Wheels for winter tires? ‘86 951
09-21-2018, 02:48 PM
#1
8th Gear
Thread Starter
Wheels for winter tires? ‘86 951
Brand new to Rennlist, signed up 5 minutes ago so forgive me if I’m posting this in the wrong spot. I’m looking to buy a 951 in the next ~4 months for my first car, and have been doing research on all the maintenance and whatnot. I found one for sale near me in good condition, and it even has Fuchs wheels! Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find any winter or even all-season tires that will fit the rear wheels. As I intend on using this car as my daily, I was hoping I could get some recommendations for some wheel/tire combos to use for the winter months (I live in NC, and we tend to get some ice). Thanks! 
09-21-2018, 03:01 PM
#2
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Get the 951 as a second car, or a honda as a second car. A 951 with Fuchs is an 86. If it is another year it has the wrong wheels. Good luck.
09-21-2018, 04:11 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
I think the reason you're finding issues with finding rear tires is due to the 8" width of the rear Fuchs. I have a similar issue with the 9" club sport wheels.
If I were you, I would be looking for a cheap set of narrow wheels for winter. Narrow wheels generally work better for winter tires as it puts more weight on a smaller footprint and helps the tires "bite". Have you ever seen the snow tires they run in WRC? They look like motorcycle tires. A set of early phone dials or cookie cutters in 7" widths should be cheap and work well for your application. And welcome to RL! Be sure to put up some pics when you get it.
If I were you, I would be looking for a cheap set of narrow wheels for winter. Narrow wheels generally work better for winter tires as it puts more weight on a smaller footprint and helps the tires "bite". Have you ever seen the snow tires they run in WRC? They look like motorcycle tires. A set of early phone dials or cookie cutters in 7" widths should be cheap and work well for your application. And welcome to RL! Be sure to put up some pics when you get it.
09-21-2018, 11:52 PM
#4
8th Gear
Thread Starter
I think the reason you're finding issues with finding rear tires is due to the 8" width of the rear Fuchs. I have a similar issue with the 9" club sport wheels.
If I were you, I would be looking for a cheap set of narrow wheels for winter. Narrow wheels generally work better for winter tires as it puts more weight on a smaller footprint and helps the tires "bite". Have you ever seen the snow tires they run in WRC? They look like motorcycle tires. A set of early phone dials or cookie cutters in 7" widths should be cheap and work well for your application. And welcome to RL! Be sure to put up some pics when you get it.
If I were you, I would be looking for a cheap set of narrow wheels for winter. Narrow wheels generally work better for winter tires as it puts more weight on a smaller footprint and helps the tires "bite". Have you ever seen the snow tires they run in WRC? They look like motorcycle tires. A set of early phone dials or cookie cutters in 7" widths should be cheap and work well for your application. And welcome to RL! Be sure to put up some pics when you get it.
09-22-2018, 01:24 AM
#5
Instructor
Having a second set of wheels makes life so much easier. No need to make appointments to get tires changed with the season, or worries about being stuck during an unexpected change in weather. I have a set of 195/65R15 Blizzaks on 15x6 late offset phone dials for the winter, and they've been great. I believe the early offset phone dials are all 7" wide, but according to the internet you should be able to fit the same size tire on those as well (though your speedometer might be off by a hair).
09-22-2018, 10:08 AM
#6
Race Director
Take it from a guy thats had his 944 Turbo since he was 16...don't drive it through the winter. Get another car. I put 120k on my 951, most of it in of it in from HS to college..and the only miles I regret are the ones I put on in the winter. Chasing rust on my previously very clean 951...much more expensive than any mechanical work.
09-22-2018, 02:06 PM
#7
Take it from a guy thats had his 944 Turbo since he was 16...don't drive it through the winter. Get another car. I put 120k on my 951, most of it in of it in from HS to college..and the only miles I regret are the ones I put on in the winter. Chasing rust on my previously very clean 951...much more expensive than any mechanical work.
I was in a situation where I had to drive my previous 89 all year round for about 7 years. My ex took everything but the Porsches. Haha. I found some junkyard rims on ebay and paid pennies on the dollar for them. Exact match of rims then went with slightly higher and thinner michelin alpine ice tires (tire rack or discounttire.com) and new set of those plastic lug nuts for Winter. Make sure you put a sandbag over each wheel in the back, and it will drive just fine like we used to before all these front wheel and 4 wheel drives were marketed to us as a must in Winter.
These cars run excellent in Winter by the way and lots of fun if you know how to drive them.
Also make sure the engine covers are all on the underside of the car.
Luckily someone rearended me 10 years later in broad daylight in mid Summer day and insurance gave me almost 2.5 times what I had bought it for.
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09-22-2018, 08:54 PM
#8
Drifting
Brand new to Rennlist, signed up 5 minutes ago so forgive me if I’m posting this in the wrong spot. I’m looking to buy a 951 in the next ~4 months for my first car, and have been doing research on all the maintenance and whatnot. I found one for sale near me in good condition, and it even has Fuchs wheels! Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find any winter or even all-season tires that will fit the rear wheels. As I intend on using this car as my daily, I was hoping I could get some recommendations for some wheel/tire combos to use for the winter months (I live in NC, and we tend to get some ice). Thanks!
These cars are super in winter. Spray some oil umder there and in the body cavaties--very easy access. I use Corrosion Free; it's like a grease
09-22-2018, 09:53 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Lots of good info here. Do they use salt on the roads down there in NC? I know some places down there use sand or other things, but rarely use salt. As others have suggested, a good prep for winter driving goes a long way. I have tired a few different things with varying results. This year I am going to give Fluid Film a try.
09-23-2018, 09:45 AM
#10
8th Gear
Thread Starter
Lots of good info here. Do they use salt on the roads down there in NC? I know some places down there use sand or other things, but rarely use salt. As others have suggested, a good prep for winter driving goes a long way. I have tired a few different things with varying results. This year I am going to give Fluid Film a try.
Last edited by lacataldo; 09-23-2018 at 09:45 AM. Reason: Typo
09-23-2018, 10:00 AM
#11
Drifting
Canadian armed forces uses CorossionFree; read their study here: https://corrosionfree.com/wp-content...-Text-copy.pdf
I've noticed it stays for a long time. For example, I sprayed into the door cavity but got some on parts that contact the window. Three years later, I haven't sprayed there again but the window still streaks geeeez
I've noticed it stays for a long time. For example, I sprayed into the door cavity but got some on parts that contact the window. Three years later, I haven't sprayed there again but the window still streaks geeeez
09-23-2018, 06:54 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Canadian armed forces uses CorossionFree; read their study here: https://corrosionfree.com/wp-content...-Text-copy.pdf
I've noticed it stays for a long time. For example, I sprayed into the door cavity but got some on parts that contact the window. Three years later, I haven't sprayed there again but the window still streaks geeeez
I've noticed it stays for a long time. For example, I sprayed into the door cavity but got some on parts that contact the window. Three years later, I haven't sprayed there again but the window still streaks geeeez
09-24-2018, 01:05 AM
#14
Race Car
New winter tires & weight in the back makes these cars somewhat confidence inspiring and generally a lot of fun, but in severe slippery still not as good as a front drive car for traction Jackson... but I'll be driving my 944 this winter at least part time.
I agree skinny tires are better. I run Blizzaks. They are good but they wear very fast. The tire tech at Costco says Michelin X Ice are the best non studded winter tire because they grip excellent but last longer than the Blizzaks. She said at a winter driving tire test course she was at, the X Ice at 50% wear performed as well as some other brands with full tread.
Nice to hear commentary on corrosion resistance. Rust is cancer
I agree skinny tires are better. I run Blizzaks. They are good but they wear very fast. The tire tech at Costco says Michelin X Ice are the best non studded winter tire because they grip excellent but last longer than the Blizzaks. She said at a winter driving tire test course she was at, the X Ice at 50% wear performed as well as some other brands with full tread.
Nice to hear commentary on corrosion resistance. Rust is cancer
09-26-2018, 01:35 AM
#15
You’ll need 16”s to clear the front brakes. A 205/225 stagger works well. The NAs are better in the snow with a 195/65/15 vs the 16” setup though.
If you have an LSD it will be great till it breaks away, then you need to be fast. The open diff cars react slower.
If you have an LSD it will be great till it breaks away, then you need to be fast. The open diff cars react slower.