Hey Bret, related to what bill said about the 45 series tire..
I just used a tire calculator. Using a 225/45/16 tire & compared with 215/50/16 on the 99SVT, the tire height goes from 24.46" to 23.97". This would increase the final drive ratio from 4.06 to 4.13. That plus a bit less radius inertia should get a quicker 1/4 mile. You'll still have to shift to 4th but you'll get there quicker. Also a bit less sidewall height = less flex = a bit better handling too. Speedo would read only 2.5 MPH higher at 100MPH. Only downsides I see are a bit more fenderwell gap (.25 inches) so this would work best with lowering springs.


1999 Amazon Green SVT Contour (#554/2760)
Stock SVT Duratec V6 with:
Intake- K&N filter/75mm MAF meter
Exhaust- MSDS Y-pipe/Bassani catback
Durability-Ford "dual mode" damper, Mobil 1/K&N oil filter
179.2 FWHP at 6900 RPM