16" vs. 17" opinions needed

[Porsche virgin]

There is a lot of talk about fitting 17" wheels on pre-1989.5 911s, but is it worth it? Is the handling difference enough to deal with the extra cost and size/offset/rubbing issues on the early cars?

Let's say you find a set of used 17" wheels for $1000. Then you have to buy 1" front spacers and 2" rear spacers for $450.

Or you use a set of 16x7 and 16x8 and use the money for better tires.

My car came with a set of 16x7 and 16x8 ROH wheels that I'd like to use for the track. I have been seeking a set of 16x6 and 16x7 Fuchs for my everyday wheels.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Dantilla]

I have 17" Fikse wheels that I bought used. No spacers neccessary.

Just as it's getting hard to find top-performance tires for 15" wheels, I suspect 16's are the next size to go obsolete.

[IROC]

I have 16s in the front and 17s in the rear, so I have both. :>)

I personally think the 17s (especially in the rear) are worth it to run 275s. You don't need spacers and I haven't had any rubbing issues...

Mike

[Porsche virgin]

Thanks for your input guys.

Anybody else? Is the improved handling worth the expense? I intend to do a lot of autox with more DE events in the future as I learn how to drive my car properly.

[cowtown]

I ran both 16x6&7 Fuchs and 17x7.5&9 Mille Miglia Cup replicas on my old '88 Targa. You have to consider a few things (in my opinion):

-For the price range you're talking about, the 17s will be cast and heavy. Slower accelleration will be noticible, and your suspension setup my need work (shock damping rates may now be too low, etc.).

-You'll notice a bunch of grip in the rear that wasn't there before, because you'll probably run 255s. This can be great on a DE track, at least for an amateur like me, but not so hot on an autocross course, where you'd like a bit more oversteer on demand. You'll probably want to play with alignment and tire pressures.

-Some people have concerns about tracking cast replica wheels. I never had a problem (8 DEs and 3 or so AutoXs), but do inspect them after each run for cracks.

-You probably already know you will likely have to roll the front fenders

-The car will look cool with the 17s. But it won't look original.

-The price difference between 16 and 17" tires isn't really that big unless you're getting the high-end tires. I like Yoko AVS Intermediates (discontinued, I think) and ES100s. They run "around" $100 give or take $10 each regardless of size.

I enjoyed my 17" wheels on the car while I had it (6 years with 17s, 2 with Fuchs). But I think if I were doing it over, I'd stick with Fuchs.

[Porsche virgin]

Colin,
That is exactly the advice I was looking for. I was looking at the Cup replicas on Tirerack.com. They aren't expensive, but I'm sure they are heavy and not as strong. Thanks for the input, and I'll continue my search for a set of Fuchs.
PV

[hobieboy]

i think the Cup replicas are about 10lbs heavier than a fuch per rim!
So, you will definitely notice difference in acceleration and handling; assuming you use it on track.

[Flyer88]

I have a set of 17 cup wheels and spacers which were on the car this past summer, including a DE at Putnam. You will need to roll the fenders for sure - mine were not rolled (and the car isn't lowered) and the front left tire caught the lip and bent it out. The lip was bent back at the track and is not noticable but the tire was badly cut. The other three tires are fine and the set is for sale - looking for Fuchs 16X7&8. I know of one other person who has had this same problem and fixed it by shaving the spacer slightly for that wheel.

[Bill Verburg]

I never had a problem (8 DEs and 3 or so AutoXs

you will



Besides better grip, there is a far better choice of tires in 17s, 18s are even better

[Shaun @ Tru6]

here are some thoughts based on my 84.

It's got 22/29 bars with Bilstein sports, etc. Used to have 7x8x16s with SO3s. I thought this was a hot set up.

then I got some Cup IIs and spacers from Wheel Enhancement. Wheels came with Michelin Pilot SXs.

WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

first, in comparison, the SO3s felt squirmy at the limit. I don't know if that's the tire or the size.

Second, handling is greatly improved. With the 16s I could test the limits around a particular long sweeper close by feeling the back end creep as I would circle faster and faster.

with the 17s, I've yet to get to the limit, and don't want to as I am now going much faster through this turn. too fast really. I can say that I would never go back to 16s after riding around on these wheels/tires. The car feels so much more confident, connected, solid.

I recently got another set of Cup IIs, polished, with Kumho Victoracers. these have bumped handling and stickiness up a big notch. Once heated, they glue the car to the road.

Lastly, 17s look great on these cars, tastefully updating the look.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

BTW, where are you in Westchester? Used to live in Pound Ridge.

[cowtown]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
you will



Besides better grip, there is a far better choice of tires in 17s, 18s are even better

I sold the car (and wheels) to a non-track type, but that's a pretty good argument for Fuchs, Bill.

[klaucke]

Is there cause for concern with cast wheels like cookie cutters. I just picked some up tonight as was planning as using them as a 2nd set, but as I recall (?) they are cast.

[Kevin Stewart]

Most of the cast wheels are damaged from dropping a wheel off at the track then the wheel smacks the edge of the pavement when the tire goes back on, these same guys usually hit all the turttles, People have been running cast wheels for a very long time, unless your one of those racers that drop a wheel off, have never understood why they do it, slows the car down damages the shocks, must be because they have seen a couple f1 guys screw up, Kevin

[edward993]

I can't comment on comparing the 16" to 17", but can tell you that you can find used OE Cups for about $500-600 most anytime, even less if they are "cosmetically challenged." Lots of 993 guys continue to unload theirs for 18s so these can be had pretty easily. Also, these 993 Cups are light, especially for a 7"/9" rim. If the 17s are for the track, though, I personally don't like the idea of using the spacers that bolt on, and the wheels bolt on to the spacers....not for track work, anyway. If using spacers, I believe the safest approach is using longer wheel studs to accomodate the spacers, thus the wheel bolts directly to the hub ...stronger under stress. But if you do this, then if you want to use your Fuchs for the street, you'll have these mondo studs sticking out! Just food for thought. Hope this helps.

Edward

[dd74]

Other than shocks, if one were to jump from 15-inch wheels to 17-inch, are there other suspension adjustments that should be considered?

[Porsche virgin]

Being a rookie driver, I think I'm going to stick with a 16x7, 16x8 setup for autox and DE and get a set of 6's and 7's for the street. Shaun's point about the extra grip is well taken, but for now I am not ready for that kind of speed. Besides, my car is lowered, so I'm sure the 17's would rub quite a bit. I am going to spend my first year racing the 911 on crappy tires. That way, I'll lose traction at low speeds and really learn how to control the car at the limit. Better to lose it at 40 mph than 70 mph!

Shaun, I'm in Hartsdale, just south of White Plains.

And since we are talking about my car...
(The Turbo wing has been sold, no new pics yet!)

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Sounds like a good plan, and nice car!

17s will only rub if you don't roll the fenders. I've got 225s on the front and 255s on the rear, no rubbing, and my car is really low.