SiberianDVM

I've searched and read numerous threads about wheels and tires, and I think I understand the basic concepts, but I still need help.

My street wheels/tires are 7x15 Fuchs, 195/65/15 Bridgestones, and 8x15 Fuchs, 215/60/15 Bridgestones. Fine for the street, but a bit lacking in grip for DEs, especially after they get hot.

Considering a set of 17" Turbo Twists, 7x17, et 55, 996.362.124.00 with 205/50/17 and 9x17, et 55, 996.362.128.00 with 255/40/17.

What would be proper size spacers to use front and rear?
Would good spacers be safe to run in DEs?
What brands are "good"?

Thanks

whiskey52

i'm running those 17" rims on my '81 SC with 225/45 F and 255/40 R with no clearance problems. i run a 1" spacer in the front and 1 1/2" in the rear. been running DE's for 3+ years with this setup. no issues.

SiberianDVM

Thanks, Wayne. This is Julian, BTW.

Any particular brand of spacer batter than others?

911tracker85

have you considered trying a bit wider tire on your 15" and going to a more competition oriented tire? but tire selection in 15 and 16 is getting smaller by the year.

there is a debate over the 'advantages' of 15" wheels. I know a few who have gone down to 15" from 17"s for DE and happy with the results.

the advantage is the smaller wheel effectively creates a lower rear axle ratio. also the smaller diameter has less rotational inertia. both enhance acceleration.

I run 8/9 X 17 Kinesis ordered with the proper offset for a 3.2 and no spacers with 235/275 Nitto NT-01, of course with the fender lips rolled. at this point I have no idea what those offsets are.

the advantage of bigger wheels is a larger contact patch.

good luck with whatever you do.

mfyoung1086

I would say go with the same advice as above, unless you need 17"s to clear you calipers, 15"s will out perform the 17's on the track, I would be all over a pair of minilites, but I need 17's to clear the big brakes on my 85

That said I have Kinesis as well running 235/285 but I've got turbo flairs, I've got the same 235/ 285 on my Fikse but I could go a bit larger on the rears if I wanted

racerbvd

My 88 Carrera with 17s

Ed Hughes

Don't go with large offset wheels/spacers, like the turbo twists you mention. I know I'll **** someone off, but they look plain wrong on a torsion bar 911. I'm not the only one who feels that way.

You can find 17's such as Fikse, Kinesis, Zuffenhaus, even the Rotas in 17's with the proper offsets and dish.

Spacers are not always accepted for DE use. You'll probably have to go with long studs through spacers, not bolt-ons. It just isn't worth the trouble.

mfyoung1086

I totally agree, 1/1.5 " bolt on spacers are on the big size for a bolt on, my Fikse rears need a 35 mm spacer which is why I use the Kinesis for tracks

I still think some minilites would awesome!

MUSSBERGER

You could always put some R888's or RA1's on your 15's

SiberianDVM

I've heard that before, but everytime I go searching for some correct sizes, they are about as common as snipes and unicorns.

I wanted to stay as close as possible to the original 25" circumference, and still have something like 205 in front and 225 in rear. I guess going smaller circumference is my only choice in 15"s.

17" Turbo Twists and Cups are available used for an affordable price. The BBS, Kenesis, Fikses, etc that I have looked at are too expensive.

Oh, well, I was just plannin ahead, no rush. I've still got to figure out how to install my used Safety Devices rollcage; a mounting kit from Britain costs almost as much as the cage, so I guess I will make my own.

mfyoung1086

yeah but going smaller circumference is gonna be better for auto-x anyways, and lots of guys are running 15"s in the PCA right now as well

The fact of the matter is if you don't need to go up in rim size, than don't! Bigger rims usually weigh a bit more, have more rotational weight which hurts braking and acceleration. You'll be faster on 15"s that 17"s in identical cars

Ed Hughes

The cheap wheels are cheap because they are plenty. They are not a good setup for track or AX.

911tracker85

I got a used safety devices cage for my 911 several years ago. got the mounting kit from Northstar Motorsports. think is was $150. good guys to deal with.

http://www.northstarmotorsports.com/

SiberianDVM

Thanks, I'll give them a call.

SiberianDVM

No go on the roll cage mounting kits from northstarmotorsports. Oh well.

Back to wheels:

There seems to be a much better selection of tires for 16" wheels than for 15" wheels, especially in track tires. There are some used 16" Fuchs on ebay for "reasonable prices", most seem to be 6" front and 7" rear. My current 15" are 7" and 8".

Will 205/55-16 fit well on 6" wheels and 225/50-16 on 7" wheels?