cayenneman

I want some of the new 2005 997s 19" wheels for my 85 911. I was wondering if they would fit. And where could I find a set of takeoffs.

Roc Doc

Since all the new cars are coil sprung and you've got a torsion bar car, I think you'll find that the offset is all wrong for your car without spacers. And spacers lead to a whole 'nuther set of problems.

I just went through this.

Doc

strupgolf

Doc, as a new owner with 18" turbo twists on my 86 911 targa, what kind of problems do you have or did you have with spacers, tires, etc. Thanks for a reply.

Roc Doc

I have no direct experience with spacers on my 911, but was advised against it. I do however have experience with spacers on my Toyota 4WD rock crawler, http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RgAPA...83768980905179 , and I can tell you that spacers are not the way to go. I ended up putting on wheel hubs from and IFS truck to move the wheels out, (for better stability). On the trail it's not that critical, but I've been driving that beast on the street while the 911 is awaiting some brake parts, and it steers much better.


This posted by MIK911:
To elaborate on the safety issue, your wheels are held to the hub by the tension placed on the wheel studs by the lug nuts, and if you put a spacer between them, that becomes a deformable washer of sorts and can effect the proper torque on the studs, as well as the friction between the wheel and the WMS. Plus it changes the geometry of the suspension, by making a longer "lever", especially concerning camber.

I'm sure there are lots of folks that have run them without problem, but it's still not the right way to do it.

Doc

ZAMIRZ

Forget it, even if you could band-aid the offset problem with spacers, the 19s are way way way too big. As a general rule of thumb, Porsche suggests you do not exceed 17" on these cars.

LukeSportsman

Beyond all the concerns that will be expressed here, have you looked at OD of the 19's? I mean for the front, where you don't want to jack it up. My 225/40/18 are a little too tall for my likes and may tempt me to look at some 225/35's after I use up my new PP's. You are likely looking at more weight, yet unless they have some Mag options. Do you know the offset's for 997's yet?

At minimum you're issues: Diameter, weight, ride harshness, spring and dampning rates, slide on spacers will require studs and rear bearings, and in the end an alignment.

Have you seen 18's on an early car? They already look big. If the rear rims are 9.5 or larger you'll have oil lines and bolt head issues likely. Think seriously before getting into this. There are aftermarket alternatives that might be a better choice.

LukeSportsman

Save the spinners for the Cayenne!

JackOlsen

I run 17's on my car, which already has bulging, turbo-sized flares. In my opinion, 17's are about the limit, visually. Not everybody who sees them on my car is a fan. I think you're getting into 'clown car' territory when you put 18's on a pre-89 911. 19's might just look, well... especially clown-car-ish.

Of course, if you like it, then go for it. But maybe try Photoshopping them onto a picture of your car before you make the leap?

strupgolf

Well ,my car came with 18's. It also has wide turbo fenders with huge rubber on the wheels. It doesnt look bad, and boy does it hold the road. I might go to 17's in the future if I can find a nice set. But you are right, big is sometimes too big.

redidrum

Well, I stole the 18's from my 928 before I sold it and stuck them on my 911sc for a day with $400 of spacers. I measured the area exactly to make them fit and they still rubbed on the front shock inside. I had 245/18/40 and 265/35/18 rears with 1" and 2" spacers. The car was tracking wrong too. I brought the car to my buddy that has worked on porsches fror 34 years. His first comment when he saw the car was... "The wheels are all wrong, spacers are not appropriate, and the car needs lowered". Check the picture with the car lowered. I returned the spacers and sold the wheels. I have no spacers. Wheels are off a 993 Porsche. I run 205/50/17 and 255/40/17 sizes.

Correct offset is 15et and 25et for 911 narrow body.

Strup's car looks great though with the huge tires and wheels! The spacers he has make me nervous. I've seen the car.

Norske

I had 18X10 fronts on my 88 Turbo. it was a real bear to haul around corners quickly. Without power assist, I would not go over 17". After a day of auto cross or spirited driving in the NC mountains, my shoulders would ache for a few hours. You do not want to go to 19s on this car.

an6drew

Remember every 930 produced has factory wheel spacers, front & rear.

LukeSportsman

I know an6drew, and yet everyone who adds them are sure to have failures I know they aren't the best solution as did Porsche. Funny, often times the reason is the same.......false economic views (studs, spacers and rear bearings all add up).

We can't lump spacers and adapters into the same league. We also shouldn't lump DE'ing our cars with sticky tires in with those doing endurance racing using wide slicks and real aero aids. 31mm bars and S03's aren't close to what the racers run. I wouldn't consider spacers on a "race" car.

Didn't you hear that almost all 930s have been wrecked due to spacers failing? I say this tongue-n-cheek because all the 4*4's running cast rims with spacers on their 6,000 pound trucks are going to walk home after their tires fall off the trucks.