Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Need Input On Tire Selection/Sizing

Hey guys,

It's getting time to replace tires on my SVT and I always loved the stock KDW's that came with car, but have since upgraded to 17"x7" Konig Ziege's rims, so BFG doesn't offer the KDW's in P215/40 R17.

When I originally put on the 17's, I used new Yokohama Parada's and they sucked. I upgraded to what I currently have, Pirelli SP7000 P215/40 ZR17 79W M+S, and they are better than the SP7000's, but still can't compare to the dry and wet traction (or anything else) of the KDW's.

I couldn't care less about snow traction even though it'd be nice here in MI, and treadlife would be nice too, but, I'd sacrifice for something comparable to the KDW's.

I'd like to keep the lower profile look and don't mind going wider. Can I maybe do some kind of "spacer" to make some available KDW size work?

What do you guys recommend? And if you can, give me an idea of a fair price too, because I know how the locals try to pad the price initially...

I run the Firestone SZ 50 EP in a 215/45-17 so I know that size is available.

They rock in both wet and dry, but I got the car stuck in the little "drainage divot" at the end of my FIL's driveway in the snow at Christmas. (Only a 2 or 3" deep little culvert, BTW)

Might look at the Bridgestone S-03's as well. I believe they compare favorably to the KDW's. I just don't know if they are available in the 40 aspect ratio.

Actually, re-reading your post, I'm a bit worried about the 40 series with the weight rating of your tires. Each tire is rated for only 1074#. If you figure your car has a 60/40 Front/Back weight distribution and weighs roughly 3100# at rest (not to mention a bit more when you and any passengers are in there.) You have approximately 930# sitting on each of the front tires.

As soon as you stop or turn, I'm pretty sure you are overloading a tire.

You may never have a problem, but then again...

If I were you, I'd look into the 215/45-17 simply because you get a bit more load rating (87 1201#), and even then, run the tires a bit higher than the SVT recommended 35 PSI.

If you have an E1 SVT, the original tires had a load rating of 89 or about 1279# each tire. My E0 came with 205/55-16's load rated at 91 or 1356# each tire.

HTH,

TB

Alright, I got impatient and looked on DiscountTire.com and TireRack.com. First, I see more choices in my current size than I was lead to believe I had from Discount Tire.

About the size, can I fit P225/40 R17 w/o issues? I know I lose just a tad on profile, but not much and I get closer to OEM diameter, and a little more space between my rims and potholes (been a never-ending issue of bent rims) and I think fits my 7" rims better.

Decent reviewed tires by CSVT owners:
P215/40 R17
Kumho Ecsta MX $113
Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 $88

Tires available on DiscountTire.com:
P225/40 R17
Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance $149

Check out tirerack.com as well and re-read my post. I added what I felt was some inportant information about load ratings.

I'm not sure I'd run with a 215/40-17 because of its much lesser load rating.

HTH,

TB

215/40 is rather small compared to stock. 215/45 is right on for speedo. Anyway, I just got some S-03's in 225/45R17 on 17x7" rims last week. Not much chance to test them, but they look better IMO that the 215/45 I had before. And I'm sure they are much better tires that what I had before. Anyway, I would think 225/40 would fit on your rim fine if a shop got 215/40 on there.

Of those you listed, stay away from the Kumho 712 if you liekd the KDW. While it is a good tire at a great price, it is far away in terms of road feel and grip from the KDW. The Kumho MX is what I'd pick from your list.

But I'd pick a different size and get a better tire. The tire make more of difference than the size. The two TB suggested are tops in their categories. If you can handle less tread life, the Falkin Azenis Sport is rather cheap and ultimate grip.

Aaron,

Any comments on the load rating concerns?

I felt this was pretty important. Am I concerned for nothing?

TB

Sorry, I honestly didn't pay attention to the part about the load rating being an issue. Now that I look at it, I agree. Stay away from the 83 rating. The SVT is about 3100 curb weight. The door jam should say somewhere around 4000 as the max weight including passengers and cargo. The Contour is about 63-64% front weight biased. Having a max load you are well over the rating of the front tires. The load ratings do include the weight transfers under braking for example because there is a lot more force than a couple hundred pounds. But, I would really stay away from the 215/40R17 stricly for the load rating issue as Tony said.

You think the sidewall is too tall on 215/45R17? I think it is too short, at least with a stock ride height. I'll have to take a picture of 215/45R17 next to a 225/45R17 for you. I have many pictures of the stock 215/45 tires, specifically this one that shows how little protection there is for the 7" wide rim. I really didn't like how it looked, or the protection. Like I said, I'll have to get a pic of the new tires because IMO it looks a lot better. I understand that you want a specific look, as did I.

No 225/40R17 on Tirerack. One on Discount, Nitto 555. I don't know anyone who uses Nittos in any kind of racing environment. It may be a good tire, but I don't hear much about them besides from people that put them on cars that used to have 14" wheels. Of course they will be better than the T-rated crap they had before.

215/45 or 225/45 is what I'd get size wise.

The KWD is a grat tire. It was either the best or second best I ever had, but the only set on my SVT so hard to judge. The tires that I have heard are at least equal and quieter are:

Michelin Pilot Sport
Yok AVS Sport
Yok Parada Spec 2
Falkin Azenis Sport (dry only and very short trear life)
Bidgestone Potenza S-02 & S-03 Pole Position
Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP
Maybe the new Yok AVS ES100
And there is a new Goodyear tire that looks very impressive, the F1 GS-D3

Why not run a 225-40-17 instead, that way you can get those cool new KDW2's. I have the P215-45-17 KDW for the summer and think they are some of the best lookin', best performing and longest lasting perf tires out there. I know theres some tires that hook up better, sound better, look better, handle/brake better but overall I don't think you can beat them, IMO

my advice , got with the 215/45R17 size. Original size has a load index of 89.This works out to a load capacity of 1213lbs.@32psi.The 215/45R17 has aload index of 87. This works out to 1135lbs.@32psi.Car weighs approximately, what, say 3200lbs.With the 64% on front, as mentioned in another post, this is 2048lbs. on front axle. With the 215/45R17 at 32psi this gives you 1135lbs. each tire for a total of 2270lbs. capacity.This gives you a margin of 222lbs. Of course this does not take into account your weight, or the weight of any passengers. If you keep pressure at 35psi., this will increase load capacity to 1201lbs. per tire, for a total weight capacity of 2402, which will give you a margin of 354lbs.So two people in car at 175lbs. each would max out your margin.This still does not take into account any other weight .Personally , I would go for the 215/45R17. Best of all, BFG makes the g-Force T/A KDW in this size. Since you seem to be stuck on this tire, this would seem to be the way to go.
Price on this tire? check Tire Rack or whomever you wish, but to give you a ballpark, I would sell this tire at around $200 each (I am a sales mgr). my market is NJ, just to give you an idea of market I am in.