What Size Tires....Help

[jhora]

What size tires work best for HP street application for a 914-6 with GT flares using 7 & 8 X 15 Fuchs
I have looked all around the site and others and haven't really found any real world info on tire sizes for this type application.
What are you guys using...or have tried...

Thanks...John

[Eric_Shea]

Hey John,

It "really" depends on the offset on the rims and the desired application. I have the exact same rims but they are 911 rims vs. 944 rims. When I tell people I can barely fit an 8x15 under factory flares, most seem to disbelieve.

215/60/15 on the 8's in the rear
195/65/15 on the 7's up front (with loads of spacers)

[jhora]

Hi Eric..
Well I am learning something here....
Yes...both the 7 & 8 are 911 offset...23.3 and 10.6
Did the 944 have different offset??
What is the size mm of the spacers in front??
Boy this gets tricker all the time...
Thanks.....

[jhora]

I meant did the 8x15" 944 have a different offset....I know the 8x16" did 23.3 like the front...7"

[dug]

All fuchs 8x15s have the same offset.
Only 8x16s came in the 951 flavor with a different offset (1/2 inset vs 911.)
7x16s also have 951 flavor, but are the same offset as 911 just with more brake clearance.

I had a six with 215/60/15s in the rear and it had rubbing issues under custom flares.
Changing it to a 225/50/15 which is a wider tire, actually cured the rubbing problem because the sidewalls do not bow out nearly as much as the 215/60s.

Every brand of tire has a different measured dimension. Look at the detailed specs on tire rack and you can see a half inch or more variation among different tires in the same size.

The other important factor for choosing wheel and tire size is weight. This is why I've decided to stick with the 15 inch wheels. 15 inch fuchs are lighter than 16 inch fuchs. Most 225/50/15 series tires are lighter than most 245/45 16 inch tires. There is also a larger selection of 225/50/15 tires than there is for 245/45/16. Unsprung weight is the worst place to add weight to a car.

Third reason to stay with 15s. Why spend $250-300 per gear changing ratios to make a shorter gearbox when you can just use low profile tires to drop your overall ratio? :)

cheers,
dug

[Eric_Shea]

Perfect time to whip out the... "Offset Chart" ;)

Learn sump'un new every day. I've had this chart and in the back of my mind I always thought there were 2 8x15's... Dooh.

[dug]

I love that chart. I (er, well Randy has them at the moment) have a set of 7x15 five lug ATS wheels that have a 30 mm offset. Gives you a little more room to try to sneak under stock fenders with a 7. But they still don't fit more than a 205. That's what flares are for!

dug