997 Turbo / GT2 2006–2012 Turbo discussion on the 997 model Porsche 911 Twin Turbo.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: HBI Auto

Are 20" Wheels Too Largeż?

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 03:30 PM
  #1  
sns's Avatar
sns
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
From: LA
Rep Power: 19
sns is infamous around these parts
Are 20" Wheels Too Largeż?

I suspect that 19" is the max and already a slightly harsher ride and more wear and tear on suspension due to smaller profile tires. But 20" seems like a bad move -- would love to hear thoughts on this.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 03:48 PM
  #2  
DynamicMotoring's Avatar
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,415
From: WI
Rep Power: 75
DynamicMotoring is infamous around these parts
Lots of guys here have 20" wheels on their car. Many of them put decent mileage on their cars and no problems yet.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 03:52 PM
  #3  
Gcalo's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,206
From: N Calif
Rep Power: 112
Gcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the rough
Originally Posted by sns
--- But 20" seems like a bad move -- would love to hear thoughts on this.
I wholeheartedly agree.

Sunday I drove with a friend to a Porsche dealer in his 2006 s cabrio.\-great car and ride. He then bought the TT cabrio and delaer had installed 20" HRE's with Pirelli's.

Aside from the fact that the suspension on TT and S are different, the hard ride was very noticeable to me on the 40 mile ride back.

I would not go any bigger than 19's but that's me. I do not like bicycle tires on cars!
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 03:52 PM
  #4  
sns's Avatar
sns
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
From: LA
Rep Power: 19
sns is infamous around these parts
key word being yet.

BUT by how much is the ride harsher than stock?
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 03:54 PM
  #5  
sns's Avatar
sns
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
From: LA
Rep Power: 19
sns is infamous around these parts
Gcalo: that's what i suspected! In fact, I'm thinking even 19" might be a bad move from 18" stock but the issue is that the Champion forged wheels I like only come in 19".

PS I'm not fond of the look of flashy rims -- i just want the performance.
 

Last edited by sns; Aug 14, 2008 at 03:58 PM.
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:03 PM
  #6  
Gcalo's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,206
From: N Calif
Rep Power: 112
Gcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the rough
Originally Posted by sns
Gcalo: that's what i suspected! In fact, I'm thinking even 19" might be a bad move from 18" stock but the issue is that the Champion forged wheels I like only come in 19".

PS I'm not fond of the look of flashy rims -- i just want the performance.
19's are fine. I have them on my 360. They stiffened the ride slightly but improved the handling a bit.

I would go for the Champion wheels and suggest you look at iForged as well. They have some very nice wheels. www.iforged.com

SNS,

The ride was noticeably harsher but not overly uncomfortable. It felt stiffer than my 360, and with our poor roads in CA he's going to be replacing rims!

I can tell you from experience I have had one of my fronts repaired 2X's to the point that no more can be done. Since SAC is out of business, I have to replace all the rims.

I would not go beyond 19's for me.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:08 PM
  #7  
sns's Avatar
sns
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
From: LA
Rep Power: 19
sns is infamous around these parts
Gcalo: i almost think after your last post that 18" might be bestż? iForged look really nice -- thanks for that! You think they're as durable as the Champion? And they come in 18"!

PS the TE-7's in gun metal finish look pretty damn nice....
 

Last edited by sns; Aug 14, 2008 at 04:12 PM.
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:13 PM
  #8  
Gcalo's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,206
From: N Calif
Rep Power: 112
Gcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the rough
Originally Posted by sns
Gcalo: i almost think after your last post that 18" might be bestż? iForged look really nice -- thanks for that! You think they're as durable as the Champion?
I think you get much better handling with 19's on the Porsche's. That's what I would do.

My friend's cabro S had 19's and it drove great.

Not quite enough rubber for me with 20's.

iForged is making a set of 9 X 19 and 12 X 19 for my 360 as we speak. I have full confidence in them.

I have attached a photo of the rims they are making for me but mine will be brushed centers and polished rims. I am not into black rims.

These are te-14's
 
Attached Images  
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:15 PM
  #9  
sns's Avatar
sns
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
From: LA
Rep Power: 19
sns is infamous around these parts
G: those are fantastic rims! i think the brushed w/ polished may be the way to go -- you have good taste. What style# are the rims in the attached?
 

Last edited by sns; Aug 14, 2008 at 04:36 PM.
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:40 PM
  #10  
ALPINE_997's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,878
From: ATL, GA
Rep Power: 101
ALPINE_997 is a splendid one to beholdALPINE_997 is a splendid one to beholdALPINE_997 is a splendid one to beholdALPINE_997 is a splendid one to beholdALPINE_997 is a splendid one to beholdALPINE_997 is a splendid one to beholdALPINE_997 is a splendid one to behold
20" and 19's are very close in ride. I have 10K miles on my Turbo and 5K of those miles were from trips to Florida. The ride is perfect. In handling obviously the sidewalls are thinner and don't give as much grip as 19's but then again 20" rim owner are not tracking on the 20's. They might but as right now they are not. MPSC are in 20's now as well. So you will start seeing this become the 19 in a year or two. I know the SpeedArt ran the "RING" at a pretty decent time with 20's. TechArt has as well. So it can be done and at a pretty good pace bu I would still prefer the 19's for that duty.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:46 PM
  #11  
Gcalo's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,206
From: N Calif
Rep Power: 112
Gcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the roughGcalo is a jewel in the rough
Originally Posted by sns
G: those are fantastic rims! i think the brushed w/ polished may be the way to go -- you have good taste. What style# are the rims in the attached?
They are the TE-14 series.

I have titanium lug bolts coming for them as well!

Here are photos I just received from Vincent.

Vincent did clearcoat the entire wheel but I want the lips polished. They look much better that way.
 
Attached Images   
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 04:50 PM
  #12  
sparkhill's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,252
From: Reno, NV
Rep Power: 144
sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !
The 20's allow for an interesting look with the ultra low profile tires and wider tread. Several owners are running 325/25-20 (compared to 305/30-19 stock) in the rear. With the 20's you will give up some ride quality and will likely add some weight compared to 19's. You gain some nice tire options though. You do typically need 19's to clear PCCB's, so 18's may or may not be an option for you.

Personally, I went with Champion forged monoblock 19's because they are extremely strong, lightweight, and clear PCCB's. I think 20's are a little more for "show" while 19's are a little more for "go." Other may disagree.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 05:01 PM
  #13  
jhbrennan's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,260
From: Austin
Rep Power: 770
jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !jhbrennan Is a GOD !
Originally Posted by sparkhill
The 20's allow for an interesting look with the ultra low profile tires and wider tread. Several owners are running 325/25-20 (compared to 305/30-19 stock) in the rear. With the 20's you will give up some ride quality and will likely add some weight compared to 19's. You gain some nice tire options though. You do typically need 19's to clear PCCB's, so 18's may or may not be an option for you.

Personally, I went with Champion forged monoblock 19's because they are extremely strong, lightweight, and clear PCCB's. I think 20's are a little more for "show" while 19's are a little more for "go." Other may disagree.
Over on Rennteam there's a GT3RS with PCCB's running 18" Fiske's so you can find some 18's that will fit.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 05:10 PM
  #14  
sns's Avatar
sns
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 43
From: LA
Rep Power: 19
sns is infamous around these parts
thx guys. So the 19" really do turn better than than the 18"?

I really do not care one iota about show. i just want a lowkey rim that is lighter and turns better.
 
Old Aug 14, 2008 | 05:10 PM
  #15  
sparkhill's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,252
From: Reno, NV
Rep Power: 144
sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !sparkhill Is a GOD !
Originally Posted by jhbrennan
Over on Rennteam there's a GT3RS with PCCB's running 18" Fiske's so you can find some 18's that will fit.
Seems like those would be a great choice for a track-oriented car.
 

Last edited by sparkhill; Aug 14, 2008 at 05:12 PM.


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:30 AM.