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Ideally you could contribute for once, as it takes no work / Brain power at all just to post a snipey Comment does it ?
But then your an 18" Wheel fan so nobody including me is going to attempt or remotely convince you they are not ideal at all for street use (For everyone other than the Hard core Look at at my Large Rims crew) or would any attempts to explain the technical details be nothing more than a wasted journey.
I always like to consider other members with everything I write, that with every public forum all and any information people digest affects many peoples perceptions and opinions, and likewise members who just throw and are not diplomatic at all and also unwilling to even consider anything outside their own thoughts are of no use to providing nothing more but poor info.
Take a quick look at the list of suspension and drivetrain modifications from a standard 968 on that 968 TS and you'll see that the car is hardly comparable to anything resembling a "normal" 944/968. The race versions, even more so -- I've spent time around one in person.
Like others have said, 18-inch wheels on a 944/968 will at a minimum result in a less comfortable ride simply due to the reduced sidewall. This will also transmit more wear to the suspension as a whole. The loss of compliance would probably be detrimental to street performance as the car will likely be uncontrolled over road imperfections -- bouncing off line from mid-corner bumps, and such. This is before we get to any argument about weight and a loss of performance that way.
IMO, this series of car isn't about 'bling' and it looks silly trying to make the car appear more modern than it is. Your money will always be better spent just buying what you're looking for in the first place. 996-series 911s are commonly available for the price of an excellent 944 S2, Turbo or 968 and the 996 will happily accept 18-inch wheels.
That said, it's the OP's car so he can do what he wants!
Take a quick look at the list of suspension and drivetrain modifications from a standard 968 on that 968 TS and you'll see that the car is hardly comparable to anything resembling a "normal" 944/968. The race versions, even more so -- I've spent time around one in person.
Like others have said, 18-inch wheels on a 944/968 will at a minimum result in a less comfortable ride simply due to the reduced sidewall. This will also transmit more wear to the suspension as a whole. The loss of compliance would probably be detrimental to street performance as the car will likely be uncontrolled over road imperfections -- bouncing off line from mid-corner bumps, and such. This is before we get to any argument about weight and a loss of performance that way.
IMO, this series of car isn't about 'bling' and it looks silly trying to make the car appear more modern than it is. Your money will always be better spent just buying what you're looking for in the first place. 996-series 911s are commonly available for the price of an excellent 944 S2, Turbo or 968 and the 996 will happily accept 18-inch wheels.
That said, it's the OP's car so he can do what he wants!
Nicely put & written, this 1970's chassis design started on 14" Wheels
And for sure went through many changes to the suspension, brakes and Engines etc..
I wonder if anyone has fitted 20" Rims ? these are 19" I think.....
The 968 Turbo S / RS was tuned at Weissach with a specific setup. A specific corner balance, spring rates, tires (including flex and grip levels), shock bump/rebound, aerodynamic effects, strut brace, lightweight forged Speedline wheels, the list goes on.
The 935 ran 19" wheels in the rear. Does that mean putting 19" wheels on a 1966 912 is a good idea? For argument's sake: maybe it is, maybe it isn't. However, you can't say it is a good idea just because the 935 had them.
This 944 is as far as I know the most successful street legal 944 with more victories and podiums than I can count in last years. It competes with serious porsches of today too. How does he manage to drive on 18's when it is about half a planet away from weissach and more imortant, its not 968ts. Why 18's if 14's would be more 1970 and faster, safer etc?
This 944 is as far as I know the most successful street legal 944 with more victories and podiums than I can count in last years. It competes with serious porsches of today too.
How does he manage to drive on 18's when it is about half a planet away from weissach and more imortant, its not 968ts. Why 18's if 14's would be more 1970 and faster, safer etc?
or this SHK 944T displaying total dominance, also 18's. Why?
Managing to drive something is one thing, whether it's very difficult driving on public roads and has issues is another.
"The most successful street legal car" what does this mean ?
A car used on the road that's also raced at circuits and has won races means anyone else can also fit 18" wheels for street use and the car will drive fantastic and be a winner?
So many times people get blinkered with the What's great on a Racing car will also make it really fast on public roads! This is not the case at all.
Stiff, stiff, stiff might feel real Racey, but it can lose grip more often and quicker than a softer set up,
A 944 with stiff suspension and 18" wheels is compromised driving it on the street, it may be very good on the racetrack but unless I'm mistaken the OP's car and application is for Street use?
Then not only are driving issues found with such large and wide wheels & tyres but also there are many effects that will make he car slower and harder to handle on the street.
Your car may "LOOK KOOL" and just like a Winning Racing car! on those 18" wheels which must be 20kg+ / 45lbs each with a tyre (I'm sure your gonna fit the widest rubber also) but if you fitted a 16" 15kg / 33Lbs wheel & tyre with narrower tyres and higher profile sidewalls you car would be so much faster and more compliant for road conditions.
(Not the RACETRACK)
Are we talking KIA's from the 90's here maybe, because if we do, I'm way off. And you are right.
If we are talking porsches not sure how you don't understand success. Here in company's own words.
Porsche has been the most successful manufacturer of sports cars, totaling over 28,000 wins on the tracks.
Its the two opposing ends of car spectrum, one is wobbly grandma trolley, great for the street as it wobbles along nicely, great example is Citroën or Renault, then there is other end of spectrum, the big wheel harsh, man's sport car like porsche should be. It eats small pets from the side of the road, scares young boys, gives sore hand muscles and full pants to newbies and wins races.
I have to say I agree with 924srr271. I have 18s on my S2 and considering going back to 16s. The 18s look cool but the 16s would improve the handling (but not the grip) no end.
However after over 100,000km on the 18s I haven't had a problem. I have made other changes though.
Remember the TSB for 17s also mandates replacing the caster pins.
Cheers,
Mike
I have to say I agree with 924srr271. I have 18s on my S2 and considering going back to 16s. The 18s look cool but the 16s would improve the handling (but not the grip) no end.
However after over 100,000km on the 18s I haven't had a problem. I have made other changes though.
Remember the TSB for 17s also mandates replacing the caster pins.
Cheers,
Mike
If you do make that change back to 16's Mikey you'll not feel like your losing grip but be pleasantly surprised how much more "agile" and quick the steering turns and how it soaks up the bumps, to the point where your 'll be so used to your car on 18's the difference with a set of 16's allows you to push harder with more movement which feels great and fun.
Voith is clearly what I'd describe as a Full on Hardcore Car Enthusiast thats clearly never Raced in competition circuit racing or similar but like many likes the Racer look and thinks this type of set up & car must be ACE on public roads.
I was probably the same 30 years ago, but now approaching my 50's and having had 30 years of a Tuning and motorsport Racing hobbie and career if only I knew back then what I do now!
It's a losing battle no matter what you, I or anyone else may suggest and if the OP is reading all this he's either well put off trying 18's or maybe he'll try a set and then also see how they perform.
Im not full on hardcore car enthusiast, I also like bikes and boats. Not sure what I like the most except in summer when it's boats.
I'm putting together 944 engine that should put out some 500+ horsepower and have a daily driver to live with.
My 944 will only serve as fun car for weekends, track days and flat out 300kmh autobahn storming.
That said I'll probably want soft cushions when I get to fifty too.
Your reply is right on the money as I suspected !
You think 47 years young is old ! It's not when you get there......
Hardcore means your in that younger stage when your quoting me 300kmh, 500bhp, and Bikes and Boats!
Ditch all of that, and get your Butt in a Racing car and Race for Ten years Like I was fortunate to do, You'll experience a level of driving and learn new skills like you've never done before on any street, and look back at the days when you thought Big wheels and slammed cars was Kool!
03-07-2017, 12:01 PM
Who makes those?
