Wheel and Tire Size

Steveo · 12-07-2002, 07:52 AM

Could someone give me the straight answer; I would like to change out my tires and wheels, currently have the stock 14" with 185x70 tires. So what can I upgrade to? The car is a 76 912e. Thank You!!!!!!

WFBowen · WFBowen's Garage

Steve:
First decide if you want to go back to the original-type setup which (on the 912E 5.5x14 wheel) is a pretty tall 185/78 tire. This setup is basically the same as the early 911E and optional on the T "comfort" option. First try to find the dia. of a 78 or 80 profile 185x14 & find the closest replacement available today.
Remember that the speedo on the 912E is calibrated for the tall 185x14 or the standard 165x15 (or 185/70x15 "S" package). A lot of 912E owners put 185/70x14 tires on as a quick way to lower the car and increase performance (numerically raising the overall gear ratio.)
If you want to change the wheels & tires, the choice would be 6x15 alloys with 215x65 tires. 6X16's (the fronts off a 911SC) work front & rear on the 912E. As many have posted, going to 7" wheels in back gets you into possible clearance issues but many have done it.

These links might help:

http://www.coopertires.com/tire_coo...enger.asp?id=32

http://www.coopertires.com/tire_coo...enger.asp?id=40

david c. · 12-19-2002, 09:50 AM

Personal experience, my 912E felt the best with 15x6,7 (f/r) with 205/50/15 A008R tires.

I am presently searching for four 15x7 Fuchs.

I've tried two different sets of tires on 16x6 Fuchs and the car felt sluggish (205/55/16 R1's and Eagle GT's a few years back). They looked nice and filled out the wheel wells, but the car was noticeably slower when autocrossing it.

I've also tried all 15x6, and steel 15x4.5,5.5 with skinnies. Obviously the latter wasn't too much fun.

If I had to give any free advice, which is worth what you pay for it, I'd go with four 15x7 original fuchs; light, wide enough for some decent tires (although truly high performance street tires in 15 inch diameters do seem to be dwindling), etc.

If I could find a set of 14x7 that would fit, I'd try that route for autocrossing. No luck so far, but Circle Racing said they'd make them for me in the 5x130 pattern for a little over $200/wheel.

Later,

David