are 20's the biggest wheels for a 997 that still provide good ride?
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I have HRE Monoblock 20's on my 997 4S and absolutely love the look of these wheels. It has totally transformed the car. I had spacers from the factory on the original carrera classic wheels and removed them for the new wheels. Rear tires went from a 305 to a 325.
I'll post pictures as soon as I can.
I put Champion springs on which lowered the ride 1.2 inches and cannot notice any difference in ride quality, with the exception of the car being slightly stiffer. Still plenty of clearance for daily driving, although its not my daily driver.
I'll post pictures as soon as I can.
I put Champion springs on which lowered the ride 1.2 inches and cannot notice any difference in ride quality, with the exception of the car being slightly stiffer. Still plenty of clearance for daily driving, although its not my daily driver.
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There doesn't seem to be much difference in ride quality from 19 to 20 inch.
Most of the track guys use 18s for performance reasons but also because of tire availability and tire prices.
A good forged wheel should be able to stand up to the occasional pothole, unless it's a real "crater".
All of our Tech1 forged monoblock wheels have a 1 year Road Hazard warranty, just in case.
Most of the track guys use 18s for performance reasons but also because of tire availability and tire prices.
A good forged wheel should be able to stand up to the occasional pothole, unless it's a real "crater".
All of our Tech1 forged monoblock wheels have a 1 year Road Hazard warranty, just in case.
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This post is incorrect.
The Carrera Sports have 11.5 in the rear; the turbos come with a 11 inch rear.
The GT3 rim is a 12 inch wide rim.
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Thanks for the correction Edgy. Most Targas seem to have either turbo wheels or Carrera Sports, so I assumed they were the same size.
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Wow, remarkably thoughtful and well articulated. As an anti-20" guy (if there is such a thing) and try as I might, I can't think of a thing to criticize in all of this 
You are of course exactly correct. To each his own. As a techno- and car- geek, I try to quantitatively optimize all of the bits and bobs that I add to my car - even though there is exactly zero chance that I will be able to extract the maximum incremental performance value from them. But I sleep better knowing that, if someone was to upload the skills of Michael Schumacher, Matrix style, in to my head, my ride would be ready for it.
More objectively, I bought my dream car, a Ford GT a year ago. It's a car I've lusted for for, oh, 40 years. As a function of it's value and it being so low to the ground, I really have to take care whenever I take it out for a ride. To a lesser degree, the 20" wheels pose a similar problem - forcing you to take extra care when taking the car out on rougher roads. I was surprised how much the 'extra care' takes the fun out of driving the GT sometimes. It accounts for it sitting in the garage more often than I expected.
Just sayin'
You are of course exactly correct. To each his own. As a techno- and car- geek, I try to quantitatively optimize all of the bits and bobs that I add to my car - even though there is exactly zero chance that I will be able to extract the maximum incremental performance value from them. But I sleep better knowing that, if someone was to upload the skills of Michael Schumacher, Matrix style, in to my head, my ride would be ready for it.
More objectively, I bought my dream car, a Ford GT a year ago. It's a car I've lusted for for, oh, 40 years. As a function of it's value and it being so low to the ground, I really have to take care whenever I take it out for a ride. To a lesser degree, the 20" wheels pose a similar problem - forcing you to take extra care when taking the car out on rougher roads. I was surprised how much the 'extra care' takes the fun out of driving the GT sometimes. It accounts for it sitting in the garage more often than I expected.
Just sayin'
I just thought I would make a post for you guys who really dislike 20's.
I am guilty of having them,but I didn't buy them to offend you guys.
I didn't buy them to be "Blingy" and I am definately not a "Child"
I bought them because I like the look,kinda like you guys like the lighter wheels for the performance!
I like the fact that my sidewalls are almost non-existent,I like how my car looks low without grinding on everything that a city street throws my way,something that can become a problem with the smaller sizes.
My car was bought for my wife and I to go on a nice sunny drive around the streets enjoying the things that this car has to offer,other than "fast times" or "speed"
I just feel that my car on the street doing the speed limit will not benefit from the lighter wheels and the roads around here can handle the lower sidewall of 20's.I have yet for one person who HAS seen my car in person to ridicule me about the 20" wheels,so far they all have complimented it!
I do understand that some people have a knack of pushing the bigger sizes in an offensive manner but the same can be said for the ones who push 18's and 19's !
I wish I had the time/money to race/track my car every weekend,pushing the car to the limits,however,I don't!
But I am still a proud Porsche owner and even more proud to be a part of a great site like this!
A site where we can learn about our cars and help each other with technical questions.
Just because someone does something to their car that I may not like,I still appreciate it !
Like tracking/racing the car!
I respect that you guys like the performance of the car and want to bring every ounce of it out!
I would love to go for a ride in the passenger seat on the track with you guys!
I am going to check out a track event this year forsure,not to race,but rather support my fellow 6speeders/Porsche enthusiast!
They need a hand changing a tire,I am the first one getting dirty to help out!
Besides,I am used to picking up the 'HEAVY' wheels,so your guy's 18's will be a one handed job,LOL!
From one Porsche enthusiast to another,if you don't like a mod someone does maybe voice your opinion but let's leave the name calling to the other less mature sites!
Anyway,sorry for the ramble,just my $.02!
Happy New Year !
Stacy
PS I think all of these cars are crazy gorgeous,no matter what size wheels,what mods have been done or how fast they go!
They look as good cruisin' down the road as they do sittin' on a trailer headin' for the track (those ones look the fastest,LOL)
I am guilty of having them,but I didn't buy them to offend you guys.
I didn't buy them to be "Blingy" and I am definately not a "Child"
I bought them because I like the look,kinda like you guys like the lighter wheels for the performance!
I like the fact that my sidewalls are almost non-existent,I like how my car looks low without grinding on everything that a city street throws my way,something that can become a problem with the smaller sizes.
My car was bought for my wife and I to go on a nice sunny drive around the streets enjoying the things that this car has to offer,other than "fast times" or "speed"
I just feel that my car on the street doing the speed limit will not benefit from the lighter wheels and the roads around here can handle the lower sidewall of 20's.I have yet for one person who HAS seen my car in person to ridicule me about the 20" wheels,so far they all have complimented it!
I do understand that some people have a knack of pushing the bigger sizes in an offensive manner but the same can be said for the ones who push 18's and 19's !
I wish I had the time/money to race/track my car every weekend,pushing the car to the limits,however,I don't!
But I am still a proud Porsche owner and even more proud to be a part of a great site like this!
A site where we can learn about our cars and help each other with technical questions.
Just because someone does something to their car that I may not like,I still appreciate it !
Like tracking/racing the car!
I respect that you guys like the performance of the car and want to bring every ounce of it out!
I would love to go for a ride in the passenger seat on the track with you guys!
I am going to check out a track event this year forsure,not to race,but rather support my fellow 6speeders/Porsche enthusiast!
They need a hand changing a tire,I am the first one getting dirty to help out!
Besides,I am used to picking up the 'HEAVY' wheels,so your guy's 18's will be a one handed job,LOL!
From one Porsche enthusiast to another,if you don't like a mod someone does maybe voice your opinion but let's leave the name calling to the other less mature sites!
Anyway,sorry for the ramble,just my $.02!
Happy New Year !
Stacy
PS I think all of these cars are crazy gorgeous,no matter what size wheels,what mods have been done or how fast they go!
They look as good cruisin' down the road as they do sittin' on a trailer headin' for the track (those ones look the fastest,LOL)
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Really interesting thread guys- You know I used to be anti-20 as well until I came across a screeeeaaaaming steal on a set of 20" TA's with PS2 rubber. So I threw them on and you know what? Absolutely no driving comfort difference (had 19" lobsters on before with pzeros). I also don't notice any difference with cornering vs the 19's. The 20's with PS2 ride quieter than the 19's with Pirellis.
If anything, my suspension is the weakest link and gives way before any issues a +1 wheel size could bring to the table. OD of the 20" TA's with rubber is almost exactly same OD as 19's with factory rubber, so no speedo deviation.
Now, if I were into serious autoX or racing my pcar would be decked to the hilt with suspension and tuning- At that point I'd probably stick with 18's as increasing wheel size on a tuned track car would make a noticeable diff to an experienced driver who knows the car & track. But in town? weekend canyons? no diff.
That is my experience thus far- I also like the way they look!
If you want to go bigger than 20"..... buy a Cayenne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWueROnQh8&fmt=18
If anything, my suspension is the weakest link and gives way before any issues a +1 wheel size could bring to the table. OD of the 20" TA's with rubber is almost exactly same OD as 19's with factory rubber, so no speedo deviation.
Now, if I were into serious autoX or racing my pcar would be decked to the hilt with suspension and tuning- At that point I'd probably stick with 18's as increasing wheel size on a tuned track car would make a noticeable diff to an experienced driver who knows the car & track. But in town? weekend canyons? no diff.
That is my experience thus far- I also like the way they look!
If you want to go bigger than 20"..... buy a Cayenne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWueROnQh8&fmt=18
Last edited by p0rsch3; Jan 9, 2009 at 09:49 PM.
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Posts: 1,574
From: CA Bay Area, US
Rep Power: 100
+1.
Beautiful car - int/ext colors, wheels, etc. So much for my anti-20" bias. I feel so ashamed...
Beautiful car - int/ext colors, wheels, etc. So much for my anti-20" bias. I feel so ashamed...
Really interesting thread guys- You know I used to be anti-20 as well until I came across a screeeeaaaaming steal on a set of 20" TA's with PS2 rubber. So I threw them on and you know what? Absolutely no driving comfort difference (had 19" lobsters on before with pzeros). I also don't notice any difference with cornering vs the 19's. The 20's with PS2 ride quieter than the 19's with Pirellis.
If anything, my suspension is the weakest link and gives way before any issues a +1 wheel size could bring to the table. OD of the 20" TA's with rubber is almost exactly same OD as 19's with factory rubber, so no speedo deviation.
Now, if I were into serious autoX or racing my pcar would be decked to the hilt with suspension and tuning- At that point I'd probably stick with 18's as increasing wheel size on a tuned track car would make a noticeable diff to an experienced driver who knows the car & track. But in town? weekend canyons? no diff.
That is my experience thus far- I also like the way they look!
If you want to go bigger than 20"..... buy a Cayenne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWueROnQh8&fmt=18
If anything, my suspension is the weakest link and gives way before any issues a +1 wheel size could bring to the table. OD of the 20" TA's with rubber is almost exactly same OD as 19's with factory rubber, so no speedo deviation.
Now, if I were into serious autoX or racing my pcar would be decked to the hilt with suspension and tuning- At that point I'd probably stick with 18's as increasing wheel size on a tuned track car would make a noticeable diff to an experienced driver who knows the car & track. But in town? weekend canyons? no diff.
That is my experience thus far- I also like the way they look!
If you want to go bigger than 20"..... buy a Cayenne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWueROnQh8&fmt=18
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