I am looking to maximize traction, handling, and braking. What is the widest wheel/tire combo that fits nicely in the existing wheel wells? I do not want any rubbing at full wheel turn, in the fender well lips, etc..

Is it possible to fit a 275/35/18 up front and a 315/30/18 in the rear without rolling the fenders?
Thanks.
-W

 

No, you will have to roll the inside edge of the fenders...but that is not a big deal. I run the tire sizes you are asking about without problem.

 

John,

Are you sure you are running 275/35-18's?

 

A 275 35 18 up front sounds too big to run to me, I dont know why you would want to run that up front, thats bigger than what some 996s run in the rear.

 

Well, there are a couple reasons for maximizing tire/wheel width up front, not the least of which is better/shorter braking distances and better handling.

Perhaps a 265/35/18 may work better, because I can't imagine fitting a 9.5" wide wheel up front which would be ideal for a 275 width tire. A 265 width tire would work well with a 9" wide wheel which should be feasible up front. A 315 in the rear would only require an 11" wide wheel which should be fine.

When you roll the edge of the fenders, does it require any repainting or repair afterward? What should this cost? Is any bodyshop capable of doing this?

thanks!

 

Hi Wayne,

When Stephen/Kevin were hear we mounted 265/35s up front and 315/30s in the rear. Those are the largest we could fit up front. There was slight rubbing and the inner fender wells had to be heat gunned. We rolled the rears a bit also... If you go any larger than that then you'll need some serious stuff like Cary has on his.

 

Sharkster-
Thanks for the info...
Which brand wheels did you use, and what width?
Do you think that if you had less offset the wheels would clear; meaning did you have some room to spare on the inside?

 

I didn't roll my fenders and fit 315/25/19's in the rear

 

Some time ago I fitted 265/35-18's and 315/30-18 Pilot Sport Cups on my 2001 turbo. I used Fikse FM10's, 9.5" wheels up front and 12.5" wheels in the rear. A few people have followed in some form since then. It does required a little added work.

You cannot go wider up front unless you do some heavy mods to relocate the radiators further foward.

 

Chad,

You are correct...my mistake. I thought he was asking about 265's and 315's. Thanks for noticing.

 

I talked to a guy from ebay who had 2 996 turbos. He said 265's fit on front with only minimal rubbing. I don't know his wheel offset.
I was wondering, since the turbo has over 50% more weight in the rear vs front, are wider fronts really that much of a help? They increase aerodynamic drag significantly.
How hard is it to fit 335's on the rear?

 

Alrite, so a 265/30/18 is possible up front with rolling fenders, what about a 265/30/19?

 

What affect does lowering have on this issue?