Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires 205 or 215 or 225, which one?

Ok, after reading a few posts today, I'm confused again. Some say that 225s work great on the stock SVT rims, and some say they rub. Other say that 215s are the max you can put on the car. I guess I'd like to change the discussion.

What is causing the rub, is it the section width of the tire, or the tread width? Taking a look at different tires, they all seem to have different tread widths for the same section width (205/215/225).

So, assuming that the section width is not the part that is rubbing, my question is what is the maximum width in INCHES for the tread that you can put on a stock SVT rim without rubbing?

Table of various different tread widths.

205/55 R16

Bridgestone RE730 7.1"
Firehawk SZ50 EP 6.5"
BFG g-Force KDW 6.2"
Goodyear Eagle HP+ 7.7"

215/50 R16

BFG g-Force KDW 7.2"

225/50 R16

Bridgestone RE730 7.9"
Firehawk SZ50 EP 7.0"
BFG g-Force KDW 7.2"
Goodyear Eagle HP+ 8.3"

Information take from TireRack

Widths are tread widths.

maximum tire widths for 205 (8.4"), 215 (8.6"), and 225 (9.2")


Thanks for all comments.

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

[This message has been edited by ryanwoodsvt (edited March 27, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by ryanwoodsvt (edited March 27, 2001).]

Actually, tread widths vary quite a bit from
tire to tire. Compare the tread width from a
Bridgestone S-02 Pole Position with that from
a Yokohama AVS Sport or Bridgestone RE730 for
example. You will see a notable variation.

The reason for the varying answers, IMHO, is
the variable quality control, fit and finish,
and factory tolerances/clearances on our Ford
vehicles. The same wheel and tire fits a bit
different on different Contours. Hell, I have
heard of some people with rubbing right from
the factory. Due to the fact that our cars do
not have a ton of clearance under the fenders
any variations there can mean the difference
between rubbing and not rubbing.

My question... do we really need 225s on our
cars? Fat rubber looks hot and all, but best
handling comes from a well-chosen tire width.
BMW has been catching a lot of flak from the
automotive press lately for the optional 255s
on their 330Ci/330i cars; they fit them to a
lot of the cars they give out for road tests,
and the verdict seems to be that they're just
too much. Wider tires are also heavier...

T.

[This message has been edited by timd (edited March 27, 2001).]

Good question. There were two reasons why I wanted to move up to the 225. First was the looks of a wider tire, but second was performance. I assumed that if I got more rubber touching the road that it would increase grip. However, by your statement above, it might increase grip, but also increase weight, which could in return offset the advantage??? Is that what you're saying?

I'm just saying that anything you do below
the axle usually represents a compromise of
some sort.

T.

I had the 225's for my snow tires this winter, the Yokahama Guardex 600's and they DIDN'T rub! The clearance was checked while it was in the air AND on the ground...NO RUBBING

Roger R

Howdy,
I have a 99 SVT with 225-50/16 Bridgestone RE730's and they fit just fine. I was going crazy just like you getting all confused so I know where you are coming from. The only thing is they are really bad in the snow if this is a concern.
Good Luck

I went a got a set of Dunlop SP5000 225/50/16 they fit fine no rubbing and i could tell a huge dif btw the stock g-force
better ride and control. I noticed a huge gain of traction in the rain. Havent really drove it in the snow so couldent help ya their. If your looking for a new setup i strongly suggest the dunlops.

------------------
00 svt silver
#1254 of 2150
painted grills
center resonater removed
-------------------------
soon to be
kkm air and oil cap
eibach

Pic of the dunlops
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1416270&a=10591625&p=45120432[/img]

------------------
00 svt silver
#1254 of 2150
painted grills
center resonater removed
-------------------------
soon to be
kkm air and oil cap
eibach

Be carefull when you look at those tread width stats, the rim width can affect it. A .5 inch increase/decrease in rim width will change tread contact width by .2 inch.