Matt O.

My best friend (hey Phil, lucky dog) is picking up an 87 951 (28,000 orig miles) and wanted to slap some 17"er's on there. I searched the archives but to no avail. I've heard several times that 17" are not good for the 944 without several suspension upgrades.

So does anyone know the real deal?

Thanks,
Matt

Wachuko

Wheels - Modifying 16 Inch Wheel to 17 Inch Wheel
January 19, 1993

ATTENTION:
Service Manager/Service Technician

Models Affected:
944 from 1987 with M30 option
944S from 1987 with M30 option
944 T from 1987 with M30 option
944 Turbo S 1988
944 Turbo 1989
944 S2 from 1989

Concern:

Installing 17" Porsche wheels on vehicles previously equipped with 16" wheels.

Installation Information:a. Front and rear fender well lips must be reworked and/or checked for adequate tire clearance.

b. Suspension travel must also be checked, parts such as brake lines, hoses and brackets must have adequate clearance.

c. New caster eccentrics, rear mounts and nuts must be installed in the front control arms. This change is necessary due to a change in caster specification on vehicles equipped with Porsche 17" wheels. The specification for vehicles equipped with 17" wheels is 30 15'-45'.

d. When adjusting vehicles to new caster specification, all alignment values should be checked at that time.

Parts Information:
Approved Wheels

Wheel Position Size Offset Part Number

Front wheel 7-1/2J x 17AH 65 mm 965 362 124 05
Rear winter wheel 8J x 17AH 52 mm 965 362 126 01
Rear summer wheel 9J x 17AH 55 mm 965 362 128 00

Approved Tire Dimensions: 225/45 ZR 17 front and
Summer Version: 255/40 ZR 17 rear

Tom R.

Just slap em on and drive.

it is the 18s that wear out the front end, supposedly.

I had the typical left rear rub that was cured with a new set of yellows. When I replace the tires they will be 10cm narrower just to be on the safe side.

icat

I have 17" 993's on my 951. Click on the link in the P-Car profile to see the pics. I kept the original 16" Phone Dials just in case I wanted to do a DE or autocross, but on the street I've not noticed any difference - other than looking awesome!

Wachuko

Sorry but the image is simply not coming across...

That information I posted was from Alldata DIY on a service bulleting that came out on changing from 16 to 17 inch wheels...

rfuerst

I have 993 Cup wheels in 17 inch on my 1987-944S and have had no problems,fit great,look great and handle great,no fitment problems at all. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

yoyoguy2

i bought my car with 17" OZ Racing wheels, is there a possibility that if these were not installed with the suspension stuff that it will damage the front end? my car is an 86 turbo though, so is it not affected???

Perry 951

I'm running 17's as well, no probs here. I also have updated all my suspension, but you should be fine stock.

An alignment is reccomended, however.

Dave

[quote]Originally posted by Tom R.:
<strong> When I replace the tires they will be 10cm narrower just to be on the safe side.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Tom, you might want to try a tire that's 10 mm smaller first, going 4 inches narrower might have a detrimental effect on handling (or get rid of that pesky understeer )

nh3

I'm running 17's on my 86n/a. I did have to take a grinder(lightly) to the drivers side rear lip but thats it. What a difference in appearence however I have a craving for Fuchs.

nh3 <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Tom R.

Dave,
Thanks. You know the old joke about certain women unable to read maps and nine inches.

So what was I off by..... that much.

NH thats a good idea with the grinder. I used an oak dowel (bat was too soft), a metal pipe, etc to get that lip rolled.

wannabefaster

Hmmm, maybe i was just lucky, but i've been running 18 x 8.5 wheels with 245x35s Hoosiers all the way around for two years, on the track, driving fairly hard in both club races and DE. I didn't have to roll the fender. I have Fabcar A arms and koni yellows/350# coilovers and weltmeister adj rollbar. Car is lowered slightly. Ive never had an interference problem of any kind. Handling is "wonderfully" neutral.

Matt O.

[quote]Originally posted by wannabefaster:
<strong>Hmmm, maybe i was just lucky, but i've been running 18 x 8.5 wheels with 245x35s Hoosiers all the way around for two years, on the track, driving fairly hard in both club races and DE. I didn't have to roll the fender. I have Fabcar A arms and koni yellows/350# coilovers and weltmeister adj rollbar. Car is lowered slightly. Ive never had an interference problem of any kind. Handling is "wonderfully" neutral.</strong><hr></blockquote>

With the larger wheel I think it's more of a stress issue on the suspension system then clearance... although that may be some of it. I'm not an expert though.

DangerIsland

[quote]Originally posted by nh3:
<strong>I'm running 17's on my 86n/a. I did have to take a grinder(lightly) to the drivers side rear lip but thats it. What a difference in appearence however I have a craving for Fuchs.

nh3 <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

trade you for my 15" fuchs

I really like the fuchs look too, I'd love to find a set of 16" early offset ones, but I don't have the $ for them, of course.

tifosiman

I too experienced the dreaded driver's side rear rub with 255/40x17's. Nothing a little session with the B&D grinder couldn't take care of, followed up with a little touch-up paint on the inner lip. 944's really look "updated" with a nice set of 17's on them.

Now, I too experienced the Fuchs urge as well. So I found a set of 16" 951 Fuchs and did them up in Guards Red. I think they look just as good as the 17's, just different. I've been switching back and forth (look at my p-car profile link below).

No one has mentioned this, so I will: I honestly think my car drives, accelerates, and handles better with the 16" fuchs. Anyone else agree with me?

Tifo