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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Another tire size question
Posted by: DK23 Jul 19 2019, 10:51 AM
I'm new to 914s, have 911s, but wanted to get in on the 914 fun. I'm struggling with tire choice and size for my standard body 6 conversion. I plan spirited canyon carving and some track/autocross. I am interested in as grippy a tire as I can get, as I usually drive R tires on my 911s. That said, for my 6x15" wheels, I am only finding 195/55/15 size, and I worry that might look too small. Visual aesthetics are certainly to be considered in my choice, but I don't know about going with 205/60 or taller in an all weather tire and sacrificing grip.
SO, what are others using to carve up the canyons and push the car? My searches are not clearly definitive. Photos showing the "look" of various sizes would be helpful, particularly 195/55/15 size, as well as specific tire model and size suggestions.
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jul 19 2019, 10:57 AM
you can use 195/65x15 or 205/60x15 in a V rated tire
I'm new to 914s, have 911s, but wanted to get in on the 914 fun. I'm struggling with tire choice and size for my standard body 6 conversion. I plan spirited canyon carving and some track/autocross. I am interested in as grippy a tire as I can get, as I usually drive R tires on my 911s. That said, for my 6x15" wheels, I am only finding 195/55/15 size, and I worry that might look too small. Visual aesthetics are certainly to be considered in my choice, but I don't know about going with 205/60 or taller in an all weather tire and sacrificing grip.
SO, what are others using to carve up the canyons and push the car? My searches are not clearly definitive. Photos showing the "look" of various sizes would be helpful, particularly 195/55/15 size, as well as specific tire model and size suggestions.
Posted by: DK23 Jul 19 2019, 11:28 AM
Do you know a specific tire that would be appropriate?
Posted by: lierofox Jul 19 2019, 04:12 PM
I run 195/65R15's on my 75, the fronts rub slightly against the inside of the wheel well at full lock if the suspension is in compression (Like turning a sharp right into a driveway) and the rears come dangerously close to the fender lip.
Posted by: DK23 Jul 19 2019, 05:17 PM
I run 195/65R15's on my 75, the fronts rub slightly against the inside of the wheel well at full lock if the suspension is in compression (Like turning a sharp right into a driveway) and the rears come dangerously close to the fender lip.
What tire on what wheel? How does it perform?
Posted by: lierofox Jul 19 2019, 06:17 PM
I run 195/65R15's on my 75, the fronts rub slightly against the inside of the wheel well at full lock if the suspension is in compression (Like turning a sharp right into a driveway) and the rears come dangerously close to the fender lip.
What tire on what wheel? How does it perform?
The wheels are the 4 lug steels:
The tires on it are Michelin Premier A/S 195/65R15 91H's
They're a fairly soft compound and grippy for an All Season tire, they seem to lean more on the Summer Tire end of the spectrum. I've had them since 2016, probably about 20,000-25,000 miles on them so far and they've got about half their tread left, and I thrash them pretty well when getting on the freeway because... y'know, Subaru swap.
Posted by: DK23 Jul 19 2019, 06:40 PM
Thanks, the info and photo are very helpful.
Posted by: lierofox Jul 19 2019, 08:38 PM
Thanks, the info and photo are very helpful.
Better look of the overall appearance of the tire's tread and cross section.
Posted by: johnhora Jul 20 2019, 11:31 AM
Same tire size and type used on this 914..
Michelin Premier A/S 195/65/15 H rated
No problems...nice tire combo for street driven and spirited back roads driving
No fitment issues...stock body 914.
Makes the car look period correct.
Posted by: mtc911 Aug 30 2019, 04:18 PM
This is almost as hotly debated and interesting as “what kind of oil you use? I learned a ton on several tire size threads here - I love this forum-I just picked mine up from tire shop 205/65 fit great - look great - so much more “refined” than the 50”s PO had on there. Love them so far - new empi’s As well
Posted by: JamesM Sep 3 2019, 07:19 AM
Do you know a specific tire that would be appropriate?
What tire you can fit is going to depend on your wheel offset. 15x6 isnt a stock rim so you probably want to verify before buying tires. At ET35 you should be able to fit 205s no problem, Unfortunately your options for super sticky street tires are somewhat limited in 15" and you are most likely going to wind up with about 1" shorter sidewall than
That being said,these are a riot, almost magical...
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Rival+S+1.5&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=05VR5GFRS&tab=Sizes
Dunlops autox offering is available in one size narrower if you cant fit the BFGs, having driven on both though i prefer the BFGs.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+ZIII&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=955VR5Z3&tab=Sizes
If you want to go with a stock height tire maybe look at these, wont be as competitive but will retain the stock look. Supposedly uses a modern performance compound. I haven't personally driven on these yet but they are on my list to try on my street 914.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Vredestein&tireModel=Sprint+Classic&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=8HR5SC&tab=Sizes
Posted by: Optimusglen Sep 3 2019, 09:46 AM
205/60-15 
Inner lips rolled flat in the rear, no rubbing issues.
Worth noting that a 205 in one brand/model tire doesn't necessarily equal 205 in a different brand/model.
Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Sep 3 2019, 09:47 AM
good point
205/60-15
Inner lips rolled flat in the rear, no rubbing issues.
Worth noting that a 205 in one brand/model tire doesn't necessarily equal 205 in a different brand/model.
Posted by: 80’s old school Sep 3 2019, 10:03 AM
195/55/15 Toyo R888R tires on 6” wheels.
Grip is not a problem.
Car is being purposely built to be a Canyon Carver. 
Posted by: Cal Sep 3 2019, 11:07 AM
I've recently changed to the Vredestein Sprint Classics 185/70/15 and like them a lot.....they've got good grip and the esthetics that I was looking for.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: oldschool Sep 3 2019, 03:04 PM
205/50/15R
hard to see White car...
Posted by: oldschool Sep 3 2019, 03:13 PM
different view
Posted by: horizontally-opposed Sep 3 2019, 05:49 PM
Ran 205/55R15s for years. Of the current crop, I'd get these:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+DZ102&partnum=055VR5DZ102&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
What I am running currently, and like. The 185/70R15 has tall and clean vintage sidewalls, the tread looks period correct, you get nice steering and more grip than a lot of wider tires out there. Downsides? Cost, and they look a bit narrower than I'd like. If I had to do it over again, I'd have gotten the stickiest compound. Wear has been a non-issue with the hardest compound, and they will "time out" before they wear out. Which reminds me...I need to drive my car more often!
https://rogerkrausracing.com/pdfpricing/Avon%20CR6ZZ%202019.pdf
It's really too bad that there aren't more choices in 205/60R15, as it's a fabulous size for the narrow 914 (can be tight, as some have pointed out). Ran it once, a long time ago when you could still get A-008Rs in that size, and loved it. I keep wondering about the 205/60R15 BFG Radial T/A and the 195/65R15 Pirelli P6000…
Posted by: Valy Sep 3 2019, 09:18 PM
I run 195/65R15 Goodyear on Fuchs and narrow body, original fender lips.
Fits perfectly, no rubbing at all, not even close to.
Posted by: ndfrigi Sep 3 2019, 09:41 PM
I’m planning to install 195x60 for these replica 2.0 fuch wheels I got from John who is a member here.
here is John’s car subaru engine with 195x60 tires.
Posted by: 911GT2 Feb 16 2020, 01:58 PM
I’m planning to install 195x60 for these replica 2.0 fuch wheels I got from John who is a member here.
here is John’s car subaru engine with 195x60 tires.
Love the patina paint
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