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Posted by: KLims914 Dec 12 2004, 05:52 PM

I recently purchaced a 1974 and was wonderring what tires I should put on the car. Currently has 155/50's on it. I don't plan on autocrossing, just running on the road having fun.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

Posted by: boxstr Dec 12 2004, 06:16 PM

What siz wheels do you have on the car. That will limit you to some degree.
CCLINTIRERACK

Posted by: ejm Dec 12 2004, 06:51 PM

Looking at his avatar I would say he has 20" Fuchs

Welcome to the board Mike

Posted by: Mueller Dec 12 2004, 08:13 PM

welcome...

popular tire sizes for 15" stock rims and some aftermarket rims are:

195/50 (about the lowest you want to go)
195/60
205/50 (very common size for tires that are more performance oriented)
205/55
and
205/60 (depending on brand, this tire will offer the best ride, due to the tall sidewalls)

thanks for Dave....that what I get for being rushed by the wife..."hurry up and get off that damn computer"

Posted by: Dave_Darling Dec 12 2004, 08:45 PM

Mueller, the word is "oriented".

195-65-15 is also a fairly popular size. It's almost the same overall diameter as the original tires (which were roughly 165/80-15) so it keeps your speedometer and gearing close to stock. It also will fit on all the stock wheels under stock 914 fenders. Some few 914s do not fit 205s on stock wheels (and only on the one rear wheel or the other)--it varies from car to car.

Aftermarket wheels can be a problem. Some of them (with VW Bug offsets) will only let you use 165-width tires!

--DD

Posted by: Rob Ways Dec 12 2004, 09:19 PM

914s do vary.

I like the 205 / 60 / 15s over the 195's based on looks, ride, and function. I've also seen 205s rub on both the inside and outside. Unfortunately, 914s vary and it may be some trial and error.

On my last car, I went with 205's on the street, used 1.4 inch spacers all the way around, and had plenty of clearance with 1.5 - 2.0 camber.

Posted by: KLims914 Dec 13 2004, 06:00 PM

Thank you all. I am glad to have found such a wonderful resource for my new toy. Now to fix my avatar.

Mike

Posted by: Flat VW Dec 13 2004, 08:44 PM

I recently bought tires for my 72', 205/55/15 and they fit by a frogs hair, do not rub but tolerences are near zero, a tight fit. I am sure a variance in wheel offset could make them "not fit"

I have wheels that look like Mahles to me but I am told they are Perinis.

Posted by: jd74914 Dec 13 2004, 08:53 PM

what's the widest tire you can fit with western rims?


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Posted by: trekkor Dec 13 2004, 09:02 PM

Funny you should ask.
I just mounted 205/50/15 Hoosiers on my 914 today.
Did some minor fender rolling, but they are on.

I'd think you could mount 195/60's with no problem.
Maybe 205's, as the race tires tend to be wider than they say they are.

the backspace on the Western is 4.5 inches while the 914 rims are 5 inches
( 4.875 actually )

KT

Posted by: trekkor Dec 13 2004, 09:08 PM

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Posted by: jr91472 Dec 13 2004, 09:44 PM

Same question, but for 2.0 Fuchs? Will 205's work?

Just got rid of my EMPI's, now need to replace my 185-70s

Posted by: trekkor Dec 13 2004, 09:52 PM

The 205's should work on the Fuch's as long as they are factory and not the replica's from American Eagle.

Here's Rob Way's 205's on Fuch's.

KT


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Posted by: drgchapman Dec 13 2004, 11:27 PM

I mounted Hoosier 205/50's on my stock 2.0 fuchs, had to pound the left rear inner in about 1/4 inch to clear. All others cleared fine. Drives like a go cart, no,..... better.

Posted by: Series9 Dec 13 2004, 11:50 PM

On stock-bodied cars, I love 205/50-15s. I've run them on many cars with no trouble (not to say you won't, because some people obviously have). If you use these, your speedo will need to be adjusted.

I've had them on 2.0 Fuchs and 5-bolt Fuchs and Cookie Cutters.

The flair in the picture is just taped on to check fit. The stock fender is still under there.


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Posted by: Dave_Darling Dec 14 2004, 10:45 AM

Maybe. Like we keep saying, all 914s are a little bit different. 205s will probably work as long as you're using stock 914 wheels--but it is not a sure thing! Some 914s will not fit 205s, even when using stock wheels. Ya gots ta try it and see how it works on your car.

--DD

Posted by: jr91472 Dec 14 2004, 03:45 PM

Thanks all.