Advice needed for Widebody Safari build: wheel size, spacers, suspension, etc.

CSRomney · 07-09-2021, 08:25 AM

I’m in the planning stages of a 911 Widebody Safari build (I realize the widebody isn’t ideal like an SC… but it’s the car I have and unfortunately can’t sell it to buy another… long story).

I live in NYC and the 911 will be my escape from the city car, as such I’m looking for a setup that’s good for NYC’s less than perfect streets and handle upstates dirt trails.

I’m considering an Elephant Racing coil over package for the suspension duties, but haven’t ruled out other options. I’m also leaning towards Braid Winrace wheels and Pirelli P-Zero Rally tires, from here I’m very confused and would love advice from the forum.

I’m not sure about wheel or tire size, appropriate spacer needed to fill out the wheel wells and if any other considerations for the widebody build. I’ve seen a lot of great advice for a narrow set up but not much out there for widebody’s… although I’ve seen quite a few more builds recently.

I’ll be sharing my progres with the forum as the project moves along in the coming months/year.

CSRomney · 07-09-2021, 08:33 AM

I’d love to hear a variety of advice and solutions for the best outcome. Buy a new car comments won’t really do much to help me and others considering a widebody build… but I certainly understand that prevailing wisdom is to use a narrower 911.

jpnovak · 07-09-2021, 10:41 AM

This is not that hard. Ultimately it depends on how much you are raising the car and what size tire you are going to run.

Suspension. Keep the same spring rates that you have now, get spindles lowered, get extended rear shocks Or just raise to limit.

Tires - small truck tires work well. Think All-Season.

Wheels. Match the tires. Determine current wheel offsets and then adjust as needed for new wheels. Can't answer this question without knowing what you have now.

Keep in mind that the tires will have less grip. The taller CoG will cause the car to feel floppy in turns. The taller tires will have an adverse affect on your gearing and the speedo will be off. The higher ride height and possible roof rack will change aero and you may need to run 4th on the highway because the rpm has dropped and the engine doesn't make enough torque to push the car and turn the wheels.

Oh, and you don't need to build a rally car to enjoy dirt roads. Just raise suspension slightly to gain clearance and go drive.

tailwind22 · 07-09-2021, 11:21 AM

Braid Wheels (www.braidusa.com) are popular safari wheels. Talk to their head guy, Paul, who is a rally driver himself and is up on wheels, offsets, spacers, etc. for all Porsche cars. I am working on a narrow body project myself and will be deciding between suspension products offered by Elephant Racing and Kelly Moss Road and Race.

CSRomney · 10:05 PM

Thanks for the advice. I’ll emailed Braid. Will post any update I hear from them… hopefully some good information for the forum.

rswannabe · 09-25-2021, 04:48 PM

Keen has built two widebody safari's so far (#13 and #19). Close looks at the pictures show #19 is running 215/65/16 rear tires, which are the same size used on the SC bodies safari builds.

Build 19 - 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo in Oak Green Metallic with Porsche Tartan Interior - The Keen Project

Wheels on the widebody look to be 7" wide Fuchs on the front and 8" or 9" wide on the rear. These are wider wheels than the typical 7.5" max wheel width for the 215/65/16 tire size, but they don't look bad. Its possible the wheels are custom units with the dish of a 8" or 9" Fuch, but with less intter lip for a narrower overall width, but I think it more likely they are just streaching the tire to work on the wider wheel.

acme911 · acme911's Garage

rswannabe · 09-25-2021, 05:04 PM

Acme911, is that your car? I've seen pics online of it and wanted to know more. Looks like Turbo flares, but trimmed most of the flat edge off to make for a bigger opening. Wheels look to be 7's and 8's.

acme911 · acme911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rswannabe

Acme911, is that your car? I've seen pics online of it and wanted to know more. Looks like Turbo flares, but trimmed most of the flat edge off to make for a bigger opening. Wheels look to be 7's and 8's.

No. But, wish it was. I’d love to build one like it.

Cory M · 09-25-2021, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rswannabe

Keen has built two widebody safari's so far (#13 and #19). Close looks at the pictures show #19 is running 215/65/16 rear tires, which are the same size used on the SC bodies safari builds.

Build 19 - 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo in Oak Green Metallic with Porsche Tartan Interior - The Keen Project

Wheels on the widebody look to be 7" wide Fuchs on the front and 8" or 9" wide on the rear. These are wider wheels than the typical 7.5" max wheel width for the 215/65/16 tire size, but they don't look bad. Its possible the wheels are custom units with the dish of a 8" or 9" Fuch, but with less intter lip for a narrower overall width, but I think it more likely they are just streaching the tire to work on the wider wheel.

I agree with this. If you run true rally tires they will likely be 15" and no wider than 205. Which won't fill out the fenders on a widebody. Some of the Tuthill real Safari cars run skinny rally tires in wide fenders and it may be effective in competition but looks weird on the street. A set of 16x7,8 possibly with a spacer and 215/65 would look more balanced on a widebody. I run that tire size all around on my narrow car with 16x6,7 wheels, no spacers. Several narrow cars run the same tire on 16x7,8 but it has more of a monster truck look to it in my opinion.

rswannabe · 09-28-2021, 09:53 PM

I emailed Keen about the tires and wheels on the two turbo builds they’ve done. They confirmed the run 7’s and 8’s with 215/65/16 tires at all 4 corners. They say the 8’s are custom offset, but I’m sure you could run stock 16x8 Fuchs and use a spacer to properly locate. What I think is wanted is an 8x16 wheel with the dish of a 16x9 Fuch and one inch taken off the inside lip.