully use the components. For a more plug and play application and a user friendly guaranteed fitment, consumers can purchase the matching Eibach Pro-Damper Kit which is specifically tuned for Eibach springs on the 2011 models and bolts up without any modification to the strut mount units.
Although the Eibach springs are not the stiffest available, their progressive rate is far beyond the factory rate of 150lbs/in. For that reason, it is important to increase the compression and rebound rates of the shock assemblies, not only to increase the life of the shock, but also to increase performance while cornering, and reduce unfavorable motion on transitions and rough surfaces.
At left is a picture of the factory 2011 Mustang GT front strut and its Bilstein rival. The differences in shaft size should be obvious. Upon installing this aftermarket suspension package, my 2011 GT feels like an entirely new car. It doesn't exhibit the floating feeling associated with the stock pieces, and generally feels firmer and more responsive. The steering inputs are met with crisp turn-in and the car behaves very neutral at the limit, which left me quite surprised.
For questions on suspension and more, contact one of our sales specialists.
Brembo Big Brake Kits upgrade the look and performance of your vehicle's braking system. The brake systems combine fixed 4-piston aluminum calipers and high performance brake pads, with 1- and 2- piece vented discs and Goodridge® steel braided brake lines. These race inspired Brembo Big Brake kits are designed to offer superior stopping power for drivers that are serious about getting their sports cars, sedans, sporty coupes, light trucks and SUVs to slow down in a hurry.
In most cases,the Brembo Big Brake Kit's massive aluminum calipers and large diameter brake discs require an aftermarket wheel with the necessary brake clearance. Take a look at the chart below to see the full line of Brembo Grand Turismo Big Brake kits.
Contact one of our
sales specialists to ensure product compatibility as they have developed a list of appropriate wheel options per vehicle based on exact brake kit options.
| Brembo Gran Turismo Brake Systems |
Caliper
Styles | Style 1 | Style 2 | Style 3 | Style 4 |
4-Piston
Black | 4-Piston
Black | 4-Piston
Red | 4-Piston
Red |
|
Rotor
Styles | Style A | Style B | Style C | Style D |
1-Piece
Drilled
Vented | 2-Piece
Drilled
Vented | 2-Piece
Drilled
Vented | 2-Piece
Slotted
Vented |
|
Style 1A | 
Style 2B | 
Style 3C | 
Style 4D |
Shop by vehicle to see which braking options work best for your vehicle.
Additional Information:
Whether you are getting your vehicle out of storage for the warm driving months or giving your year-round car a spring cleaning,
Griot's Garage offers options for your wheel cleaning needs.
Griot's Garage Painted Wheel Care Kit: The brake pads of many performance cars like BMW, Audi and Porsche stop quickly but produce a lot of brake dust. Griot's wheel cleaner takes care of brake dust, tar and road oils but is safe and gentle on your wheels clear coat. Simply spray, wipe, and rinse with no hard scrubbing required.
Griot's Garage Total Wheel and Tire Care Kit: It's everything you need to properly clean and protect your factory alloy or aftermarket alloy wheels in one, low-priced package. Included is a wash bucket, wheel cleaner, tire dressing, paint sealant, detail mitts, wash sponge and cloths.
Have chrome wheels? There is a
Total Chrome Wheel and Tire Care Kit available as well.
See our complete list of Griot's Garage products
here.
Aftermarket wheels designed to use the Original Equipment center cap are available at Tire Rack. Let the wheels from Bremmer Kraft, Breyton, ASA, Elbrus and O.Z. Racing give your vehicle that custom look while maintaining the factory edge. Take a look at a few options that will set your car apart from the rest:
Use our website to view exact fitment and availability as some wheels may not be compatible with certain makes and models.
Note: Click the "Product Description" tab on the rim summary page to see if the wheel will accept the O.E. center cap. If available for the wheel selected, the O.E. center cap can be purchased from the "Optional Hardware" tab.
Aftermarket wheels designed to use the O.E. Mercedes-Benz center cap are available at Tire Rack. We offer Mercedes wheels from Bremmer Kraft, BE by Breyton, and ASA for your model.
Use our website to match exact fitment, as some wheels may not be compatible with certain Mercedes-Benz models.
Note: Click the "Product Description" tab on the summary page to see if the wheel will accept the O.E. center cap.
To avoid damage during installation of your aftermarket wheels, it is best to consider thin wall sockets. Using your old tire iron can cause damage to your wheel when removing the newer lugs. Consider the following options to make certain there will be no harm to your wheels.
Gorilla Extendable Power Wrench- 1/2" drive
- Compact storage with telescoping handle from 14" - 22" for additional power to remove stubborn lugs
- Great replacement for O.E. lug wrenches
- Hardened steel
- Available as a set (1334) with 3" extension and 19mm & 21mm thin wall sockets. The 3" extension allows for use on deep dish wheels and recessed lug holes
- Available as a set (1721) with two dual drive sockets that fits 17mm, 19mm (3/4"), 21mm (13/16") and 23mm (7/8") bolt heads
Gorilla Thin Wall Sockets 1/2" Drive
- 17mm
- 19mm (3/4")
- 21mm (13/16")
- 23mm (7/8")
Tire Rack Adjustable Torque Wrench- Designed for home use
- 1/2" drive
- Wrench clicks when selected torque is reached up to 150ft./lbs of torque
Take a look at all
Gorilla Automotive Products available at Tire Rack.
It's that time of year again. Some of the new wheels are arriving. I had a few minutes this evening to check a few of them out in the show room. The one I went back to a few times was the WedsSport SA-55M, particularly the
Black Blue and
Black Red finishes.
The picture online is great, but in person these aftermarket wheels take on a new personality as you view them from different angles. Click each wheel above to see a bigger picture with a couple of different camera shots and check to see if they fit your
vehicle. They are also available in a
Gunmetal finish.
Every year, we all spend a great deal of time in the fall winterizing our homes. For example my mother-in-law spares no time in bringing large pallets of insulation wrap and duct tape to my home for all of my windows. In the same vein, we must also winterize our vehicles.
You need winter tires and wheels. If you're like me, you definitely do not want to damage your expensive factory wheels. I recommend a set of our aluminum alloy-based aftermarket wheels.
A popular, affordable brand is from our Sport Edition line -- the Sport Edition A7. This a one-piece, gravity casted, silver painted wheel with overall winter durability, curb appeal and low maintenance.
Create a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package and save the cost associated with mounting and balancing winter tires on your current wheels. And save the wear and tear on those wheels!
Aftermarket springs and performance suspension kits are worth every penny, but sometimes that penny doesn't quite equal the price you're willing to pay.
Eibach Springs is a very well respected suspension company, and their products get great reviews from our previous customers.
"[The Eibach Sport System Kit] gave my car a nice low look. Completely eliminated all wheel well gap. I felt that the car handled great with stock components—I never though that these would make it handle any better and they did. The ride quality is just as good as stock." — Tire Rack Consumer Review, Honda Civic, PA
"Installed the Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set along with the Eibach Sway Bar set in January...car feels like its on rails, particularly due to the setting on the sway bars (track setting). Great product and highly recommend to anyone who wants a more aggressive ride." — Tire Rack Consumer Review, Hyundai Genesis, TX
Shop by vehicle to find Eibach suspension products for yours.
As summer winds down, our long days filled with sunshine are getting shorter. Soon enough, the sun will set at earlier hours, forcing us to drive home from work under the moon. And as temperatures drop, so does the rain until it eventually turns into snow. Rest assured, you've still got some time before all of those changes take place—which means it's the opportune time to make sure your vehicle is ready, starting with your
wiper blades.
Tire Rack sells a number of decent options, including the
Ultimate® Hook-Lock Wiper Blade from Valeo. And when you purchase one, we'll throw in the second free of charge.
You'll also want to make sure that your
lighting is up-to-speed. Obviously, it's an essential component of your vehicle. Especially when the sun refuses to shine. We stock a number of different aftermarket lighting products from reputable brands like
Hella and
PIAA. You can
shop by vehicle for a detailed list of suitable options.
To include aftermarket tires and wheels in that search, enter the
Upgrade Garage. We'll show you everything we've got that would work on your vehicle. It's the most efficient way to shop Tire Rack.
As you begin to put together a
Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package, you'll notice that aftermarket alloy wheels are a bit more expensive than steel wheels. Despite the fact that both are equally decent options, aftermarket alloy wheels exceed steel wheels in the visual appeal department. And for some, that's a deciding factor. But if your pocketbook can't support your need for a stylish winter wheel, you can choose from three different
steel wheel covers—all of which are tested with every steel wheel sold at
Tire Rack to ensure a proper and secure fit. (It goes without saying, but wheel covers that don't fit right can damage the wheel or fall off completely.) Take a look:
When it comes to snow and slush, the obvious move is to install a set of
winter / snow tires to increase traction and, therefore, your safety on the road. At
Tire Rack, we recommend you take those winter / snow tires a step further by installing them on a set of winter wheels. Now, there's really no difference between winter and summer wheels—but do you really want your shiny summer wheels to get damaged by the ice and salt that covers winter roads? Build a
Winter Tire & Wheel Package and you'll never have to worry about it.
Choose between steel and aftermarket alloy wheels, depending on your personal preference, and
tuck your summer wheels away until next spring.
In addition to summer wheel protection, installing your winter / snow tires on a set of winter wheels streamlines the installation process. You won't have to visit your local garage to have your winter / snow tires remounted. Simply roll out your winter / snow tire and wheel package and install it as your schedule sees fit.
Click here to start building your
Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package.
Many people refer to the aftermarket wheels on their vehicle as "rims"—but the two terms are technically not interchangeable.
Aftermarket wheels are the steel or alloy units on which your tires are installed. A rim is really the outer part of the wheel that holds the tire. But don't worry, we'll know what you're talking about if you
call us in search of some new rims. And really, we sometimes refer to aftermarket wheels as "rims" ourselves.
Speaking of wheels, have you checked out the latest and greatest
additions to our
Tire Rack inventory of aftermarket wheels?
Breyton rolled out a new line—
BE by Breyton—and they're fairly sleek. In addition, a few
Dick Cepek wheels are
on sale through August 31.
You can shop our entire inventory in the
Upgrade Garage, where you'll get to see different wheels on your vehicle—well, at least a visual representation of it since we can't come down to your real garage with our wheels. This is the next best thing! Take a look.
Looking to dress your Camaro with new wheels? Check out some of the latest arrivals when you
search by vehicle.
One of our featured aftermarket wheels for the Camaro is the
Sport Muscle Tach wheel.
Breyton has been designing and manufacturing aftermarket wheels for BMW vehicles for quite some time now. With a few exceptions such as the Pontiac G8, you could not find these gorgeous wheels for your vehicle.
Until now.
We now carry
BE by Breyton -- a wheel line that holds true to the same trends of style and performance that have distinguished Breyton from the rest. The wheels are designed by Breyton, but optimally tuned with the domestic or European model in mind.
The
GTS-AV maintains similar lines to the
Breyton Race GTSR-M, and is available in both a black painted, or hyper silver finish.
The wheel is available in many Audi, Honda, Ford and VW applications. See if your vehicle will accept
BE by Breyton wheels.
If you're looking to spice up a Ford Mustang with some aftermarket wheels, consider
KMC wheels—they're "like no other." Point proven in the image at right, where we've chosen to install the
Nova style. They feature a machined finish with black accents, and they're mounted on a set of
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 tires. These Ultra High Performance Summer tires promote excellent steering on dry roads. Together with the KMC Nova wheels, they make one pretty (literally) impressive tire and wheel package.
Click here to start building one for your Mustang. Or, you can start by shopping our entire collection of
KMC aftermarket wheels. And if you're feeling really adventurous, enter our
Upgrade Garage and find an entire list of aftermarket products—like Mustang brake pads and Mustang suspension components, even Mustang shocks—for your vehicle.
Looking to stand out when you trick out your truck? Looking for something mean and aggressive in a Max Traction/Mud tire? Don't look any further than the
Dick Cepek Crusher.
This tire features an extremely aggressive tread design that resembles crushed bones. The sidewall makes a statement with a functional skull-and-crossbones biter. It also features outlined white letters on one side, or an all black sidewall on the other.
These are offered in 11 large aftermarket and OEM sizes to go with your new wheels or to dress up your stock wheels.
Not looking for something this aggressive? Take a look at the
Dick Cepek Radial F-C II.
O.Z. R
acing is one of our premier wheel brands. Founded in Italy in 1971, O.Z. Racing designs Original Equipment wheels for high-end manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Aston Martin and Lotus, as well as for motorsports and the aftermarket.
One of their most popular styles, the
O.Z. Racing Ultraleggera is lightweight, strong and available in a wide variety of applications. Its motorsport-inspired styling complements many different vehicles:
see if they fit yours.
Summer is the season for wheels. Without salt and ice around,
aftermarket wheels shine brighter than ever. And so does
Tire Rack's wheel inventory, which happens to be our
largest yet. We've stocked our shelves with the best of the best new wheels, including the
Elbrus I03. If you don't know anything about
Elbrus, you should. They are, after all, named after the highest mountain in Europe—a reflection of Elbrus' drive to reach new heights in durability, strength and styling. For example, every Elbrus wheel features a unique I.C.E. coating that creates an excellent natural shine. The new I03 is no exception, as it too comes with an I.C.E. coating.
Shop in our
Upgrade Garage to see what these and other Elbrus wheels would look like on your vehicle. We think you'll enjoy them.
