Tire recommendations? Options

[Van B]

Your speedo gear is also clocking your odometer so, I’m not looking to give away ghost miles. Modern cars using can bus systems can be internally calibrated, but on our analog rides we have to do it physically.

don't understand your reasoning, in your example what you say is exact shows 1.5 inch difference in height and 5 mph more at 90mph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

That’s how much taller of a tire I needed in order to make my speedometer read a true to life speed. My 996 speedo is now indicating 0.25mph slower than GPS as near as I can tell with the milspec GPS devices I have access to.

I haven’t had a local popo confirm for me, and I hope not to lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Maybe you’re caught off by the thought that your speedometer is actually telling the truth with the OE tire size? If so, you should know that is rarely the case.

[wonkipop]

Your speedo gear is also clocking your odometer so, I’m not looking to give away ghost miles. Modern cars using can bus systems can be internally calibrated, but on our analog rides we have to do it physically.

don't understand your reasoning, in your example what you say is exact shows 1.5 inch difference in height and 5 mph more at 90mph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

That’s how much taller of a tire I needed in order to make my speedometer read a true to life speed. My 996 speedo is now indicating 0.25mph slower than GPS as near as I can tell with the milspec GPS devices I have access to.

I haven’t had a local popo confirm for me, and I hope not to lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Maybe you’re caught off by the thought that your speedometer is actually telling the truth with the OE tire size? If so, you should know that is rarely the case.

would agree with that summary @Van B .

i did test mine at cruise going up to euroa in lovely country victoria australia a couple of years ago. had my passenger gps it on the i phone.
running michelin XAS 165 which are supposed to be right on OEM.
was about 1.5/2mph over on the speedo compared to the GPS.
casper the ghost is laying it down on my odo meter. he is doing it gently but he is overcounting for sure. and thats OEM!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

my concern was not so much ghost miles as the overexcited highway patrol cops here.
old dickhead dan the dicktator has ordered a new regime. gone is the days of 10% tolerance on radar readings. cops are under instruction to apply 2km/hr tolerance.
and.......rake in the $ for dan for his covid lockdown screwdown screwup.
so its pretty important down here now to make sure you are looking at the speedo knowing yep, its kosher, i am definitely under.

[Cairo94507]

I will not have to deal with speedo error; I have a GPS-based electronic speedo kit in my car and it is dead accurate and is not tied to tire size. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Van B]

Your speedo gear is also clocking your odometer so, I’m not looking to give away ghost miles. Modern cars using can bus systems can be internally calibrated, but on our analog rides we have to do it physically.

don't understand your reasoning, in your example what you say is exact shows 1.5 inch difference in height and 5 mph more at 90mph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

That’s how much taller of a tire I needed in order to make my speedometer read a true to life speed. My 996 speedo is now indicating 0.25mph slower than GPS as near as I can tell with the milspec GPS devices I have access to.

I haven’t had a local popo confirm for me, and I hope not to lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Maybe you’re caught off by the thought that your speedometer is actually telling the truth with the OE tire size? If so, you should know that is rarely the case.

would agree with that summary @Van B .

i did test mine at cruise going up to euroa in lovely country victoria australia a couple of years ago. had my passenger gps it on the i phone.
running michelin XAS 165 which are supposed to be right on OEM.
was about 1.5/2mph over on the speedo compared to the GPS.
casper the ghost is laying it down on my odo meter. he is doing it gently but he is overcounting for sure. and thats OEM!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

my concern was not so much ghost miles as the overexcited highway patrol cops here.
old dickhead dan the dicktator has ordered a new regime. gone is the days of 10% tolerance on radar readings. cops are under instruction to apply 2km/hr tolerance.
and.......rake in the $ for dan for his covid lockdown screwdown screwup.
so its pretty important down here now to make sure you are looking at the speedo knowing yep, its kosher, i am definitely under.

Thats good data wonki. As you may recall, I have the original XAS as the spare in my car and I noticed that it is considerably taller than the 195/65R18 that the PO fitted to my car.

[Van B]

I will not have to deal with speedo error; I have a GPS-based electronic speedo kit in my car and it is dead accurate and is not tied to tire size. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I did consider one of those, but where I’m stationed in MD, there are so many trees that I can’t even keep sirius XM running on a backroad drive. Plus, more than just the speedo/odo accuracy, some tall boy tires will give me the OE ride quality I’m looking to recover.

[rjames]

Don’t care about the speedo being off. Mine is already off by 5mph
Thanks for the recommendations, will look into what’s been suggested. Keep ‘em coming if there’s more. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[wonkipop]

I will not have to deal with speedo error; I have a GPS-based electronic speedo kit in my car and it is dead accurate and is not tied to tire size. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I did consider one of those, but where I’m stationed in MD, there are so many trees that I can’t even keep sirius XM running on a backroad drive. Plus, more than just the speedo/odo accuracy, some tall boy tires, will give me the OE ride quality I’m looking to recover.

great minds think alike. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) spot on comment about ride quality.
not only is the steering magically light with the XAS the ride quality is very good.
given i fitted billys to replace the tired old boges this is significant.
the billys are appreciably firmer (i won't use the word harsh but you know what i mean).

185s vreds would deliver same ride quality as the skinnier XAS.
but with some added grip. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
i'm getting used to the 165 XAS. they are pretty sticky to assist with the diet the tyres are on.

[bkrantz]

Tire Rack lists 78 different tires in 195/65-15. I went with these.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes

Not many miles to report on, but happy so far.

[BillJ]

I really liked my 205/55 Yokohama Advan Fleva tires.on the street car. No rubbing, no rolling of fenders, and good grip for sure. I didnt ever look at the speedo.

[Long_ago]

I just bought the Pirelli cn36. Lucas Classic Tires in Long Beach CA. In stock. Shippout next day -reasonable freight.
Old school tread pattern made with modern compounds and techniques.
Will report after after I get some driving time.

[930cabman]

I prefer 175 or 185 maximum, gives a more factory like ride

[vitamin914]

Tire Rack lists 78 different tires in 195/65-15. I went with these.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes

Not many miles to report on, but happy so far.

+1 on the Sumitomo HTR A/S P03 195/65R15. I put these on the 74.

Pleased with the ride and performance. Made the speedo error less compared to the 205/55 that I got with the car.

[Cairo94507]

Don't know how I missed the Sumitomo; that seems like a nice option for a reasonable price. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[rjames]

I prefer 175 or 185 maximum, gives a more factory like ride

How would you describe a 'factory like ride'?

[CCE]

I just bought the Pirelli cn36. Lucas Classic Tires in Long Beach CA. In stock. Shippout next day -reasonable freight.
Old school tread pattern made with modern compounds and techniques.
Will report after after I get some driving time.

I think that Pirelli’s CN36, are the way to go for a 914! Well done, I simpli love the pattern just can’t get them in Mexico and it’s almost impossible to import them unless you roll them in… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

I read somewhere, the shape of the CN36 tyres are rounded in the corners “old style like” designed for old style suspensions, and the new rubber compound, they will not damage or stress the suspension like newer tyres.

Please share some pictures if you can, just for my personal torture…

[sportlicherFahrer]

@rjames I had a set of Firestone Firehawk All Seasons in 195/60R15 installed on our '75 this last spring. Great tires for cruising around the Cascades with the PCA. Was trying to find something with a slightly softer compound without going for a dedicated track tire while also being able to handle the wet roads we frequently see in the Puget Sound area. They definitely fit the bill without making too many compromises.

Firehawk AS

[wonkipop]

I prefer 175 or 185 maximum, gives a more factory like ride

How would you describe a 'factory like ride'?

interesting question.

so the original suspension, spring rates, shocks etc are designed to go with tall boy tyres.
eg exactly like michelin 165 XAS i now have on the car. its softer because the tyres themselves do some of the shock absorbing.

i previously had a set of goodrich T/As on my car dating from the period when it was very difficult to pick up original size tyres. or at least original size tyres that were not "truck" tyres. 195s and i think from memory about a 50 or was it 60 profile. think it was 50.
quite a bit lower profile. ride was way harsher through pot holes or bad imperfections in road. and steering notably heavier. quite noticeable at town speeds.

the 165 XAS are much softer and absorb potholes etc. no more jarring ride with transmission of harsh impacts into the cabin, particularly the cowl area of the car.

of course this only makes sense with original spring rates, shocks etc.
kind of does not matter given what i see a lot of guys do on this website with cars stiffened up in the suspension department. once you go there you go all the way with tyres etc.

but an original 914 running original size rubber with original spring rates etc rides surprisingly softly. i also have the factory sway bars on mine so that compensates for all the suspension softness. its how they actually were back when they came out of factory.

of course tyres and suspension is an incredibly personal thing.
so no way really is the right way.

i do like mine now all back at original specs.
i've got another car to drive hard and to be honest it does a much better job of it.
as it should given its a car a good 25 years further down the track.

where i have found the XAS 165s really good is when i get the 914 out on country back roads. which in australia can be pretty choppy roads. poor shoulders. occasional bad potholes. wavy ashphalt. bad camber. you name it. the skinnier original tyres do a much better job of soaking it all up than even slightly wider lower profile tyres. these days thats where i have my fun with the 914. not exactly cruising. but not really going at it super hard anymore.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

a 205/60x15 will fit on a factory mahle under stock fender well but would not recommend it as it bulges too much off of the 5.5 rim and you may feel the jello effect when going around the curves. Would suggest a 195/65x15 michelin if you want something a bit wider and reasonably priced

Looking to replace my 10 year old Eagle GTs. They are 195/60/15 but seems like only 195/65/15s are available now when looking briefly. They will go on 4 lug Mahles under stock fenders. Pretty sure I couldn't get 205s under the fenders without rolling them (not interested in doing so) because it's already pretty tight on one side.

What does the 914 brain trust recommend these days?

[skota23]

We’ll put wonkipop.

I’ll agree with the ride quality of a tall skinny tire on these older Porsches. I’m using Vredesteins on my 912 and cn36’s on the 924. Both 185 and the cars just feel right.

[apexhound]

We’ll put wonkipop.

I’ll agree with the ride quality of a tall skinny tire on these older Porsches. I’m using Vredesteins on my 912 and cn36’s on the 924. Both 185 and the cars just feel right.

Have you considered these (for that authentic feel w/ just a bit of grip…)?

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/185-70vr15-michelin-xwx.html