Wheel size question - flame away...

[ischmitz]

I know this must have been beaten to death before but I'll ask anyway since a seach turns up too much noise....

I want to get wider tires on my 74 3.6 narrowbodied Targa for obvious reasons. Currently I am running 15 inch stock Fushs. However, I don't like the idea of flaring it. I want to maintain the sleeper look. What are my options?

Here is what I am considering and where I need feedback:

- 16/6 front and 16/7 rear Fuchs with standard 911 offset. Will that work and if so what size of tires do I need?

- 16/6 front and 16/8(951). Does that allow me to get wider rubber on the rears with maybe roling my fender. Will it burn my fender. Do I need spacers?

Ingo

[IROC]

Or.....8x16 front and rear. Assuming you can get the rear to work. The problem is that even on the 7x16s in the rear, 225/50-16s are a tight fit due to the offset.

I have 9x17s with 275/40-17s on the rear of my '76 (with SC flares) and there is virtually *no* room left. Using the logic that flares are two inches wider (nominally), I really don't see an 8 fitting. My 9s are close on the inside, so you can't move it in much. I always dreamed of fitting 8x16s in the rear. It might work. It would be nice to find an 8x16 (of any sort) and just "test fit" it into the wheel well.

I feel for ya. I ended up running 7x15s with 225/50-15s all around.

Mike

[tsuter]

Try these:

http://instant-g.com/Products/Wheels/Tires.html

http://instant-g.com/Products/Wheels/WheelFit.htm

[dd74]

Originally posted by IROC
I ended up running 7x15s with 225/50-15s all around.

Did you have to do any fender rolling to get the 225s to fit?

It doesn't rub?

[ischmitz]

Originally posted by tsuter
Try these:

http://instant-g.com/Products/Wheels/Tires.html

http://instant-g.com/Products/Wheels/WheelFit.htm

Maybe I'm dense but these tables didn't tell me anything about narrow-bodied cars and rear fitments.

ingo

[dd74]

Originally posted by ischmitz
Maybe I'm dense but these tables didn't tell me anything about narrow-bodied cars and rear fitments.

ingo

Maybe I'm dense, too (though not likely). I got nothing from the information, either.

[Schrup]

If I read the second chart correctly I'm going to need 19mm spacers to run 225/50 15s on the rear of my SC. Is this corrrect? I hope not.

[Bill Verburg]

It's possible that the +23.3mm 944fuchs 8x16 w/ a spacer might work in the back. Some folks have used them but I really do not know if it was on a non-flared car.

[dd74]

Originally posted by pschrup
If I read the second chart correctly I'm going to need 19mm spacers to run 225/50 15s on the rear of my SC. Is this corrrect? I hope not.

That would seem more likely for 225s on a non-flared car, though I've heard they can fit w/o mods.

[ischmitz]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
It's possible that the +23.3mm 944fuchs 8x16 w/ a spacer might work in the back. Some folks have used them but I really do not know if it was on a non-flared car.

Bill, that's what I was thinking (944 Turbo 16/8). Maybe I have to find a place where one can test-fit some wheels. I would hate to drop loads of cash only to find out it won't work.

ingo

[CamB]

What do you have on there now?

Assuming 205s. imagine something roughly 1" wider - generally speaking Porsche offsets move the increase in wheel/tyre size outwards (exceptions I know of - 911R (moves 1" inwards), and that 944 8"? and the 911 Turbo 9"- which seem to move half and inch inwards and half an inch outwards for an inch increase).

On both my '75 and '69, I reckon there isn't room for a 225

[74911s]

on my non flared 74 and 77 i ran bouth 15 x 7 and 16 x 7 with 205 rubber all they way around. i tried to fit 944 8's in back but they did not go. they will go up front. you results might be different.

i would think your only real option for bigger meat than a 205 in back would be to do some custom 17" wheels and maybe you could get a 225?

[Bill Verburg]

It's certainly worth a shot if you can find someone that has a set that you can try.

The 8x16 +23.3mm inner flange face w/o any spacer will not be placed as far inboard as a +15mm 9x16 so that side will be ok. The outboard side will be ~12.7mm further out than a +23.3mm 7x16 so it looks like that is where the problem(if any) will be.

[dd74]

Jim: I've checked out your website. Do you have any updated photos of your project?

[tangerine911e]

I'm trying on some 6/7 x 16 wheels this weekend with 205/55 & 225/50 boots on a 70E. Hope they fit! Tired of the 14s. Will post pics on Monday if it all comes together.

Cam - how do you find the 16x6s?

[CamB]

The 16x6s are great - 205/50 is a nice size (205/55 would be more correct from a diameter perspective). The tyres would probably seat a little better on a 7" rim, but that wasn't an option for me. They are much sharper that the 195/60R15s they replaced.

Car is terribly undertyred though (now with 3.2 litre engine) ---> I might have to get some custom offset 7" with 225s for any serious driving (and then on my car I will run into trouble with oil lines on the inside and fender on the outside).

[dd74]

How do you know when your car is "under tired?"

[CamB]

when you have 205s to cope with 270hp... Engine is also heavier (SC case and gearbox vs early mag).

[Adam]

I run four 15x7 Fuchs, with 205/60-15 all round. I doubt there's much more room for extra rubber on a standard-bodied 911. I am going to switch to 205/55-15 to shorten the gearing a little. I think the 205/60s are just too big.

[JTO]

Adam,

What tire do you currently run on your 15s and what 55 series tire do you plan on going to? I am having trouble finding any V rated tires in 15 inch. Will HR rated tires be suitable? Porsche specifies a VR for my car, way back in '75.

Thanks,
Troy