Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires 225/50/16s on SVT wheels in the snow??

I was thinking about getting some Dunlop SP Sport A2 tires for the new SVT E1 wheels Im about to purchase. Since they don't make those tires in the stock 215/50/16 size, I thought of widening them a bit instead. I was just wondering if anyone has these tires or at least this size and uses them all season in areas like Michigan where you get a lot of unexpected snow and ice and how they perform under these conditions.

Thanks
Brian

Well you can do it. I saw those exact same tires on a perfect 00 silver svt at the Manheim Auto Auction. All that really tells ya though is that it is possible to do it, I can't really tell ya if they rubbed or anything, hence I only saw the car. Also, use the search and put in that tire size, a lot should come up under the tire section

About the snow, they prob suck in the snow, the wider your tire is, the less traction you will have, because you tire will have less weight per square inch, because there is more tire on the road. For mud, wider is better; for snow, narrow is better. The only thing that might possibly increase your ability to drive in snow with those tires is that the actual diameter is larger than stock, so you will have less torque at low RPM's, making it a little harder for your wheels to spin. If you are concerned about snow, I'd stay away from the 225's.

I've gotta disagree here. At the same air pressure, say 35psi you have the same number of square inches of rubber on the road. Let's use nice round numbers and say we have a 2800# car with ideal weight distribution of 700# per corner. A tire with 35psi will put 20 sqin of rubber on the road.

If we have a 4" wide tire, you will have a contact patch that is 4"wide x 5"long. Go about 25mm wider to a 5"wide tire and you have a 5"wide patch only 4"long.

It is harder for the wider patch to "cut" through the snow, so it simply rides on top, or has to push more snow out of the way. The narrower tire acts more like a tank tread, providing better traction in the snow, and probably rain also since water being evacuated from the tire has less distance to travel.

HTH

TB
Yes, I did pass my college Physics courses.

Just got those tires for my wifes car. They are very nice, quiet and seemed to do well in the snow. If you are worried about the snow go for 205/55/16. I have this size on my car in the dunlop 5000s. This is the size that originally came on the SVT. They don't look overly small. I think I will be going with the 225/50/16 in either the 5000s again or the KDWS both are a little more sport oriented and still all season. The A2s are a good deal and excellent tire.

I've heard of some people saying that they've had rubbing problems with the 225/50/16s and some say there's no problem at all...most of these people have SVTs however, and I have an SE Sport...I'm assuming that will make a difference, but for the better or worse?

Do you guys think I'll have a rubbing issue with them? If not, those are the ones I'm going to get.

If your at stock height you shoudn't have any problems! I don't!

-Andy

I have 225/50/16 Fulda Extremo tires on the stock SVT rims. I got stuck driving home in a heavy snow storm in NC last winter. I drove about 60 miles in about 4-6" of snow. Had no trouble at all. Of course I have the Quaife as well :p

Ok, I've been to Dunlop's site on the specs of the SP Sport A2...

http://www.dunloptire.com/products/tire.html?tire=sp_sport_a2

On there it specifically says not to attempt mounting of them on 16.5" rims. Isn't that what the SVT E1s are??

The rim is a 16. I think it is a 6.5 width but i am not positive. It is a little narrow for 225 but it is still fine. It seems all the posts I have read said it is fine with no rubbing.