Looking for a 914 wheel size ET and tire chart Options

[wndsnd]

People throw tire and wheel sizes around but they usually dont show offset.

Does anyone know where I can find a dependable chart.

[Dave_Darling]

There were only three sizes of wheels fitted to 914s originally, if you don't count the relative handful of M471 cars. There were 4.5"x15" (early "standard" steelies), 5.5"x14" (914-6 Fuchs only), and 5.5"x15" (all the rest). Offsets were pretty much the same in all of the 5.5"-wide wheels.

Since few people care about the 4.5" wheels, your 914 wheel offset chart would be pretty boring.

That said, I don't remember the offset numbers. I do know that the backspacing for the 5.5" wheels is just about 5", though.

The cars themselves have some variance, and the rear fender where the clearance is tightest can either be the left or the right--but it's always a rear fender. Most cars can fit 205s on the stock 5.5" wheels, but in some cases 195 is the limit. Wider wheels cause more problems than narrower ones; it is very difficult to fit 205s on 7" wheels under completely unmodified fenders.

--DD

[wndsnd]

There were only three sizes of wheels fitted to 914s originally, if you don't count the relative handful of M471 cars. There were 4.5"x15" (early "standard" steelies), 5.5"x14" (914-6 Fuchs only), and 5.5"x15" (all the rest). Offsets were pretty much the same in all of the 5.5"-wide wheels.

Since few people care about the 4.5" wheels, your 914 wheel offset chart would be pretty boring.

But offset changes between 15, 16, and 17's and also between widths?



That said, I don't remember the offset numbers. I do know that the backspacing for the 5.5" wheels is just about 5", though.

The cars themselves have some variance, and the rear fender where the clearance is tightest can either be the left or the right--but it's always a rear fender. Most cars can fit 205s on the stock 5.5" wheels, but in some cases 195 is the limit. Wider wheels cause more problems than narrower ones; it is very difficult to fit 205s on 7" wheels under completely unmodified fenders.

--DD

I am not even contemplating 195's anymore. I think I am going to 185"s, but I need to pick a wheel. I am unsure what the offset is on the EMPI's I purchased from the net, but supposedly they came off a 914. Maybe he had rub too... Don't know. But with the 195's I have less that 1/8 " and I have overinflated the tires, and induced as much camber as the car will allow to get the tires off the fender.

[Dave_Darling]

But offset changes between 15, 16, and 17's and also between widths?

Offset does not necessarily change on different diameter wheels--the diameter has nothing to do with the offset.

If you have a wheel with the same backspacing but a different width, the offset will be different. Or if you have a wheel with the same offset and a different width, the backspacing will be different. That's because offset is measured from the center of the rim, and backspace measured from the inboard lip of the rim.

I am unsure what the offset is on the EMPI's I purchased from the net, but supposedly they came off a 914.

Since EMPIs are all aftermarket rims, measuring is the best idea. The Bug-offset ones will put the wheel very far out in the fender and it will tend to rub the outer fender with anything wider than a 165-width tire.

--DD