911SC Tire Size (16x6, 16x7)?

[schleven]

I have a 1981 911SC and am considering purchasing some new tires.

I was wondering if it'd be possible to run, on the stock (16x6, 16x7) setup:
225/45-16 on the front
245/45-16 in the rear

Anyone have any experience with these tire sizes?

Thanks in advance,
Steven

[Arne2]

Both of those sizes are too wide for the respective wheels. Check the tire makers specs - the 225/45 show a minimum wheel width of 7.0" (max of 8.5"), the 245/45 are 7.5" minimum (max 9.0").

Even if you can find a shop that will mount them on your too-narrow rims, the performance when pinched down that way will be lacking, the tread will tend to crown and you'll only be running on the center.

[schleven]

Originally Posted by Arne2

Both of those sizes are too wide for the respective wheels. Check the tire makers specs - the 225/45 show a minimum wheel width of 7.0", the 245/45 are 8.0" minimum.

That's what I figured but thought I'd ask.

Reason is, I currently have the stock 6'' and 7'' set-up but would like to eventually move to 7'' and 8'', which those tire sizes would be perfect for. So, was trying to see if a single set of tires could work for both sets of wheels, making me only have to buy once (for tires).

Thanks!

[Arne2]

Well, the stock 205/55 and 225/50 will fit fine on either 6 & 7 or 7 & 8. Not many tire choices available in 245/45 either.

[schleven]

Originally Posted by Arne2

Well, the stock 205/55 and 225/50 will fit fine on either 6 & 7 or 7 & 8. Not many tire choices available in 245/45 either.

I think the stocks will look a little skinny on the 7/8'' set up.

I was looking at the Toyo R888.

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by schleven

I think the stocks will look a little skinny on the 7/8'' set up.

You might be surprised. Lots of people run stock sizes on 7 & 8". Far more than run wider sizes.

[shipfaced]

I run stock tire sizes on 7 & 8's and they look perfect, in fact, the stock tire size is the correct tire size for 7 & 8's. Have no idea why they squeezed the stock tire sizes on the too-narrow 6 & 7's.

[johnvan8]

Agreed. When looking at the stock set-up (6 & 7), the rims definitely look too skinny for the stock tire sizes. OTOH, all that extra rubber on the sides might help protect against curb rashes?

[Arne2]

Yes, the small rims are too narrow for best performance. I suspect Porsche spec'd those sizes for the non-turbos back in '78 when the only tire choice was the P7, which had a (justified) reputation for being harsh riding. The narrower wheels tend to lessen that a bit.

And yes, the narrow wheels are much less prone to curb rash. My originals still don't have any.

[emcon5]

Originally Posted by schleven

I have a 1981 911SC and am considering purchasing some new tires.

I was wondering if it'd be possible to run, on the stock (16x6, 16x7) setup:
225/45-16 on the front
245/45-16 in the rear

Anyone have any experience with these tire sizes?

Thanks in advance,
Steven

I ran those sizes on 7&8" BBS, (well, 225/50-16 in front) and they worked fine with some fender rolling.

I gave up and switched back to stock sizes after the 245/45-16 street tires all but dried up.

The only options last time I looked were DOT-R and the super high end "Extreme Performance summer" tires, neither of which are all that useful to me on a car driven year round in all conditions. I also have no use for a street tire with a tread-wear number under ~200.

911 wears tires pretty fast as is, I see no reason to accelerate that with an overly soft tire for some minor performance increase that I will never see on the street.