944 S2 Wheel size in front

[PShipman]

What is the largest wheel size that can be fitted under the front well of our '90 944 S2 without rubbing AND having to roll the lip?

Jad had, sometime ago, suggested Diamond wheels and I was thinking that it would be great to have a set of these with equal wheel size front and rear (as in the earlier 944) for ease of moving tires around.

An inquiring mind wants to know

[Dan Chambers]

Perry: you can stuff 235's up front, and with the right wheel-offset and tire-size ratio possibly 245's (245/40/xx). Depends on the tires and wheels. Size availability will also dictate tire combo's...(You'll probably want 8" wides for wheels all round. 8's and 9's even better, but limited in rotation options.)

While driving with equal tire sizes is good, I think with the 200+ BHP and a tad more weight you might be better off with 235 front and 245 or even 255 rear. I ran 235 and 255's on the "Great-White-Hope" for years and had very satisfactory results.

My 2-pesos.

[Jad]

It actually varies from car to car and tire brand to tire brand. A few lucky people with the proper alignment (of both suspension and the stars) can fit 255/40/17's up front. Many performance tires come in a 245/45/17 which is actually harder to fit because of the higher sidewall so a 245/40/17 probably will fit, but the safest size is 235/45 or better 235/40/17. Depending on what kind of tire you want to run, see what sizes are available or better yet, find people with the various sizes and put them on your car for a lap and really see.

The rears will not be an issue as 275/40/17's seem to fit.

Now, what is a Diamond wheel? Don't think I suggested that?, but I do like the way 944's handle with equal tires all around.

[PShipman]

Ahhhhh ... as usual ... I am not being clear

Wheels ... wondering what width of wheel can be fit under there ... for instance ... can I put 9" rear stock offset 16" wheels in front with 225 Toyo R1s without rubbing ...

If so ... I could have a set of four 9x16 wheels with Toyos that could be swapped

That is my real question

[Jad]

Well, the 9x16 will fit on the car, but a 225/16 tire will not fit a 9" rim. 8" is the biggest suggested for a 225. You should be able to stretch a 245/45/16 onto the 9" rim and it should fit the car, but just barely so no guarantees. If that is what you are running on the rear, switch them up fornt and carefully drive a little to check for clearance.

[PShipman]

Jad ... thanks for the ideas ... I do have a 9x16 by 225 on rear (Toya claimed in their lit that this was OK ... that is why I went with it) ... and I can do exactly the swap you suggest ...

Now why didn't I think of that!!! ...

[Greg Phillips]

If the 225 fits on the 9 inch rim you can also look at upgrading to the 245/45/16 tire and see if that will fit in front. If it doesn't you can still use it in the rear for more grip.
There should be a good selection of cheap Design 90 or the 968 starfish rims in the 9 inch sizes

Greg

[PShipman]

Greg ... good ideas ... thanks!

[ttweed]

Now, what is a Diamond wheel?

http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/index.htm They do a lot of the roundy-round racer wheels.

I used their Avenger series rims on my Lotus 7 clone. They are steel, but pretty light and strong, and definitely cheap enough. A 10 x 15" wheel was only $85 and weighed 18 lbs. The only negative was that they were lug-centric and not hub-centric, and required a 45-degree taper lugnut, not 60-degree, which is more common.

TT