My chassis is at the stage where I have to make a decision on whether or not to roll the wheel well lip. I will be running the 4 lug 2.0 Fuchs (15 x 5.5).

I searched the forums but couldn't find an answer to my exact question.

What is the widest tire I can run with and without rolling the wheel well lip?
Does it make any difference?

I am interested in maximizing traction but I'm not willing to go to flared fenders.

Thanks.

George

I run 205/50 15 and did not have to roll the rear lips.

Might depend on your frame. Mine is a little off side to side. I run a 195 55 15 with no problem, could probably do a 205 but I have not measured for that. To be safe if you are at a point where you can, I would for future options.

on the 23 standard offset 205/60x15 but will need a tire with a stiff sidewall. Has to be 206/60 to keep the speedo accurate

Could also start to look "funny" if you go too big or small in size. See some 914's running pretty low profile on 15" rims and there's a lot of space in the wheel well. Just doesn't look right. Same with a tire that's all too large, tall, fat ect.

I've seen 195/60's that look good. Maybe....maybe a 205/60, but that might start getting too big?

Pics, we needs pics!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...c=3566&st=0

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=279644

I found the 205s, and the ballooning from the tire ‘pinch’ made for unsettling handling. All for a little more tire width. You roll the fenders? To me it affects value more so than installing a set carbs. I see the roll fix cost prohibitively expensive. Part of a 20k+ respray.

To provide a little more context.

My chassis is almost ready for paint. If I'm going to roll the wheel well lip, now is the time.

Am I correct in my belief that in order for the speedometer to be accurate the total tire diameter needs to be 25.5 inches? Saw this on Pelican.

205/60 = 4.8 inches on the sidewall + 15 = 24.6 inches.
205/65 = 25.4 inches
210/60 = 24.8 inches
210/65 = 25.65 inches

I'm assuming that there is no way a 210 tire will fit on a 914 without fender flares.

So I guess my question boils down to ....

If I roll the wheel well lip, can I put a 205/65, 210/60 or a 210/65 on the car?

Thanks.

George

Myth: the wider the stickier.
Look for a low treadwear rating if you want the tire to grip better. Not for nothing that Patrick Motorsports sells the Pirelli CN36s in a 165 or 185 for our cars, but then I am biased.
XWX and Avon are also great choices
Yes, a 205/X/15 will fit, but will bulge out a bit(IMO doesn't look right for a car that originally came with a tire width 4x smaller than that), and you will give up some nimbleness in the steering.
If you are planning to have your speedo restored, you can have it calibrated to your tire size.
Lastly, they don't make a 210 tire width as they are made in increments of 10mm.
.

On 5 1/2” wheels. I imagine disregarding this could affect any warrantee concerns. Surprised the shop even mounted them. No prob taking my $. Even 195s ballon a bit. I intend to down size to a 185/60 or 65 all season. The knock ‘period correct appearance’ off 185/70s cost a small fortune.

Remove any center caps prior to when buying tires. Driven off with a hammer and screwdriver tends to ruin the caps. And no hammered on the outer rim edge lead weights either.

You only need to roll the rear fender 1/2" or so. Then it will fit pretty much any 205.

I rolled my rears enough to fit a 225 and could fit a 235 if I had the right wheel.

If you're at this stage of the project, you might as well roll the fenders if you're considering anything over 195/65/15 and if it's not a big expense.

The way the body was assembled really dictates what will fit on your car without rubbing.

If speedo accuracy is a concern, you can also have the speedo recalibrated to fit your new tires.

And most of all, JamesJ is right, threadwear rating is important. A 195 or 185 tire with 180 threadwear is better than a 205 with 600 or 700. Unless you use the car as a daily driver, any tire you'll buy will dry out before wearing out.

I've been running 205/65/15 Michelins on original steel 5.5" wheels for many years, no wheel rub in back but 12MM spacers in front to eliminate inner rub full lock. Odometer is nearly correct when compared to GPS for check.

You have it backwards. A 195 or 185 is going to be the high mileage econo car tire size. I have seen 205 in the stickier <400. Something <200 is going to be a 205/50. 205/50-15 is common with track Miatas.

I ran 205/55's and it barely cleared on one side. As has been echoed by many...most all 914's normally don't space out evenly on each side of the tires.

The other thing I'd suggest before you go with the wider set up is that you check and make sure the rear is aligned well and that your bushings are if good shape. If not...or unkown now is a good time to replace. BTDT.

I was implying that something like this:

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

Or this:

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

Would be better than a common 205/50 that tire places usually carry in stock.

The use warnings are enough for me to forget the Vredestein.

Respectfully, ahhhh, no.

My bad. Those came out after I last shopped tires. But of all the tires that size only 3 or so are sticky choices?

The good rated one cost more than my sticky 17s installed.

The fair rated one cost more than my 17" wheels and tires combined.

I picked a tire size that has ALL the choices. Makes life easy.

I put 195/65-15 on stock Fuchs four lug wheels. With just a bit of negative camber, the right rear cleared the fender lip by about 3/8 " but the left side had only 1/8". Some "gentle" pulling got that closer to 1/4".

One reason why you don't find definitive answers is because there aren't any.

Every 914 is a bit different from every other 914. And just about every 914 will fit more tire under one rear fender than the other--and which side is the narrower one varies from car to car!!

--DD

Thank you everybody for the information and insight. After much consideration, I have decided not to roll my fenders. It seems like another place for water and debris to get trapped.

Thanks.

George