[kgain968]

Do I need 225/40/ZR18 on the front or 230/40/ZR18? They seem to think I should have the 225/40/ZR18 although I think Anchor has 235/40/ZR18...



From wheel enhancement:



"You do not want to jump up to a taller, wider 235/40ZR18 tire on the front of your 968. The 225/40ZR18 and the 225/45ZR17 are the same overall diameter, as are the 265/35ZR18 and 255/40ZR17 rear tires."

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[kgain968]

Here are the wheel weights, for an $1800 difference do you think the weight gain is acceptable?



Porsche Factory 997 Carrera III



8x18” 22 lbs. 13 oz.



10x18” 22 lbs. 15 oz.







Aftermarket 997 Carrera III replica



8x18” 25 lbs. 5 oz.



10x18” 29 lbs. 14 oz.









These factory wheels are quite light





Porsche Factory 2002 996 Carrera 5-spoke



8x18” 19 lbs. 5 oz.



9x18” 22 lbs. 13 oz.

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[flash]

i run a 285-30-18 on the rear - it is also the same outside diameter as stock

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[Anchorman]

Kgain is correct - my front tires are 235/40ZR18. My rears are 265/35ZR18. My wheels are 997 Carrera III. And, the wheels and tires came from Wheel Enhancement - with no advice that the fronts were too "big".

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[Mark]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...0163616230&

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[kgain968]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='42580' date='Oct 18 2007, 05:27 PM']Kgain is correct - my front tires are 235/40ZR18. My rears are 265/35ZR18. My wheels are 997 Carrera III. And, the wheels and tires came from Wheel Enhancement - with no advice that the fronts were too "big".[/quote]



Yes, so I am confused at what size I should get? Anchor, is the front tire size you got what was recommended to you by them?



If I wanted a plus 1 size, would I not want the 230/40ZR18 in front?





Do you guys think the weight of the replicas is too high to consider them?





[quote name='Mark' post='42584' date='Oct 18 2007, 05:50 PM']http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...0163616230&[/quote]





These are a DEAL even at the buy it now price of $1700. These are the exact same size as Anchor's wheels/tires.

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[flash]

25 and 29 is very heavy, especially when you add in the additional weight of the tires - the extra 3lbs or so per tire really makes a difference



i would be very careful about the tire choice - with that much weight, a stiff sidewall tire will result in a bumpy ride



also, depending on the state of your shocks and such, your suspension may not be able to keep up



there are questions about long term wear and tear on wheel bearings, hubs, spindles, bushings and such too (which is why porsche put out the memo advising against 18s)



without upgrading spindles, hubs and things, a total per tire/wheel weight combination of 55lbs is really the max i would recommend for the rear, and 50 for the front



good luck

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[ldeprat]

[quote name='flash' post='42544' date='Oct 18 2007, 04:25 PM']- the chassis is now also at least as stiff as the hatchback model[/quote]



That's a bit of wishful thinking on your part. No amount of bracing (let alone the 70 kg in factory reinforcements) will ever equal the chassis rigidity of having a roof.



You can try the ultimate test: put the front end of the cab up on jack stands and try opening and shutting the doors. You'll notice they're harder to close due to the inevitable flexing.



Don't get me wrong, I love these cabs as much as the next guy and own 2, but I'm also aware of their compromises.

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[flash]

yes it can - it's not that difficult really



i have done exactly what you are suggesting, ther is ZERO difference now - i've also taken measurements of the comparitive flex between models, including before and after the bracing - there are even photos here on this site showing something that even the hatchback cannot do stock - take a look



when i am done with the race car, it will be MUCH stiffer than the hachback model, with a significantly lower center of gravity



by the way, isn't it time to update your avatar with a shot of your 968?

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[ldeprat]

[quote name='flash' post='42602' date='Oct 19 2007, 04:25 PM']by the way, isn't it time to update your avatar with a shot of your 968?[/quote]



The avatar is just fine as it is, as I don't own a 968 cabrio.



However, the factory 944 turbo cab was built in 1991 and for some reason (probably build date proximity to the launch of the 968) has several 968-specific parts that its 944S2 brother does not, which was what brought me here in the first place. I kept looking to fix 944 issues in 968 equipment!



Being the great cars that they are, 968 cabrios enjoy a bigger following than the 944 cab and the number of cabrio enthusiasts is another reason I frequent this forum.



As for body flex, I still believe the bracing comes at the cost of weight. The cabrio is already a pig in stock form with those extra 70 kg, so a coupé on a diet will always have an advantage.

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[flash]

i have removed a net of 240lbs (109kg) from the car, after adding the braces, with no loss in creature comfort, so i am now a few pounds LIGHTER than a stock hatchback, and amazingly stiff - should you ever be out here, i'll be happy to take you for a spin and you can see for yourself



it can be done

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[saxman]

So there's a seller on ebay that constantly has 18" carrera III replicas listed for $489 <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Sent the seller a question asking about weight... apparently they're 28 lbs in the front and 31 lbs in the rear <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



no wonder they're so cheap.



Apparently made by a company out of china called something like min-shin

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[Simuse]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='34056' date='Apr 12 2007, 07:34 AM']Here's a photo of my car with its 18" wheels. They are 8" wide 57 offset in front, 10" wide 58 offset in back. No spacers, just a direct bolt-on. I love the look and the feel; while some folks seem to find the ride harsh with 18" wheels, I don't find that at all - and my wife never complains about the ride, which is the ultimate test.[/quote]



I am looking at getting exactly (not to be a copycat) same wheels - think they look wonderful - as Anchorman's...Carrera III...



F: 8x18 offset 57. Tires are 235/40/18.

R: 10x18 offset 58. Tires are 265/40/18.



If I understand the various wheel threads these work fine on our cars. Is there any suspension work I should do as well - or HAVE to do as well. The sense I get is that the answers are "yes" to should and "no" to have.



What about the tires? Any issue there?

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[PorscheDude]

Make sure the castor blocks are in good order.

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[Anchorman]

I'm pleased to have blazed this trail for you. What you're doing should be fine. I'm curious, though, why you're not going to the more typical 35 profile in the rear.

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[Simuse]

[quote name='Anchorman' post='48613' date='Mar 3 2008, 03:07 AM']I'm pleased to have blazed this trail for you. What you're doing should be fine. I'm curious, though, why you're not going to the more typical 35 profile in the rear.[/quote]



I don't mean to be - they just happen to be coming this way - I picked them up from a guy who just bought a new Carrera and traded out the wheels / tires (Continental SportContact 2) for something different. So both wheels and tires are essentially brand new with about 2500 miles on them - got them for $1500 and figured at that price it was hard to go wrong...



I am a little worried about the rears though as the % difference from front to back is much higher with the 40 profile than with the 35. Luckily she is not a daily driver anymore - but it looks like from what I'm seeing some suspension work needs to be put on "The List" just to be safe.

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[Mark]

I believe I am running 285/30/18 on the rear of the car.

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[mattipuh]

[quote name='bob blackwell' post='34052' date='Apr 12 2007, 03:59 PM']Bill, you should not have any trouble with the 18 inch wheels. I have run the same size on my 968 with front ET of 65mm and the rear ET of 55mm and no rubbing with no spacers required. Enjoy the added traction....... regret the added cost of the larger tires! Good luck, Bob Blackwell.[/quote]



I have front ET 67 (read offset) with 18'' and 235 Michelin Pilot Sport, and noticed that when I turn wheels max right position, the right front wheel takes contact with the fuel lines (just a little). I guess I should use 10mm spacers in front to avoid this problem, what do you think guys? Will 10mm spacers affect steering negatively? I would guess it's so small change that shouldn't affect, espec. if I align the angles correctly to the wheels afterwards.

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[flash]

it's a lot more of a change than you might think - remember that alignment geometry is done in fractions of a millimeter



10mm will require new longer studs - any addition of a spacer should involve a change from aluminum to steel lugs



you could pick up a bit more tramlining and bump steer



that being said, it has been done successfully on street cars

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[BBZ 968]

May I suggest some interaction with two acknowledged experts from the Uk .



Big Dave........18" wheels and spacers ....already contributing to the " Splitter " topic on this Forum

Steve " Mr Off-set " Scatling...........................................................Scatling on the Uk Forum





Cheers Shaun

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