Tire size advice for stock fuchs

Right now the car has 225-50-16 in the rear with a 1/4" spacer. In the front 205-55-16.
I am thinking of changing the rear to
245-50-16 to get a fatter look, and maybe the front to 205-50-16 for a lower profile front. The car has stock fuchs, I belive 7" in the front and 8" in the rear. Or should I lower the rear profile to 245-45-16 to get more clearance under the side fender.

What to you guys think?
Thanks in advance
GB83SC

I'll be interested in the input here. I've heard of using wider than 225 in the rear, but I'm thinking 225 may be as wide as you want to go.

I believe the 'sport' option for our cars included these wheels and tires and I seem to recall they are just 6" and 7" wide.

I'm just about to experiment with spacers. Because I can't afford wider wheels and tires. I believe a really excellent trick would be to put the 7", with the 225s, up front (maybe 40 or 45 series) and go wider in back. Without spacers, there'd be PLENTY of room for, perhaps 9" wheels and 285s or something.

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'83 SC



[This message has been edited by Superman (edited 12-26-2000).]

I'm just about to go the same way...8's in the rear and 7's in the front (Fuchs). I am going with the 245/45/16 setup on the rear as I have been advised that this size should work with the SC flares I grafted onto the 72' 911 body (for a 73' RS lookalike). The car currently has 7's on the rear with 225/50/16's and there seems to be room for the added width. I will run 205/55/16's on the 7" rims on the front. I'd like to go for the 225's up front, but I am afraid the tires will rub the edge of the air dam (others have commented on this problem on some cars). I did roll the inside lip of the front fenders while the car was in the paint shop in case I decide to experiment later. I have no plans for spacers in the rear. Most of my advice came from other members of this forum with a lot more time in 911's than me. I have seen photos of their cars and they seem to work.
I have an Excell sheet for calculating the tire diameters and widths based on simple entry of 245, 45, 16 etc. if you want a copy for calculations, let me know. I used it against the original specs for RS's to keep the diameter similar for speedo purposes.

I have 7 and 9" fuchs with 205/55 and 245/45-16 on my '85 Carrera. These are Yokohama AVS-1. I understand different manufacturers have a little different actual sizes for tires and contact patch, so check the numbers for actual size.

You can see some picks on the 911 Gallery at www.cheaterswayside.com/911 click on "GALLERY" click on nhromyak

Nick
'85

I have a 73 with the SC flares in back. The 205/55 and 245/45-16 combination has worked fine for me. Other guys have managed to put 225s in front, with the fender lip rolled, and others have managed 215s. With my car, the 225s were too wide (and now I've got an extra set of 225 Potenzas to sell), and there was no 215 available for that tire.

When my car is in the shop, I'm always willing to post a picture to illustrate a point. Click on the image for a larger version:



245/50 would be a mistake, in my opinion. You'll be hitting the top of the fender on bumps, and your speedometer will be wrong.

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 12-26-2000).]

GB83SC,

I have 245/45X16 tires mounted on the rear of my '84 911. They are mounted on 9X16 Fuchs, although I have seen them mounted on 8X16 Fuchs. I have adequate room inside the rear fenders with the 245's, but I think your spacer might make things a little to tight.

My car is lowered about 1" below OEM, and I have larger torsion bars (22/28). Even with this setup, the 245/45X16 rear tires work fine.

Try the 245's, you'll like the look and improved handling.

Regards, Bruce

I would think the 245s would work fine on the rear, regardless of wheel size. Perhaps even a little wider. The reason I say this is because it appears that 1" spacers will fit. So a tire will apparently fit that is TWO inches wider than my 225.

I agree that the front is more dicey, as there is far less extra room there.

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'83 SC

Thanks for all your replies, I will go with the 245-45-16 in the rear.
Now what about the front?
215-50-16 on the 7"S I think the lower profile will look better, the only concern is this going to leave to much wheel well exposed.
Your thoughts please>
GB83SC

[This message has been edited by GB83SC (edited 12-26-2000).]

My 78SC has 205x50x16 on the front with 1/4 spacers. No problem with fit and it is lowered to 25 1/2 from center of lip to ground. On the rear I have 225x50x16 and will be adding 1 inch spacers when they arrive (any day). The rear is lowered to 25" from the fender lip to the ground. I do not anticipate any rubbing problems as there appears to be plenty of room. I'll post an update when my spacers arrive. Nonetheless 225 x45 will not be a problem.
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Paul
78SC Targa

215-50/16 tires on 7x16 Fuchs up front will probably fit fine, depending on the tire's profile. They will likely have a lower profile than 205-55s but not as low a profile as 205-50s, which tend to leave too big a gap between front fender and tire on
911s that have not been lowered beyond the usual amount.

Randy

One thing to keep in mind is different tires have different overall widths even for the same exact size, some by a quarter inch/ 6mm. The tread width is usually very close but side wall stiffness han make some tires buldge in the middle. I have some cheap tires on my 7 and 9 inch wheels and they ballon out, I thought they were smaller wheels at first. Looking at 255/50/16 for 9" fuchs on the rear.

Chuck
83 911 turbo cab

GB83SC, I'm telling you that you likely do not have 7" wheels up front, unless you were thinking of moving the rear Fuchs to the front. I'm looking at the Owners' Manual for our cars and the 'bigwheel' option has 6J and 7J sixteens.

If you were thinking your 7" fronts will come from the back, and getting wider wheels for the back, then as Gilda said, "nevermind."

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'83 SC

Thanks for the info Jim. Well here is my final answer> 245-45-16 rear 205-55-16 front
To all happy holidays.
GB83SC

I will post new pictures in the gallery when done.