Jason Judd

List,

I'm moving up from 17" wheels to 18" and was wondering what the hot set-up was for 968's?

I spoke with Wheel Enhancement and they suggested I stay away from 8 X 18 and 10 X 18! They suggested that I stay with a 7.5 X 18 and 9 X 18 set-up.

I then spoke with HRE, and they felt that a 8 and 10 set-up was fine...with 225/40/18 up front and 265/35/18 in the rear.

Does anybody have much experience with an 18" wheel set-up that is willing to share their combination?

Thanks,

Dan968

Well that's odd! Jason - I just bought an 18" wheel and tire package from Wheel Enhancement. I purchased the 3-pc RH 3.6 turbo replicas (same style wheel used on the 968 turbo S and RS). In fact, there's even a comment when you view the specs on the wheel that says they're a perfect fitment for the 968. I haven't had any trouble at all with mine. I'm running SO3s - 225/40s up front and 265/35s in the back. It took me a while to decide on the front and back widths. I think when it comes time to replace my fronts, I'll give the 235/40s a try. Two watchouts - if you go with too wide of a tire in back, you run the risk of rubbing during cornering. Also - be prepared to lower your car slightly after mounting the tires. I was all excited when I finally threw mine on and then did a double take when I looked at the car. It sits high on the 18" wheels and looks goofy compared to the 17s. Other than that, I'd say go for it. I know of plenty of other 968 folks running 18s with no problems (with the exception of the watchout for the rear tire width). After all, Porsche did fit the 968 turbo S with 18" wheels!

Oh yeah - one other thing. Beware of the weight of whatever wheel/tire package you end up with. I gained approx. 3lbs of unsprung weight per corner with my 3-pc. 18s compared to my 17" cup wheels/tires. There are others out there that are a lot heavier. Just something to think about. More unsprung weight bad!

Tom Pultz

Depending on what wheels you purchase and with what offsets, you can fit just about anything you want. For street use with 225/40 tires in front I think a 7.5" rim would be fine, but you could go with a 10" in the rear with a 265/35 tire. This is the factory combination for the hollow spoke Technology wheels and they fit fine on the 968. The 8" Technology wheel may come a bit close to the outer fender, but an aftermarket wheel such as the HRE you mention may have more offset and fit just fine.

Dan968. Do you have any pictures of your setup? They sound very nice.

If you want to see what 18" Technology wheels look like on a 968, check out the Galleria section of my web site. I could use some more pictures... hint, hint

Dan968

Tom - great looking S2! I have some very preliminary (and crappy) digital pix on my Hobbystage page:

<a href="http://hobbystage.net/porsche/dan968/" target="_blank">http://hobbystage.net/porsche/dan968/</a>

Since those pictures were taken, I've had my suspension parts installed (lowering the car slightly) and the car is in the process of having the rear wing and front splitter (not installed yet) painted body color. I should have the car back on Saturday. If the weather cooperates.. which is a big IF in this state, I'll have some decent pictures to post.

CBass

I have been told you can run a 285 on the back, but I wouldn't be the first to try it.

I plan for a 235/?/18 front, and a 275/?18 rear. I haven't figured out sidewalls yet. I still want some ride comfort

Jason Judd

My appologies to the group,

I just finished speaking with Dave Martin from Wheel Enhancement...

He has helped me with a pair of 18" Hollow Spoke Wheels, to which we are mating 225/40 and 265/35 Kumho Ecsta V700's!

Maybe I made a mistake with the person who I spoke with yesterday...But, after reading some of the posts, here, I figgured I better call them up and try again...

Anyway, the hollow spoke wheels are pretty light at 20lbs front and 24lbs rear...that should help compensate for the upgraded size.

Kumho's are a bunch less money than the Hoosier's, too...So, that helps keep my wallet a bit heavier!

icat

And then again, maybe you didn't make a mistake. When I called Wheel Enhancement to inquire about 993 Cups for my 86 951, they did their best to sell me aftermarket replicas. When I told them I wasn't interested because of the weight difference, the clown ..er, sorry - salesperson on the other end told me that they weigh the same.
I hate it when sales people lie! <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />

Bought my wheels and everthing else from some where else. Guess it depends on who you talk to as to what answer you get.

Derek H

Hi!

I have just today agreed to buy a '92 968 with 235 fronts and 275 rears. I looked very carefully for signs of rubbing but they looked ok. The rims are replica Cup 2's and two of them are dinged, so probably need replacing, but they do look nice, even at standard ride height! BTW, the front tires are Dunlop SP Sport 8000's which need replacing soon anyway, and the rears are brand new Bridgestone SO3's.

cheers

Derek Holliday
Linköping, Sweden

CBass

Cool. Now I know how big a tire I can run.