WReiter

I did some research through old threads and want to make sure I have this correct.

I just got an '88 that has the standard 15" (6 and 7) FUCHs. There do not look to be any good tire choices that are not absurdly expensive (like the Pirelli's), so I was considering upgrading to 16" Fuchs. The 16x 6, 7 would result in more good choices of tires, but it looks like upgrading to 16 x 7 and 8 would be the smarter way to go.

If I upgrade to a 16 x 7 front, I should have no problem whether it is a 911 or 944 (951) wheel because they have the same backspacing, so long as I run 205/55 or 50 I don't need spacers and they will not rub.

If I upgrade to a 16 x 8 rear, if the wheel is from a 944 (951) it will have approx. 13 mm more backspacing than the 16 x 8 911 wheel, necessitating a spacer if I go with 225/50.

If all of this is correct, what size spacers should I go with for the rear?

rusnak

Since you have not bought them yet, why don't you just get a correct 9Jx16" wheel and run 245/45/16s?

WReiter

Considering that my car has under 250 hp, is the extra traction afforded by the 9" w/ 245/45-16 a wise tradeoff for the extra unsprung weight and rolling resistance?

911Dave

Actually the 15" standard Fuchs wheels on the '88 are 15x7 and 15x8.

The 245 width tire is popular primarily for asthetic reasons. The stock size tires are perfectly matched to the car's horsepower and handling characteristics, so my advice would be to stay with them.

WReiter

The owner's manual specifies 2 wheel size options for the 15" wheels -- 6 and 7; and 7 and 8. Any way to tell which ones I have without removing them?

I would love to just keep the current wheels, but I am having difficulty finding any suitable tires in the stock sizes -- 195/65 and 215/60 (The ONLY performance tires I have found are Pirelli's at $250/each). Even if I go to 205/60 on the front, I still can't find any good options. There are currently 225/60's on the rear and the sidewalls are bulging too much for my taste (the 205/60's on the front are bulging a bit, too)-- that made me suspect that the car has the 6 and 7 combo (rather than 7 and 8).

The seeming unavailability of tires was what pushed me to look at 16's.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

porsche0nut

I'd go with 16's. I like the look and better tire availability. I dislike the price of 16" original fuchs though! You can likely find a set of 6's and 7's but they won't leave you content with the look (too narrow).

Or you could go with 17 fuch reps - some think they look too big, some love them. It's a personal taste thing but 17s open you up to all the performance tires you could wish for. The fuch replica's being produced are often cheaper than finding originals too.

911Dave

If the rear is an 8", it will have a "stair step" in the anodized outer portion, unlike the 6" and 7".

I guess I'll have to check my 88 owners manual - I must have forgotten that 6/7x15 was standard and maybe the 7/8x15 was an option.

I have the Pirelli P6000 tires you're speaking of on my 7/8x15 original Fuchs. Expensive, but they're great.

I agree though, that 16s are much easier to find good tires for. I personally prefer the look of 15's, and hate the look of 17's.

rusnak

I'm all for less unsprung weight, which is why I kept the 205s on the front with 7" wheels. I found this combination was far superior in grip and feedback to the 6" wheels, so something is definitely going on there in regards to flex and contact patch. As for 9" wheels and 245s, there is some drawback. You'll feel the bumps more, but is there more rolling resisitance? I think you'll have more variance in rolling resistance, tire weight, etc by switching between brands and speed/ heat rating than by switching tire sizes.

Type 2

Response to 7" x 16" Fuchs Fronts. In a hard or severe road bump (especially bridge approaches), any 7" x 16" Fuchs with the standard size tire -- 205/55/16, may hit on the driver's side front wheel well outer flange about three to four inches above the rubber accordion backing plate. [Just below the upper bra strap in the attached photo.] We have both the 911 and 951 Fuchs 7" x 16" wheels, and it is true for both wheels and with both 911SCs, which are set in front at European height.

We finally rolled the driver's side front fender flange, and no longer have the occasional problem with the 205/55/16 tire hitting that part of the fender. There are no other rubbing problems with this setup, and 7" x 16" Fuchs wheels.

Response as to 8” x 16” Rear Wheels. With either the 8" x 16" 911 Fuchs wheel, or the 8" x 16 951 Fuchs wheel, you do not need a spacer on the rear hub, and you will not have a rubbing problem at European height, which is lower than the USA original height body setting. We are still running 225/50/16 tires on the rear, and currently have Bridgestone's RE 11s mounted front and rear.

The 951 Fuchs 7" and 8" x 16" from ten feet look like 6" x 16" and 7" x 16", except for the sharp-eye Porsche fanatic who may notice the alloy wheel nut indents or recesses. Best Regards, Type 2

WReiter

Great info. Thanks, T2!

Bill Verburg

7 x16 w/205/55 tires can hit the lip, it depends on ride height and suspension. Rolling or shaving the fender usually clears up. any issue. 944 7 911 7x16 have the same ET, the 2 differences are brake clearance(944 has more) and the lug holes which are countersunk more than 911. You can always run a 205/50 x16 tire instead on a 205/55, the /50 is a bit shorter and thus provides more room at the lip.

In back the 8x16 911 Fuchs has an ET10.6, the 944 8x16 has an ET23.3. This means that the 944 8 sits inboard 12.7mm( ~ .5") more than the 911 wheel, many don't like how far the 9111 8 sits in board, most will like the 944 optic even less unless a spacer is used. Lesson to be learned, use the 911 8. The 9x 16 Fuchs has an ET15, The outer edge of the 9 sits 8.3mm further outboard than the 9111 8, most like this optic.
The issue w/ using a 9x16 is that you need to use a 245/45 x16 tire, w/ an 8 x16 you can use 225/50 or 245/45 x16. The 245/45 gives you a slight edge in gearing because it is a bit shorter than a 225/50, but there are only a few tire lines that are available in 245/45, if you want to use one of those lines then you are good to go. Most tire lines offer a 225/50 x16, so more choices. The difference in ride isn't something most will ever notice.

If it were my car i'd run(I know this because these are the sizes that I used to run) 7Et23.3 & 9ET15 x16 w/ 205/50 & 245/45 tires.

MAH77

I don't know what your budget is, but the 9x16 Fuchs are stupidly expensive. I also think the 16" tire choices suck coming from 17" and 18" tires on my previous vehicle. I've started to look at 17" options that look decent on G bodies but haven't made up my mind yet.

Amber Gramps

Take a look at Maxilite repros. They've got the German TUV and are super light. I have a pair of their 9x16 and I can't tell the difference from the real ones.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Maxilite-Wheel...-/262356390454

rusnak

material things almost never make me happy.

But a pair of genuine 930 9Jx16 Fuchs to go with the 7Jx16 black centered Fuchs are the rare exception.

Bill Verburg

That's true

I switched to 17s over 20 years ago because of limit tire selection at that time
8ET28 & 9.5ET19 w/ 225/45 & 255/40 x17 is a great setup for a late 911.