Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires 225/45/16 tires...anyone tried this?

Yeah, I was also thinking that a 225/50 would make the speedo off by more of a percentage than a 225/45.
That said, I think I'm still going to stick with the KDWs. I can't find any other company that makes a 215/50/16 (BF makes that euro radial thing, right? it sucks, there's no way I'd down grade to that tire).

Ive thought about this too..
Cons,
1) increased wheelwell gap (could still be fine with lower springs). Diameter will be 23.97 inches vs 24.46 inches stock so gap will increase about .25 inch.
2) May not fit (but my guess is they would)
3) Speedo off trivially (will read 2.5 MPH high at 100 MPH)

Pro
1) Possible more tire contact patch (iffy because 6.5 inch wheel is borderline for 225 mm crosssection
2) Car will be quicker (No doubt about it)! You effectively shorten final drive from 4.06 to 4.13.

If I had the BAT springs, I might do this

Not to mention sharper steering response. I am running 225/50-16 all season on my OEM E1 rims and constant G pulls pretty damned well, but the intitial bite in a turn is lessened due to the excess sidewall (it bubbles out nicely, looks cool, but definitely loosing a bit of intitial turn force). The 225/45 will offer much quicker response than a 225/50 (especially if it's a true performer rather than my Dunlop SP5000, nice, but still all seasons!) I've been debating 225/40-16 on 7" rims (SSR's preferrably) loose the weight, increase the drive ration, plus have that quick steering response. Look pretty poor due to the wheel well gap, but I'd think the performance would be pretty nice. The speedo would be even more off of course, but for track use, who cares?

Chris

i just purchased a set of dunlop sp 8000's 225 50 r 16 on a set of 7.5 rims has anyone run this combo with the wider rim