1980 Porsche 911 SC tires

[1980 911 Bruce]

Tires for this 911 were originally smaller I believe. I have R15 rims that currently have 205/55 in front and 225/50 in the rear. I have been to NTB, Discount Tire and looked online at Tire Rack and others and there is no match for these anymore. Does anyone else have issues like this?

Bruce

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by 1980 911 Bruce

Tires for this 911 were originally smaller I believe. I have R15 rims that currently have 205/55 in front and 225/50 in the rear. I have been to NTB, Discount Tire and looked online at Tire Rack and others and there is no match for these anymore. Does anyone else have issues like this?

Bruce

Do you have 6 & 7 x15 or 7 & 8 x15?

911 of that era delivered w/ 7 & 8 x15 came w/ 185/70 & 21/60 tires

The only year & model that came w/ 7 & 8 x15 & 205/50 & 225/50 tires was 1976, Carrere 3.0, these also came w/ a modified speedometer because the tires were so short

If looking for those sizes today the following are available
Yoko A052 are very sticky

slightly more sticky A048 but also more of a track tire


Toyo RA1 a streetable track tire

Toyo R888R a less streetable track tire

Pirelli P7 N4 classic, a modern look alike of the original P7s on the '76 C3, much less sticky than above but much more durable , also more expensive

Pzero trofeo, a somewhat streetable track tire

BFG G force R1, track tire

[brianlay]

I’m using the 16 inch Trofeos as a street tire and a few times on the track as a wet tire.
A very good tire in my opinion

[AJKelly]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Do you have 6 & 7 x15 or 7 & 8 x15?

911 of that era delivered w/ 7 & 8 x15 came w/ 185/70 & 21/60 tires

The only year & model that came w/ 7 & 8 x15 & 205/50 & 225/50 tires was 1976, Carrere 3.0, these also came w/ a modified speedometer because the tires were so short

If looking for those sizes today the following are available
Yoko A052 are very sticky

slightly more sticky A048 but also more of a track tire


Toyo RA1 a streetable track tire

Toyo R888R a less streetable track tire

Pirelli P7 N4 classic, a modern look alike of the original P7s on the '76 C3, much less sticky than above but much more durable , also more expensive

Pzero trofeo, a somewhat streetable track tire

BFG G force R1, track tire

7 & 8 x 15's were an option on SC's for the rest of the world, not sure about the US.

Up until what year I am not sure, but my 81sc has them as an option on the delivery certificate.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by AJKelly

7 & 8 x 15's were an option on SC's for the rest of the world, not sure about the US.

Up until what year I am not sure, but my 81sc has them as an option on the delivery certificate.

yes, 7 & 8 x15 were used on SC's, never said otherwise.

The tires for them on the other hand were always 185/70 & 215/60 x15

The only year 7 7 8 x15 was offered w/ 205/5& 225/50 x15 was on '76 Carrera 3.0, that option included a recalibrated 300kph speedometer(180mph if converted for US use)

A major reason, bumper height laws

using 205/50, 225/50, 225/45 or 245/40 x15s lowers the car considerably the only 16" tires that even come close are 225/45

[AJKelly]

Do they sell 'Falken' tyres in the USA.

I use a 225/60/15 on the rear, fills the guards nicely and no rubbing.

[ARCSinAK]

My 80 SC US spec has 16x6 and 16x7

[1980 911 Bruce]

I failed to mention I have BBS rims R15 7's in front and R15 8's in the rear. I did end up going to Discount Tire and getting the Hankook Kinergy 195/65 R15's for front and 215/60 R15's for the rear. They were telling me I need a tire that was required for a certain weight and so had to get 94H in the back. This really limits what choices I had, at least from Discount Tire. As far as the front, the Kinergy had a weight of 91H, I suspect they are more concerned these days with this, Discount Tire didn't have a problem before when I got my tires back in 2010.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by ARCSinAK

My 80 SC US spec has 16x6 and 16x7

I use 205/45 and 225/45 tires with one inch spacers front and rear.

[1980 911 Bruce]

I am going to stick with these smaller BBS rims until these tires wear out. Pelican says you can go to 16's, I will get new rims then and have a better selection. BTW BBS says that you should put 17's on a 1980 SC, may have a look at that as well. thanks for all the advice!