Shmurzik

Hello everybody,

I am considering installing Ott fender flares on my S4 and, consequently, would like to poll your collective wisdom on the following subjects:

Best choice of wheels (brand, size, offset, price, ease of procuring)

Best choice of tires with the same criteria in mind.

The questions apply to both front and rear wheels (although I would much rather leave front fenders alone). Essentially, I am looking for additional grip without ruining the handling and my budget.

I appreciate your help

Jim bailey - 928 International

Ah ...."I am looking for additional grip " compared to what ??

Shmurzik

Jim,

Compared to the stock wheels/tires. I probably should have mentioned that I am planning to have the engine supercharged. The decision to go wider is by no means a done deal.

Pierre Martins

Maybe you should consider wheel spacers?

Shmurzik

For what purpose? To compensate the off-set?

Jim R.

18"x11" with 295/30/18's fit nicely in the stock rear '89 GT quarters. Matching 18"x9.5" with 255/35/18's up front with no problems. These are custom offset Fikse FM-10's, but I don't know the offset specs off the top of my head.

The real question needs to be how much wider than that will GTS quarters allow, and will it actually help with traction if SC'd. Even with 295's I have traction issues with the GT gears and 5spd. With an automatic S4, you might be fine.


Jim

Shmurzik

I believe Ott flares allow for approximately 12"-wide wheels (315?).

What about handling - do you find that 18" wheels with that width rear tires make things uhm... a bit jerky? Thank you.

Pierre Martins

Yes.

Have em machined from aircraft grade ally by a reputable micro engineering shop - anyone who knows what he's doing can do this on a small lathe. On my car a changed the PCD for BMW rims. Much wider (pun intended) choice of I wheel styles and offsets.

Just a thought.

Jim R.

If anything, the fronts can tramline a little on the LIE if in the right lane due to the truck "grooves", but no other problems. The ride is firm with 18's and low profile rubber, combined with Bilstein/Eibach coilovers.

Jim

Shmurzik

I have the same issue with my front wheels. Bill Ball suggested that this could be fixed by adjusting alignment (caster?). As for the wheel size - I was thinking of sticking with 17". Any particular reason you chose 18"s? Thank you.

Jim R.

I wanted a tire that fit the 25" diameter profile and was the widest possible for traction with the supercharger. Dave Roberts was going to get new wheels for his GT, and I bought his old wheels and tires. Made it a pretty easy choice, and 17's were not going to give me the right tire width and diameter I wanted.

Now there are more options with factory takeoffs now compared to 2 years ago with nice tire size options. Take a look at what size tires you want to run for availability, then decide 17" or 18".

I also don't know how much wider I want to go. I already toasted my old GT clutch with the extra grip from the 295's. My custom kevlar unit is holding up well, but I think I prefer the tires to lose grip before the clutch..........

Jim

Shmurzik

That's a good idea! many thanks.

Shmurzik

So, the pay-off from using a wider tire (in terms of better hook-up) is negated by the additional load on the transmission/torque tube? Thank you.

drnick

for straight line acceleration the rears are the issue but to go around corners at speed you need bigger tyres on the front. ive got 315s on the back riding on 996 turbo rims which are 11" wide, these fit with GTS arches no problem. you should be able to put something bigger in there with the ott flares on the front i have a 10" rim, its a 996 turbo twist with a 60mm offset. it rubs on full lock on the inside, no contact with the guard though while carrying a 255 tyre - and thats thrashed around the nurburgring!

Panzer9

I dig watching your "Ring" video