RSR wheel and tire questions

[mattn]

Have a 72 RSR clone. Currently have 9x15 and 11x15 three piece BBS wheels with 225/50ZR15 and 345/35ZR15 tires.

First question is how do I stop slow leaks in these wheels? It's the seam that runs down the middle that leaks. Getting tired of pumping tires once a week. So far, one reputable shop here in Northern VA was unable to stop the leaks.

Second question - would love to have the same size or similar in Fuchs. Any suggestions on where to look?

Last question - availablility of tires. What are you RSR guys running? I only drive on the street and haven't even used it for DE so far. It was difficult to locate this first set of tires. Wondering about availability when I need the next set. Any recommendations if I have to change wheels? Larger diameter?

Any advice is appreciated,
Matt

[gestalt1]

i saw somewhere that they applied a bead of silicon sealer at the mating seam and smeared it in with a finger with the wheel bolted together. i have just bought the parts to build a set of bbs motorsport wheels and am going to try this. i wonder if adding the sealer at the mating surface when assembling the wheels would be better? as for the 15x9&11 fuchs - i sold a set a couple months ago and i got about $1000 for ea. the rears were 15x6 wheels that were widened, actual 11x15 fuchs cost more. because you have a set this size i assume you know all about the tire availability problem.

[rattlsnak]

You should seriously look into getting at least 17s. Much cheaper and way more choices on tire sizes.

[m325ix]

I am running custom built, 3 piece BBS, 16" in the front, 17" in the back. I also have the spare set for the track (275/45/16 and 335/35/17)

These are NOT cheap but very strong and very light.

[Jack Olsen]

Availability of 15-inch and 16-inch tires in RSR widths is poor now, and is only going to get worse.

I had 17-inch wheels made by Lindsey Racing with inexpensive 6x16 Fuchs centers.

Required picture:



9.5x11x17 with 275/315 tires.

[Porsche Doc]

Ditto! On the Lindsey Racing wheels. There Top Noch!

[tom1394racing]

I decided to run 16x9 and 16X11 on my RSR clone. Many of the guys advised me to run 17's because of the lack of availability of wide enough tires for the rear in 16" diam. I decided to stay with the 16's because I liked the look of the shorter wheel on the RSR and because I wanted the car to be vintage race eligible. I used a pair of OEM 16X9 Fuchs for the front and a pair of custom 16X11 3 piece with Fuch centers for the rear. I went with bolted rather than welded construction to avoid the risk of weld cracking in a non-inspectable area. There are several sources who can make these custom wheels.




This has limited me to Hoosier 245's and 275's for tire choice. I had the tires grooved with a vintage tread pattern so they would be drivable if I ran into rain. I've only got around 800 miles on the car since completion. So far so good.

[RarlyL8]

Your car looks familiar. Like tastes I guess.

I used to run Yoko AVS 255/45s and 345/35s. Because of the tire shortage I now run 245/50's up front and 345/35s in the rear. Several manufacturers make the 245s. Only Pirelli now produces the 345s in short runs (to my knowledge).

Wheels are Compomotive 12x15 rear with Fuch 9x11s front. Also no longer available. Nobody wants to pay any money for these wheels so I'm keeping them (they were ~$400 a pop new).

[aseem]

Here is an earlier thread on RSRs and wheels/tires:
Show me your 3.0 RS Replica!

I had to look it up to find info on Michelins classic 15" tires. This is a clip from my post in that thread:

"Looks like the 15" tire problem may be solved. According to 911 & Porsche World no 129 (march 04) Michelin has reintroduced its 1970s competition tire TB15 in 13 & 15" The 15" will be produced in widths from 195/55 to 335/35.

The tires have that cool 70s tread pattern. Not cheap thou, $300 to $460 per. "

[Hayabusa]

At 'up to' $1000.00 a pair there has to be other alternatives.

You would think Yokohama would step back into the fray. If they did (or have) it would certainly drive the prices down and create more demand.

I wonder what the 9/11x15's would be valued at if the tires were available?

[aseem]

Here is a company in UK selling the TB15 tire with free shipping anywhere in the world: http://www.longstonetires.com/Special_Offer.php

Here is info from Michelin: http://www.michelinsport.com/sport/front/templates/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=600&lang=EN

This tire has he classic racing pattern, and looks cool in large dimmensions

[Hayabusa]

213.50 GBP = 374.736 USD per tire

[TrackRat]

Matt: The hoosier radials in 245's and 275's are available in 15's, and even wider availabilities in 16's and 17's. These three diameters will likely be available for quite some time- even the 15's continue to be a popular size. If you do the grooving that Tom and others have done, it is still a good option for keeping the 15" wheels. Speedway motors sells an inexpensive electric grooving tool- so you can make some really cool period kind of grooving.

An added plus is that those Hoosier tires are very light, as compared to a more full-fleged street tire. The downside is tire life... Sorta like a meteor- They burn very brightly, but not for long.

see: bobwoodmantires dot com for an on-line list of good racing rubber.

Question: did Porsche RSR's ever use bias ply tires "in period"?

[RarlyL8]

245/50-15 are available from a few manufacturers (for the front) and not a lot of money.
345/35-15 Pirellis (rear) are available at ~$350 each from what I understand.
What other sizes do you need?

[ttweed]

Originally posted by gestalt1
i saw somewhere that they applied a bead of silicon sealer at the mating seam and smeared it in with a finger with the wheel bolted together.

I solved a leaking problem with some Centerlines using this method, without taking them apart (which was impossible, as they were riveted, not bolted together!) I cut out the existing sealant with a razorknife, used a wire wheel to get off any remaining residue, cleaned with acetone and applied silicon bead, smoothing with a wet finger. No more leaks.

TT

[gumba]

I recently bought a set of the Michelin Vintage tires 215/15 fronts and 295/15 rears from Coker tires. About $1700 to my door. The tires are very light. Alot lighter than the Yokohama AV-1 285's they replaced. I heard Yokohama also makes a run of the AV-1's late in the year. I had a set on order but couldn't get a delivery date.
Harold
'79 930/PD935

[RarlyL8]

Why did you buy a set of Coker 295/50-15s? A dozen manufacturers make them for under $100 each. They are also very tall, seems like 345s would be a given on a 935 fendered 911.

[gumba]

I bought the Michelin Vintage Racing tires. The 215's & 295's are 1" taller than the 205 & 285 Yokos. I needed the extra inch so the front spoiler wouldn't scrape on everything. I wasn't able to find any high performance tire in 285-315/15 size. The 11x15's have a 4 7/8" back spacing. The 295's slightly sticks out past the fender. The next size up in the Michelins woudl have been a 335.
http://www.coker.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=18328&cat=274&page=1
I tried fitting my 315/35/17 Hoosiers but they hit the back of the fender scoop. I'll modify the scope later so I can track the car occasionally.

[RarlyL8]

The backspacing is not optimal. You should be able to fit 14" of tire in that wheel well.

[kycarguy 935]

Gumba, do you have any more pics of your 79 DP935? Thanks.