Aftermarket wheels on a 944, porsche design or veloce RS

[John Sims]

I can't remember all of the differences on the 968 suspension without referring to PET, aside the caster mounts, struts, roll bars, rear shocks and (unless you have a Turbo S) front hubs. The front wishbones are also subtly different but not in a way that would have any effect.

The main reason Porsche didn't recommend 18" for the 944 is there weren't any and the suspension wasn't designed to accommodate such.

Even if you upgrade your 944 to 968 spec it remains a less than desirable mod for road use, particularly UK roads. It's all very well making your car look like a racing car but (unless purely for the track) you are ignoring the fact that roads and tracks are completely different beasts. 18" wheels on a 944 are one of the best mods to make your car slower from A to B in the real world. Removing the compliance of the side walls makes the car generally more skittish and unpredictable on changing road surfaces.

 

[blade7]

I can't remember all of the differences on the 968 suspension without referring to PET, aside the caster mounts, struts, roll bars, rear shocks and (unless you have a Turbo S) front hubs. The front wishbones are also subtly different but not in a way that would have any effect.

The main reason Porsche didn't recommend 18" for the 944 is there weren't any and the suspension wasn't designed to accommodate such.

Even if you upgrade your 944 to 968 spec it remains a less than desirable mod for road use, particularly UK roads. It's all very well making your car look like a racing car but (unless purely for the track) you are ignoring the fact that roads and tracks are completely different beasts. 18" wheels on a 944 are one of the best mods to make your car slower from A to B in the real world. Removing the compliance of the side walls makes the car generally more skittish and unpredictable on changing road surfaces.

Many years ago I replaced the original 7"x 15"/205 wheels/tyres on my 87 Sierra Cosworth with original 92 Escort Cosworth 8"x 16"/225 wheels/tyres. It gave much more grip but ruined the steering, so I know from personal experience what the result can be. I bought my 944 with 8" and 10" x 18" wheels fitted, and while it was nowhere near as bad as my old Cosworth I knew from driving 944's on 16" and 17" wheels it could be better, but no way was it skittish or unpredictable. However it's not a daily car so I fitted uprated bushes and KW's which improved matters, It makes sense though to run the bump/rebound settings on the stiff side to control the heavier wheel and tyre. Sure on bumpy roads this setup can be a little harsh and I wouldn't run it on a everyday car, but I disagree with sweeping statements that 18's don't work. With the correct geometry setup and sticky tyres it tracks true, changes direction fine (with a little extra steering effort) and sticks like sh*t to a blanket.

 

[924Srr27l]

BLADE7
Many years ago I replaced the original 7"x 15"/205 wheels/tyres on my 87 Sierra Cosworth with original 92 Escort Cosworth 8"x 16"/225 wheels/tyres. It gave much more grip but ruined the steering, so I know from personal experience what the result can be.

Interesting, especially with the Sierra being a Decade newer in design to the 924 going up 1" on a 80's design made such an adverse difference but going up 2" from stock on a Turbo with a 70's chassis didn't?

The Power steering and KW Set up will be masking a lot of this.

Can you Elaborate on what "Ruined the steering" exactly on the sierra with the 16" Escort wheel set ? was it power or manual (I can't remember) maybe the offset 'were different also?

I bought my 944 with 8" and 10" x 18" wheels fitted, and while it was nowhere near as bad as my old Cosworth I knew from driving 944's on 16" and 17" wheels it could be better,

In what capacity was you thinking it should be better ? Road, track use or both?

However it's not a daily car so Sure on bumpy roads this setup can be a little harsh and I wouldn't run it on a everyday car / but no way was it skittish or unpredictable / but I disagree with sweeping statements that 18's don't work / With the correct geometry setup and sticky tyres.........

Track car then? and compromised for road conditions and surfaces.

R

 

[blade7]

The Cosworth was on standard suspension. I always felt it was a point and squirt car until travelling at speeds high enough for the spoilers to work. The 944 can carry more corner speed but it doesn't feel as planted flat out. My 944 is a fair weather back road car that does 2-3k a year. That's all....

 

[924Srr27l]

The Cosworth was on standard suspension. I always felt it was a point and squirt car until travelling at speeds high enough for the spoilers to work.

The Sierra Cosworth had offsets in the range of ET35 - 45 and the Escort Cosworth Et15 - 20
So not only did you go up from 15" to 16" and a lower sidewall profile but also wider from 7" to 8" and worst of all
the Escort Wheels would of stuck out more and changed all the kpi and scrub radius etc..

Hence I can quite believe what you mean now why you said it " "Ruined the steering"

The 924/ 44 / 68 Chassis also responds the same when incorrect wheel offsets and also larger and heavier wheels
are fitted, I've tried 18's on a 968 and 17's on a 944 & 924 and none of them were beneficial for what I call good handling
on public roads, but what one person likes and dislikes is and will always be different to another, and if your car is as
you suggested "a fair weather back road car that does 2-3k a year." then this is very different to many other users and their personal requirements.

Each and to their own devices.

R