GTD-1 vs. GTD-2: Which EKW Wheel Matches Your Build?
S650 Mustang Wheel Comparison
The EKW GTD-1 and GTD-2 share a forged construction platform, broad sizing range, and custom-fitment process. Their wheel faces make different statements: GTD-1 uses a cleaner geometric layout, while GTD-2 adds more machining and detail near the outer rim.
This EKW GTD-1 vs GTD-2 guide compares the current public retail wheels on a 2024-and-newer S650 Ford Mustang. It covers the design difference you can see, the fitment questions a product photo cannot answer, and the information EKW needs before building a set.
Short answer: Choose GTD-1 for a bolder, cleaner geometric face. Choose GTD-2 for a more technical face with extra recessed machining and outer-pocket detail. Let the exact Mustang, brakes, tires, suspension, and target stance set the final size and offset.
What GTD-1 and GTD-2 have in common
EKW lists both wheels as 6061-T6 forged aluminum monoblock designs. Each current retail product page offers 17-, 18-, 19-, 20-, 21-, and 22-inch diameters. The listed buildable family range covers 17x8 through 17x11 and 18x8 through 22x12.
Those ranges describe the product families, not one Mustang prescription. The fitment builder uses the selected year, make, model, trim, diameter, width, offset, bolt pattern, and square or staggered layout where supported. EKW still needs to confirm the proposed wheel against the exact car.
The public retail descriptions highlight Silver, Bronze, and Black finish families for both models. Finish changes how much face detail you notice, but it does not change the need for brake, suspension, tire, hub, and fender clearance.
EKW GTD-1: broad geometry with a cleaner read
The current EKW GTD-1 forged wheel uses five broad angular arms, large polygonal openings, deep pockets close to the hub, and wide machined surfaces near the outer face. The shape reads from across a parking lot because the major elements stay large.
On an S650 Mustang, that visual weight suits the car's long hood, defined rear haunches, and large grille openings. GTD-1 keeps the face busy enough to feel motorsport-influenced while leaving clear negative space between the main arms.
Where GTD-1 works best visually
GTD-1 makes sense when you want the wheel to support the Mustang's body lines without adding another layer of fine detail. Silver exposes the chamfers and pockets. Bronze adds contrast against gray, black, white, blue, or green paint. Black makes the five main arms and open windows carry more of the design.
A clean face can also help when the car already has loud stripes, contrasting calipers, aero parts, or a bright wrap. The wheel still looks deliberate without competing with every other part of the build.
EKW GTD-2: a sharper and more technical face
The current EKW GTD-2 forged wheel starts with the same five-arm GTD theme, then adds split sections, recessed machining, and stronger outer-pocket detail. Rectangular slots and milled channels create more edges for light to catch.
GTD-2 looks more mechanical at close range. The outer details draw your eye around the wheel circumference, while the large center openings keep the face from becoming a dense mesh. The result fits an S650 build that uses crisp trim, exposed brakes, or a finish chosen to show machining.
Where GTD-2 works best visually
GTD-2 suits a build where the wheel should remain a focal point after you notice the car. Silver reveals the milled edges most clearly. Bronze separates the pockets through warm shadow. Black produces a quieter result from a distance, then reveals the slots as light crosses the face.
Choose the detail level before the finish. A dark finish cannot make GTD-1 gain GTD-2's outer machining, and a bright finish cannot make GTD-2 as visually simple as GTD-1.
The S650 Mustang fitment matters more than the face
EKW's public S650 Mustang forged-wheel guide includes installed GTD-1 and GTD-2 examples. One GTD-1 Mustang gallery build lists 19x11 ET30 front and 19x11 ET50 rear. A GTD-2 gallery build lists 19x10 ET36 front and 19x11 ET50 rear.
Treat those numbers as records of those cars, not universal recommendations. A 2024 Mustang GT, a Dark Horse, and a later S650 configuration can use different brakes, suspension parts, tire packages, ride heights, alignment, and body clearance. Aftermarket springs, coilovers, brake kits, studs, spacers, or bodywork change the review.
Start with the proposed tire. Tire section width, approved rim-width range, shoulder shape, and overall diameter affect inner clearance, fender room, speedometer behavior, and the car's front-to-rear relationship. Pick the wheel around a complete package instead of treating the tire as the last available item.
Offset and width still move the wheel
Wheel design cannot cancel geometry. More width adds material to both sides of the centerline before offset moves the complete wheel inward or outward. EKW's S650 wheel offset guide shows how to calculate the change from your current package.
Check inner strut and suspension clearance, outer fender room, tire contact through steering lock, and suspension travel. A flush parked stance says little about clearance during a compression event or a tight steering input.
Brake clearance needs its own check
The wheel barrel must clear the caliper radially, and the spoke backs must clear the caliper face axially. Diameter can help the first measurement while leaving the second unchanged. Send EKW the model year, trim, brake package, and any aftermarket brake part numbers or templates.
Do not choose GTD-1 or GTD-2 because one front-view photo appears more open. The mounting pad, spoke back, barrel contour, width, offset, and brake envelope decide clearance on the proposed wheel drawing.
Square or staggered for your Mustang?
A square setup uses the same wheel and tire size at all four corners. It can support front-to-rear tire rotation when offsets, hardware, and directional-tire rules allow. A staggered setup uses different front and rear sizes to create a specific tire relationship or stance.
Neither layout belongs automatically to one GTD design. EKW lists square and staggered support for both wheels where the selected vehicle allows it. Your tire plan, brake package, suspension, steering clearance, alignment, and intended use should choose the layout. The Mustang Dark Horse track setup guide covers the questions that become important when track service enters the plan.
A practical GTD-1 vs GTD-2 decision
- Pick GTD-1 when you prefer larger geometric shapes, broad machined shoulders, and a face that stays clear from a distance.
- Pick GTD-2 when you want extra recessed machining, outer slots, and more detail around the wheel circumference.
- Pause the style decision when the tire, brake package, ride height, or target width remains unknown. Resolve the package before approving the wheel drawing.
Do not assume either wheel weighs less, clears a larger brake, or performs better because its face looks more open. EKW does not publish one tested weight or clearance envelope for every diameter, width, offset, bolt pattern, and vehicle combination. Ask for the specifications that apply to the set being built.
What to send EKW before ordering
- Vehicle details: model year, Mustang trim, VIN when requested, factory wheel package, and brake option.
- Current hardware: wheel markings, tire sizes, spacers, studs or bolts, springs or coilovers, alignment, and brake changes.
- Target tire: brand, model, front and rear sizes, approved rim-width range, and whether you need rotation.
- Use case: daily driving, shows, autocross, track days, or a mix, plus the ride and service priorities that matter to you.
- Design direction: GTD-1 or GTD-2, finish family, stance goal, and any front-to-rear face preference.
- Verification request: width, offset, bolt pattern, center bore, fasteners, TPMS, load specification, brake clearance, and final drawing for the exact order.
FAQ: EKW GTD-1 vs GTD-2
What is the main difference between EKW GTD-1 and GTD-2?
GTD-1 uses a cleaner geometric face with broad shoulders and deep hub-side pockets. GTD-2 adds split sections, recessed machining, and stronger outer-pocket detail. Their current retail construction and listed family size ranges are the same.
Which wheel looks better on an S650 Mustang?
Choose based on the rest of the build. GTD-1 supports a cleaner or already-busy car. GTD-2 adds wheel-face detail to a restrained car. Compare both in the same finish and angle before deciding.
Do GTD-1 and GTD-2 come in the same sizes?
Their public retail pages list the same product-family range: 17 through 22-inch diameters, 17x8 through 17x11, and 18x8 through 22x12. The exact supported size and offset still depend on the selected Mustang and package.
Will both wheels fit a Mustang Dark Horse?
Do not assume universal Dark Horse fitment. EKW needs the model year, brake package, tire plan, suspension, and target dimensions to confirm the wheel drawing and clearance.
Can the wheel visualizer confirm fitment?
The visualizer helps compare face design, finish, and overall style. It does not measure the brakes, hub, suspension, tire, fender, or steering path. Use it for appearance, then ask EKW to verify the package.
Does GTD-2 perform better because it has more machining?
The visible detail alone cannot prove a weight, strength, cooling, handling, or lap-time advantage. Compare the order-specific specifications and fitment instead of assigning performance from the face design.
Choose the face, then verify the package
GTD-1 gives the S650 Mustang a cleaner geometric wheel face. GTD-2 uses the same broad theme with more recessed and outer-rim detail. That design choice can stay simple. The fitment choice needs the complete car and tire plan.
Browse the public EKW forged wheel catalog and the EKW fitment guides. Use the wheel visualizer to compare GTD-1 and GTD-2 on your car, then send EKW your S650 specifications for a fitment review before ordering.