Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires New Tire Options

I have a 99 SVT and need to replace the tires. I have the stock G-Forces. I am wondering if there is another tire to put on that will have the same performance, just not the same amount of road noise. Thanks for the advice

Firestone SZ-50's
Bridgestone Potenza's
Yokahama's

Depends a lot on tire size.

g-Force KDWS is supposted to be much quieter than g-Force KDW. BF Goodrich also claims that they will last longer. I ordered a set and should have them installed before the week is finished. I ordered 225/50R16, the same size as I have had for nearly 60,000 miles.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT

Jim,

Did you have to "roll" the fender to get those to fit? Do you have any tire rubbing with that size?

------------------
Ryan W.
1998 T-Red SVT E0 #634 (KKM)
Austin/Cedar Park, Texas

No modifications were needed. They are a tight fit though. I mounted them on Wednesday. The last set were Continental 4000H's. The KDWS's are actually slightly wider even though there have the same size on the sidewall. With the Continentals I could put my fingers between the rear strut and the tire. With the BF Goodrichs there isn't room for my finger, but there is still plenty of daylight. It looks like a little more than half of the air space is still remaining. There is also a suspension arm from the rear spindle toward the front of the car that is even a little closer but everything clears. The fronts seem to have even more room.

Both tires were the same diameter (except the new ones have tread, the old ones didn't have much left).

I've driven about 180 miles since mounting them and I'm still getting accostomed to them. They are stiffer than the worn out tires were but they seem to be mellowing somewhat.

One of the advantages of the 225/50R16 size is that they are the same diameter as the original 205/55R16 so the speedometer is not altered and the road clearance remains the same. The 215/50R16 size is slightly smaller in diameter and although it is the stock size for Cougars and 99+ SVT's, it is, in my opinion, too low for the SVT ground effects.

You may have different results than I did, but I doubt it. Check things as you mount them and make sure.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT

Thanks Jim.

------------------
Ryan W.
1998 T-Red SVT E0 #634 (KKM)
Austin/Cedar Park, Texas

Jim,

Have you noticed if your KDWSs are any quieter than the KDWs? I'm just itching to put a quieter tire on when it comes to time to replace mine. How's the grip on wet/dry roads and how are they in snow if you have the (mis)fortune to have some where you are.

Thanks,


------------------
George Hodge
2000 SVT Silver Frost
Energy Suspension transmission mount inserts
K&N air filter
22mm sway bar (coming soon)

The KDWS is an all season tire and BF Goodrich claims that it was made to work in snow, at least better than the KDW. Living in southern California I have not driven in snow for several years.

I have not had KDW's on my car so I don't have them to compare to. It will probably be a few months before I can tell if it is a quiet tire. BF Goodrich claims that it is. The original Goodyear Eagle GS-C's were very noisy for a long time before they needed to be replaced. The Continental's were much quieter than the GS-C's. So far the KDWS's seem to be about the same as the Continentals or possibly slightly noisier.

They were very stable in the rain Friday morning on the way into work. I have not really tried to run them through their paces yet as I believe that it is wise to break in a new set of tires gently so that they will last longer overall. The traction rating is AA so it ought to be exceptional.

So far they are stiffer than either of the previous tires. Not objectionally so, but noticable. It kind of feels similar to a fresh set of struts. I don't know if I am just getting used to them, or if they are slighty mellowing but they seem better today than when they were first mounted.

So far I am very pleased with them. And they look great on the car.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT

Thanks Big Jim,

I hope they work out well once you get them broken in. I think I'll wait till I hear more snow reports on these tires before I make a decision. I only have 9500 miles on mine so I have a little bit of time.

Thanks,


------------------
George Hodge
2000 SVT Silver Frost
Energy Suspension transmission mount inserts
K&N air filter
22mm sway bar (coming soon)

Additional interesting info on the KDWS. The B.F. Goodrich internet site explains that the letters mean Key benefits: Dry, Wet, Snow.

Likewise the Key benefits of the KDW is Key benefits: Dry, Wet.

So yes, B.F. Goodrich claims that they are an all season tire and as such will handle snow. I'm sure that they will not aproach the snow handling of a dedicated winter tire though.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT