ATL Fahrer

OK, everyone. I've done a pretty extensive search on the 996 forum and found several (dated) threads of the benefits and drawbacks of 19 inch wheels on the 996. The serious topics on the issue were in and around 2005/6.

Most of the "problems" centered around: 1/ Wheel weight, 2/ Clearance, 3/ 19" tires available. Since then, there has been tremendous interest in 19" and greater wheel diameters. And there seems to be a larger selection of tires/rubber compounds.

We all know that 19's are standard on 997's...

My questions are:
1. Are there any technical reasons for not moving to the 19" wheel?
2. What are the recommended sizes (without spacers)? Is there anything special I need to pay attention with regard to offsets? I currently run 295/30/18 on the rear and 225/40/18 on the front.
3. Is there a difference in performance? I know that when I recently increased wheel size on my Jeep from 15's to 19's, the gearing ratios were completely out of whack!
4. What else am I missing?

BTW, I currently have the HRE C95's (will keep for cross and track events) and am thinking of going with the HRE P40's.

Comments?

ivangene

pics of the jeep

ATL Fahrer

Will post Jeep pics tomorrow. Its an '03 (I must like that model year!) TJ Sport w/ 3" Skyjacker full suspension lift, 19" ProComp Rims (cheap), and Mickey Thompson Tires (not cheap!). I love it, but, am thinking of selling

rajeshr

Here's what I've found/heard, since I've been doing some research into 19" wheels and tires:

1. Rougher ride with the 19's; I've been told that 19's may cause issues with the AWD system (I'm not sure I believe this though).
2. On a C4S, you'd want to go with 235/35/19's in front and 305/30/19's or 315/25/19's in the back. You'd want to stick to wheels that are about 8.5" in front and 11" in the rear. If you are looking at HRE's, they should be able to supply the correct offset wheels for your WB C4S.
3. More grip due to a wider contact patch! Not sure what happened to your Jeep - maybe someone more knowledgeable can answer!
4. Cost of the 19" tires!!! :-D

Hope that helps!

redridge

I dont know the real reason... but my PSM kicked on sooner when I had 19" on... I def can push it more with 18" (and this is spirited street driving).

Im thinking for the rears it is 19/12 you can go gt2 spec should be max.

mtl911sc

[QUOTE=ATL Fahrer;7324613]
1. Are there any technical reasons for not moving to the 19" wheel?
QUOTE]

ATL, in your search you may have seen posts saying that the 996 suspension wasn't designed for 19" and that it stresses the suspension (and could also possibly damage it). I recall one which even claimed Porsche tried 19" on the 996 suspension and modified it for the 997 because it didn't work.

Some would obviously debate this but it's out there...

Barn996

I have stock 17" wheels. That said, I think 18" would be my choice rather than 19"s.

ivangene

seen 19's on MKI - looks wrong to me















but a GT2 wing looks right?

ATL Fahrer

I don't know, the 19's on this TT look pretty good to me!

FLY996

P40's....end of story...

Barn996

Agreed, so same look for you as the turbo pictured, minus vents in front of rear wheels. I guess I'd prefer 18" especially if there is a weight or handling penalty.

Hapich

19s on my 04'. I like the look at least. My wheels are deeper however. I am always on pothole patrol!

nick49

I haven't followed the performance wheel/tire sizing for auto over the last few years but in motorcycles 17" diameter f and r has pretty much been optimal for the ultra high performance street, superbike racing and GP. This has been pretty much the standard since about the last 20 years. The widths, 3" front and 6" rear hasn't changed either.

I do know that 18" auto wheels were the highest performance standard for several years and until quite recently when the diameters were growing by an inch or two a year and everything from Hummers to Escalades had huge diameter heavy shiny chrome wheels with extremely low profile tires. The bling factor carried over to exotics and Euro performance cars. I like chrome on my Harleys but not my Porsches. I still think the lighter 18" wheels with less rotational mass would be as good as anything and better than most. The 18" tires are comparatively less expensive now as they are less of a novelty. I'm very happy with my 18" on the Carrera and even the 17" on the wifes Boxster. Even if I purchaed new wheels, I'd stick with these sizes.

ivangene

hard to argue with that ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hapich

I just had a epiphany.
If you want more performance 18". If you want more people to look at you 19". You are the master of your destiny. Although more people looking and a minuscule less performance sounds right in the hedonistic world we live in. That's my skewed opinion. Did I help?