Track-Ready S550 Mustang GT Gets New Forgeline GA1R Wheels & AP Racing Big Brake Kit @ ModAuto

Jaybee ValledorMarch 4, 2016

So the other day, a long-time customer of ours, Michael Chen, decides that he got bored with his already awesome HRE FlowForm FF15 wheels on his S550 Mustang GT. To normal people like us, it’s pretty mind-boggling but to someone like Michael who constantly likes to change his setup and be new and fresh and different all the time, an update to his beloved Mustang GT was necessary. Out with the old (sorta) and in with the new, right?

The 2015 Ford Mustang GT is already a pretty bitching car and it just hauls ass everywhere it goes. Although it’s absolutely great stock, there is always, always, room for improvement. Obviously, as some of you religious readers may know already, aftermarket wheels are a huge must for any car and the 5.0 Liter V8 Mustang GT is no exception. The stock wheels are cool, yes, but there are way cooler wheels out there to upgrade to.

Before we get into the meat of this entire blog, I’d like to show you what his Mustang looked when he first got it:

I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I do have a favorite set of wheels that just never, ever look bad on any car. Those wheels are the Volk TE37 and Michael did indeed throw them on his ‘stang. Those wheels are the Volk TE37 and Michael did indeed throw them on his ‘stang’.

Like I said, it’s cool, but there can be plenty done to it. After this, he decided to further prepare his S550 Mustang GT with the HRE FlowForm FF15 Wheels, and I must say, it looked dope.The HRE FlowForm FF15 wheels do look amazing and will stay relevant in style and design for years to come. If these wheels are more your thing, check out the HRE Performance Wheels for Ford page for more info! We can rebuild it, we have the technology…

HRE FF15 Silver 18×10.5 ET48 F/R / Toyo R888 305/35-18 Tires F/R on JRZ Coilovers + BMR Suspension

There are a lot more goodies on this car and at this point in its modification list, it’s a completely different beast. If you have your own Mustang or Mustang GT and are looking for aftermarket parts, click here and you’ll be able to find the best of the best parts to transform your stock car into a full-blown racecar!

HRE FF15 Silver 18×10.5 ET48 F/R / Toyo R888 305/35-18 Tires F/R on JRZ Coilovers + BMR Suspension

So anyways, that’s his old setup. His new set up really puts his old setups to shame. As you’re reading this, you might already probably be loving one of the previous wheel sets he’s put on the Mustag GT and that’s completely okay! Everyone has their own personal preferences, and there’s no problem with that. With that being said, I do my best to keep an open mind and to never encase myself in my own personal bubble of opinions.

Here are some close-ups of Michael’s new wheels; 19×10.5 +44 (all around) Forgeline GA1R Wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888.

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19
on JRZ RS Pro Coilovers

I’m sure you’re just aching to see the wheels on the car but as whole and not in close ups, and we’ll get there soon. This GA1R wheel is a one-piece, fully forged monoblock wheel that has the perfect blend of lightweight performance, super strength, and racing durability. This wheel is so light that when I picked up one wheel, no tire, with my arm, I was able to do a set of bicep curls with it no problem. Keep in mind, each wheel is 19 inches by 10.5 inches, and compared to normal wheels, a 20 pound, 19″ forged monoblock wheel is really, really light.

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19

The Toyo Proxes R888 tires are ideal for making fast lap times on pretty much any track. These tires are extremely sticky and will grip to the ground like super glue. Now, Michael is pretty sensible dude but he’s also very adventurous. By “adventurous” I mean he’s brave enough to also daily drive his Mustang GT on these ultra, incredibly grippy tires on any road despite whatever the weather may be. Luckily for him, he lives in sunny Southern California where it hardly ever rains anyways.

Now, here they are. The wide shot photos of Michael Chen’s Ford Mustang GT with the gorgeous Forgeline GA1R Wheels:

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19
on JRZ RS Pro Coilovers

With the 295/30r19 size tires, the tires are perfect for track performance and will stick to the line you’re driving perfectly. Some people prefer the meaty tire look, which is also a great idea, but in Michael’s eyes, this wheel + tire setup was what he had in mind. And damn, does it look amazing. Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 285/30-19 285/30-19
on JRZ RS Pro Coilovers

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19
on JRZ RS Pro Coilovers

The 19×10.5 +44 wheel fitment is just slightly more aggressive than a stock wheel fitment and it’s done so in good taste. Too many people nowadays rock way too much camber or way too low of an offset or way too wide of a wheel, or even all the above, to even function like the car it should be. Michael knows his cars and understands the dynamics of the changes he puts on his vehicles. A racecar is always a show car.

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19
on JRZ RS Pro Coilovers

Along with the Forgeline GA1R w/ Toyo Proxes R888 setup, Michael decided to throw in an AP Racing Radi-CAL Front Big Brake Kit to allow him to stop on a dime whenever he wants. A big brake kit includes larger rotors (drilled, slotted, or both), larger calipers, and larger brake pads for an immensely increased improvement on stopping power as well as further the “racecar” look.

Above you see the stock rotor and the stock caliper. Now you might already be thinking, “But Jaybee, why must Michael upgrade his “Performance Package” brake kit with something bigger? I mean, it’s already big enough! Doesn’t he stop pretty solid already?” In this case, bigger is definitely better. The stock Performance Package brake kit from Ford has a 6-piston 36mm fixed aluminum caliper and 380x34mm vented disc rotors in the front. Strictly speaking, those are HUGE calipers and rotors for a stock car out of the dealership.

Now come the epic AP Racing Radi-CAL Big Brake Kit upgrade for the 2015 Mustang GT. It comes with the same size caliper as the OEM caliper, also 6-piston, BUT are 1) forged 2) 20% stronger and 3) 25% lighter than the factory calipers. It might not sound like much, but it honestly is a world of a difference. Not only are the rotors bigger, but they are slotted. Compared to the stock performance rotor, the AP Racing Radi-CAL BBK Rotors are 2-Piece 370x36mm rotors have indented “J-Hook” slots in the rotors which are designed to capture and push out the brake dust when the brake pads are clamped onto the rotors. It helps with consistent stopping but can wear out the brake pads much quicker. Still an awesome look and great upgrade though!

Forgeline GA1R 19×10.5 ET44 / 19×10.5 ET44 with Toyo Tires R888 295/30-19 295/30-19
on JRZ RS Pro Coilovers

Hope you enjoyed the photos! I’m sure Michael Chen will be back for more mods and upgrades for his Mustang GT and without a doubt, will be something awesome! For more information on these parts or anything else you’re interested in getting for your car, don’t hesitate to call ModBargains at 714-582-3330! Our Mod Experts can help you find out the best parts available in the market for your car!

Story & Photos by Jaybee Valledor

Current Mod List for Michael’s S550 Mustang GT

Engine

Stainless Works Catback with H-Pipe

Stainless Works Off Road Catless Headers

Ford Performance Hood Struts

Suspension

JRZ RS Pro coilovers

BMR SB043 Front & Rear Sway Bars for S550 Ford Mustang

BMR ELK012 Front & Rear Sway Bar Endlinks for S550 Ford Mustang

BMR CB005 Cradle Bushing Lockout Kit for S550 Ford Mustang

BMR TCA045 Billet Vertical Link Rear Lower Control Arms for S550 Ford Mustang