anyone run 15 + 16" wheels?

mth944 · mth944's Garage

First post in this forum...great place to hang out. I recently bought a pretty 86' 944 NA and I would like to go with a wider rear wheel. I currently have the 15x7 phone dials and I was wondering if anyone has tried running 16x8 phone dials on the rear while keeping the 15x7 on the front? I've driven cars (like the Lotus Elise, for example) that run unequal sized front and rear wheels. Is this a terrible idea? What are the potential risks, if any? Thanks in advance.

nynor · 02-24-2007, 07:03 AM

i had 15x7/15x8 fuchs on my '83. worked great.

MarcM · 02-24-2007, 07:40 AM

Have a look at the following site: http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq13.html
It lists what I believe to be all the "stock" wheel sizes and offsets for 924/944/968 series.

Keep in mind the from '86 to '87 there was a change in wheel offsets from "early" to "late" so you'll need to look for a set of early wheels.

It looks like the '86 turbo ran 7 and 8 x 16s. I think they would fit N/A cars as well. I made the same change on my '87 S, going from 15 to 16" Phone Dials and Dish Wheels (which if memory servers me right are 8.5 wide), using 225/50 front and 245/45 rear tires. No issues with fit. But remember, mine was an '87 late offset.

I sure someone on the board has done it and can confirm it works.
Marc

nynor · 02-24-2007, 08:17 AM

my fuchs came off of a 911 and i used spacers.

ae1969 · 02-24-2007, 08:35 AM

Early phone dials will work on your car.

And yes you can ran a 16x8 rears and 15x7 in front.

There are a number of vehicles that run different diameters rims.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

As stated, what you are considering shouldn't be a problem. If you go above 16s, you will need to make some modifications to the front which I just recently learned from the previous poster and Techno Duck. Anything 17 or greater, you should change your caster blocks and alignment values. If you want to read about that, search for a post on 968 caster blocks from either ae1969 or Techno Duck. You can read the official Porsche tech bulletin on that post.

BTW, welcome to the forum, it's a great place to read a lot of information about your car and the people here are very helpful. There are a couple more sites that will provide a lot of information about your car as well.

www.clarks-garage.com
http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq05.html
http://www.arnnworx.com/

Tidybuoy · 02-24-2007, 01:25 PM

I'm no expert on this subject but I think there would be no problem at all. You would simply adjust the tire profile so that the final outer diameter is pretty much the same as original (otherwise the speedo will be out). There are many tire calculators out there to help with that but I would just use the size tire that the turbo comes with.

The link above that MarcM posted has all of the stock tire sizes used by the factory.

I've been wanting to upgrade my phone dials to the larger size too but I have yet to find a full set for sale. I was thinking that I may have to buy them two at a time - if I can find them.

Vern

mth944 · mth944's Garage

Thanks for the replies everyone. I assumed it wouldn't be a problem, but I want to be absolutely positive before I invest in anything that could damage my car. I'll try and find a couple early offset 16x8 phone dials...that should be challenging...

MarcM · 02-24-2007, 02:50 PM

You should join your local Porsche Club of America region (San Diego). Runs about $45 per year. You'll meet other local enthusiasts, many who have garages full of "stuff" as they have upgraded along the way, and are looking to pass along at reasonable prices to the new guys . . . not to mention you could drive on some of the local tracks at speed . . .

MarcM · 02-24-2007, 02:53 PM

http://www.pcasdr.org/

MarcM · 02-24-2007, 02:58 PM

Hey mth944, more good news for you, the 2007 Porsche Parade is in San Diego this year as well.
http://www.pcasdr.org/Parade/index.php

mth944 · mth944's Garage

Thanks for the info. I've actually been a member of the PCA since Nov. of this year and I can't wait to get my car ready for the Parade. Should be a great time.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

I'm running 15x7 Cookies in front, and 17x8.5's after markets in the rear right now. I do wish it had a bit more rearwards brake bias, as its not using its full potential. Also the wheels and tires at the back are 14.Xlb's heavier each. I can feel that difference in acceleration decidely.

Harpman2 · 02-25-2007, 01:07 PM

Tervuren, so you drive the 84 right now? Got any pics of all your family's cars? I wish I had a mother cool enough to drive an S2. But my mom can drive a stick, loads of women can't.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Here's a shot taken from my '86 when my brother first got the '84(which I now own).

Same day.

In about 22 days, my mom bought the '85, then I bought it from her and she bought the S2, then last of all my brother got the '86.

Litespeeds · 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mth944
First post in this forum...great place to hang out. I recently bought a pretty 86' 944 NA and I would like to go with a wider rear wheel. I currently have the 15x7 phone dials and I was wondering if anyone has tried running 16x8 phone dials on the rear while keeping the 15x7 on the front? I've driven cars (like the Lotus Elise, for example) that run unequal sized front and rear wheels. Is this a terrible idea? What are the potential risks, if any? Thanks in advance.

I don't really know why you want to run 15's in the front and 16's in the rears. The tire profile will be different and the handling might not be as good or should I say balanced.

What size tires are you planning on using? This will really limit your selection. If you go with a 205/55/15 for the front which has an overall diamter of 23.88", you can use a 225/45/16 on the rear which is 23.97". That will be the ideal size tires for the rim sizes you are using but you will have problems finding a good tire in those sizes.

My suggestion is to just go and purchase a set of 15x7 and 15x8 Fuchs or get a set of 16x7 and 16x8 Phone Dials and keep the wheel sizes the same. Alot easier to find a good tire for a 205/55/16 and 225/50/16 combination. Even the 15" wheels will be kind of hard to find a good tire combo.

Harpman2 · 05:25 PM

OK Tervuren, you have the coolest family. Need another brother? LOL

I'm flying to Charleston, SC on March 26 for business, look up at around 1:30 PM. I'll wave from 30,000 feet.

Thanks for the great pics.