245 45 R 16 tires

J. Perrault · J. Perrault's Garage

Guys,
Bought my 1982 SC with Fuzion's 245 45 R 16's in the rear.
It's time for new tires so started looking... as you know theres not much out there other than Perrelli P Zeros on the higher side of cost. Looked at some threads real quick but they go back a year or two.
What's everyone running now ?
No, im not stuck on 245's...worst case is downsize a bit and increase options ten fold.
Just thought id ping everyone on here and get some feedback.
Thanks as always,
Josh P

Ayles · 02-01-2018, 10:22 AM

I am running Toyo R888 in that size.

Jules13 · 02-01-2018, 10:43 AM

I am running Toyo Proxies R1, I've had them twice now really like them.

dwelle · 02-01-2018, 11:08 AM

there are still some RE11's around in that size. they've quit making them and none of the distribution folks have any. i had to replace one on my 914 and found quite a few of them on ebay...

darrin · 02-01-2018, 11:18 AM

Josh -- what is the width of your rear wheels? VERY good selection of tires available in the 225/50-16 size that fit fine on 16x7 or 16x8 rear wheels (but are too narrow for 16x9 rear wheels).

All three of these wheel widths will work on the rear end of a SC

Also, important to run the same model tires front/rear --

AndreasK · AndreasK's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrin

Also, important to run the same model tires front/rear --

Is it? Why? Or is that an insider joke I'm not aware of? Personally I would never run different model tires front/rear. But all my current reasons for that is in my head and have no rational foundation. Would be nice if I could have a real reason for it.

tratza · 02-01-2018, 03:08 PM

Running Toyo R888s also after hearing PZeros wouldn't be available for a couple months or so.

zedsn · 02-01-2018, 03:48 PM

I don't run the same model tires front and rear about half of the time and never had an issue.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Toyo RA-1s. 245r, 225 f. 7 and 8 x 16 Fuchs.

darrin · 02-01-2018, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndreasK

Is it? Why? Or is that an insider joke I'm not aware of? Personally I would never run different model tires front/rear. But all my current reasons for that is in my head and have no rational foundation. Would be nice if I could have a real reason for it.

I'm not an expert (and don't play one on tv either), but as I understand it different tire models have different sidewall characteristics/friction coefficients/grip/etc. that can negatively effect the car's balance and potentially produce unpredictable handling at/near the limits. Tires are designed to be run as a "system" --

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrin

I'm not an expert (and don't play one on tv either), but as I understand it different tire models have different sidewall characteristics/friction coefficients/grip/etc. that can negatively effect the car's balance and potentially produce unpredictable handling at/near the limits. Tires are designed to be run as a "system" --

True, but remember the front and rear are different sizes any way.

I have done it both ways. On the street or casual track use different front and rear brands or models is probably not an issue.

If you are competing or running at your maximum at an autocross, DE or actually racing, different story.

911pcars · 02-01-2018, 07:07 PM

Another option:
Toyo T1R, 245/45-16 at Tire Rack
205/55-16, available other sources.

Sherwood

AndreasK · AndreasK's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrin

I'm not an expert (and don't play one on tv either), but as I understand it different tire models have different sidewall characteristics/friction coefficients/grip/etc. that can negatively effect the car's balance and potentially produce unpredictable handling at/near the limits. Tires are designed to be run as a "system" --

I can see running a full on track tire at one and and a sluggish street tire at the other could cause problems. But 2 different brands street tires, especially if you stick to N-rated (Porsche approved)? I doubt most people would have problems. Same for track tires. Unless you mix slicks and rain or something other far apart.

J. Perrault · J. Perrault's Garage

Thanks everyone,

Darin,
I actually cant recall the width... sheepishly. The wheels are at Ricks in Costa Mesa. Before they went out I remember measuring 6 1/2 and 7 1/2... but it could have been 7 1/2 and 8 1/2. Your right, the options are great with 225 50 16's. Its really tempting.
Looking at Tire Rack: The Bridgestone Potenza RE's, Perelli Rosso's and Conti extreme contact. Also the Dunlop Direzza's. All summer.

Will look into the Toyo's they seem popular on here.
Really leaning toward 225 50 16's now though. For cost, and also the the 50 aspect ratio of thw 225's will fill thw wheel well a tad more than the 45 on the 245's. Am I right ?
If I did go 245, id have to order now, Tire Rack says theyre weeks and weeks out.

Thanks again,
Josh P

J. Perrault · J. Perrault's Garage

P.S that 914 is the most badass and G.O.A.T ever. Think it was at Luft last year.

Canada Kev · 02-02-2018, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Perrault

P.S that 914 is the most badass and G.O.A.T ever. Think it was at Luft last year.

I concur. I like the narrow body but with the pulled the rear fender to allow a wider wheel/tire in there. Looks great!

TheSt|G · 02-02-2018, 06:54 AM

I wouldn't worry about running 245 over 225 that much. The grip levels from tires today is light years ahead of what was available when these cars were new.

911pcars · 02-02-2018, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Tire Rack says theyre weeks and weeks out.

Tire Rack hasn't been keen on stocking Porsche tires in that size range so I'd suggest a search elsewhere. I found the rears from eBay and the fronts from a Pelican member here. At the time (2016), they weren't that difficult to source.

I plugged those two tire sizes in this calculator to compare dimensions:
Custom rims, wheel tire packages

From the chart, both are about the same width, but the 245/45 is slightly shorter and lighter. It's a generic calculation. Different tire brands may be slightly different, but with approximately the same size differences.

BTW, the black car was at Luft in 2016, but not last year. Many 914s are similar in appearance except for the rear SC wheel wells that allow (barely) 9x16s.

Sherwood

Raceboy · Raceboy's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Perrault

For cost, and also the the 50 aspect ratio of thw 225's will fill thw wheel well a tad more than the 45 on the 245's. Am I right ?
If I did go 245, id have to order now, Tire Rack says theyre weeks and weeks out.

245/45 16 and 225/50 16 have the same overall diameter.

I bought Nankang AS2+ 24/45 16 (85 euros per tire) and 225/50 16 (59 euros per tire) for one of my cars, excellent tires for street with low noise, very good wet handling and very good dry grip. I would probably not try to make 20minute hot lap sessions with them but I also would not do that with any other street tire lol.