Question about Fuchs on Targa: All 7s or 7s and 8s?

[Myami]

Hey Pelicans:

I’m looking for some advice, thoughts and opinions for my 84 Targa.

Currently, I have 16x6s up front (with a 5mm spacer) and 16x7s in the rear (with Porsche 21mm spacers). The rear looks great, but the front looks off, in my opinion. Pictures of my current setup are attached.

My question is: Should I go to 7s all around (keeping the spacers in the rear) or remove the spacers and go with 7s and 8s? All thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[Myami]

+Pictures

[Geronimo '74]

7 & 8 is the proper way to go

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Myami

Hey Pelicans:

I’m looking for some advice, thoughts and opinions for my 84 Targa.

Currently, I have 16x6s up front (with a 5mm spacer) and 16x7s in the rear (with Porsche 21mm spacers). The rear looks great, but the front looks off, in my opinion. Pictures of my current setup are attached.

My question is: Should I go to 7s all around (keeping the spacers in the rear) or remove the spacers and go with 7s and 8s? All thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

7 & 8, no spacers or even better 7 & 9 no spacers and 205/50// 245/45 tires

[darrin]

Counterpoint -- it won't really compromise anything to run 205/55-16f, 225/50-16 rear tires on 16x7 rims front/rear. A 16x8 rear wheel would let the rear tire's bead sit an inch wider, which is preferable, but suspect you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference. I also prefer the deeper look of my 16x8 rears over the 16x7 they replaced, but again . . .

If you needed to refinish the wheels, would make sense to do it right and get 16x8. However, since your rims look NICE, I wouldn't turn down a bargain deal on a nice set of 16x7s and run the 16x7 square with rear spacers

[Jdub]

I am running 7 x 9 with Bridgestone RE11's and they are the business.

[Myami]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

7 & 8 is the proper way to go

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

7 & 8, no spacers or even better 7 & 9 no spacers and 205/50// 245/45 tires

Originally Posted by darrin

Counterpoint -- it won't really compromise anything to run 205/55-16f, 225/50-16 rear tires on 16x7 rims front/rear. A 16x8 rear wheel would let the rear tire's bead sit an inch wider, which is preferable, but suspect you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference. I also prefer the deeper look of my 16x8 rears over the 16x7 they replaced, but again . . .

If you needed to refinish the wheels, would make sense to do it right and get 16x8. However, since your rims look NICE, I wouldn't turn down a bargain deal on a nice set of 16x7s and run the 16x7 square with rear spacers

Thanks, guys. I think you've persuaded me to go up to 7s and 8s. While square 7s would have probably worked fine for my all-street Targa, I recognize that it's an unconventional setup. That fact alone had me wavering. Fortunately, the tires on my current setup will convert right over--they're 205/55 and 225/50 Conti ECSs. Guess it really was something of a no-brainer after all.

And this means I will have a nice set of 6s and 7s in the Classifieds in the near future.

[Skepa122]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

7 & 8, no spacers or even better 7 & 9 no spacers and 205/50// 245/45 tires

What would be the advantage of the 9s in the back vs the 8s? It seems like they are a touch heavier and the width gets added to the inside of the wheel, if I am correct.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Skepa122

What would be the advantage of the 9s in the back vs the 8s? It seems like they are a touch heavier and the width gets added to the inside of the wheel, if I am correct.

The weight difference is ~1# and has no insignificant effect on anything, the big advantage is extra grip and lower torque loss from a 245/45 vs 225/50 tire, the edge that goes to tha 245/45 is ~5lb-ft, which is noticeable

[darrin]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

The weight difference is ~1# and has no insignificant effect on anything, the big advantage is extra grip and lower torque loss from a 245/45 vs 225/50 tire, the edge that goes to tha 245/45 is ~5lb-ft, which is noticeable

and a 245/45-16 will fit better on a 16x9 than a 16x8, right?

[Skepa122]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

The weight difference is ~1# and has no insignificant effect on anything, the big advantage is extra grip and lower torque loss from a 245/45 vs 225/50 tire, the edge that goes to tha 245/45 is ~5lb-ft, which is noticeable

We are probably splitting hairs but I think the comparison would be a 225/45 on a 8" vs. a 245/45 on a 9" rim. Anything note worthy there? About the same?

I think 1 of 2 tires cover these sizes and they are both track oriented, would the 245 on the 9 have any significant advantage over the slightly smaller in width 225/45s (which are maybe a touch lighter plus touch lighter rim)?

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Skepa122

We are probably splitting hairs but I think the comparison would be a 225/45 on a 8" vs. a 245/45 on a 9" rim. Anything note worthy there? About the same?

I think 1 of 2 tires cover these sizes and they are both track oriented, would the 245 on the 9 have any significant advantage over the slightly smaller in width 225/45s (which are maybe a touch lighter plus touch lighter rim)?

225/45 x16 is spec'd for a wheel width of 7 to 8.5

225/50 spec'd for a wheel width of 6 to 8.0

245/45 x16 is spec'd for a wheel width of 7.5 to 9.0

Max performance comes from a max width wheel, the closer to max the better he grip and responsiveness. The closer to min the more the sidewall ballons and the sloppier the tires response is. Is it a huge difference? No, Is it noticable? yes

Some people care others don't

[70SWT]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

7 & 8, no spacers or even better 7 & 9 no spacers and 205/50// 245/45 tires

+1. There is a reason the SC/Carrera rear flare is often referred to as a 9” flare. They is what they look best with IMHO.