Putting smaller wheels(snow tires) on a turbo. Sizing question

mike f · 01-02-2003, 01:06 PM

I've searched around but can't find the answer to this. We are always looking for larger tires. I am looking to put 16x6 and 16x7 on a turbo. If I take wheels from a 911, can I put them on my car? Can I use a wheel with a smaller(standard 911 wheel) offset on the rear of my car, which I believe has a 23.3 offset?

dean · 01-02-2003, 02:31 PM

I don't think the 6's will work up front. They will hit the caliper. You might try a spacer that might work. Or you could buy a *****box and drive that for the winter, cause the salt will ruin your car

andrew15 · 01-02-2003, 02:34 PM

Snow Tires?
911 TURBO??

Wouldn't you need a bigger seat for those big brass ones too?

Andrew M

masraum · 01-02-2003, 02:40 PM

Heheh, Awesome.

I think you could go with 7's and 7's or 7's and 8's. you can put 205 55 and 225 50 on a 7" wheel, or you could put the 225 on an 8" wheel. The main reason for using 7 and 8 would be to keep the look of bigger in the rear, but another set of 7's would probably be fine (although I'm sure you would have to use spacers) I could be wrong, I'm sure someone else will chime in with a more educated answer. I would think the factory owner's manual would say, I think mine does. I actually would be surprised if 6's wouldn't fit since I understand that 15" wheels work with turbo brakes. Not rebutting, just wondering out loud...

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Stick w/ std 7 & 8x16 wheels and use a modern Pirelli/Michelin/Dunlop/Nokian or equivalent snow tire. The modern snow tires are remakable in their ability to handle winter driving and yet have a reasonable ride. Use them on all 4 corners. Generally -1 sizing is best, ie a 225/50x16summer will be replaced by a 205/55x16 winter tire.

I use Pirelli 210s 205/55x17 on all 4 wheel of my Audi w/ outstanding results. I am sure that the other brands will give at least equally good results.

Amac · Amac's Garage

Mike f,
I gotta go with Blown and andrew15 on this.
A 930 and snow is nasty combination, and yes
salt will ruin your car but so will anything you
crash into.
Play it safe, try to find an old beater to drive in
bad weather. "Good Luck"

mike f · 01-03-2003, 03:42 PM

Right now I'm waiting for delivery of my new ride, but that won't be until the end of Feb., so it looks like I'm "stuck" with the pcar. Bill, I was looking into the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 1 tires, which are studded, but the largest they make is 225/60/16 which has a diameter of 26.6". This would fit a 6-8 in rim. Otherwise 215/55/16 or 205/55/16 would both fit up to 7.5" rims and would be closer to the diameter of my SO3's(245/45/16). Would the 26.6 diameter be a problem? I have heard great things about these tires, and given the car I need them for I want to maximize my traction-even at the expense of handling(at least until winter is over). Thanks guys for the input.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

I see your problem. I wouldn't want to use 26.6" tall tires. Stock is ~25". While the Nokians are nice any of the modern h/p snows are remarkable creations. I use 205/50x17 Pirelli winter 210s all around on my Audi w/ no traction problems here in upstate NY(5'(yes feet) of snow in the past 2weeks) others use 225/45x17 w/ equally satifactory results.

Apparantly you will need to stick w/ 205/55 and 225/50x16 The SP Winter Sport M2 is Porsche-approved. The B/s LM-22 is also a good tire.

I just looked for the snow tire test from a recent Christopherous but couldn't find it. I will keep trying though.