Tyre sizes

[KS]

Out of interest, what make and size of tyres are folk running on their narrow-bodied (ie, no GT flares...) 914s? And what width wheels?

[Porky Scratchings]

185/65 - 15's on 5 1/2 wheels Keith. 75's would probably fit the arches better though if available.

[KS]

I currently have 195/65s (same diameter as 185/70s) but as I'm changing to '7R' wheels, was interested to see what others run.

[Dean.s]

I have ssp gas burners which are 15 x 5.5". Tyres are Avon zt5's 185/65 15's. They fill the arches nicely but no rubbing. They also grip really well in both wet & dry conditions. They're also quiet on the road and only about £50-£60 each.

[Dougal Cawley]

Hi

i would suggest sticking with 165R15. that is what Porsche did

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classi ... e/914.html

Interestingly Porsche were fitting 185/70VR15 tyres to the 911 from 1968. but not the 914.

i would suggest if you do want to go larger the 185/70R15 Pirelli Cn36 or Michelin XWX will not spoil your handling as much as fitting 65% profile tyre.

[Dougal Cawley]

Pirelli now make this as well

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/tyres/ ... -cn36.html

It was OE on some late Beetles, and probably better suited to a 914 than a 185/70

[jonat127]

195/65R15 front on 6" Fuchs
205/65R15 rear on 7" Fuchs
All Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance

[Dougal Cawley]

Oo. that set up won't handle very nicely on a road 914.

Heavy steering
slower steering
less precision in the steering.
understeer?
much more dramatic letting go when getting to the edge of the grip levels.
tracking on uneven roads.
wearing out steering components
etc.

All this is OK with a race car where you dramatically change the geometry, to try to keep that foot print in contact with the tarmac in the wiggley bits; slam it on the deck stiffen your springs and add a load of adverse camber and a list of other modifications to try to actually get some more grip out of those tyres in the corners. Unless you are actually racing its a load of work to make it a less pleasant road car. but without doing all that you won't really have more grip in the wiggley bits, it will just let go very suddenly when the car leans in the corner an then lifts half your tread pattern off the road.

Sorry that is all quite negative, and i sound pious as if i don't modify cars, which isn't the case.

[Jonny Hart]

My narrow 914 is currently sitting on 7 inch cookies. 225/50 at the rear. Arches are rolled - I reckon I might even get 8s in there which apparently is ‘impossible’

[HaraldD]

Hello Jonny,

.....Arches are rolled - I reckon I might even get 8s in there which apparently is ‘impossible’....

Take 8x16 from 944 Turbo with another Backspace, then they will fit..

Harald

[Dougal Cawley]

Why?

[Jonny Hart]

Why?

Because 300 HP.

[Dougal Cawley]

Why?

Because 300 HP.

All the more reason to want it to handle well. When you start putting modern wide low tyres on like that on the car, you are making it more likely to suddenly throw you in a ditch.

I would suggest if you step back to a proper 185/70R15 proper period tyre you will find it much better to handle in the fast bends.

Yes if you put fatter tyres on then you will get less wheel spin and brake better in a straight line. But really that isn’t the issue when you loose cornering ability. I would suggest a Porsche is more about the handling than the straight line drag strip.

Or have you dramatically modified the geometry and turned it into a race car?

[Dougal Cawley]

Hi

We have the Michelin 185HR14 MXV-P back in stock for those who need it.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classi ... e/914.html

Michelin now make it in a white wall as well for hand shandys.

[Bootsy]

for hand shandys.