SC Dash & Tire questions

[kenpac]

More advice sought.

Car 79sc.

Any recommendations for a cracked/slightly warped dash, I don't want to replace the whole thing and was thinking about some type of cover.

Any recommendations for tires (type & size) for 8x16 (rear) and 7x16 (front) Fuchs. The car has been lowered. Use will be mostly pleasure with some autox.

Thanks in advance.

[911nut]

I installed a Coverlay cover and I'm somewhat happy with it. It took about an hour of careful trimming and fitting, though.

[kenpac]

Originally posted by 911nut
I installed a Coverlay cover and I'm somewhat happy with it.

I assume it goes in on top of the existing dash? What are the major drawl backs? Thanks.

[nostatic]

Mine isn't cracked, but does have some warping. I have a fabric cover ($35) and it doens't but me at all...

The Coverlay can cut down on clearance between the dash and steering wheel.

[Vipergrün]

Originally posted by kenpac
More advice sought.

Any recommendations for tires (type & size) for 8x16 (rear) and 7x16 (front) Fuchs. The car has been lowered. Use will be mostly pleasure with some autox.

Thanks in advance.

I'd go with 225/45's front and 245/45 rear. I have heard the 225/45's have a less chance of rubbing that the 50's. I have 50's and rolled the fender lips.

A popular chioce of tire is the Bridgestone S03. I am looking at these for my next set.

Have fun!

[jyl]

Tires

I had Dunlop SP8000s, now have Bridgestone SO-3s, in stock sizes, I am pleased with the SO-3s. Grippy, reasonably quiet, good in the rain. Seemed nicely controllable during my one and only AX but I don't have any reference.

Dash

If you're going to keep the car a while, might as well replace the dash pad while you can still get them easily. Will help resale too. Keep an eye out, at swap meets or dismantlers, eventually you'll find one for $100-200, or I think PP sells them new? The part of the install that involes the windshield R/R sounds a bit daunting but people have reported DIY success. Actually, the success rate (of R/R'ing the windshield without breaking the old one and with a good fit on re-install) seems to be higher for DIY than for folks who used a commercial auto glass company, based on reading BBS posts. Do a search - too many stories of commercial glass companies that broke the original glass and glued in the new one with big gaps and big sloppy gobs of sealant.

Aside from the windshield, the R/R of the dash pad itself is simple, I did it recently on my '89. Take the time to properly remove the gauges, vents and knee pads for better access to the retaining nuts, and there'll be relatively little cussing.

[masraum]

205 55 16 and 225 50 16 will be good stock choices for tires. If you had 16x9's in the back then maybe 245 45 16.

Bridgestone S-03's are great tires, BF Goodrich gForce KD's are supposed to have the best dry stick

I have been very happy with the Bridgestone RE 730, but that has been replaced by the RE 750, so I can't say about that tire.

[Shawzy]

Whatever you do don't go Pirelli - just got rid of mine after 5000km.

I was at a shop yesterday where the guy raved about the S-03's. They are too $$$ for me. I was also surprised to hear that some Porsche's are coming out of the factory with upper end TOYO's.

I just put on Michelin Pilot's - XGT H4 (stock size) on my lowered 79SC. Very happy with them and fine for my spirited drives off the track. Good wear expected.

I've heard non-stock sizes on rear can burn out your diff depending. Guys here can comment further as I am no expert.

[kenpac]

Originally posted by nostatic
I have a fabric cover ($35) and it doens't but me at all...

What is a fabric cover? Who sells them? Thanks nostatic.

[kenpac]

Originally posted by bb80sc
I'd go with 225/45's front and 245/45 rear. I have heard the 225/45's have a less chance of rubbing that the 50's. I have 50's and rolled the fender lips.

The car has rolled fender lips, I believe he may have 50's on there now (what’s left of them) - I'll be sure a check when I see it again this week (I'm getting ready for the PPI on the car). Thanks.

[kenpac]

Originally posted by jyl
If you're going to keep the car a while, might as well replace the dash pad while you can still get them easily. Will help resale too. Keep an eye out, at swap meets or dismantlers, eventually you'll find one for $100-200,

Good suggestion I'll keep my eyes open now, maybe in the interim go with some type of fabric cover like nostatic mentioned.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions.

[thabaer]

I've heard non-stock sizes on rear can burn out your diff depending. Guys here can comment further as I am no expert.

The only thing that would bother 2wd is different diameters on the rear axle. 4wd setups will work over the center diff if fronts and rears have differing diameters. All the diffs are doing a little work most of the time, I'm not sure how much % error in sizes it would take to start to heat them up.

Running non-standard diameters (225/45 on front) will affect the suspension geometry, the radius of a wheel is part of the overall design. In this case it probably isn't such a radical change that you will have any trouble with it. I'm running 205/55-16 and 245/45-16 on my SC and it helped eliminate a tendency to oversteer under power; each car is different, YMMV.

I am running S-03s, AVS Sports, Ecsta 711s on different beasties, the 711s are pretty darn good for $44 ea, the S-03s seem to always develop flat spots when parked for a few days but have good grip that gives up nice and gradual, the Sports have a steel sidewall ring and are very snappy.

[911nut]

Originally posted by nostatic

The Coverlay can cut down on clearance between the dash and steering wheel.

If one takes the time to properly fit the Coverlay there's no clearance issue.
I will eventually install a new dash pad but only as part of a re-paint.