The Best Shift Knobs For Ford Mustangs

The S550 Ford Mustang is one of the most performance-ready muscle cars that you can get within a reasonable budget. With its independent rear suspension, wide factory track width, and firm chassis, it is a great platform and one that can be easily improved even further with some aftermarket upgrades. One of these upgrades are new Mustang wheels and performance tires. Whether you're aiming to improve grip, enhance cornering, or just give your Mustang a more aggressive stance, the right wheel and tire combo will yield just that.

What to Know Before You Buy

The S550 can easily handle 19- or 20-inch wheels, and many owners opt for staggered setups, with wider wheels in the rear for traction and styling. A common setup is 20x10” front and 20x11” rear wheels, paired with performance tires ranging from 245 to 305 mm. Below are some of our favorite wheels and tires for the S550 Mustang for all types of drivers.

Best Wheels for the S550 Mustang

Forgestar F14

The Forgestar F14 is one of the most popular aftermarket wheels in the Mustang world. Built using a flow-forming process, these wheels are significantly lighter and stronger than standard factory-fit cast wheels. The multi-spoke design adds a clean, sporty look. Available in a variety of sizes, including 19x10” and 20x11”, there is room for serious tire width. Forgestar F14s also offer a wide range of offsets to help you get the perfect stance.

RTR Tech 7

Designed by Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s RTR Vehicles, the Tech 7 wheels are made specifically for the S550 Mustang. Their split-spoke design is aggressive, and the flow-formed construction offers reduced weight with improved material strength. Sizes like 19x9.5” and 20x10.5” offer versatile fitment for both square and staggered setups. We also offer these as sets, already balanced and with fitted tires, ready to be installed on your Mustang.

Apex EC-7

A modern interpretation of performance wheels are the Apex EC-7s. These wheels offer you the customization you need with many different offsets and widths, as well as color options. The EC-7s are available in standard silver, satin black, anthracite, and bronze finishes. Like our other favorite options, these are also flow-formed, thus having enhanced structural rigidity, yet with the advantage of lower weight. Square 19x10” and 19x11” setups with Apex EC-7 wheels are among our best sellers, providing a balanced grip and aggressive looks. The EC-7 is a functional, lightweight, premium wheel.

Carol Shelby Wheels CS3

The Carroll Shelby Wheels CS3 are an interesting choice and a modern interpretation of classic Mustang wheel design. They feature a sleek split five-spoke design and deep concave profile. As the name of Carol Shelby suggests, these are made specifically for the Mustang. The CS3 wheels we offer come with a 40mm offset and 20x9.5 setup, which is the ideal middle ground between everyday usability and performance. They can be had either in a traditional chrome color reminiscent of classic Mustangs or a beautiful gunmetal.

Best Tires for the S550 Mustang

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S is widely considered the gold standard for a high-performance summer tire. The grip is outstanding, they offer a surprising amount of ride comfort, and they are ready for the track. The 4S behaves well in both dry and wet conditions. In short, they’re a perfect match for your Mustang if you plan to use it both on track and in everyday driving.

Nitto NT555 G2

A great all-around summer performance tire, the NT555 G2 offers good traction, predictable handling, and low dB ratings. It’s designed specifically for performance cars, such as the Mustang, and is available in all the popular sizes. While it may not have as much grip as Michelin or Continental, it offers a good value proposition, combining comfort and durability for daily-driven Mustangs.

Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02

​​ Continental’s flagship is the ExtremeContact Sport 02. The Sport 02 improves upon its predecessor with better sidewall stiffness and cornering stability. It’s great for use on the backroads, daily drives, and track use alike, so it's a perfect choice if you’re only starting to bring your Mustang to track days and don’t want to have a separate set of tires just for that purpose. They’re almost on par with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, which we’ve already mentioned above, so it often comes down to personal brand preference when choosing between the two.

Ready to Upgrade?

For more information on tires, such as sidewall or width, look at our previous post regarding Mustang tires. And if you’re ready to upgrade, order your new set of wheels and tires now, and your Mustang will become more enjoyable to drive than ever.