Will these Empis fit a 195/60/15?

[green71]

Dang. I'd finally gotten myself geared up to buy a set of 195/60/15's or 195/65/15's to replace my ratty old 165's. Unfortunately,I may have done a bit too much research: I found a posting from two years ago where a member says he doubted that 8-spoke Empis could handle 195 tires because the offset isn't right. Can anyone confirm or refute that? Here's a pic of my wheel w/the 165's:



Somebody say it ain't so!

In the event my wheels & 195's are compatible, any recommendations between the 60-series and 65-series?

Thanks,

Mark

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1971 1.7l 914
Willow Green

[Joe Bob]

There's a guy named Joe Schneider. Long time PCA member and shop owner. He runs those wheels on his 914. Call him 805-962-8015.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You could measure the actual clearance on your car. 195-width tires are about 30mm wider than 165-width tires. Half goes on each side, so you'll need ~15mm (0.6") of room on each side of your 165s. Figure out a "safety factor" for things to move around, and add that. See if you have that much clearance on each side of your 165s.

--DD

[green71]

Dave,

What's a reasonable "safety factor?" How much clearance between tire & fender lip is enough?

Mark

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I don't really know. Part of it depends on how much you think things are flexing/shifting/moving, and how close to the "edge" you want to go. I've heard of people running around with less than 1/4", but that would make me a bit nervous. I'd think about 1/2" for a 914 in good shape would be more than adequate.

--DD

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http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[campbellcj]

I just put some kumho 205/50x15's on my fuchs (4lug), and there is enough space between the rear tire and the body to easily slide my hand in there. No rubbing. So I'd figure that 1/2-3/4" "wiggle room" is about right.

[John Rogers]

Let me help to confuse the tire/wheel issue a little more....We HAD some 195x50 Yoko A008s on a set of EMPIs (5 inch wide)and they fit fine, lots of clearance. We HAD some 195x60 Firehawks on the Fuchs (5.5 inch wide) and they fit fine. I bought some new 205x50 V700s and put them on the Fuchs and they still fit fine, BUT I moved the Firehawks to the EMPIs and they rubbed slightly in the rear! So I rolled the fender lip, etc and have about 0.5 inch clearance! Different backspacing it seems. Good luck.

[green71]

OK! I tried Dave's "yardstick" technique & determined that I had enough clearance to upgrade to 185's and still have 11-12mm from tire to fender lip. I test-fitted a 185/65/15 on the rear driver's side and guess what: math works. In fact, because the tire is shorter there is actually more clearance than I anticipated; just over 1/2".

I'll take it out tonight and lean it into a few corners to see if I hear anything strange or see any rubbing on the sidewall.

The tires, BTW, are Bridgestone Potenza RE950's. So far they seem swell.

Mark