Stumped by 18" Wheel Options for '96 993 C2

[Switzer]

I have a 1996 993 C2 and it came with 17" wheels. I am interested in upgrading to a set of 18" wheels, but I am totally perplexed by the choices out there. Is there a good resource for identifying which other factory wheels will fit my narrow body 993? For example, can I fit 18" 993 turbo twists, 996 narrow body wheels, etc? Help!

[rcwaldo]

Any NB996 wheel will fit. Popular choices include Sport Designs, Sport Classis2's and my fav., MY'02 5 spoke light weight wheels.

For 8" wheels front, look for offsets of 52-55mm, 10" wheels rear look for 60-65mm offsets.

Boxster wheels will also fit, but most are 7.5" and 9" widths. I'll have to post some pics of my wheels. I feel they look great!!

[Switzer]

Thanks a million! I take it the offset is the critical dimension, such that a set of 993 turbo twists with the offsets you mentioned would fit just as well.

[rcwaldo]

Yes, proper offset is very critical. Widebody front wheels are the same as NB, but the rears are offset 40mm just so you know.

[jhc]

I just put these MY05 997 narrow body 18x8 and 18x10 5 spokes on. No spacers used. They weigh 2.5 lbs. more each front and 7.5 lbs. more each in the back than the standard 17 cup wheels. I have an early 95 model so I understand a steering rack brace will be needed.

[Bill Verburg]

I've added n/b 993 fitments to my wheels page

Wheels

9 & 10 inch Speedlines


8 & 10 inch my'02 996 5spokes

[GrantG]

Originally posted by jhc
I just put these MY05 997 narrow body 18x8 and 18x10 5 spokes on. No spacers used. They weigh 2.5 lbs. more each front and 7.5 lbs. more each in the back than the standard 17 cup wheels.

Are those weight differences with or without tires? I wonder if the lower profile of the 18" tires would help to offset the weight gain o the wheels?

[jhc]

GrantG,
Those are weight differences with the tires mounted. They are 235-40-18 and 265-40-18 Contisport 2 vs. 205-50-17 and 255-40-17 Toyo T1-S.

[GrantG]

Thank you!

[Bill Verburg]

The weight of the Speedlines is 48# w/Pirelli P0 Nero/54# w/Pirelli P0 Nero

The weight of the '02 996 5 spokes is 39# w/225/40mpsc/42#w/265/35mpsc

[glenndeweirdt]

I thought there was a squalk from the factory about upgrading to 18" rims on early 993's due to the extra tire stiffness causing rear windows to pop out. This may have been more of an issue on the '95 cars. I think there is a cheap fix available from the dealer to prevent this. I don't think it has been a huge issue but may be worth a little extra research.

[Bill Verburg]

I thought there was a squalk from the factory about upgrading to 18" rims on early 993's

The issue was the steering rack. it just needs a stifferer which was developed for the 964 RS and Cup cars.
It was standard on '96 up 993.

Here it is, 2 bolts

[BLK964]

It's the first time I've heard of this stiffener. Thanks for the info, Bill. I'll have to remember this for future upgrades.

Thanks,
Jason

[GrantG]

Jason - the 964 uses a different rack (with a faster ratio), so I'm not sure this brace would fit on a 964 rack...

[jhc]

It's 39 Euros from carnewal.com. Look for upgrades under P93.

[BLK964]

Did the RSA use the same rack as the RS and Cup cars? I was thinking that if I went with a manual rack, possibly from an RSA, I might need this.

Thanks.

[kurquhart]

The rack on my 90 C2 is slightly different, but with some patience, the brace does fit between all those fluid lines:

[Oh Haha]

Excuse the butt-in, guys. Switzer, there is a nice set of 18 inch BBS LM's that will fit your car perfectly in the Pelican ads.

[KoalaT]

There is a Service Bulletin that indicate all 96 and earlier (except Cab's) needs it if you move to 18" wheels. Evidently the cab was modified to add the stiffer unit that moved into the '97 and later cars.