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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867 |
Yo, wait. This is for your Escort? Then I'd definitely go with tires.
Your OE size is 185/65-14, and for $220+shipping you're looking at BFG Traction T/A's from Tirerack. Much better choice IMNSHO than slapping springs onto your tired old stock struts.
You might even be able to bump up to a 195/60-14 in the same tire for the same price. Check with a tech for fit, though.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840 |
Originally posted by alex_96GL:
for $233.00 (are u sure u don't have couple of odd quarters in your old jeans somewhere?) I wouldn't bother w/ the big stuff. seriously. my guess is that like every car w/ stock suspension zx2 understeers like a drunk pig (may be zx2 is actually more sober than most).
Read this and other responses and was pleased that you guys are taking time to point me in the right direction...or should I say directions? On the contrary, I've suffered from snap oversteer quite a few times in both dry and wet weather, primarily because of the cheapie Walmart Uniroyal front tires being new. If you guys haven't heard yet, somebody in Downtown Savannah deemed it appropriate to knife my front tires while I was inside the doctors office. Told Walmart specifically to put the new tires on the back. New tires (if only getting two) ALWAYS go on the back, no matter where the drive wheels are on a vehicle. Of course, they put them on the front. Result: snap oversteer in sweeping turns.
Before the tires were flattened and they were all of the same brand and mileage, the car handled rather predictably. I'd say it was no more than a click or two softer than the Contour Sport I previously had. It rolls and pitches a bit but I've yet to bottom it out, so that tells me something good.
I'm seriously eyeballing new tires and wheels. I don't want to go any bigger than 16s because, save a bigger air box, I have no other performance modifications on the car. Any bigger, and I'd lose power due to too much increased rotational inertia. I'll just keep right on saving for those wheels and tires.
I have the Eibach lowering springs linked in my first post. I've also been looking hard at these multispoke and six spoke rims:
-ASA AR-1s
-Borbet Type CA
-Sport Edition Fox 2/2S
-Kazera KZ-Us in 17 inches (only because they're cheap, weigh 19.3 lbs and don't come in 16")
All these can be found on Tirerack.com under Escort ZX2. The bolt pattern for my car is 4x100, if that helps. Any one with some wheel suggestions, feel more than free to keep this thread alive, or you can PM me as well.
Again, thanks for being such a help guys. 'Specially to a non Contourist. 
Troll. 1997 VW Jetta MkIII GLS 5spd
All hail my appearance on CEG!
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,346
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,346 |
Originally posted by RogerB:
I disagree with kremit, but only by a hair, and tentatively.
This is actually a tough question.
If, say, you go to a 16 x 7.5" wheel that weighs, or 15 lbs or so, you could mount a wider, stickier tire with lower profile, and you will notice much difference in handling, braking, accelerating, and steering response over your high-profile, squirmy little tires.
And then you will also notice the limitations of your suspension.
If you upsize to heavier wheels, though, you'll kill it.
Tires are the first thing I'd change on a vehicle, but there just aren't any really good performance tires in 70-profile.
lightweight and wide rims are expensive though....even without tires......i say you keep with the eibach pro kit......but id get struts if at all possible
E1 CSVT
s/c-----x
turbo---x
3L------check
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
http://www.zx2racing.com/store/thumbnail.asp?cid=14 Other nice wheels on there as well. Though I really thing doing the whole package is the thing to do. You can buy used springs, sway bars, and STBs to save money. Just buy new struts and most likely wheels.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768 |
Quote:
...and most likely wheels
I dunno, my car is proudly wearing Warmongers SVT wheels, I think it's good for like extra 10 hp and some torque 
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 326
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 326 |
I would say tires would be the first to change, and if you change to
a 16/17 with a good tire you'll be amazed.
When I went from the stock VR4 to the KDW, I was like who needs springs... it was an amazing difference....
99 Cougar V6 Tourmaline Green: MTX, KKM, Borla Dual...
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27 |
I have a Contour SVT so I started with a pretty nice suspension and I bought 17" Motegi FF5's with Toyo Proxes FZ4's. There was a very noticable amount of grip with the Toyo's. I love them. I will probably never get BFG's again, due to the fact that they could not get traction. If you decide to go with suspension my advice would be if you can not afford to do it all at once. You should buy a little at a time or just save till you can buy it all at once. I found it is easier to do these things if you buy them a little at a time. It will cost you extra install to put springs on now then sturts then so on and so on. Just my thought. 
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