As a former Furd Parts Techie, mod'd 'tour owner, and dedicated gadfly:

the "electronics" could give a damn less -- ECU just assumes you like running @ higher revs all the time!

Rubber mallet: presume Stazi is ref-ing banging in the lip on fender; works, but your local tire shop probably has a tool to actually roll the lip under, which is infinitely aesthetically more pleasing.

worried about rub? == a. measure your existing clearance w/wheels neutral (straight ahead), full right AND full left. Be sure to check inside [duh, back side of tires when looking at 'em from shiny side of car] as well as outside clearances. b. in each postion, also have cousin Bubba {250 pounds, no teeth & IQ to match wheel diameter} depress the suspension (gently sit on the corner) so's ya kin check when suspension deflected -- if'n ur real brave, have him bounce a bit while you have the tape measure in there. NOW: if using same rims, you can kinda fairly accurately judge what your new clearance will be if you check your new tire's section thickness (NOT just tread width); if you're plus sizing, make sure you have all your figures checked carefully for offset, as well as tread width & section width. Almost all manufacturers provide both measurements in their real spec sheets.

"oh it's too hard and uncomfy" -- refuse to comment. Go borrow your Uncle egbert's 1967 MG Midget or Bugeye and take a ten mile ride on most representative interstates: if the expansion joints don't knock your hemorrhoids off and change your pitch an octave, then come back & whine about a hard ride -- handling often has it's own price. Also -- put GOOD struts & springs on when doing a tire aspect-ratio change -- I personally can recommend Terry Haines "Koni ST200 kit". Firm but a five hundred mile stint still leaves the kidneys & gonads where they began.

If wide tread for nominal size is important & snow don't fly often, I also can't recommend Bridgestone S03's enough, unless tire wear is a major concern -- then go see Manny & rest of the pep boys for your 80000 miles bowling balls on rims.

My $0.02

Last edited by SeiCoRacing; 09/03/02 01:57 AM.

SCCA WOR/OVR/NEOh Regions Race Control Marshall #53 Silver Street Touring S '98 Contour GL; 2.5l-5 spd Koni Kit - Sport Struts w/progressive sport springs from HMS!! Custom 24-mm Rear Sway also from Terry BAT Camber/Caster through HMS PF Spherical Ball End Links Bridgestone S-03's Grizzly Clutch lightened SVT flywheel (Thanks KnuConceptz) DMD from incomparable Terry Haines! K&N & Dynomax Mintex pads Chris Hightower Rear Strut Tower Bar