Recommendation for track wheels/tires for 87 Carrera?
08-21-2001, 10:37 PM
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Recommendation for track wheels/tires for 87 Carrera?
I'd like to buy a second set of wheels with R-compound tires for my '87 Carrera. I've combed through the archives, but haven't found anything very useable; most of it is about how to get big wheels and street tires on older Porsches, usually requiring spacers that are too large for my comfort zone.
It seems that the first step is to look at the competition tires that are readily available, say, from Tire Rack, then think backwards to the wheels, then locate some that would work with little or no spacers. I'm currently running 7.5x17 (f) and 9x17 (r) C2-turbo copies with 205/50-17 and 255/40-17 Bridgestone SO2's without a problem, but I want to keep these for the street.
Do any of you with similar Carreras have a good wheel/tire setup for the track without large spacers? I'm thinking that 16" wheels would be a good start, perhaps even going back to Fuchs, but I'd like to try 17" if there is a good combo for these cars. Thanks.
Will
It seems that the first step is to look at the competition tires that are readily available, say, from Tire Rack, then think backwards to the wheels, then locate some that would work with little or no spacers. I'm currently running 7.5x17 (f) and 9x17 (r) C2-turbo copies with 205/50-17 and 255/40-17 Bridgestone SO2's without a problem, but I want to keep these for the street.
Do any of you with similar Carreras have a good wheel/tire setup for the track without large spacers? I'm thinking that 16" wheels would be a good start, perhaps even going back to Fuchs, but I'd like to try 17" if there is a good combo for these cars. Thanks.
Will
08-22-2001, 12:27 AM
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I am very happy with 7/8x16 running 225/50/16 and 245/45/16 Toyo Proxi RA1.
I run these street and track and the last (~10K miles of hard driving with several track days) and grip well. In hard running, a set of Toyo's last almost 12hours on the track.
I run these street and track and the last (~10K miles of hard driving with several track days) and grip well. In hard running, a set of Toyo's last almost 12hours on the track.
08-22-2001, 09:12 AM
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Morning Will,
The 17" 'Cup' wheels are great for road use, but are not ideal for the track. The aftermarket 'Cup' wheels are too heavy and have a 'build-in' spacer to suit your cars original off-set (the 964 had a completely different setup), and this can in extreme cases lead to premature wear. Furthermore, the added grip from slightly wider 17" tires can be compared against the slightly better acceleration achieved with a 16" wheel.
You do get a lot of 17" wheels for track use, new or used, but as you mention I suggest you refrain from using very large spacers. A 3-piece split rim is ideal because they are light and you can fit dishes (inner & outer) to suit your car/tire combo.
For the occasional track day my suggestion is the original 16" Fuchs (strong and light) in 7J(or 8J) for the front and 9J for the rear. The 7+9 setup is ideal for a 205/50 and 245/45 tire combo (use 8J with a 225). The above allows for minimal tire roll on the rim, and optimises your tread contact.
I believe the 205f is perfect for your '87 911, especially with R rubber, as you want to keep a good balance (subjective note!).
For tires you can use Hoosier, Dunlop or Bridgestone (or any other R tire recommended in your country). Just remember to follow the recommended run in procedure to maximise tire life. The R rated tires can offer 'decent' mileage if run in correctly.
The S02 you use for street is superb (maybe even better that the S03?). Keep them for the street, as they die fast on the track.
Best Regards, Tom.
The 17" 'Cup' wheels are great for road use, but are not ideal for the track. The aftermarket 'Cup' wheels are too heavy and have a 'build-in' spacer to suit your cars original off-set (the 964 had a completely different setup), and this can in extreme cases lead to premature wear. Furthermore, the added grip from slightly wider 17" tires can be compared against the slightly better acceleration achieved with a 16" wheel.
You do get a lot of 17" wheels for track use, new or used, but as you mention I suggest you refrain from using very large spacers. A 3-piece split rim is ideal because they are light and you can fit dishes (inner & outer) to suit your car/tire combo.
For the occasional track day my suggestion is the original 16" Fuchs (strong and light) in 7J(or 8J) for the front and 9J for the rear. The 7+9 setup is ideal for a 205/50 and 245/45 tire combo (use 8J with a 225). The above allows for minimal tire roll on the rim, and optimises your tread contact.
I believe the 205f is perfect for your '87 911, especially with R rubber, as you want to keep a good balance (subjective note!).
For tires you can use Hoosier, Dunlop or Bridgestone (or any other R tire recommended in your country). Just remember to follow the recommended run in procedure to maximise tire life. The R rated tires can offer 'decent' mileage if run in correctly.
The S02 you use for street is superb (maybe even better that the S03?). Keep them for the street, as they die fast on the track.
Best Regards, Tom.
08-22-2001, 11:08 AM
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Many words of wisdom spoken so far on the topic. In my experience, the 225/50/16 on the front mounted on 7" Fuchs wheels, and 245/45/16 mounted on 8" Fuchs wheels is a great combo with a set of 7" and 8" by 16's going for about $1,000 US. The 9" X 16 rears are great but are more expensive, probably raising the ante by about $500 US to about $1,500.
I have been using the Kuhmo Victoracers. Great tires, very predictable and comes with 6/32s of an inch of rubber.
If you lower your car to "racing" ride height, you may have to roll the front fender lips, specially the side with the driver, to prevent rubbing in hard cornering situations.
Fuchs wheels are light and they don't break. They will bend if you hit them hard enough, but they won't break.
Good luck!
I have been using the Kuhmo Victoracers. Great tires, very predictable and comes with 6/32s of an inch of rubber.
If you lower your car to "racing" ride height, you may have to roll the front fender lips, specially the side with the driver, to prevent rubbing in hard cornering situations.
Fuchs wheels are light and they don't break. They will bend if you hit them hard enough, but they won't break.
Good luck!
08-23-2001, 09:56 PM
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Guys,
Your advice is most welcome. I've decide to go for 7&9X16 or 7&8X16 Fuchs, or Fikse/BBS/Kinesis 7.5&9X17 wheels. The latter, new, seem to be around $2500, which is a bit too much for me. So, I'm looking for Fuchs, preferably 7&9X16. Anyone want to sell a set??? Thanks again.
Will
Your advice is most welcome. I've decide to go for 7&9X16 or 7&8X16 Fuchs, or Fikse/BBS/Kinesis 7.5&9X17 wheels. The latter, new, seem to be around $2500, which is a bit too much for me. So, I'm looking for Fuchs, preferably 7&9X16. Anyone want to sell a set??? Thanks again.
Will
08-23-2001, 10:35 PM
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Will,
I may be in the minority, but I like as much rubber on the ground with as stiff a sidewall as possible. So I run with 944 8x16's with 225's in front and 911 9x16's with 245's in the rear. Both are available, you just have to look for them. For example, I bought my 9's from a racer upgrading to 17" rims. While not concours, they are straight, hold air, and I've repainted them from yellow to traditional black.
I may be in the minority, but I like as much rubber on the ground with as stiff a sidewall as possible. So I run with 944 8x16's with 225's in front and 911 9x16's with 245's in the rear. Both are available, you just have to look for them. For example, I bought my 9's from a racer upgrading to 17" rims. While not concours, they are straight, hold air, and I've repainted them from yellow to traditional black.
