Tire size and how they act?

[svobrown]

Looking at new tires and want to know about size. I know the first # is how wide the tire is. 245/ 50/ 16
I know the second # is the thickness from ground to wheel.

I have read that most of the stock svo's can run this tire with no problems.
Is the tire that much better than the stock 225/50/16 or can another size do a better job at keeping me from sliding around on slick pavement (parking lots)?

Just want the bigger footprint and less roll in the slow corners like autocross.
Looking for 245/45/16 but wonder if the tire stays flat on the pavement.

Its hard to ask the right question on this, just don't want a fat tire that is going to need more air pressure to keep the tread flat on the ground.

[under pressure]

I've run 245/45/16 yokohamas with 225/50/16 up front. I didn't have any rubbing problems, and the rear didn't get as loose as it did with the 225's. When it was time to rotate I put the 245's in front and the 225's in back. That worked well also with no problems. For the with of the stock wheel a 245/45/16 would be the largest tire to run as going bigger(plus 2) would not be benifical and might even pull back a little on the handling. I think the 245's on the rear help reduce the oversteer with the SVO. On the front I think the 225's work best with just enough understeer. You'll need some good rubber when you run at Barber Motosport Park! With your engine you'll be hitting 130mph on the back straight!

[NavySVO]

Kerry,

The tire compound is more important than the width when looking for what you want. Of course 20mm is definately an improvement, but if the tire is not soft enough, you could be running 315's all day long and be sliding just as bad.

[svobrown]

Kerry,

The tire compound is more important than the width when looking for what you want. .

I am looking at a 280 tread wear. may even go with a 200 tread wear. I don't drive a lot in the svo, the last set of 320 tread wear lasted 6 years and are showing signs of dry rot now.

Like the idea on the larger tire on back. I may do that this time.

[SVO4PWR2]

I know the second # is the thickness from ground to wheel.

i want to make sure we're on the same page. let take a P225 60 R 16
P = passenger
225 = 225 centimeter across
60 = the sidewall is 60% of the 225
R = radial
16 = rim/wheel

hth -RICH-

[jayG]

[QUOTE=SVO4PWR2]

I know the second # is the thickness from ground to wheel.[/QUOTE

i want to make sure we're on the same page. let take a P225 60 R 16
P = passenger
225 = 225 centimeter across
60 = the sidewall is 60% of the 225
R = radial
16 = rim/wheel

hth -RICH-

That would be 225 mm or 22.5 cm across

[Ken Potter]

I'm may be offbase here but I've always heard that the more perpendicular the sidewall is to the ground based on rim width gives the best response / handling. The 225 is almost straight up and down and is why Ford probably put this size on the SVO to begin with from the factory. The wider tread of a 245 may increase the tire contact patch but when sideloaded in a corner the sidewall can "flip" ( sorry only way I can describe ) from being angled out on both sides from the bead to being angled under or pushed out from under the center line of the rim. When unloaded it snaps back to the original postion causing less control as the sidewall flexes back and forth. I'm not a professional "racing tire" person by any means so if anybody disagrees I'll listen. I think Mr. Fleming is probably the best person to ask about this... if he ever comes back home from his test drive?

[bendutro]

You're right Ken, the effect is magnified by sidewall height too. The wider tire isn't a bad idea, but there is so much flex in the suspension that a wider tire can hurt handling rather than help it if you haven't stiffened the chassis up first.

Let's look at the cost of 4 new tires, best case let's say you spend $500.. pretty good deal for 245 performance rubber. Those 5 bills could get you a K-member brace, subframes, new rear control arms and a shock tower brace which may be all you need to make the 225s stick better.

Suspension mods last longer than tires too... JMHO.

[SVO4PWR2]

JayG your right...i didnt have my coffee when posted

-RICH-

[svobrown]

Now this is the stuff that I like to hear. I found some 160aa tread wear tires in the 225/45/16 cheap. Sumitomo HTR Z
Thanks Rich for the correct way to size the tires. Did not know the % thing.
I am trying the 245/45/60 in back and may go with 2 more of the 225/45 later if it shows the problems.
321.20 shipped, Now that is cheap. Paid extra for the Fedex shipping!
Tire rack.
Thanks

[90lx86svo]

Look at the specs of the tires tires you are looking at (from the manufacturers website or on tire rack). They vary greatly with different tire makers. I am running 245/45/16 Khumo 711 on my 86. I had an original Gatorback 225 laying around and they where the same width.

[under pressure]

The tread wear rating on the tires is that manufactors own rating there is not and industry standard for tread wear ratings. That's a good price and they should work well when you're running at Barber MSP!

[NavySVO]

Paid extra for the Fedex shipping!

Kerry,

PUT THE CAMERA BY THE FRONT DOOR AND GET THE FEDEX GIRL'S PIC!!

[svobrown]

Pics'

Sorry, it was the other guy that runs the route this time so no pic of the ladies.
The Sumitomo HTR Z 225/45/16 look real small compared to the 225/50/16 that were on it.
The 245/45/16 in the rear are just a bit wider than the kumho's that were on it. I don't think it will rub at all. I should be able to lower the front a good 1.5" and never touch the tires.

[Ken Potter]

I can almost smell them from here!