17" rims on '83 944

[DKillaPorsche]

I am pretty close to buying some 17" 3 piece Fuch replicas.

I have a 1983 944.

The rims are 8x17" ET35 on the front and 10x17" ET15 on the rear. From what i understand these should fit but want to see if other people can clarify.

I know the rims are also quite wide - anyone see any significant problems with this?

Cheers

[SolReaver]

Well, I am not absolutely sure, but, I did think there was a problem with clearance when you get that big. Larger rims may change the whole handling aspects of the car unless they are low profile and matched to the original weight.

Width can be a problem in the rear if you don't have the correct offset. Wide tires also tend to stick out and look a bit odd. Measure the tire/rim combination as to height, width, offset, and weight, and then check to see if they would truly fit your vehicle. Check interfereance at suspension full load, full unload, and turns against the stops with full load and unload.

Rim and tire retailers may sell you a package that you really don't need and that might not be a good fit. Once you buy the tires, you may have to change springs or other components to match the tires and who knows where that can lead.

Last night I saw a flashy set of rims trying to get out of a parking space in a lot with potholes. The poor man had to go back and forth about a dozen times before he could make the turn because the front tires kept rubbing past 15 degrees or so. It was sad and funny at the same time.

It would help if I /we knew what you were going for here, IOW, what do you want to accomplish with these new rims. I have driven a couple similar vehicles with non-stock rims and IMHO you always have to give something to get something. I prefer phone dials and so do racers and track drivers.

You could get a set of phone dials chromed or coated for the cost of the larger rims and not have to deal with the possible non-stock issues.

[Dantilla]

They will fit, but the car will understeer like a pig.

A 944 looks good with wide tires in the rear, but it can upset the wonderful handling the factory engineered in.

[rudidelange]

the original wheel / tire will give you the best: 7j front and back with 215 / 60 / 15" or 6j front and back with 205 / 55 / 16"

[MrWrong]

My heap has 255/40/17 on the rear and 225/45/17 on the front.

That makes the rears about 2 inches wider and the fronts 1/2 inch wider than stock.

The diameters seem to be pretty close.

You won't hear me complain about the handling.

[jcommin]

I have 17" Aftermarket Turbo Twist on mine running a set of Bridgestone Pole Posistion II's. I lowered the car using Weltmiester 200# springs in the front and adjusted the rear eccentric. Went to 951 sway bars front and rear. I like my set up. I do not track my car but I like the way it looks and handles (better than stock). Many track guys stay with the 15 /16's.

I could not find 15" tires since many tire manufacturers don't carry what I wanted ( I like Bridgestones) . It was either 16 or 17's and I went big. I might add there isn't much choice out there for wheels either.

You need to decide what you want out of the car? Then the decision is easy.

Good Luck

[fbgh2o]

EDIT OOPS Did not see that you were in Australia... Anyways for those who be interested.

I have a set of early offset (23mm) 7 x 16 and 8 x 16 phone dials from my 951 in good shape. Willing to part with them for $300 for the set including the center caps. For an extra $100 you can also have the Bridgestone RE730 tires. I will split the shipping cost with anyone who is interested.

I also have Cup 1 replica wheels with General Exclaim UHP. Silver painted with aftermarket center caps and brand new General Exclaim UHP tires. Wheels were bought new from Wheel Enhancement in June 2008 (Made in Italy Brand) and the tires from TireRack. About 1,500 miles, wheels in perfect shape, tires virtually no wear. Looking for $1,300, but willing to listen to all offers. I will split shipping 50:50 with buyer. (My total cost is about $2,000).

PM me for high resolution photos and with your questions.

[bland vanilla]

I have a very similar let up to what Jim is running on my 84. Yokohama 255X40X17 rear and 215X45X17 front on 17" Millle Miglia C2 cup knock-offs. I initially had 225s on the front and had clearance issues in hard corners. I also went w/ 951 sway bars, Ground Control adjustable front springs, rear concentric bolt adjust, Koni Yellows, new tie rods, ball joints, Brembo cross drilled rotors, stainless brake line, rebuilt and powder coated calipers, and all new poly bushings everywhere. It looks good (to me and that is all that really matters as I wrote the checks) and handles great. I never track it and it will run rings around most contemporary cars once you get into the twisties. Total cost of the suspension, wheels, tires, labor, etc was around $2500. Not cheap but for having everything done new at once it was well worth it.













This is where the fun really starts.



It is a little down on power compared to the other 2 cars in the garage but will definately give them a run for their money on back roads. I also get more compliments on this little car than any I have ever owned including an 83 Ferrari Mondial Cab I had. The best I heard on it was "nice vette man" from some less than informed person.

Good luck on your project and be sure to post pics as you go.

Steve

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by bland vanilla

I initially had 225s on the front and had clearance issues in hard corners.

Strange. I've got 235s on the front right now, with no problems at all.

[bland vanilla]

Is your's lowered? That is when I ran into the problems. I have it down right at an inch from stock. I had 225s when I had the 15" Fuchs prior to changing out the suspension and had no problems.

Steve

[Dantilla]

My NA race car is very low, but has enough negative camber to prevent clearance problems.

My 944S street car is still at stock height. When I upgrade the suspension, I may go straight to the same setup as the race car. A bit stiff for the street, but I love the crisp turn-in, and instantaineous response. It will be another race car someday, so I'm not interested in swapping suspension twice.

[bland vanilla]

Even w/mine only being lowered around an inch I am having camber problems. When I got the alignment they told me that they could not adjust it quite far enough and I have uneven tire wear going on. Is there a camber kit for the 84? Thanks.

Steve

[prooutlaw]

I have 245/40/17 on the front and 275/40/17 on the back of my Turbo without issues

[AKCJ]

Originally Posted by fbgh2o

EDIT OOPS Did not see that you were in Australia... Anyways for those who be interested.

I have a set of early offset (23mm) 7 x 16 and 8 x 16 phone dials from my 951 in good shape. Willing to part with them for $300 for the set including the center caps. For an extra $100 you can also have the Bridgestone RE730 tires. I will split the shipping cost with anyone who is interested.

I also have Cup 1 replica wheels with General Exclaim UHP. Silver painted with aftermarket center caps and brand new General Exclaim UHP tires. Wheels were bought new from Wheel Enhancement in June 2008 (Made in Italy Brand) and the tires from TireRack. About 1,500 miles, wheels in perfect shape, tires virtually no wear. Looking for $1,300, but willing to listen to all offers. I will split shipping 50:50 with buyer. (My total cost is about $2,000).

PM me for high resolution photos and with your questions.

I've been looking for 16 x 7 early offset wheels for a long time. This set is the closest I've found to that. I would assume that 7" would be best all around for an early (due to available power or lack of power) and also balance. I think I could live with 8's on the back if that's all I can find.

I want 16's because there's not a great selection of tires in 15"

I really need different wheels because the one's I have are late offset phone dials and they don't look great on an early. And, I assume perfermance would be slightly better with the wider stance.

Anyway, what do you guys think about 7's front and 8's in back of an 83?