Anyone running 7x16 Fuch rears on a SWB?

[craighardy]

I have a set 6x16 and 7x16 fuchs. Both are 23mm offset. Will these fit my SWB? Anyone have any pictures of 16s on their SWB. I know 15s are more popular/correct but I already have these from another project car and really don't want to drop down to 15s unless I have to.

Thanks,
Craig

[ttweed]

I have a set 6x16 and 7x16 fuchs. Both are 23mm offset. Will these fit my SWB? Anyone have any pictures of 16s on their SWB. I know 15s are more popular/correct but I already have these from another project car and really don't want to drop down to 15s unless I have to.

I think you will find that the 6x16" Fuchs are not the same 23mm offset as the 7x16, they are ET36mm, the same as the 6x15" Fuchs. Maybe what you meant to say is that the 7x16" has the same 23mm offset as the 7x15? On a SWB car, the 7" can be a squeeze in the rear without using a rim with a bigger offset (like the 911R ET49 rim), depending on what tire you try to mount. I have run 205/50-15s on standard 7" Fuchs on all my SWB cars, but it can take some "massaging" to fit them (negative camber, shaved or rolled fender lips). The '68s came with shaved lips from the factory in order to fit the newer 5.5 x 15 wheels, so they are an easier fit than the '65-'67 models. I am running a set of 7x16" with 205/45-16 Hoosier tires on my '68 for autox, but it is a close fit.

Different tire manufacturer's dimensions can vary considerably for the same nominal size, so check tread width and section width in the specs for any tire you are considering. A Hoosier "205" is a full 1/4" to 3/8" wider than a 205 Toyo RA1, for instance. There is also considerable variation in fender clearances from side to side and car to car in older 911s. Best to borrow and test fit the exact combo you want (if possible) before taking the leap.

Sorry, I have no pics of my car with the 7x16s on it at the moment.
TT

[C.Plavan]

I ran 16x7's on the rear of my racecar for big/high speed tracks. I had 225/50's on them and got a little rubbing (unlike my 15x7's 225/50 with 1/2inch spacers). It might be tough for a street car since the height of the wheel and less camber. You could go to a narrower tire like Tom states. I could of stopped the rubbing if I raised the rear, but that would of messed up my corner balance.
I have two 16x7's for sale if anyone is interested- Polished spokes with black background (Al Reed)

[ttweed]

I ran 16x7's on the rear of my racecar for big/high speed tracks. I had 225/50's on them and got a little rubbing (unlike my 15x7's 225/50 with 1/2inch spacers).

Chad-
Just to be clear, your race car had the small flares from '69-73 on it before you started the current ST flare modification, didn't it? The short wheelbase cars from '65-68 did not have any flare at all to the fenders, and a 225 tire is much more difficult to fit in the rear without a 911R-offset rim.

TT

[C.Plavan]

You are totally correct. I did not make myself clear. On my dad, cousin and uncles car (all swb) they were able to run the 7x16s (225/50)but it was a tight fit- they do have rolled/massaged fenders. Smaller width tires and camber would make the fit probably easier.

[craighardy]

Thanks for the info.

As long as I know that they will fit with the proper tire selection than I will go ahead and keep them. I'm not too concerned about running a really wide tire. I mostly want to avoid the trouble of selling even more parts and having to search for 15's. Also, I'm raising the spindles on my struts so my wheel size needs to be determined now.

Thanks,
Craig

[ttweed]

Craig-

I put the 7x16s w/ 205/45 Hoosiers on my car yesterday getting ready for the first PCA-SDR autox of the season tomorrow, so I took some pics of it for your reference. Remember that these are very low profile 45-series aspect ratio, only 23" tall for autox (lowers CG and gearing), and I would probably use a 50 or even 55 series for the street (for more sidewall compliance and to better fill the wheel well). You can compare this look to the pics of it with 205/60-15s on 6" Fuchs and Superlite rims in this earlier thread.