Help Me Evaluate Wheel Options

[OsoMoore]

I am ditching my current 7.5 front 9 back 17" wheels and moving closer to spec. When I drove aggressively (particularly with much of an extra load), the left rear tire was rubbing the flare. Plus, I'd like to make the ride a little softer.

From my reading around I believe Porsche originally shipped the 79 SC with either:
185/70-15 and 215/60-15 OR
205/55-16 and 225/50-16

Would 7+8x16's fit this spec? I only need about 1/2 inch more and the tire should miss the flare. I'm also looking at getting some new wheels, but a good trade sounds more economical.
From what I can tell, Fuchs are too expensive to be an option. I'm not particular as long as I get some good wheels and don't have the flare issue any more - this is my DD.

[Porchcar guy]

I sold my polished 6-7x16 Fuchs and bought 7-8 x16 aftermarket black centers - same offsets. I have Kumho ASX in the 205 -225 setup. No problem on the rear but front left did rub until I rolled the lip from 10-2position. As you know, all of these cars set up a bit different so YMMV. Also set the alignment-corner weights and ride ht. at that time. Love the look now and love the Kumhos...BTW

[will hung]

We would need to know the offsets of your 17's. But 911 fitment 16 x 7's&8's Fuchs will fit in the fenders well and work with the 16" tires you have listed. I'm assuming you mean Fuchs when you are talking about wheels.

This picture should help you with OEM wheel sizes.

[OsoMoore]

Thanks for the great diagram. I'm actually looking at some MSW's. This is a DD so I don't need track or show wheels, just something that fits properly and looks right.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

I am ditching my current 7.5 front 9 back 17" wheels and moving closer to spec. When I drove aggressively (particularly with much of an extra load), the left rear tire was rubbing the flare. Plus, I'd like to make the ride a little softer.

From my reading around I believe Porsche originally shipped the 79 SC with either:
185/70-15 and 215/60-15 OR
205/55-16 and 225/50-16

Would 7+8x16's fit this spec? I only need about 1/2 inch more and the tire should miss the flare. I'm also looking at getting some new wheels, but a good trade sounds more economical.
From what I can tell, Fuchs are too expensive to be an option. I'm not particular as long as I get some good wheels and don't have the flare issue any more - this is my DD.

Most SCs were delivered w/ 6ET36 & 7ET23.3 x16 wheels w/ 205/55 & 225/50 tires

Going back to '76, Carrera 3.0 w/ the same body as an SC was offered oe w/ 7ET23.3 & 8 ET10.6 x15 w/ 205/50 & 225/50 tires

Those are 2 solid fitments for you car

I've also used 7ET23.3 & 8ET10.6 x16 w/ 205/55 & 225/50 tires, the front gets a bit tight at the lips w/ these wheels

and lastly instead of 8ET10.6 you can use 9ET15 w/ 245/45 x16 tires

I'm glad you enjoy the diagram, I originated it

[JQ911]

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

I am ditching my current 7.5 front 9 back 17" wheels and moving closer to spec.

What 17s wheel set do you have now? Should you plan to sell it let me know. Thanks

[sparkle84]

Personally I'd try to stick with the Fuchs. 7 & 8 would be nice but expensive (the 8's). 6 & 7's are FS on the forum quite often for reasonable money (6-800.00 for a set). Actually a set on here today which looked real nice but may be sold already. Have no clue what aftermarket wheels go for but if they're in that range then I'd stick with Fuchs.
If you go with 6 & 7's you'll be running 205/55/16 front & 225/50/16 rear. Decent selection of tires in those sizes. Will have zero clearance problems with those even a little below Euro height. I'm a big fan of Yokohama S-Drives. Good looking tire & excellent performance for the street. Right around 400.00 for a set from Tire Rack.
You may find however that these changes won't soften the ride much. If you're getting a hard jarring over expansion joints, etc. it's probably due to shocks or (more likely) worn out suspension bushings.
When I bought my current SC it had the same wheels you've got now. Luckily I also got the original Fuchs in the deal. Bought the Yoko's & made the switch right away but have to say I noticed little if any change in the ride quality. The Fuchs weren't in great shape cosmetically so I stripped them & refinished them totally with Wurth black trim paint. Came out excellent & am really happy with the look. I don't have a camera but I'll see if I can get you a pic in the next couple days. My car's the same Wine Red Metallic as yours.

Good Luck, Steve (978)764-7620

[racer]

My SC came with 7 and 8 x 15. Not too many tire choices in 15 it seems.. Only a few more in 16". Seems 17" is where its at when it comes to cheap and plentiful tire selections.

So.. Various factory sizes that will fit:

6and 7 x 15 (or 7x15 all around)
7and 8 x 15

6 and 7 x 16 (or 7x16 all around)
7 and 8 x 16
7 and 9 x 16

* I used to call my 15"s my "buicks" since I ran 205/60-15 front and 215-60-15 rear. These gave the car a very soft ride and were actually pretty "comfy" on the broken up streets in the NYC area.

[nineball]

fwiw i went from 6&7-16 fuchs to a set of 7&8-16 msw ceres wheels and my front left wheel rubbed while at mid-ohio even after rolling the fender lip. for normal everyday driving i have never had a problem with it though.

[OsoMoore]

Originally Posted by nineball

fwiw i went from 6&7-16 fuchs to a set of 7&8-16 msw ceres wheels and my front left wheel rubbed while at mid-ohio even after rolling the fender lip. for normal everyday driving i have never had a problem with it though.

"Normal" driving wasn't a problem for me, but I kept having a tendency to load 3 friends in and have a little fun... that's when the trouble started. Thanks for all the input from everyone, I'm definitely getting a good idea of what should work. I'm currently pursuing some 7&8 -16 MSWs. With the current 9" in the back barely rubbing, I think the 8" should be great.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

I am ditching my current 7.5 front 9 back 17" wheels and moving closer to spec. ...........

Why not keep the front 7.5 (17") fronts and try 8 (17") on the rear?

Trim a little off the wheel lip with a grinder and call it a day.

[OsoMoore]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Why not keep the front 7.5 (17") fronts and try 8 (17") on the rear?

Trim a little off the wheel lip with a grinder and call it a day.

Not a bad idea. I'll look around for matching Cups at 8". I'm hesitant to take a grinder to the body - what if I make it look horrible and ruin the paint too?

[will hung]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Why not keep the front 7.5 (17") fronts and try 8 (17") on the rear?

Trim a little off the wheel lip with a grinder and call it a day.

Grind the rear isn't going to make a difference. 1) There isn't much of a lip to begin with, and 2) when you rub in the rear it's usually about an inch above the fender lip. Get it fixed quickly because you can burn your paint where the tire is rubbing.

[OsoMoore]

I've been looking around everywhere, and it looks like good Fuchs can be found for 800-900. There doesn't seem to be much interest or supply for other wheel types, I've only a few leads that aren't Fuchs in that price range.

I'm pining away to drive the car, but at least I have something else to get to work until she's back online. Tire Rack, in Indiana, offered to do a full laser measurement and find me wheels that would fit (at no cost beyond what wheels i buy) if I can get the car to Indiana. They won't sell me anything without being sure it fits, and they haven't had any SCs come by their headquarters for measurements.

Sadly, with one rear tire significantly rubbed down, I don't want to risk the drive. It won't rub any further (just don't put 4 people in it) but a blowout would be disastrous. Any Milwaukee area Pelicans want to lend me some rear wheels for a weekend so I can get to Tire Rack?

Realistically, I think I'll find a trade or buy some via our online Pelicans.

[OsoMoore]

Would running 16x7's all around, instead of the rear wider than the front, have noticeable impact on a daily-driver?

[CCM911]

It is my humble opinion that "Stock is Trick". That being said, the only choice to be made here is what size Fuchs do you want to run.

[DG624]

Bill I am using 7X15 F and 8X15 R with 205, 225 but I wanted to switch to 8X15 and 9X15. Will the fronts have clearance problems on a euro height 86 Carrera? I was going to try the rears on the front but it is hard to tell unless you drive hard.