944togo

I recently bought an 84 944 with the original 15" Fuchs and just picked up a set of 16 x 7" Fuchs. Want to keep the diameter close to original to keep RPM's down since these will also be driven regularly. Tire selection was pretty bad for the 15" wheels so I picked up the 16"s.
Was thinking of going 225/55/16 all around and probably getting the Kuhmo Ecsta 712 tires since the price is so good.
Any better suggestions from any of you autocrossers?

dk944s2

The Ecsta 712s are a really good, cost-effective choice for a car that's a daily driver with an occasional autocross thrown in. They are long-wearing, and quite predictable when they break loose. You would find noticeably more grip, though, from something like a Bridgestone Potenza S-03 or BFGoodrich g-Force KD, albeit at a significantly higher cost. So you can have a lot of fun with the 712s, but I doubt they'd be really competitive at, say, a big PCA autocross. Since they do slide more than the pricier tires, it's a fantastic way to learn car control.

The 225-mm size seems spot-on for your wheels.

Good luck; have fun!!!!

Dano_944

Ah yes.... the eternal question.... tires for all-round good use.

My suggestion.... keep both sets of wheels, if you can, and have a set of 215/45/16(?) Falken Axenis for track on the 16" wheels, and a set of 'comfy cruizin' tires on the 15" wheels for street (like 225/60/15 w-rated Bridgestones from Costco). The roommates/wife/parents might not like having a spare set of tires/wheels hanging around the garage, but you'll love the Axenis. I'd say use the Axenis for double duty, but be careful with them in the rain. Not the BEST wet-conditions tire.

Unfortunately, the only Axenis for 15" rims are 205's, and you can run up to 245's with only 2-points in A-X.... weak size selection! Come on Falken!

Dano

Sami951

[quote]Originally posted by 944togo:
<strong>Was thinking of going 225/55/16 all around ...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I could be very wrong here, but wouldn't the correct size be 225/50/16, instead of 55..?

HTH!

M758

Your best bet is 225/50 R15. This a shorter tire than stock so you speedo will be off, but is great for AX or Track duty.

If you get 16" then 205/55R16 is stock dia
as well as 225/50/R16 or 245/45R16.

Personally I think 16" wheels are to much for the little NA's to handle properly on the track.

just my $.02

*Michael.*

[quote]Originally posted by M758:
<strong>

Personally I think 16" wheels are to much for the little NA's to handle properly on the track.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Actually the difference isn't that big. I found this interesting, I weighed my two sets of wheels to compare. Cookie Cutters with 215/60-15's weighed in at about 32 pounds while my 16" Phone Dial rear 8" wheel with a 245/45 Toyo tire wieghed in at 38lbs. I didn't notice any loss of acceleration power with the slightly heavier rotating mass.

Although depending on the type of auto-x there may be no need for anything bigger then a 225. Next year I think I will race on 225/50-15" slick tire.

Z-man

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Sami944S:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by 944togo:
<strong>Was thinking of going 225/55/16 all around ...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I could be very wrong here, but wouldn't the correct size be 225/50/16, instead of 55..?

HTH! </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Yes: you are correct: on a 16x7 wheel for our 944s, you can fit either 205/55/16's or 225/50/16's.

My advice: get 4 16x8 wheels, and then you can go 245/45/16 all around! That's my plan for DE's this season!

Note: since you have a pre-87 car, make sure you have spacers if you're using the late offset wheels.
-Z-man.

944togo

Thank you all for the replies. Check out this site for tire size/comparison data - a really great site:
<a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html" target="_blank">http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html</a>

I plugged in the stock 215/60/15 size and compared it to the 225/50/16 & 225/55/16 and the 50's are actually slightly smaller in diameter than stock and the 55's slightly larger. I have old Pirelli 225/55/16's on the car now and they fit fine.

From the autocrosses I've attended over the last couple of years, I think the Falken Azenis's are the best bang for the buck, but unfortunately the closest fitting tire is the 215/45/16 which would not be good for highway driving. Hope they come out with more tire sizes soon. I've read as many comparisons as I could find the last couple of days and the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's and the Toyo T1-S's seem pretty good and compare close to the Pilot Sports and BFG KD's but are allot less money.

I agree with Dano_944 in having one set just for fun, which I did last year with another car, but it was a pain having to swap tires, especially when it rained. If I do go that route, then may just get Kumho Ecsta V700's which are still driveable to events if needed. Decisions, decisions!