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205/60/16?

They will not fit at all. You will not be able to get the wheel anywhere near the hub.

One of times I bought tires, the tire guy misunderstood and tried to mount up 225/60R16 instead of 225/50R16 and they hit the struts before the wheel could match up to the hub. The diameter is just way too big. The 205 is the same diameter as the 225.

Forgetaboutit
 
Big Jim said:
They will not fit at all. You will not be able to get the wheel anywhere near the hub.

One of times I bought tires, the tire guy misunderstood and tried to mount up 225/60R16 instead of 225/50R16 and they hit the struts before the wheel could match up to the hub. The diameter is just way too big. The 205 is the same diameter as the 225.

Forgetaboutit
Click to expand...

Wouldn't that be because a 225 is 20mm wider? :shrug:
 
Because when you go taller it adds as well. A 225 on one tire isn't the same in another. Brands also have different measurement. A 225/55 in one tire isn't the same as a 225/55 in another. Ya dig? and only a homo would mount a 60 series tire on a 16" Contour rim.
 
The extra width was not nearly enough to have made a difference. Look at your struts. The 60 series tire will hit above the spring perch. You would need to move the strut about 3" or so for a tire of that diameter to fit in the space given.
 
Big Jim said:
The extra width was not nearly enough to have made a difference. Look at your struts. The 60 series tire will hit above the spring perch. You would need to move the strut about 3" or so for a tire of that diameter to fit in the space given.
Click to expand...

I disagree.

Don't forget that the sidewall height is relative to section width. That is, 60% of 225 is greater than 60% of 205.

Here's the numbers:

225/50-16, notional radius is 12.4"

225/60-16, notional radius is 13.3"

205/60-16, notional radius is only 12.8" Might be an issue, but not nearly so definite as with the 225/60.

215/55-16, notional radius is 12.7" (Wasn't that the stock size on the 98? :shrug: )
 
Nope, it was 215/50R16

They might fit. It'll be close, but people have run ODs that big on blingin' stunna wheels so you might get away with it.

You don't want them anyway, though. For snows (on 16" rims) I'd go with 205/55r16, or narrower if you can find it. Taller doesn't really help. Better yet would be 15" wheels, just so you don't crud up your nice SVT wheels.
 
Auto-X Fil said:
Nope, it was 215/50R16

They might fit. It'll be close, but people have run ODs that big on blingin' stunna wheels so you might get away with it.

You don't want them anyway, though. For snows (on 16" rims) I'd go with 205/55r16, or narrower if you can find it. Taller doesn't really help. Better yet would be 15" wheels, just so you don't crud up your nice SVT wheels.
Click to expand...

Ahh, thanks for the correction, and that's a 12.2" radius, btw.

As for taller/better: A taller tire should also have a longer (vs wider) contact patch. Wouldn't that be better for snow? Maybe that's what he means.
 
Well yes, it will be fractionally longer. Not enough to make a difference, though. A much bigger concern is fitting narrow tires, to decrease the contact patch as well as make it long as skinny. This puts lots of pressure on the tread, which packs the snow and ice into the sipes/grooves, providing traction.

This is one reason fwd cars are good in the snow - all the weight is on the braking/power/turning tires. With over 1000lb on 185 width tire, there is a massive amount of pressure on the road surface. An MR2 Spyder has less than 500lb on each front tire, and they'll be at least 175s! Good for normal roads, but bad for snow.

WRC cars use sizes like 135/90R16 and 135/85R15! No good at all on pavement, but great on ice and snow.

s_135_90_16.jpg
 
RogerB said:
I disagree.

Don't forget that the sidewall height is relative to section width. That is, 60% of 225 is greater than 60% of 205.

Here's the numbers:

225/50-16, notional radius is 12.4"

225/60-16, notional radius is 13.3"

205/60-16, notional radius is only 12.8" Might be an issue, but not nearly so definite as with the 225/60.

215/55-16, notional radius is 12.7" (Wasn't that the stock size on the 98? :shrug: )
Click to expand...

Stock size on the 98 was 205/55ZR16. Stock size on 99 and 00 was 215/50ZR16.

I'm basing my comments on what I saw at the tire shop when they mistakenly tried to install 225/60ZR16 tires. They hit the spring perch on the struts.
 
Big Jim said:
Stock size on the 98 was 205/55ZR16. Stock size on 99 and 00 was 215/50ZR16.

I'm basing my comments on what I saw at the tire shop when they mistakenly tried to install 225/60ZR16 tires. They hit the spring perch on the struts.
Click to expand...

Right. Look at the numbers. You wanted a 225/50-16 with a diameter of 24.8". They tried to fit a 225/60-16 with a diameter of 26.6". That's a significant difference. (.9" greater in radius.)

The 205/60-16 is only 25.6" in diameter, or .4" greater in radius than the 225/50, and .5" less in radius than what you saw in the shop.

Clearance might still be an issue, but you can't say that with certainty based on your experience with the 225/60. A half inch isn't much, but when you couple it with the narrower section width, he might be OK. Still wouldn't be my first choice, though.
 
FS Blizzak WS-50

FS Blizzak WS-50

I bought 17" revo's for this upcoming winter. so i need to sell my last set. i have 4 pretty much brand new as of last winter, Blizzak WS-50's that where only on last season (DEC-APRIL). still have warranty papers. 195/60/15
I'm located in Spring Lake, MI, and would be able to meet interested (serious) buyers within a reasonable distance. you pay for shipping or we come up with a compromise.
 
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