Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires 98 to 98.5 tire sizes question

I have a 98 SVT that came with the 205-50/16 Goodyear GS-C's. Now I remember back then they had the 98.5 that redid the valving in the struts and also came out with the 215-50/16 G-Force tires. Then they said they had to do some inner fender well modifications does anyone know exactly what they did in the fender wells if anything or anyone that has put 215-50/16 on the 98 SVT wheels? Thanks.

I Have a '95 LX Duratec with the E1 (98 1/2) struts and springs. I'm running 215-16's with the SVT wheels with no problems(and no fender well mods).
Mark

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The plastic fender liners on the back tirewells were modded. That's all. You may get a slight rubbing with the 215's, or you may not.

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96LX/ATX/A4 repeaters/SVT exhaust/KKM/E1 suspension/SE rockers/BAT swaybar/urethane bushings/Kenwood 7 speaker syst./E1 SVT brakes/9005 lowbeams/885 fogs/50% tint/Michelin XM+S 130's
Soon: E0 rims/ 215/50YR16 gForce's and that's all....
Next:'87 Renault GTA Convertible for auto crossing!

The 98 1/2 (E1) SVT used the same size tire as your early 98 SVT did. They changed to the Cobra style wheel and to Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. The BF Goodrich G-force KDW in 215/50R16 was not original equipment until 99.

I have an early 98 SVT with 225/50R16 tires on it and they fit perfectly. They have been on for nearly 60,000 miles.

The fender liner rubbing issue did not happen until 99 and I believe that it was over some misbuilt liners. The replacement liners did provide more clearance but you probably will not need them for 215/50R16 or 225/50R16 tires on your early 98. I have never had a tire rubbing issue, even with four people and luggage in the car for a family trip.

Jim Johnson
98 SVT

i have a '98.5 E1 svt that, as jim stated, came w/ the 205-55-16 goodyear F1's. i did notice a little rubbing, even with this 205 section width. not much, but there were some scuff marks on the wheel well liners. i pointed these out to my service adviser while under warranty and pointed him to a TSB that dealt with the issue, and they installed the 'revised' '99-issue fender liners. i've since replaced the goodyears w/ the 215-50-16 KDW's and have had no rubbing at all. the 'revised' liners appear to be the older-design liner w/ a hole cut where the rubbing would occur and then an indented molded patch is attached over the hole.

hth..

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blake
98.5 E1 SVT #4910, silver frost (b. 02.28.98)
- KKM/SHOshop pulleys/borla exhaust
- 35% tint/momo shift knob/A6 sidemarkers/some audio