Wheel and Tire Changes

[si Banker]

On a 1987 Carrera would there be a worth while difference in acceleration by going to 15 inch rims as opposed to the standard 16 inch.

I have 205-50-16 front and 245-45-16 rear. What would my options be using 15 inch rims. I have 7inch and 8 inch wide rims now.

Would appreciate any feed back.

[Oh Haha]

IMO, the change to 15 inch wheels would be so small it isn't worth the frustration over finding good performance tires in 15 inch sizes.

Yeah, they are out there but the selection is limited.

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

IMO, the change to 15 inch wheels would be so small it isn't worth the frustration over finding good performance tires in 15 inch sizes.

Yeah, they are out there but the selection is limited.

+1...The same can most certainly be said for the 16's as well. If I were in the market, I would look at (17') Linseys, with fuchs centers, or a good aftermarket multi-part, or solid FORGED wheel. Fisks, HRE, RUF....That is, if a 'good" selection of performance tires are your objective.

[Bill Verburg]

here is an approximation of the thrust difference between a 225/50 x15 and 245/45 x16 in a US 3.2 Carrera w/ g50/01 trans, blue is the shorter 225/50x15


The difference is noticeable but worth like beauty is in the eye of the buyer.

personally I'd look for 9x16 for the back and be done w/ it

[Evan Fullerton]

I have 205/55/16s on my street wheels and 225/45/15s on my race wheels and the difference feels huge, ~10lbs a wheel/tire less rotating weight on the 15" too. I can't say that it actually is that much faster because there is a quite a bit more shifting required but acceleration everywhere feels a lot stronger. The downside however is 23" tires look funny on the car, cause you to loose a lot of ground clearance, and are too short for comfortable 80mph cruising.