Thoughts on Wheels/Tires for Widebody Conversion

[Ferrino]

My project car is a '76 911 coupe (w/ 3.2 Carrera engine/tranny and obviously the 911 hubs/control arms/trailing arms, which I believe is the same as SC/Carrera) and my main dilemma for the build has been whether to just install SC/Carrera flares on the rear, or go for the full-on turbo flares front and back (not a fan of the narrow flares and would like to fit larger wheels). This is mostly going to be a weekend-warrior, with occasional trackdays. I am using a 21/27 torsion bar setup (Bilsteins revalved by Elephant), with Carrera swaybars.

I was initially settling for SC/Carrera flares with Euromeisters (17x7/17x9), but after a terrible buying experience with the wheels, the desire for wheels I can use on track occasionally also, and my love of certain non-Fuchs wheels, I've decided to go with custom wheels and turbo flares. My rationale is that the cost of custom wheels in 17x7/17x9 is essentially the same as 17x9/17x11, and I know I will probably regret not going widebody later on, so it will be cheaper to get it right now!

I have pretty much settled on the 2-piece CCW Classic wheel in 17x9/17x11. For tires, I have been looking at 235/45/17 on the fronts and 275/40/17 on the rears, because of the stock 3.2 engine. These wheels would be the widest recommended for one of the tires I'm considering in these sizes (Nitto NT05).

One area I am a little uncertain on is the appropriate offset to nicely fill the turbo flares (with 911 running gear and no spacers). Some numbers I have plucked from various sources are:

9" fronts = ET +10 to +19
11" rears = ET -8

Can anyone with this wheel/flare combo comment on those offsets and what is working for them? The rear offset looks to be solid, but I've seen variation in the fronts. I suppose it would be better to go with a more +ve offset and add small spacers than go to small and have rubbing issues? Of course, the alternative is to get the flares welded on first and them measure up for my specific chassis...

Many thanks!

[kinein]

Qualtech Auto Center

you posted a question regarding a shop in San Diego and i never responded. Here is a link to their website.

[kinein]

The 1 thing i can say is get your wheels and have your flares installed with your wheels on then you wouldn't have to worry about rubbing and not use spacers. I prefer metal flares but, have you thought about fiberglass because of cost?

[Sicklyscott]

I'm running 245's up front just as a reference point. I don't know my offsets however so can't help you there but your numbers sound right.

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by Ferrino

I have pretty much settled on the 2-piece CCW Classic wheel in 17x9/17x11. For tires, I have been looking at 235/45/17 on the fronts and 275/40/17 on the rears, because of the stock 3.2 engine. These wheels would be the widest recommended for one of the tires I'm considering in these sizes (Nitto NT05).

this does not sound right. i have 235 on a 17x8 wheel up front and 265 on 17x9.5 wheel on the back in NT01's (narrowbody). you'd be looking at 245 or 255 up front. 295 rears.

[Ferrino]

Any given tire can fit a range of wheel widths. The specific tire I was looking at (Nitto NT05) is approved for 7.5"-9" wheel widths in their 235/45/17 tire. Similarly, they recommend 9"-11" for their 275/40/17 tire. I am not tied to that tire, just explaining my choice.

[wayner]

I went 10.5 on the rear when I looked at a variety of tires and recommended rim sizes. If I was to do it again I might do 11, but 10.5 was within spec for both 275 and 315.

On the front I use 245 on a 9"

Essentially all the width is added to the outside face of a stock offset 6" rim.

On the rear to fit a 315, you'd have to widen the inside as well.

Here are my hen scratches if you can make them out.
You should confirm the rim numbers but the body measurements are good.
Sorry that I didn't keep better notes. Lucky to have found these

[Ferrino]

Thanks for the pic, Wayner.

Kinein - I did consider fiberglass flares, but when I looked at prices, the difference was not that significant, so I'm going steel.

[Ferrino]

Bump :-)

[wayner]

I finally found this old thread. It may help

Wheel Backspace; Wide-body Conversion

[Ferrino]

Thanks! What is the offset that yielded this fit on your rear 10.5" wheels, please? I'd like to shift the wheels more outwards than that, with an 11" wheel.

[wayner]

The measurements are in the pictures above

I think it is 136 but I am using my phones small screen right now so can't read the hen scratch

Ping me in 2 weeks to remind me and I will pull a wheel off an measure it if you still need more info

[wayner]

p.s
I was really surprised how much the wheel tucked in when we lowered and corner balanced the suspension before that pic

Here is the same car with the same wheels and tires before adjusting the ride height.

[wayner]

And here is the same car at the lowered ride height, this time wearing 315s on an 11" rim (the same tire on a 12" rim had too vertical a sidewall for my liking).

I haven't driven on this set yet so I a not sure if it is too tight.

Also note that your flare width may vary depending on who installs your flares and how skilled they are. you could loose 1/2 an inch pretty easily.

[Ferrino]

Thanks. I'd be interested to know the offset on the last pic you posted (11" wheel).