2013 SVT PP Wheels

Introduction

When I bought my GT500, it was equipped with aftermarket wheels. The original 18" rims were gone and the previous owner equipped the car with Cavaro Genesis Drift 20" and Continental SportContact 2 (255/35/20) on all corners. This wasn't a good setup. The ET wasn't correct and the wheels protruded approx. 3cm, which was on the limit of local regulations. Besides that, the car looked a bit silly and its handling wasn't very good.

I decided to keep the wheels on the car for a few months and first have some fun. After all, I didn't have to care too much about the rubber because I would had them replaced anyway. So, smoke them. And I did.

When I made a trip to the Shelby meeting in Germany, the handling became a problem. Together with the stock suspension, the wheels didn't work well and the handling was true horror. At high speed (240 km/h and above) the car started to slide. Because the rear only vibrated, the grip became less and less and it urged me to slow down. Apart from that, all other Shelby's were lowered and had modified suspensions. I really couldn't keep up the pace. The decision was simple: I needed a modified suspension and better wheels & tyres. First, I needed to get rid of the wheels and have the right ones in place. From there on, I could develop insights for suspension modifications. That was the right way to do it.

My car technician advised me to look for original SVT wheels which are forged from one piece of metal. These offer best stability, smoothness and quality. Most aftermarket stuff looks great, but give lots and lots of problems while balancing them and to keep vibrations away. So, SVT wheels it should be.

At the Shelby meeting in Germany, I met a guy who had 2013 SVT PP rims which he once bought for his winter tyre setup. Since he did not drive the car in winter time anymore, he wanted to sell me the rims. The staggered 19" / 20" setup is my favourite setup and the 2007 GT500 is not very often seen with these. I like the 18" wheels that came with the 2007 GT500, but I wanted to prepare for big brake sets. For this, a minimum wheel size of 19" is required. The 2011 SVT rims are often seen on 2007 GT500's, but I wanted it to be a bit different, so the 2013 SVT rims were the way to go. A few weeks later, we closed the deal and he sent me the rims.  

Since the german guy told me one of the 19" wheels had some cerb rash, it needed some repairs. I brought all four rims to the local rim doctor and he repaired the (slightly) damaged rim and powder coated all four. I wanted them matte black, not the original anthracite colour.

After some research, I chose the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres to become my GT500's shoes for the next few years. All critics were positive about this tyre which handles great, has low wear and is factory mounted on premium-class cars. I chose 265/40/19's (19" x 9.5" rim size) on the front and 285/35/20's (20" x 9.5" rim size) on the rear. Exactly like the original setup for the 2013 and 2014 GT500's.

After a few days, I picked them up from the rim doctor and mounted them on my GT500. I used McGard black lug nuts (1/2" x 20) to finish the looks. I'm definately very happy with the new setup and handling has already improved significantly. A good basis for further suspension modifications.

SPecifications

- 2013 SVT Performance Pack rims (2013 Brochure)
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Size Table
- McGard Black Lug Nuts

The Project

	How I bought the car. Cavaro Genesis Drift 20" rims on all corners.
	Detail of the Cavaro wheels.
	One of the rims while in Germany.
	Cerb rash on the 19" rim.
	Excellent style while still in Germany.
	Rims ready for shipment from Germany to The Netherlands.
	Boxes arrived in The Netherlands.
	At the rim doctor, already sand blasted.
	Sand blasted, naked aluminum.
	Picked them up from the rim doctor with fresh Michelin rubber.
	GT500 meeting its new wheels.
	Black. How I like it.
	Changin'wheels. Rear completed, old front wheel being removed.
	McGard Lug Nuts Black.
	Result on the rear.
	Fresh wheel meets dirt from its predecessor.
	The result.