orangecurry

Simply to show what a 8.5J ET50 with a 225/45 Michelin tire (with rim protector) looks like - from this unflattering angle, you can see the slight stretch.

Note that the rim protector makes the stretch look bigger than it is, if you follow me.



and here is the rear - 9JET55 with 255/40 same Michelin same rim protector - could do with another half inch on the rim



Not noticable from distance unless you are looking

Bill Verburg

Besides fit the choice of what wheel to use w/ what tire depends on what you are trying to accomplish

take for example a 225/45 x17,
this size is generally spec'd for a 7 to 8.5" wheel, the wider the wheel the more the side wall is tensioned, this leads t sharper handling at the expense of ride quality

secondarily the stagger either add to, subtracts from or leaves alone the basic nature of the cars handling ie over/under steer
increasing grip at the front from a wider tire or wider wheel or more tensioned side wall need to be balanced in back by a similar setup to keep the basi nature static,

more grip in front leads to less understeer
more grip in back leads to more understeer

Foxman

I learn something new each time I read a thread like this. Bill V. thank you for all of the invaluable advice. OP, think about 18” wheels for the win.

rsabeebe

i think if i were building a set of 3-pc, it would be hard to not justify buying this tool. maybe it's not as useful as i think it could be, but it certainly looks like it would solve a lot of measurement issues - especially if you're trying to max things out.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Wheel...hoC__EQAvD_BwE

pp000830

"The car is at RS height.
Daily driver"

Aren't these two items mutually exclusive?

90decibel

You got to be careful with your approach angle when entering parking lots, gas stations and such. Speed bumps need a bit of an angle and going slow. Overall I don't feel like it's too much of a hassle. Maybe it's because my other car is a GT4 with that huge overhang and I am used to being careful.

90decibel

Thanks for the suggestion! This looks like it could be very good value for the money. Just need to figure out how to compress the suspension to the right ride height...

90decibel

This looks pretty good IMO!thanks for providing a reference. Not even close to what one might imagine hearing "stretched tires" 😀

90decibel

Thanks for the recommendation Bill! I have a couple questions:
1. The front. Do you think 2mm clearance between the caliper and the spokes of the face is enough?
2. The back. I think I will have a good chance with 10ET62. The other option (9.5ET69) will certainly need to have a spacer (7mm less stick out then stock).

Bill Verburg

1. yes
2) 10 ET62 also fits, 9 ET 70 was an oe fit if that wheel is used w/ chains it requires a 17mm spacer to move it away from the inner chassis

Matsuzaka

This might be slightly off the main subject here but I’ve owned hand full of air cooled 911s over the years and I currently have an 86 930 in addition to my 993 and every one of them had this issue where the rear wheels are not centered left to right. I run a 7mm spacer on the left rear and it almost balances out the right rear that sits further out than the left.

Has anyone else noticed this issue?

elfer.doe

well known issue


OP, please just do step lips and barrels to 18” and call it a day.

90decibel

That's an option. Curios, what are the reasons you recommend 18s over 17s? Less sidewall for sharper handling? Looks?

90decibel

Thanks for the input everyone! I decided to go with 17x8 et 49 fronts (0.5" lips) and 17x9.5 et 56 rears (1" lips) and 225/45x17, 255/40x17 tires. Now it's time to acquire the parts and do some work. Fingers crossed. Will keep you posted! :-)

90decibel

Got a sneak peek from the builder