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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ 914 Fuch Alloys & Tires

Posted by: dilde Apr 28 2005, 10:15 PM

Hey guys,

You were so much help in finding Al Reed of Anaheim, I just had to ask another question.

I am finishing my '73 2.0 resto. Al Reed is doing the polishing of my Fuchs. Any suggestions on tires and sizes. They are standard 2L Fuchs. The car is bone stock and will not be raced, except up and down mountain roads. What brands/sizes are the best for a stock car, complementing the suspension (sway bars) and gripping the road?

Did you guys see that grasshopper on the home page. Droooooooooooooool.......

Thanks in advance.

Scott

Posted by: ! Apr 28 2005, 10:18 PM

I like the Kumho 205/50/15s.....

Posted by: CptTripps Apr 28 2005, 10:19 PM

195/60/15 if you want stock...

205/50/15 if you want a little lower profile and a touch wider. this will also drop your car about 1.5" and your speedo will be off. but you'll notice that it's a little 'punchier' in accelerated turns.

Posted by: skline Apr 28 2005, 10:22 PM

I am running the new Falken Azenis RT 615 205X50X15 and they really grip. I pushed the car really hard on the track last Monday and it didnt slide at all. On the poker run it held so good my arms were sore from jerking it through the twisties going so fast. They really dont show much wear either for as hard as I pushed them.

Posted by: mihai914 Apr 28 2005, 10:27 PM

I think 195/65/15 is one of the closest to stock size, 165SR15 was something like 165/82/15 if you input 165/80/15 and 195/65/15 in the miata tire calculator you get only a 1.7% difference as close as you can get. 205/50 is 9% so the speedo reads 100 MPH but you're actually doing 91. Kuhmos seem to be very appreciated here, at a good price also.

Mihai

Posted by: Travis Neff Apr 28 2005, 10:40 PM

I am running a 205x55 bridgestone S-03 tire, a touch smaller in diameter than a 195x60. Speedo is off by around 10mph on freeway speeds.

Posted by: anthony Apr 28 2005, 10:59 PM

Here's one caveat about going with 205-50-15s. They aren't great on the freeway because of the small 23" diameter. You end up cruising at 4000 rpms. If you drive around town and use your 914 like a go-kart or autoX it a lot then go for 205-50s. If you drive a lot of freeway and don't want to be buzzing at 4000rpms all day then go for a larger tire. I think 205-55-15s are a good compromise.

Stock diameter tires (165HR15) are around 25"

so:

205-50-15..... 23" diameter
195-60-15......24" diameter
205-55-15......24" diameter
195-65-15......25" diameter
205-60-15......25" diameter

Posted by: xsboost90 Apr 29 2005, 06:30 AM

205/55/16

Posted by: ChrisFix Apr 29 2005, 06:46 AM

QUOTE (dilde @ Apr 28 2005, 08:15 PM)
Hey guys,

You were so much help in finding Al Reed of Anaheim, I just had to ask another question.

I am finishing my '73 2.0 resto. Al Reed is doing the polishing of my Fuchs.

I'm in a very similar postion to you with wheel and tire choices. I'm leaning towards 195-65-15s to keep the stock overall diameter while getting a little more footprint on the road - a compromise between performance and comfort. I've toyed with the idea of keeping it OEM with the Michelin 165/15s but I'm not sure they would provide the handling we would expect, although they are what people were driving in '74

How are you having Al finish your wheels - polished or polished and painted, any color?

My 2.0L stock Fuchs are at his shop currently as well. He is polishing then powder coating the background black and then clear powdercoating over the entire wheel. Not stock but I like the way the spokes pop out with the black background.

In working with him over the phone he seems like a great guy.

Good luck with your wheels and tire choices. Let us know what you decide.

Post some pics of your wheels when you get them back!

Posted by: maf914 Apr 29 2005, 07:05 AM

I like my 205/60 x 15 Yokos. Near stock diameter with pleny of width. I can see the attraction to 205/50's, but I like the freeway cruising of a stock geared car. The only problem with 205/60's in my opinion is the limited selection of high performance tires available. I've just about decided to replace my current old tires with a set of Yoko ES100's.

Posted by: markb Apr 29 2005, 07:34 AM

I've got 205/60x15 Dunlop A2's on mine. They stuck great at the WCC, and the ride is nice. The fronts wear out pretty quick, but the backs last a long time.

Posted by: 7391420 Apr 29 2005, 08:10 AM

Dont 205's rub in certian applications??

-I'm running 195 60's, I was worried that if I went wider either something would rub, or there'd be too much rubber overhanging the rim which could be dangerous?? I'm sure 205's are fine, since so many people use them, but even 195's hang off the rim quite a bit...

Posted by: itsa914 Apr 29 2005, 11:36 AM

QUOTE (7391420 @ Apr 29 2005, 06:10 AM)
Dont 205's rub in certian applications??

-I'm running 195 60's, I was worried that if I went wider either something would rub, or there'd be too much rubber overhanging the rim which could be dangerous?? I'm sure 205's are fine, since so many people use them, but even 195's hang off the rim quite a bit...

The only time my 205's rub is at full lock left or right, they hit the inner wheel well. I have been running 205's for two years now with no problems, YMMV.

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Apr 29 2005, 03:25 PM

Go with the 195/65 as suggested above. I have used all the sizes mentioned. For a restored, non-track car you want to maintain gear ratio and speedometer accuracy. The 195/65's do that and give you 30 mm more tread on the road than the original 165's. You get excellent ride and handling. There are very few choices in the 165 size, many choices in 195/65.

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 29 2005, 03:51 PM

QUOTE (mihai914 @ Apr 28 2005, 08:27 PM)
if you input xxx in the miata tire calculator

aehm, ever thought about using or very own tire size calculator ???

you know, it's just 2 clicks away and it has all the stock 914 tire sizes in it too ...

"914 Info/Tire Size Calculator"

Andy

Posted by: mihai914 Apr 29 2005, 04:29 PM

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Apr 29 2005, 04:51 PM)
aehm, ever thought about using or very own tire size calculator ???

Andy

Doesn't it say Newbie in my description

Actually I miss the Palo Alto calculator, if they would still have it I would of quoted that one!

Cheers,

Mihai

Posted by: jeg242s Apr 29 2005, 08:26 PM

Gotta quick question I know you guys can answer, but if you put in 205/65/15 it shows only a .4% difference. I know I'm a newbie and that tire size isn't as common as other mentioned but wouldn't that give overall the best handling and relativity to stock size. Thanks for correcting me in advance!

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Apr 29 2005, 08:57 PM

205/65 would be correct diameter. However, for an extra 10 mm of width you are risking clearance problems, since not all 914's will take them without rolling rear lip, and they often rub in front at full lock. Also, a 5.5" wheel is really too small for a 205. You end up with a pinched sidewall. I know many people use 205's because they want the widest possible tire, but I think you are much better off with 195's.

Posted by: dilde Apr 30 2005, 10:19 AM

As always, thanks to all.

Scott