Largest Wheels on early 911??

[baq911]

Hello

I'm looking for a staggered setup for my 1977 911 Widebody. I've been searching for used wheels to find reasonable prices as I don't have deep pockets. I've found a few, my car came with a RUF front bumper so at times I think of RUF setup, then I see pics with 17x11 or 18x11 rears and drool
So here is what I found so far, both 19's. First off, is that too much for my car? and your thoughts or feedback. Thanks.

Baker.

[Geronimo '74]

I guess it depends on the look.
If you're making a 993 clone you can go with the large diameter wheels.
If you keep it old school, don't go larger than 16" (max 17" if you want the Rota Fox wheels, but my opinion is they are quite large)

For a Ruf lookalike, 17" ( or maybe 18) would be ok.

[Jack Olsen]

For the practical parts of fitment, first find a tire that's made in 19-inch sizes (most aren't). Then use a tire size calculator to see if the 19-inch sizes will be close to the same diameter as the 15's your car probably came with. If the tire diameter is within an inch or so, you're usually fine.

For what it's worth, Porsche came out with a technical service bulletin advising against using 18-inch wheels or larger on the pre-1990 cars -- although my memory is foggy on the details. I can't really see a reason not to.

In terms of how they'll look on a pre-1990 911? Well, that's a matter of personal taste. I've seen a lot of 17's that I like. I'm kind of on the fence with some 18-inch wheels on 911's. I don't think I've ever seen 19's on a 911, and I don't know that I actually ever want to. But like I say, that's just an opinion. In your shoes, I'd stick with 17's or less.

[dial 911]

either 17s or 18s would be fine. it all depends on how you setup your car.

[304065]

I have seen 19s on the rear of a 935, but that is a very special case, isn't it?

The effect on handling of upsizing the tires from the original 205/60R15 tires on a '77 to something north of 18 inches would be frightening indeed. Even if you could maintain the same radius, which would necessitate an unbelievable low aspect ratio, the polar moment of the larger wheels would make it harder to spin them up and down. Pay close attention to the offset; even if you clear the fender lips at full bump, you still have to deal with altered scrub radius. Jack knows this particularly because of all the work that Tyson did to his car to make it handle right.

[boba]

Here are some of the new 3 piece Fuchs 17" on Jeff Alton's car. This will give you an idea of what a 17" will look like.

[baq911]

I think you all are absolutely correct. I am worried to go anything more than 18 for the rear and 17 front. I don't want the car to be anything it's not. It's not a 993, just a 77 911S widebody. The pic below is my car, yet it did not come with these wheels It came with 964 / 965 turbo wheels power coated in full black. To me, because there is no staggered setup with a lip, the widebody does not stand out much? anyone else feel that way?

[baq911]

I have two front's of these wheels, considering buying the two rears from Keskin (KT2). They only come in 18x9.5 rears. My fronts are 17's. This is the only pic I could find with that style wheel. Anyone have pics with these on a widebody, preferably identical to mine? thanks!!

[Zeke]

Are there no issues running staggered wheel sizes? I've not seen to many examples of say, 18 in front, 19 out back. Or even 17 F, 18 R.

[safe]

IMHO anything bigger than 17" makes a pre 964 car look like an offroad truck.

[Geronimo '74]

an example of 18"s

does not look to bad, I must admit.

[Geronimo '74]

1 more

[crimson ghost]

But is that Cab lowered more than usual ??? I think its the tuck that makes it look so nice. IMHO

[Facey]

Hey... this is my 75 widebody










they were optional wheels on a 996 TT, porsche (bbs)... think they are 9&11x18, factory chrome with matching center-caps...

actually I am considering selling them, have the aluminum spacers for perfect fitment ($$$$), as most wheels will require spacers/adaptors on cars like ours (flared w/ narrow running gear) tires have less then 7000kms on them

[safe]

Originally Posted by crimson ghost

But is that Cab lowered more than usual ??? I think its the tuck that makes it look so nice. IMHO

Yes, I would be surprised if its not riding on the bump stops instead of the torsion bars.

[Facey]

Originally Posted by safe

Yes, I would be surprised if its not riding on the bump stops instead of the torsion bars.

o dunno about that... i've had mine insanely low... but the front scrapes everywhere... so mine is actually set to the euro ride hight (~24" sounds right...)

[baq911]

Thanks for the pics! so with 18's do you have any rubbage? any side-affects?? thanks.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by milt

Are there no issues running staggered wheel sizes? I've not seen to many examples of say, 18 in front, 19 out back. Or even 17 F, 18 R.

I haven't seen any Porsche with different diameters front and rear, but the 90's Acura NSX had 16 up front and 17 in the rear from the factory.

[boba]

935 used 16" F and 19" R.

Photo is from Edmond Harris.

[Facey]

Originally Posted by baq911

Thanks for the pics! so with 18's do you have any rubbage? any side-affects?? thanks.

i can turn lock to lock... i had to roll fenders, (one front, one rear, do a search and you'll find that our cars are not exactly symmetrical..or something like that..lol).

i changed many things all at once; suspension, wheels, tires, engine, etc...

i can say that i have way way more grip then i had with 7x15s, car is more surefooted, but can follow grooves in the road on occasion.... dump steer is present, but its not excessive...

tons of tire choices... more modern looks, and i think the opposite of you regarding lip... by having the wheel faces flush with the fender/flare edge the flare is exaggerated, as it is shown to be extended via several reference points...