Wheels for 87 911

[Bags]

My car came with Mllie Miglia (sp) 17" Cup I wheels. I don't like the Fuch look so this was OK, actually good. Problem is, it has 3/4" spacers front and 1" spacers rear to get proper clearance. As I track the care more and am looking for track wheels, I have been told to loose the spacers(better mechanic, balance etc. without) and get 16" wheels with the 23F 15R offset. Is anyone using 17" wheels that come with the correct offset? If so, what? Does a 17" wheel offer me any advantage, more than looks? Thanks,
Mike

[Victor]

Bags,

I don't possess half of the knowledge of most of the track types on this board, but all of the fast cars in the SC and 3.2 Carrera bracket I have seen use 15" rims for better acceleration out of corners as it gives you a lower gear ratio for our underpowered machines. This does not seem to be a trend in the USA though and from what I understand it is getting harder to find 15" "R" rubber over there.

Also, as you begin to track your car more often, you will shred plenty of rubber. Done a comparison in costs between 17" and 16" tyres lately? The only person who will get an advantage out of this will be your friendly Tyre salesman.

Cheers, Victor
'89 3.2

[89911]

In the US there are plenty of 17" wheels available, for plenty of $$. Most are made specific for you year and offset. I have 17" with 8" front and 9" rear width, no spacers from Fikse. Other brands, Kinesis, Speedline, HRE, Ruf (if available), to name a few.

[KTL]

If your hubs have removable spacers, then I believe they are factory Porsche wheels on your car. The Mille Miglia wheels have spacers "built into them" as they have big, giant hubs which account for the necessary offset for your 87. So, if you decide to change wheels, at least the wheels you currently have can be sold to more than just early 911 owners.

The 17's you have don't necessarily offer a huge improvement in performance. They are heavier than the Fuchs and not as strong. The advantage to the 17's, at least in the rear, is the wider footprint. The Milles or factory 993 17's with spacers can only hold a 205 without rubbing (if your fender is not rolled or trimmed). This claim is based on my one time experience with the Milles on my 87. 17's are usually necessitated by having larger brakes that the 16's wouldn't be able to clear.

Just my 2 cents...........

[89911]

Originally posted by KTL

The 17's you have don't necessarily offer a huge improvement in performance. They are heavier than the Fuchs and not as strong.

Perhaps for some cheaper models, but better 3 piece forged wheels are just as strong and actually lighter then a smaller Fuch that it would replace. As far as performance, it is a simple formula. Shorter sidewall=less sidewall deflection=less body roll=less wasted energy=faster lap time.

[CBRacerX]

I am also the owner of an '87 911, and thinking about a wheel upgrade. I'm a big fan of the forged Fuchs wheel, and woulde love to get a set of the 23.3mm offset 951 8x16 fuchs and 19mm offset 930 9x16 wheels for this machine. I have 7 and 8x15 fuchs now from the previous owner.

But... I do love the look of many of the new 17" wheels, including the turbo twist. I'm not keen on installing longer studs and spacers, although I may have to do that. I'm not interested at all in the "bolt on" spacers!

Any suggestions?

-Chris
(3.6 on the way from Dusseldorf!)

[Sarah]

I'm pretty sure I am not going to be of too much help....but...we have a 1987 930 and we got 17" new tires last October. Since I drove the porsche to work today, I went out and took a few pics of them. Good luck!!

[Sarah]

Let's see if I can get the other two pics to show-up.

[Speedster94]

hallo 89911
What 3 piece wheels are lighter than a Fuchs ,i have never seen or heard of one .i havent even found a one piece 17" Wheel
matching the Weight of a Fuchs wheel ( genuine)
regards: harald

[pbs911]

FWIT, I weighed my 17" Fikse FM-10s and they are just as light the Fuch in the same width.

For those that really like the Fuch style but want to stay with the Fuch, I suggest the following, which reportedly costs about 1/2 of a Fikse, Kinesis, Speedline, HRE.

New paws for the dog...