Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Any comments on 205/55-16 to 215/45-17 upgrade?

I having been looking at the tirerack.com and am intrigued with the possibility of replacing the stock 205/55-16?s on my ?98 SVT with 215/45-17?s. Has anyone done this upgrade, and if so, how satisfied have you been with it?

I have a few specific questions. The first concerns fit- how close to the original size do the 215/45-17?s come? I most concerned about width issues. I got burned in the past trying install a pair of 225/50-16?s (had problems rubbing the edge of the rear wheel hub with passengers and/or bumps). Any problems with strut or wheel-well clearance in the front or rear?

Also- any noticeable improvements in handling? Is the handling crisper/better? More stable at high speed? Or is there really not much of a performance improvement?

In the same vein, has anyone noticed a decrease in comfort? I live in the Philadelphia area and the roads stink around here. Did the increase from 16?-->17? wheels have a negative impact on comfort and shock absorption?

And finally, are there any problems with using either 7? or 7.5? width wheels in either the 16? or 17? wheel sizes? I noticed that the stock SVT rims are only 6.5? wide. Do things still fit properly with the wider rims?

It seems that the TireRack has fit-tested all of the rims they recommend for the SVT Contour, so I'm assuming that fit/offset are correct for the '98 SVT??

Many thanks for any responses. Any feedback from folks who have already been down this path is GREATLY appreciated!

-Jeff

Since no one else is giving advice...

215 is suposedly the safest recommended width without rubbing. Many have had 225 with little or no modifications, but many like you have.

As for performance, it's probably not noticeable if you keep the same tire in just a bigger size. You'll notice a bigger improvment going from tire to tire than size to size.

I don't remember the correct wheel width, but I *think* 17x7 with a 42mm offset is right. Try a search or check out poeple sigs with aftermarket rims.

When it comes time to order, you'll call up Luke at Tirerack and he'll make sure you don't get soemthing that will not work.

What are you looking to get out of the new wheels? Better looks or increased performance? Just sick of stock rims or have winter tires mounted to them?

I ask because many people just buy a plus one or two wheel/tire combo thinking it'll improve performance and fill up the wheel gap. I'm telling you that my 16" KDWs will blow away any cheap 17" tire and even some not cheap ones like any Goodyear.

Also, since you will compensate the increased wheel diameter by sing a smaller tire sidewall height, you really are not filling up the wheel well any more. The best way to do this is with lowering springs.

That said without any more info from you, I'd get new Bridgestone Potenza RE730 in your 205/55R16 size and save the rim money for lowering spring to get the best look and performance.

[This message has been edited by APT CSVT (edited March 23, 2001).]

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I did this mod except I went from a P215-50-16 BFG KDW to the P21-45-ZR17. I was also told that this was the safest tire size to go to w/o any kinda mods. The wheels are Millie Miglia Cellos 17x7.5 mounted on Nitto Extreme 450's. I wanted the BFG KDW tires because they look and handle GREAT but its wasn't in the budget after I bought the rims and tires, the BFG KDW were $300.00 more for the set and I just couldn't afford that The ride is the same and they handle great, also the Nitto Extreme tires have the same temp/traction and wear #-300 as the BFG KDW but with one advantage...M+S capabilities

Roger R
2000 SVT
#1253 of 2150
US Mondeo@aol.com

I went with 215/17/40's, i love the tires traction but you do get some rubbing. I even shaved some of wheel-well inside to give some clearence. But every now and than ill get a bit of rubbing. Comes with the performance. After shaving a bit off, i dont think you'll have to worry about tire tread wear. But your thinking 45's so it might be a bit different. I happy with the sacrafice.

------------------
Silver 98 SVT Contour
Eibach Pro Kit
Niche Pultec 17"
Toyo Proxes 225/17/40
Shaved Wheel wells
19mm Front Sway
21mm Rear Progress Tech.
Superchips
Auto Meter Pro Shift Light
Extrude Honed
Stripped Resonater
Street Scene Free Flow Exhaust
Weapon R air filter
(Soon to be Injen Tech Cold Air Intake)
Oki Doki Signs Vinyl Graphics
Clarion/Sounstream/Kicker

Uh, rubbing comes with performance? Funny, I
had always thought rubbing came with a poorly
fitted tire...

I guess those 996 Turbos must REALLY rub!

T.

god, those cellos look so nice on contours. i'm pretty satisfied with my stock rims though. ('98 zetec sport)

[Replying to APT CSVT's post]

I plan on using my original rims for winter tires, and since I'm out to buy new rims/tires, I want to weigh the pro's and cons of going from the 16"->17" rims, since the cost differiential is relatively small between either choice.

I'm not interested in filling up wheel gaps, as the diameter is the same with the 205/55-16 and 215/45-17. I'm more interested in whether (a) it fits without rubbing (b) improves the handling/responsiveness at all and (c) doesn't kill ride comfort.

In essence, if I'm going to purchase a new set of rims/tires and have these two choices, which choice have people been most satisfied with- staying with the stock size, or the 215-45-17 plus-size? The tires I'd choose will be same regardless of which rim size I go with.

Thanks!

-Jeff

To try to speak to those points...

Moving to a 45 profile tire *will* improve
the overall responsiveness. A shorter and
stiffer sidewall will provide this, and the
effect will be even further enhanced by good
tire selection (for example, a desigh with a
solid center rib).

Moving to 215/45/17 on a non-lowered car (I
am assuming you are using an approved wheel)
should NOT rub. Tire Rack will guarantee the
fitment if you buy this size from them with a
reasonable wheel choice. I have heard that a
few people rub with this size at the 38-40 mm
offset mark when lowered, but that is it...

You *will* incur some ride quality loss, but
a good tire can help offset this. It will not
be a jaw-shattering ride simply by going from
a 16" wheel to a 17" wheel. If worried, pick
a tire like the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 which is
very highly rated for maintaining a good ride
quality in lower profile sizes.

T.

Jeff,

Well, TimD is right on the money. Plus sizing with the same tire given a smaller sidewall height should improve steering response and could have less rollover therefore keeping more tread flat on the road. As for experiences, most people when bying new rims either buy bigger (for summer) or smaller (for winter). 215/45R17 looks perfect to me on a Contour. Money aside, I'd go for 17's with Bridgstone Potenza RE730.

However, even if rims are not much more in 17 vs 16, tires almost always are. Up to $25 per tire and that's and extra $100 every 2-3 years. Don't know how much of a factor that is, just keeping you informed. I think either route you go with a good summer only tire like the KDW or RE730, you're going to speeding up for every turn.

As for rubing, 215 should be fine as many have 225s. When you order at Tirerack, talk to Luke and he'll make sure you get the right offset.

Aaron

Thanks Jada for the complements

Roger R