|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 59
CEG\'er
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 59 |
I've got a stock E0 98 SVT (stock suspension, stock 16 in. rims) and it needs tires. The previous owner put 205(?)/60-16's on the car for a better ride quality (lame). Should I go back to the origional 205/55-16 stock size, or should I go to a 215/50-16 or 225/50-16? I checked the Tire Size Calculator and the 215/50's are off by 1.7%, and the 225/50's are off by .1%...so I'd rather go with the 225/50's. However, herein lies the problem of possible rubbing. I've been through the forums and I know that there have been a bunch of forums about this already and I'm sorry for posting this subject again, but I was wondering if I could get some imput from some people with the 98 E0 SVT. I'm wondering if the rubbing problem is maybe restricted to later models (E1) or something. Also, is the stock size for 98's good for handling already? Will going to 225/50's instead of 205/55's actually improve handling preformance at all? Is it worth it to risk the rubbing? I'd rather not deal with rubbing if the handling preformance gain is negligible.
Thanks!
98 Black Contour SVT
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,194
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,194 |
I had no rubbing when I had my old 225/50/16s on, even with 4 people in the car. The tires will fill up more of the wheelwell but it shouldn't be too bad.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768 |
I'm on second set of 225. I had stock suspension and now I have BAT kit. Mine rubs in front in parking lot turns, but SVT has different tie rods so that may not even be a problem. I used to rub against the rear liner w/ ppl in the back on stockers, but not anymore. as far as performance gain... you probably loose cornering ability compared to 215 (by either going 205 or 225) because the sidewall is no longer straight. you probably gain some traction by going to 225. in other words, quality of the tire matters much more than the width, imho. for street applications anyway. 225 looks cool, I grant you 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867 |
Originally posted by alex_96GL:
I'm on second set of 225. I had stock suspension and now I have BAT kit. Mine rubs in front in parking lot turns, but SVT has different tie rods so that may not even be a problem. I used to rub against the rear liner w/ ppl in the back on stockers, but not anymore.
as far as performance gain... you probably loose cornering ability compared to 215 (by either going 205 or 225) because the sidewall is no longer straight. you probably gain some traction by going to 225. in other words, quality of the tire matters much more than the width, imho. for street applications anyway.
225 looks cool, I grant you
what alex is trying to say is:
The wider tire will give slower initial steering response, and less precise control, but more total grip. It's a tradeoff.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768 |
Originally posted by RogerB:
what alex is trying to say is:
The wider tire will give slower initial steering response, and less precise control, but more total grip. It's a tradeoff.
this is more than likely what I had in mind...
 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693 |
I also have a 98 SVT. It happens to be an E0, but I don't think that matters.
I have had 225/50R16 tires on it since the first time they needed to be replaced. I never had any rubbing issues until about 180,000 miles, and even now it is only ocassionally from the rear with a lot of weight or over extreme bumps. Clearance is tight but adequate. I'm very happy with them.
Since 215/50R16 is a slightly unusual size, you will have a much better selection looking at either 205/55R16 or 225/50R16. Any of the three sizes will serve you well.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,469
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,469 |
Originally posted by alex_96GL:
I'm on second set of 225. I had stock suspension and now I have BAT kit. Mine rubs in front in parking lot turns, but SVT has different tie rods so that may not even be a problem.
I wounder how bad this would be with H&R's
i need new tires and i was def. thinking about running 225's
Was it rubing only when you were turning the wheel to lock?
And was it rubbing the fender or just the plastic?
98 csvt t-red.. sho-shop intake, b&m, fidanza, spec1 clutch, Torsen, DMD,optimized Y& TB, Brullen, rear strut bar,h&r's,17" konig traffik's.
"I say what I mean and I do what i say"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768 |
it's not the fender and it's not the plastic (not any more), actually. but yes it's only when I turn to lock: it rubs the inner edge of the tire against the subframe (or some part of the body near SF, I can't be sure w/o looking, but you get the idea).
can't say anything about H&R, but most likely that spot will get in the way no matter what the drop is. from what I read on the board (I think Big Jim mentioned it elsewhere) SVT locks a tad earlier to avoid rubbing in that spot w/ 215...
it's not too big a deal, imho
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 638
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 638 |
225/50/16's work fine with H&R's as long as your rear struts are good, otherwise you'll bottom the quarters on the wheels with any significant bump, or people in the back, at least in my experience with this combination.
87 Mustang GT 5.0L TURBO
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,469
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,469 |
Originally posted by Pope:
225/50/16's work fine with H&R's as long as your rear struts are good, otherwise you'll bottom the quarters on the wheels with any significant bump, or people in the back, at least in my experience with this combination.
See my struts are pretty bad, But the stockers have already worn a hole the rear dirt shields. So im not too worried about that.
I was more worried about them rubbing the actual fender, I dont want to have to roll the fenders. The dirt shields wont cut holes in the tires like fenders will. 
98 csvt t-red.. sho-shop intake, b&m, fidanza, spec1 clutch, Torsen, DMD,optimized Y& TB, Brullen, rear strut bar,h&r's,17" konig traffik's.
"I say what I mean and I do what i say"
|
|
|
|
|
