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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5 |
I'd like to get some advice on rims. I would love to have a set of 17", but (if I have to be realistic) I'd settle for 16". No matter what it's better than the 195/60R14s that are on my '98 SE right now. If I settled for 16", I'd really like SVT style rims, but anything with a nice five spoke design would do. Do you guys happen to know if you switch out these rims for a larger size, would it screw up the speedometer? Or if I was to switch them out for the SVT sized 215/5016s would this be done without screwing up the speedo? Does anyone who has switched out rims know? Also can anyone give me any advice on what brand rims are good and reliable? Or perhaps were to find factory rims (like those SVTs) for a decent price? Even a set of those multi-spoke stock 15" rims would be better than what I have now...any advice?
Nick De Palma
1998 Ford Contour
Black SE-V6 MTX
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,585
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,585 |
Wow, many questions. Plus sizing as it is often called usually compensates the increased wheel diameter by decreasing the profile of the tire. The following link should help you out immensely. Plug in your current tire/wheel sizes. Then change the rim diameter to 15, 16 or 17 and you can play with the sizes to get the cloestet possible tire circumfrence. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html Another excellent site is www.tirerack.com. They not only offer a wide selection, but outstanding customer suppport and usually the best prices. The following link will show your '98 SE and Tirerack's available wheels. http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_garage/W...E&autoYear=1998 Aaron
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,086
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,086 |
Nicholas,
As APT CSVT pointed out, a Plus sizing would allow you to increase your wheel diameter & tire width by retaining the approximate overall height of the wheel/tire combination you have currently, thus avoiding any misreading of the speedometer.
For example, you state your current combo is a 195/60-14.
A Plus One upgrade would then increase the wheel diameter by 1.00 inch (14 to 15), increase the tread width by 10mm (195 to 205) & lower the aspect ratio by 10 (60 to 50).
Likewise a Plus Two upgrade would equate to a 215/40-17.
However, there are exceptions to every rule & therefore you can substitute different aspect ratios into either of these upgrades.
For example, the Plus One could easily accommodate a 55 series tire & the Plus Two a 45 series tire as alternatives.
You might contact Luke @ The Tire Rack for more professional advice.
1999 SVT Contour, #2140 of 2760, Tropic Green - Medium Prairie Tan
Koni Sport struts; TSW Blade wheels; Nakamichi, a/d/s/, Boston Acoustics, Infinity I.C.E.
1989 Saleen Mustang, #89-0408, too many mods to list here
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,585
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,585 |
Originally posted by SVT Contour:
Likewise a Plus Two upgrade would equate to a 215/40-17. 17" would be a plus three for his 14" rims, but the point is valid and the rest is excellent.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,086
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Posts: 1,086 |
Geez, I did it again. In my previous post I erroneously stated the Plus Two upgrade would be a 215/40-17 with an alternative of 215/45-17. I should have said 215/40-16 with an alternative of 215/45-16. I really should pay more attention to what I am actually typing.  Furthermore, the OEM combo for the SVT Contour is 215/50-16 so this would also work as a Plus Two upgrade.
1999 SVT Contour, #2140 of 2760, Tropic Green - Medium Prairie Tan
Koni Sport struts; TSW Blade wheels; Nakamichi, a/d/s/, Boston Acoustics, Infinity I.C.E.
1989 Saleen Mustang, #89-0408, too many mods to list here
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