How to test first, buy later?

solex3274 · solex3274's Garage

I would like to stuff a larger size tire in the rear wheel wells of my 88 924s, however it seems to be more of a challenge than anticipated. My 16 inch set up is 6 inch wheels in the front and 8 inch wheels in the back. I would like to mount a 245/50/16 on the rear and see if rubbing might be a problem or fender lips would need to be rolled. The problem is that I can't find an old tire at any of the tire stores to mount on a rim and conduct a test. In addition most stores don't stock a 245 and would have to order them.

Any suggestions?

krystar · 04-08-2011, 07:46 AM

for that size...you're prob outta luck. unless u happen to know someone local with a 944 that has 245/50/16 tires. only avenue i can think of is try local PCA autoX or social gatherings

Rasta Monsta · Rasta Monsta's Garage

FWIW, I have D90s with 225/50 on the back of my 931, fender lips bent flat, and I can BARELY get my pinky between the tire and the fender.

wild man · 04-08-2011, 12:52 PM

This is what the math concludes: 245 will be about 4/5" wider than 225. That splits into 2/5" wider on each side. A typical pinky just a bit more than that, so it should JUST clear. At least while the car is running level, not loaded down, and not encountering bumps or variations in the surface on which it is traveling, anyways. But just to be on the safe side, you may want to consider upgrading to a 944, as the fenders on that model flare out farther, allowing the larger tires to fit better.

wild man · 04-08-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild man

But just to be on the safe side, you may want to consider upgrading to a 944, as the fenders on that model flare out farther, allowing the larger tires to fit better.

I was just kidding about that. But after rereading the title of the thread, a reasonable (IMHO) idea DID pop into my head:

Go to the place where you plan to buy the tires, lay a "reverse sales pitch" on them, stating that if they will mount one of the tires, and it fits, you will buy a pair from them.

Dougs951 · 04-08-2011, 02:27 PM

Mid 90's Camaro's use that size so check Craigslist for some cheap used ones, or put a wanted add up. Where are you located?

Arizona_928 · 03:19 PM

where are you at? I have my set of D90's not mounted with 245 rears.

jpk · 04-08-2011, 03:04 PM

It would help to know where you are. I have a set of 8 inch wide D90's with 245 wide tires on them, I just don't remember if they are 50 aspect ratio or not; I'm thinking they are. For what it's worth (not much in this case I'm afraid) they work fine on my 968.

Rasta Monsta · Rasta Monsta's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild man

A typical pinky just a bit more than that, so it should JUST clear.

Hmm, I should have clarified. . .my pinkies, like the rest of my appendages, are atypically large.

wild man · 04:59 AM

That's more than I needed to know. But after taking a caliper measurement (of my pinky), it seems that I may have under guestimated anyways, as I came up with slightly under 20mm (4/5") at the 1st knuckle.

This is all encouraging news for the thread starter. It means there is actually a fair amount MORE space available than I calculated. At least I erred on on the "safe" side, which WAS my intent, if there was to be any error. I would have felt terrible if he put them on, only to report back that they were getting all torn up.

EDIT: The only "true" test would be to put them on and make sure that they don't touch the fenders when the rear suspension is fully compressed. Understandably, he would like to know for sure before even putting them on. I'm actually kind of surprised that nobody who has actually tried it has chimed in with the definitive answer.

solex3274 · solex3274's Garage

Thanks for all the advice, I was able to find a tire store that would actually work with me on this project. I purchased a 245/50/16 with the understanding that if it did not fit, the store would let me exchange it for a 225/50/16 and give me back any difference in the price. After mounting the tire on the car, possible problems noticed was the about an inch of clearance between the rear stabilizer bar bolt and the tire. After loading the rear hatch down with weight, I found about 1/2 inch of clearance between the tire and the rear fender lip. Based upon this information, I think I will go ahead and give the 245's a try.

solex3274 · solex3274's Garage

89-944NA · 89-944NA's Garage

Damn, that's as wide as my FRONT tire...but I'm going to go 255x40 on the front and 275x40 on the rear with the next tire change.

wild man · 04-10-2011, 05:11 PM

Nice to see that they worked out OK. It's now definitive - should anyone else want to know.

Rasta Monsta · Rasta Monsta's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild man

Nice to see that they worked out OK. It's now definitive - should anyone else want to know.

Well yeah if you have it jacked up like a monster truck you could put 10' meats on the back!

89-944NA · 89-944NA's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta Monsta

Well yeah if you have it jacked up like a monster truck you could put 10' meats on the back!

Not so Rasta, my car sits stock, and I have 225x40 front and 255x40 rear, and the "Barn Find" 1989 951 I just sent to Maryland is LOWERED and has 255x40 front and 275x40 rear, WITHOUT any body modifications nor rubbing issues. A 275x40 has a 10.9" tread width.

Sorry, I just noticed that you guys are working with a 924, so yes, you are limited to a much narrower tire.