Tire Size Options

[Ken Mikos]

Would someone be able to tell me what is the largest tire I can put on a stock suspension with a 15.5 wheel.

Currently running 185x65x15 and want to go a little more aggressive without tires rubbing on the fenders.

THanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif)

[ndfrigi]

195x65 or 195x60.

[mepstein]

205x60x15

I've had a couple 914's with this size. Current narrow body has 205x60x15 with 6" cookies. 195x65x15 is a safe size as well.

[Jamie]

[quotame='mepstein' date='Dec 10 2020, 07:08 PM' post='2873887']
205x60x15

I've had a couple 914's with this size. Current narrow body has 205x60x15 with 6" cookies. 195x65x15 is a safe size as well.
[/quote]
I'm running 205x65x15 Michelins on the standard 5.5" rims, rubs a bit on the inside of the well at full lock, but drives and corners very well.

[scottthephotog]

I'm running 205x65x15 on stock steelies. A slight rub if I turn the wheel all the way to the right or left. Smooth ride with that much side wall, but more roll than I want for performance driving. Once I wear these down, I'll probably run less sidewall for the next set.

[horizontally-opposed]

If you want to maintain your overall diameter:

165SR15 (OE)
185/70R15 period upgrade for 914, standard on many early 911s
195/65R15 OE Porsche for many years (e.g. 911 w/215/60R15 rears)
205/60R15 looks great, not a lot of choices for tires, and iffy on a narrow car

You lose a little overall diameter with a 205/60 iirc, but it's negligible. 205/55R15 and 205/50R15 are another matter.

I've run my car on all of the above except 205/50R15, and prefer the taller tires on these cars visually—but did like the way it drove on 205/60 and 205/55. 205/60 can be iffy because of the particular tiremaker's actual sizes, or due to the particular 914. 205/55 a bit easier in my experience because it isn't as tall. Safe choice for a narrow car, and a 5.5-inch wheel, is a 195/65R15.

[BENBRO02]

I’ve tried 205-50-15 and 205-55-15. Because they are smaller diameter than stock sizes you get a little better acceleration and you can get them in softer rubber compound so they stick to the road. I prefer 205-55-15 because the 205-50-15 made the ride too rough. They don’t look period correct but the extra width also protects the rims if I happen to touch a curb while parking ( hasn’t happened yet).

[Ken Mikos]

Thanks for all your reply’s. Think I will go with 195 x 65 as I want to minimize any potential for tire contact of the inner fenders or suspension. Any suggestions on a specific tire ?

Ken

[horizontally-opposed]

There are actually some good choices in this size, including two summer performance tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchRe...rearDiameter=17


Unfortunately, Pirelli has gone mad with its pricing for the P6000 N-spec—2x what it was not long ago and priced higher than supercar-sized 20s. More expensive than an Avon now... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

That'd have me looking at the Vredestein summer tire, but not sure I can deal with those over-styled sidewalls on a size with a tall sidewall. Looks like a wall with graffiti on it.

So....that has me looking at the Sumitomo. My experience with more recent high-performance all-seasons suggests some are as good as (if not better than…) many summer tires of not long ago and even now. I really wish the Pilot Sport AS/3 was available in our sizes. Simple sidewall, timeless (enough) tread pattern, and transformed our old Abarth. But the only application for our cars is 205/55R16 if you're on 16x6s.

For a driver? I'd take a hard look at the Sumitomo, which also has a blessedly simple sidewall that won't distract from the 914's period appeal.

[bbrock]

Thanks for all your reply’s. Think I will go with 195 x 65 as I want to minimize any potential for tire contact of the inner fenders or suspension. Any suggestions on a specific tire ?

Ken

I went with all season tires because of where I live, and chose Firehawk AS tires in 195x65. I haven't driven on them yet so this isn't an endorsement but I chose them based on overall great reviews including a couple members here who have and like them on their teeners. All I can say from personal experience is that they look darn spiffy on my car and make it easy to push the car in an out of the garage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[scallyk9]

There are actually some good choices in this size, including two summer performance tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchRe...rearDiameter=17


Unfortunately, Pirelli has gone mad with its pricing for the P6000 N-spec—2x what it was not long ago and priced higher than supercar-sized 20s. More expensive than an Avon now... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

That'd have me looking at the Vredestein summer tire, but not sure I can deal with those over-styled sidewalls on a size with a tall sidewall. Looks like a wall with graffiti on it.

So....that has me looking at the Sumitomo. My experience with more recent high-performance all-seasons suggests some are as good as (if not better than…) many summer tires of not long ago and even now. I really wish the Pilot Sport AS/3 was available in our sizes. Simple sidewall, timeless (enough) tread pattern, and transformed our old Abarth. But the only application for our cars is 205/55R16 if you're on 16x6s.

For a driver? I'd take a hard look at the Sumitomo, which also has a blessedly simple sidewall that won't distract from the 914's period appeal.

Glad I saw your post. I have a set of Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 in 205-60-15 on the way from Tire Rack. These are for my 3.2L conversion 914 but I already have a tires in that size on my Bumblebee. Tire Rack seemed to like them with an excellent video comparing them with 3 other Ultra High Performance All Season tires and noted them as rating 98% against the best in their class, the best not being available for a 15" wheel. I found Tire Rack to have a considerably smaller selection for 15" diameter this time around.

The 205s on my LE will rub a little on the front inside at full steering lock but at full steering lock, I've got other problems anyway, and they give me an 8.1" wide tire patch.

[Cairo94507]

On my Deep-6 15" Fuchs I am running the Yokohama 195x55x15. I think it looks great and it does not rub anywhere. My car is about 1 1/4" lower than stock. I could have run 205x55x15 all around but to my eye the 205 looked just a hair big on the rim. The 195 fits way better. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[TargaToy]

I know this subject comes up from time to time. Does anybody have pics of 195/65's on a narrow body with 2.0 Fuchs?

[scallyk9]

On my Deep-6 15" Fuchs I am running the Yokohama 195x55x15. I think it looks great and it does not rub anywhere. My car is about 1 1/4" lower than stock. I could have run 205x55x15 all around but to my eye the 205 looked just a hair big on the rim. The 195 fits way better. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I currently have 195/55R15 Michelins on 15 x 6 Fuchs on this car, a 3.2L conversion, but the small diameter of 23.4" was no longer working after I switched to a 915 transaxle with 8:31 final drive ratio. The 205/60R15 Sumitomos will give me 0.4" more tread width and 1.3" more height (still shy of standard height) with less revolutions per mile to better work with the 915 transaxles gearing. I might go back to 195/55R15 for my 2.0L four however.

[bbrock]

I know this subject comes up from time to time. Does anybody have pics of 195/65's on a narrow body with 2.0 Fuchs?

There's no engine in the car so its ass is riding a little high, but this should give an idea.



(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-20845-1601222598.jpg)