76 Tire Question

dedbird · dedbird's Garage

I am always perplexed at the number of tire selection posts and after reading through search results for over an hour last night I understand why. Now my addition to the ever growing collection.

Need new tires for the 76 911 after the lengthy search still need a little guidance. I am currently running 205/55/16's all the way around. Based on searches last night it looks like the recommendations are to run 215/50/16's in the rear and 205/50/16's in the front or run 205/50/16's on all four. From past experience I know that 225's rub and I have no interest in rolling fenders or running negative camber just to fit a big tire in there. My tires of choice are the Michellin Pilot Sport AS/3 or Continental Extreme Contact. Looking at all season performance tires as other than July and August I can still have cold mornings and my current performance tires just don't want to roll out.

Both choices are available in 205/50/16. Nothing that I think will work for me is available in 215/50/16, although both are available in 215/55/16 as are 205/55/16. The Dunlop Direzza is available in 205 and 215 50/16 but just not sure I want a max performance summer tire for the cold temps.

I thought that would be a one paragraph question but hopefully someone can answer and help me and others with the same issue.

Thanks in advance.

Tony V · 08:40 AM

On my '74, I run 16X6 front and rear. Pilot Sport AS tires 205X55X16. I like to have the speedometer as close to correct as possible. Going to 50's will make the speedo a bit optimistic. Love the Pilots and bought them for the DD (Subi Outback) Drove them in the snow once, by accident. Prefer clear roads!
Also like the ability to rotate tires front to back, being the same size.
Don't know if there's much benefit to wider in the back as tires are so much stickier today. Tames the tail happiness of the 911 quite a bit.

75 911s · 75 911s's Garage

To me, it really depends on how low you want the car to sit and the side profile look you want to go for. Do you want a stock appearance or lower more aggressive track / street appearance.

The 205/55 16X7 will fit front and back fine, though I wanted my car to be lower, so I went 205/50 on 16x7 Fuchs and I really like how it looks but I am VERY low. With a 205/55 or the 215/50 you may just have to ride stock height or maybe slightly lower. I found it also depends on how stiff your suspension is, how much you weigh, and how aggressive you are on corners to be a factor especially in terms of whether you will be forced to roll your fenders, or raise the car to avoid rubbing.
Tire brand 'wideness' can vary, Tirerack will show true width FYI.

Matt Monson · 03-15-2017, 08:58 AM

I run the 205/50 front and 215/55 rear on my 74. I have a Pilots AS3. Big fan as I drive year round in all conditions.

75 911s · 75 911s's Garage

^Hey Matt, got a pic? that's a staggered stance right? So taller back tire? 24.9" and 24.1" Definitely not much difference. Thought it would be more until I looked them up.

Matt Monson · 03-15-2017, 09:15 AM

Matt Monson · 03-15-2017, 09:17 AM

When I go through and restore the suspension and brakes I'll probably knock the rude height down 20mm or so. I prefer a little side wall because I drive some tough roads here. I don't like driving on rubber bands.

75 911s · 75 911s's Garage

Looks great! Blue 911s are the best. It's definitely rockin' a very 70's vibe (which I love BTW) with the sugar scoops, polished wheels and big sidewall!

dedbird · dedbird's Garage

That is quite the coincidence and may be significant insight into what will not work. I think I sold those to you Matt. I had totally forgotten what size and thought they were225's. If so, I had them on for a about 250 miles but the rubbed just a bit in the back. That means 215/55's will not work, narrowing the choice down to 205/50 or 55's on all four corners. Hope the tires worked out well for you.

dedbird · dedbird's Garage

Anyone have any experience with difference in ride quality between the 50 and 55 profile tires?

Thanks.

Matt Monson · 03-15-2017, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedbird

That is quite the coincidence and may be significant insight into what will not work. I think I sold those to you Matt. I had totally forgotten what size and thought they were225's. If so, I had them on for a about 250 miles but the rubbed just a bit in the back. That means 215/55's will not work, narrowing the choice down to 205/50 or 55's on all four corners. Hope the tires worked out well for you.

Yes, these are yours. My car has SC rear flares, so not a direct comp to a stock 77. That picture is actually 225s on it when it was delivered. It works at current ride height but I had concerns about what would happen if I dropped it a touch.