nile13

Al, I don't have an event on Sunday, so maybe I should come up... How far is it from Boston? Where is this place exactly?
Ouch, 202 miles away, I just looked it up. A bit far.

Martin S.

True you can get more rubber on the road and there is less roll over with 18" tires....I have been down this road too. I found that the 18" 30 series rear tires beat the crap out of me on the road. Howver on the track, where the road is good, I use 18" race rubber and the PSS9s set on full stiff. It feels great.

As mentioned above, 18" race rubber is more expensive, at least $200 to $300 a sert, and note, Kumho does not make their tried and true VictoRacer V700 tires in 18". If you want to stick with Kumho on 18", you have to buy their Ecsta V700 series, and according to Kumho, and the Kumho Race Tire Tech representative I have spoken to on the West Coast, these tire must be shaved if you want them to last on the track. If you don't shave them, they will overheat, and then they may come apart, not a good thing on a race track. I have used the Ecsta V700 shaved and they work extremely well. But it hurts my heart to know that with a set of tires costing nearly $800, after shaving, about 1/3 of the tread depth or so, is on the floor of the Tire Rack shop.

With the price of 17" Kumho race rubber about $200 a set cheaper, I confess, I have used 17" at the track too, with great results.

In conclusion, if I had three (3) sets of wheels, one of these set would be in 17" for road use only. I would lean toward a street tire with a minimum of a 35 series profile, maybe even a 40 to 45 depending on how bad the local roads are.

TheOtherEric

Although I run 18's I'd probably be happier with 17's, since:
1) the wheels are much less likely to get bent from potholes (I'm in Chicago)
2) smoother ride around town
3) tire installers wouldn't have such difficulties in mounting the tires
4) I could occasion upon half-used r-comps for good prices. (18's are PRICEY)
5) they're much lighter

But I like track events, so I stick with 18's just for the extra tire width.

Just my $0.02

Dudley

I found a simple tire size calculator at Discount Tire. It also compares standard with new tires.

http://www.discountpartcenter.com/

No affiliation but it is a heck of a lot better than my spreadsheet.

Dave

Edward

Lots of good input here. If I may add, "Track Duty" should be relegated to dedicated rims/tires, IMO. If one goes with R Compound, it's obvious, but even if one is still tracking with street tires, I believe one is better off with a dedicated set where cosmetic damage is pretty much a given. And Martin already mentioned, a full set of 17s are considerably cheaper than 18s in R compounds.

But even if one never tracks the car, there is still the cost differential of street tires which "can" be considerable ...depending. As for ride quality, only YOU can decide what's tolerable. Personally, I don't find 18s overly harsh, but then again I've never been in a 993 with 18s/firm suspension/poor roads, so I suggest you get in another R-lister's car and give it a whirl.

As for looks, when the car is lowered I don't think that 18s are any better looking than 17s. I know when I see a 993 with gorgeous rims, I'm looking at the RIMS, and noticing the size/tire profile after the fact. I must confess that the MY 02 five spokes and the RS Speedline/Kin Supercups REALLY make me want to swap...but because they are beautiful wheels, not because of their size. But when I look at my beauty, lowered and waxed, those 17" Cups really make me smile Good luck deciding!

Edward

Pete in DC

I'm with Rick - the DC roads are abysmal but I don't really sense a dramatic diff. with 18s. Compounding the no-effect is the ride in my 1991 G Wagen -- which makes the 993 feel like I'm floatin' in my grandma's '83 Fleetwood.

993Maineiac

Thanks all-I went with the 17s. All of the advice was great. Since the car is lowered and very stiff-and the Great North Woods roads ain't what they're suppos' to be the 17s won....

They're on order and my torque wrench is rarin to go.

Al

Edward

Al,

Don't forget to post a pic when you get em on!


Edward

kkim

Al-

Just curious.. which 17s did you go with?

993Maineiac

Kelly,

I got 17 inch chrome turbo twist knock offs from Tire Rack with Michelin pilot sports. I love the look-have to get a pic on here soon and my teenagers think it's the coolest thing their dad has done in a while.

As an interesting (?) sidelight. I was going to keep the wheels the PO had on the car-Bridgestones on the front a Pirelli's on the back. When taking them off the rims-which I sold to another rennlister- Sears put the compression blade of the tire machine through one of the sidwalls of a Pirelli. Turns out Pirelli doesn't make our rear size any more so they gave me a free replacement Bridgestone Potenza 750s and a second at half off-so I have a complete set to replace the Michelins with eventually.

Al

kkim

Cool... post pics when you get a chance.

As a side note, how do you like the 750s? I've been looking at these for a while, but am concerned of the soft sidewall most reviewers note about that tire. Your opinion, please?

edit: never mind reread your post and saw you dont have them mounted yet. Where's my morning coffee?

993Maineiac

Kelly,

Won't know for a while. I was going to keep the tires that were on the car-very little wear, maybe 10-20%, for when my new Michelins wear out. I could't pass on the deal that the auto manager of the local Sears gave me but I will be waiting for a while-maybe a couple of years since the car is stored during the Maine winter (slightly different then the wonderful weather you have year round). I have heard very good things about the Bridgestones and they look (and the ratings on them are) very good. Sidewall seems good, but no way to tell.

Long answer to apologize for not having an answer-maybe someone else can come in that has them.

Al