Noob 9x16 question.
 

So, I'm putting 9x16’s on the back of my 1986 Targa.

I know the recommended tire is a 245/45/16. The tire I have now (on my 7" Fuchs) is a 225/45/16. So am I only going to "gain" 20mm (going from 225 to 245) of extra rubber on the road? My wheel size is going up 2 inches (going from 7" to 9"), but the tire only gets 20mm wider? Is that correct?

Marlon

What 245/45 tires did you purchase? Are they the same brand as the front? If not, you may find some handling issues with mixing brands. These cars seem to be very sensitive.

Gaining 20mm is about right for a 245 on a 9 inch wheel. Is it worth it? It really depends on your driving style. If you drive it hard or do track days you might be able to use the increased width. If you don't the difference is probably negligible.It'll look sweet, though!!

sort of,

there are several thing that are going on
1) 225 or 245 is a nominal spec, different brands actually measure all over the place some wider and some narrower, it's a lot easier to discuss when you focus on a single tire or 2.
2) the wider wheel stretches a given tire more than a narrower, the installed tires will have the same tread but the sidewall is distorted and is wider and lower on a wider wheel than on a narrower one

when installed on a 9 the 245/45 became a 260/34 x16

I haven't bought the 245’s yet.

Browsing the Pelican site I came across this, which is encouraging:

"If you went to 16x9 on the back, you should still only run 245/45. The tires will be much more responsive and confidence inspiring on both the track and autox when stretched on a 9" rim. The difference between a 245 on an 8" rim and 245 on a 9" rim is staggering! The 9 is so much better."

Marlon

Ok, now it makes a lot more sense. Thx for clarifying!

I was leaning towards Toyo RA-1 's. Seems like those are a great combo of track and street tire. (When I say track, I mean me driving for fun during DE events.)

Check out Kumhos since you haven't bought tires yet. They make a 265/40/16 that fits a 9 inch wheel perfectly.

No fender rubbing with those tires?

It depends on your ride height but I think there are some Pelicans running them on SC flared cars. I just can't think of whose they are at the moment.

FWIW, Tire Rack doesn't list any tire by any manufacturer in 265/40X16. Suggestions on where to look?

I love my Fuchs 9s but they are a sentimental loyalty, at the expense of tire choice. If I were to push around on a track, I might go for 17" diameter wheels.

Tire Rack isn't 16"-friendly. Look elsewhere. They're around.

Sherwood

Not the greatest pic, but 9's rock! Those are what's left of a set of 245/45/16 RA-1's on a set of turbo 9's (Fuchs).
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297414139.jpg

To get 265's, depending on the ride height, you may have to roll the fenders and dial in negative camber.

Dave~ Those aren't even broken in yet!

I've never heard of a dissatisfied RA1 user, lots of track only guys use them

205/55 or 225/50 front on 7 or 8 and 245/45 x16 on 9s is a great setup.

Can RA1s be driven on the street?

Sure, RA1 and MPSC are DoT legal and are both often driven to and from and at DEs,

Thanks Bill, what's your best guess on mileage for the rears, 3.2 in a 73.

I wouldn't hazard a guess, they are going to wear faster than a more usual choice might. You don't choose a tire like that for economy or long tire life

Bill Verburg is the guy here.....but there is even more "Going on".....

The extra 20 mm is one thing ( and as was mentioned, is only the topical size difference. You need to look at tire specs like section width and tread width, to compare). But this point too....the 9x 16 is also "placed" in-space differently than the 7x16 or 8x16's. Track ends up altogether wider, besides the tire itself "perhaps" being 20 mm wider. Bill also offers up a nice chart showing wheel offsets and backspace where the "placement" of the wheel-to-ground differences can be seen, too. You need to look at this too as it depends what you are comparing against.....it is not automatic that all the extra width is to the "outside" . It depends on which other rim is being compared.