Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track Question about autocross TIRES and WHEELS! help!

Hi, I'm a newbie to the world of autocross, I am thinking about taking my Contour GL out for a spin - Please excuse my stupid question - I was wondering if anyone could help me out...

I know to remain eligible for the stock category, you can only put on wheels that are the same size and diameter as factory options. Does that mean I could put SVT rims and wheels on my 4-cylinder contour GL? Or would that make me run in a mofidied/prepared category? Thanks for the help

--Nick

'98 Contour GL
'00 SVT Contour

IIRC you can't cherry pick parts from a different option package on a model line, it's all or nothing. That being said, just go out and have some fun; if you wanna do it on SVT wheels then so be it.

You have to find out if the 4-cylinder GL was available with 16" wheels, and if so were they 16x6.5"? Then you have to find out if it was part of an options package or if you could just add them normally. If it was part of an option package you must have those options installed to be able to use the wheels legally. If it wasn't part of a package you're ok.

I'd say if you could get the car originally with 16x6.5's then locally you'd be ok without following all that other BS I just listed. Go out and have fun no mater what class you're in though!

Welcome to the CEG Nick!
There are no stupid questions! If you ask a question someone will always help you out.
Autocross is so much fun. Just go out and have a great time.

Thanks for the welcome. I actually used to be a member way back in the day, but I guess since then the accounts have erased? Anyways, even though I've had a contour for a while, I'm totally new to autocross! Im planning to attend my first event in a month or so. I was wondering if you guys had any advice for tires for autocross. I've decided to upgrade my dinky 14 inch wheels and go with Contour SE 7 spoke rims (15 inch, 6.5) ... any advice for tires? I'm debating between the recommended stock 205/60/15 and 215s, any one with experience have advice? Thanks guys

--Nick

Welcome to Autocross! We have been using a Mystique for autocross for the last 3 years. Lots of success, lots of disapointments, but a great time had by all. The first 2 years we were on the learning curve and using Street tires. This is our R-compound year! We are sticking lots better and keeping up with the rest of the G/Stock class. (2.5 V6 w/5 speed 135,000miles) We are about $750.00 in upkeep, and tires (Mobil 1 oil) we are doing well. Largest cost WaterPump (impeller exploded) while on course @ 115,000 miles. These usually go @ 60,000 miles. Looks like you are looking @ H/Stock which is an excellent class for the GL. But go out and have fun and get past the Learning Curve before you invest and money on tires and wheels. Watch your tire pressure close and keep your street tires from rolling over, they will last for the first year, just go have fun.

You could stay with 14" or 15". I don't think a 16" wheels was any sort of option for a non-SVT Contour.

Let me offer a rationale for the smaller diameter wheels. You can accelerate them easier than the typically heavier 16" combination.

So effectively, with the widest lowest profile tire you can fit on you wheels, you should get an effectively lower gear ratio, which means you car will be a bit quicker off the line, and should accelerate a bit quicker.

And if this combination is also lighter, that will improve your handling as well.

The thing you have to be concerned with is does such a combination have enough load rating to safely support your vehicle.

Of course I'm telling you all of this with 17's on my SVT. But then I bought a 17" wheel that is about 5 pounds lighter than the factory 16" wheel that came with my car.

But if you are looking to stay in a stock class, I'd look into the lowest, widest tires you can safely run, perhaps on a 15" wheel as the best compromise. I think, but can't verify, that the 15" wheel was an option for the GL. But as others mentioned, I don't know if it was a standalone option or part of a package.

Oh, when I say the widest, I don't mean stretching the tires to get them on, a P205 is probably the best choice for the factory wheel, and you might get a P215 on there, but with a low profile, it may not work. (Say something radical like a 215-45/15 if such a tire exists.)

If I were spending your money, I'd probably buy Falken Azenis Sports in a 205-50/15, unless you were buying DOT tires for AutoX only.

Best wishes

TB

how do stock 4 cyl/slightly modded 4 cyl 'tours do in auto-x?