ebbowron

Hello..Im new here, so if I am doing this wrong, let me know....

I have a 1986 944 Turbo, that was previously owned by the owner of Brumos in Florida. My father and I have had it forever, like 15 years now. To have a lower ride height, the original owner, from whom we bought it in 1996 or so, had 245/45/16 in the rear, and 205/50/16 in the front. The car has It has 16" Fuch wheels on it, and I beleive they are 16x7 and 16x8.

I have repainted and restored the seals, rubber, etc., and am in the process of painting the calipers (matching guards red with lettering cut out to show raw aluminum). I will need new tires (these have plenty of tread but are 10 years old).

Here is my question: The previous tire combo is impossible to find now. My options are go to 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear (which was stock), but the car will ride higher, or, 225/50/16 front, and 245/45/16 in rear.

One concern is, there is a spacer on the front right now. I dont know if it was just to push the wheel out with the 205 for looks, or if it was to clear the caliper (I have larger calipers...not big reds, just the larger 80s caliper from what I understand).....I am going to put a wheel back on sans tire, w/o spacer, to ensure it will clear the caliper. I think the spacer is 10mm but not positive. The other concern is, if I take the spacer out (which I will probably have to do with 225s, assume the wheel clears the caliper), is there any concern of the tire making contact with the spring?

Any help would be great. Im at a loss, and want to get the 225/245 set up to maintain the current ride height. Im asking because these tires will have to be ordered, so I gotta figure it out before ordering them. Once I take off the spacer and ensure the wheel will clear the caliper, Im sure Ill know more. Worried with the spacer in place, the 225 will rub the wheel well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for any knowledge anyone can pass along. I posted this in another topic somewhere, but figured a new topic may catch more eyes. Thank you!!!

Paulyy

The height wont change.

Turbo:
F: 205 55 16
R: 225 50 16

Turbo S
F: 225 50 16
R 245 45 16

The wider the tyre, the lower the profile you must go to keep the same rolling rate.

http://www.willtheyfit.com/

black944 turbo

The middle number is an aspect ratio. As Pauly said it is a ratio of the width that equates to the side wall height. As for Paully's other comment about the sizes listed the side wall height should be very similar and should not affect ride height. 205 50 r 16 is a small side wall and is most certainly not stock.

ebbowron

OK. As I said, I do not know much about this, but I get it. since the middle number is an aspect ratio, or percentage, a 205/55 and a 225/50 probably look similar (on the car anways)? same with a 225/50 and a 245/45? that makes sense.

Now, would there, or should there, be any concern if I go with a 225/50 on the front, in regards to the width rubbing the fender? Again, I get a front and rear wheel back finished tomorrow, so I am going to put on a front wheel without the spacer, and see if it makes contact with the caliper...if it doesnt, am I good to go with a 225 without the spacer, or does it need to be set down on a tire with weight on it to know? If with the spacer, will it be an issue with the fender with the spacer? I can say, without a doubt, with the 205/50, there was never any problem. I just know there was some forums I read, where a spacer was needed with FUCHs on the 944 Ts with the larger calipers, as the wheel would rub the caliper. I dont know though (obviously) that is why Im asking....I am just confusing myself lol.

Sorry to ask so many questions, I just put what was on there before for so long, and Im still learning. I just dont want to screw up and order a tire too big with the 225s, but would prefer the 225/245 setup so long as there wouldnt be a problem on the front. I obviously dont want to mess with anything that could cause problems/damage/money

Thanks again for all of your views and responses. Much appreciated!

ebbowron

Paully, I see what you are saying now. Basically, the back wont change ride height much at all (2.25 mm at most), and front will come up about 10 mm - 10.25 mm...but it would balance the car out probably...my front end sits low right now.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Paulyy

I suggest you should get the factory turbo tyre sizes. If you want to lower it, do it properly by getting coilovers. You can lower the rear with the eccentric bolts on the rear.

Your front tyres are not normal spec for a 944.

By puttling lower profile tyres to lower the car will change the speedo reading

mel_t_vin

So, which calipers do you have...M030 medium blacks? Mounted to non-M030 spindles with adaptors?

A factory 951 7" et23 Fuchs mounted with a 225 section width tire will clear the standard turbo caliper, the fender lip, and the stock coilover spring. Not sure if that set up would clear an M030 caliper. If it does, you should have no problem running 225s in the front and 245s in the rear.

ebbowron

I'm not sure Mel_T_Vin, I posted some photos in another forum I started in the 944 T section.

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=633996

black944 turbo

Everything looks stock from the photos in your other thread. No spacers,brakes look stock ect....

mel_t_vin

Agreed.