15" cookie cutters for ax on 1987 carrera?

[Dkennel]

Hi, i have read Cookie cutters may be a good choice as autocross wheels. Many listings claim they will only fit up to 1986. I have 16" oem Fuchs wheels and a set of 17" Fikse wheels, the tires on the 17" are old and dry rotted, first thought about getting tires for them, but the more I read the better choice maybe 15" and same size tire all the way around? Any ideas, comments? Any pictures of a g-series on cookie cutters?

Thanks!

[darmahman]

They would make a better road wheel with a set of 60 series tires. The offer a better ride. Save the 16" or 17" wheels for autocross.

[Jack Stands]

The 15" would fit over the Carrera brakes without any problems, and should fit just fine. The difficulty becomes trying to find performance tires in 15" sizes if you want to use them for auto crossing (unless you're running race rubber, in which case it's a whole other ball game).

I'd recommend sticking with the 16" for street, and use the 17" for auto crossing.

[zzwhm]

I run cookies on the front of my 87 Carrera track car. Hoosier A6 (now A7) in 225/45-15 would be fitment for AX if you are using race rubber.

Lighter weight and smaller diameter are advantages.

[Dkennel]

Hmmm, my 17" would look very cool for autocross, what tires and size would you run?

[Dkennel]

That's the 17" forged fikse wheels....they were kind of harsh and harder steering, 16" Fuchs feel much more comfortable riding, of course different tires too....

[msterling]

I have used 15x7 Cookies on my 88 Carrera for four years of autocross. They fit just fine. 225/45-15 tires are about 23" dia. versus 24.7" for standard sizes. This lowers the car and the gear ratio for better handling and faster acceleration. At first I had 205/50-15 tires in front but 225/45-15 fit just fine with either Nitto NT-01 or BFG Rival tires. I currently have the BFGs to stay in production class for PCA and CS in SCCA. I did install small spacers on the rear (14mm) to maintain standard track. 15x7 Cookies are ET 23 which is perfect in front. They are also pretty light and strong. Used ones go for ~$50-75 each.

[Dkennel]

Msterling, do you run 225/45 15 on all four then? Somebody mentioned you really should go staggered or it would affect the handling noticeably?
I am a novice to autox, don't want to tear up all season tires, but have some fun with a dedicated set of wheels...smaller and lighter makes much more sense than going to bigger 17" wheels

[msterling]

Dietmar,

Yes, 225/45-15 on all four. Others have suggested this and I have found that a square rather than staggered setup is great for autocross. I get better grip at the front and the car rotates a little better. Controllable oversteer is big fun and quick for autocross. The BFG Rival is a very good autocross tire with great grip and a predictable break-away at the limits of traction. My results have been very good so far this year.

For general street use a staggered setup is best and also looks right on a 911. For autocross I am going strictly for performance.

[Trackrash]

I've seen a number of SCs and Carreras using 15 inch wheels successfully for autocrossing. Shorter tires give you an advantage.

[CRNT918]

+1 on what msterling says...

[Driven97]

Pretty sure 15" phone dials in 6 and 7" widths were the base wheel, at least for the 1984 model year of the Carrera:



According to the option codes, the 15" Fuchs option wheels I have in the garage were what my car was purchased with. Also 6" & 7", iirc.

I normally run 17" wheels (7&9" wide) so I can put 255s on the rear of the car, but really want to try a set of Rivals on the 15s for the reasons listed above.

[msterling]

My 88 Carrera came with 15x7 and 15x8 Fuchs. I don't know if that was standard or optional for that year. I'll have to check the option book and the code sticker.

[Driven97]

Originally Posted by msterling

My 88 Carrera came with 15x7 and 15x8 Fuchs. I don't know if that was standard or optional for that year. I'll have to check the option book and the code sticker.

Just checked since I was out there - 911.361.020.12 rear, which is 15x8. You are correct.

[Dkennel]

Msterling, you mentioned 14mm spacers on rear, how did you install those? Do you need to modify the wheel studs or different lug nuts?

[msterling]

Originally Posted by Dkennel

Msterling, you mentioned 14mm spacers on rear, how did you install those? Do you need to modify the wheel studs or different lug nuts?

I did need to install longer studs with the 14mm spacers. I used H&R hub-centric spacers which included the longer studs. It was a pretty easy job. I also bought steel lugnuts as the aluminum OEM nuts might have bottomed out. The spacers put the rear wheels just about where they should be with the ET23 ATS Cookie Cutters.

[Dkennel]

I was thinking about swapping between the Fuchs and the ats wheels, just use the ats for ax events. Is that possible with the spacers, or do I need to remove them when I mount stock wheels?

[Elombard]

Usually 14 mm spacers just slip off. you will have longer studs so you will need open end nuts when you switch to the street fuchs. Lots of people do this - not a big deal. I kind of like the looks of open end lug nuts....but I am odd that way.

[msterling]

As elombard said; 14mm spacers just slide on and off. Depending on what your street wheels and tires are you might just leave the spacers on for a wider stance. I leave them on with my 15x7 ET10.5 Fuchs.