I am building wheels for my car. But I would like to possibly offer the wheels for other. I have a 07 GT3. I already have tooling for 19x8.5 and 19x11. for most Porsche Owners that is sufficient. I am debating if I should build the 19x12 size. as the 12 inch wide width is standard on GT3 / GT3RS and GT2. It is very expensive to make a new mold for the 12 width. Do the owners off the above mentioned cars feel it is imperative. or is there no way in hell you would run 11 inch wide wheels on your 305's even if it is 10lbs + lighter than stock? please advise. Target weight is 19lbs front wheels and 22 lbs for rear.

thanks in advance

 

James,
u don't need 12'' to run the 305. actually the 12'' is too wide for the 305. GT2 will be running 325 on 12''. the stock 305 runs shallow on the 12'' if u look from inside. is 11.5'' doable? that would be ideal. afterall it's all depends on the offset.

 

Whenever I do 11" wide wheels, I always use 295s or 305s, unless specified otherwise by the customer. 12" is a bit much for a 305 as 20C4S said.

 

The normal rule of thumb used by racers for radial slicks and DOT race tires is that the wheel width should be within one half inch (+ or - 1/2") of the tire tread width for optimal performance.

 

Are you sure that it's too wide? I currently have 305s on my 19x12 and they fit just fine.

 

James Chen = Axis Wheels?

 

If this is important enough maybe you should contact Porsche engineers and find out their design logic as to using a 12" wide rim and the 305 tire. BTW if you can build a forged 19x9 and 19x12 rims with 19lbs and 22lbs weights respectively you'll strike the market hot. Those are very light wheel weights. The Champion line can't beat that. One would have to go to Dymag CF wheels, which I did and I'm very impressed with them.
I would not go down to 11" wheels on my GT3 or RS. To me the 305's look just fine on the 12" rim and it allows me to go to 325(new size of 325/30/19). I agree with Manny about the tire and rim sizing for the track.

GT3Ranger

 

I personally would never go narrower then stock even though its ok, i would somehow feel like i just downgraded my car in a weird way.

 

i wouldn't either but if the set is for track then it's ok. it's a fine line.

 

DING DING DING! Winner.

I'm guessing the owners of GT3's / RS's aren't your current target market for wheels James - the avg. 996/997 owner is; however, as GT3Ranger said, if you can get weights under current 19/22 there is potential.

 

Hi James,

I agree 100% with Albert. However, if targeting GT3 owners, I don't think they would want to go less wide than stock as more of a mental thing than anything...

 

thanks for your input.

 

Hi James,
I just got a very good deal on forged aluminum one piece track wheels for my 997 GT3 from a local manufacturer for 18” X 9” 50 mm ET fronts at 20.4 lbs and 18” X 12” 65 mm ET rears at 23.4 lbs. The reason for going to 18” track wheels is that there is a much wider and less expensive variety of 18” race rubber.
If you can produce decent 19” wheels at lower weight and keep the retail price down in the US $ 3K range you should be able to sell large quantities. Once the price climbs above US $ 4,500 there is very stiff competition from the premium wheel brands.
The market for standard 997 sizes (19” X 8.5” and 19” X 11”) is much larger than the GT3, GT2 segment which will demand 8.5” to 9” front and 12” rear wheel widths.
Good luck.

 

Hey Manny do you have PCCB on your GT3? If so any issue with the 18" rim in the front with the 380 mm rotor and caliper. Do they fit?

This would also answer a question concerning the rear wheel set on my M5. I want to run 18's so as to put on drag radials but I have 15" rotors and clearance is an issue.

Thanks for the input.

Cheers, GT3Ranger...Juan

 

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Hi Juan,
I have the standard brakes on my GT3 and the 18’s fit fine. The 997 GT3 Cup cars come standard with the PCCB’s and 18” BBS wheels so I don’t think that there should be any issues fitting 18’s on any 997 GT3 or GTRS as long as the shape of the centers clear the large calipers. I can’t comment on the M5 other than it is my favorite sedan. Cheers,
Manny