Boxster wheel fitment Options

[technicalninja]

Trying to wrap my head around what size spacers (range) I should be looking for to utilize stock 99 Boxster wheels on a "standard" flared 914.

Fronts are 17X7 ET 55
Rears are 17X8.5 ET 50

Any suggestions?

[sixnotfour]

What is A standard flair ?? no flair/GT flair

[slowrodent]

I suppose I have what would be standard flares, but they are fiberglass. I believe my wheels/ offsets are the same as yours. I am rockin' early 2000s Boxster wheels.

I presently have 3" of overall spacers on the fronts with a resulting tight finger clearance.. ( 1" 4-5 bolt adapter and 2" spacer) I'll likely reduce this to 2.5" overall, as the fender clearance is arguably too tight.

The rear has a 1.25" spacer and I believe the clearance will improve with a proper rear alignment. ( I needed an additional .25" spacer on one side as the rear was not 100% symmetrical.)

Please note that this car has not been driven yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hope this helps...

Kevin

[slowrodent]

I went out for a 2nd look. Rear is a tight finger clearance right now, but tires are pretty straight up and down.. Rear alignment should help quite a bit. Front with tires pointed straight is probably a loose finger clearance (1/2") but I'll likely reduce that with the spacer swap as indicated above...

[technicalninja]

What is A standard flair ?? no flair/GT flair

I'm sorry, I should have been more descriptive. M471 GT flares, metal ones.
Right now, it looks like Restoration Design will be my supplier.

[slowrodent]

Oops duh... 245/50-17 and 215/50-17

[technicalninja]

I went out for a 2nd look. Rear is a tight finger clearance right now, but tires are pretty straight up and down.. Rear alignment should help quite a bit. Front with tires pointed straight is probably a loose finger clearance (1/2") but I'll likely reduce that with the spacer swap as indicated above...

That does help!
Thank you, Sir!

The rears were about what I figured, 1-1.5

The fronts were not!
3" is a BUNCH!

Love your forum name!

[JamesM]

Trying to wrap my head around what size spacers (range) I should be looking for to utilize stock 99 Boxster wheels on a "standard" flared 914.

Fronts are 17X7 ET 55
Rears are 17X8.5 ET 50

Any suggestions?

First, what size tires?

Second, as already asked, what do you mean by "standard"? Is that a stock narrow body or steel GT flares?

Third, assuming you are talking GT flares is how flush do you want the wheels with the fenders?

Depending on tire width you are going to need minimum a 20mm spacer in the front for the 7s to clear the front struts. 8.5s most likely are not going to fit a narrow body rear, assuming you are talking GT flares than 33mm minimum to clear the inside. These are both the MINIMUM you need to clear the inside assuming your tire size is not wider than the rim. If you are running GT flares then you may want to make these larger to fill the fenders. Exactly how much larger depends on the look you want, the tire you are running, and the measurements of your specific car.

[technicalninja]

Trying to wrap my head around what size spacers (range) I should be looking for to utilize stock 99 Boxster wheels on a "standard" flared 914.

Fronts are 17X7 ET 55
Rears are 17X8.5 ET 50

Any suggestions?

First, what size tires?

Second, as already asked, what do you mean by "standard"? Is that a stock narrow body or steel GT flares?

Third, assuming you are talking GT flares is how flush do you want the wheels with the fenders?

Depending on tire width you are going to need minimum a 20mm spacer in the front for the 7s to clear the front struts. 8.5s most likely are not going to fit a narrow body rear, assuming you are talking GT flares than 33mm minimum to clear the inside. These are both the MINIMUM you need to clear the inside assuming your tire size is not wider than the rim. If you are running GT flares then you may want to make these larger to fill the fenders. Exactly how much larger depends on the look you want, the tire you are running, and the measurements of your specific car.

1st question the "daily" tires that are mounted on the Boxster now are Michelin Sport AS in 205/50-17 front and 255/40-17 rear. These tires are brand new.

2nd question: steel GT flares and as they haven't been installed yet I will have a bit of "wiggle room" during the installation.

3rd question: They don't have to be stupid flush IMO. I'd rather have a bit of extra room for tire/wheel/suspension deflection. I'd like to avoid body damage if possible!

Now, I also have a set of competition Forge Line wheels which I believe were specifically for the Boxster. I really need to get the measurements off of these before I go much further. They are also in 17" diameter, but the fronts look 8+ wide and the rears may be 10". They have destroyed Hoosiers on them now.

JamesM, thank you for posting!
You ARE correct! I am most interested in inside clearance right now. I am planning on running ground control rear coil overs so my springs will be slightly smaller diameter.
911 struts in the front with the Boxster calipers all around.

I am 5 lug already so I don't need 4-5 adaptors.

There is a set of spacers in the classifieds right now which prompted my posting this thread.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=372031

These are 57mm and appear to be thicker than I will need.

Thanks to everyone for the info!

[slowrodent]

I agree that the front 3" seems pretty extreme. I was working for an overall wide-stance look as I prefer that to tires that seem to get lost inside the flare. As indicated, I'll reduce that by at least 1/2". (I just went and looked at the inside-tire clearance, and I think I could probably drop to 2" overall which might be prudent.) Still TBD.

And with 255s on the rear, you'd probably be better off with a 1" vs my 1.25" spacer.

Glad to help out.

[JamesM]

1st question the "daily" tires that are mounted on the Boxster now are Michelin Sport AS in 205/50-17 front and 255/40-17 rear. These tires are brand new.

2nd question: steel GT flares and as they haven't been installed yet I will have a bit of "wiggle room" during the installation.

3rd question: They don't have to be stupid flush IMO. I'd rather have a bit of extra room for tire/wheel/suspension deflection. I'd like to avoid body damage if possible!

Now, I also have a set of competition Forge Line wheels which I believe were specifically for the Boxster. I really need to get the measurements off of these before I go much further. They are also in 17" diameter, but the fronts look 8+ wide and the rears may be 10". They have destroyed Hoosiers on them now.

JamesM, thank you for posting!
You ARE correct! I am most interested in inside clearance right now. I am planning on running ground control rear coil overs so my springs will be slightly smaller diameter.
911 struts in the front with the Boxster calipers all around.

I am 5 lug already so I don't need 4-5 adaptors.

There is a set of spacers in the classifieds right now which prompted my posting this thread.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=372031

These are 57mm and appear to be thicker than I will need.

Thanks to everyone for the info!

The fronts shouldn't be to much of an issue with 205s on a 7" as long as you are offset roughly ~35mm or less(55et-20mm spacer) you should be fine. I run as close to the strut as possible to maintain scrub radius and light steering for autocross but if you are going for looks you may want to space them out another couple of CM. With 205s you have a good deal of room.

255s on the other hand you may want to confirm some measurements. On a 255, depending on the specific tire you are probably going to be 10"+ at the widest point and with steel GT flares, depending on how they were installed, you are probably looking at somewhere in the 10.5-11.5" range roughly between the fender lip and chassis. Off the top of my head I think you are going to want to be in the ~10-15mm total offset range give or take to keep it centered as much as possible, but measure this one as it may be a bit of a squeeze. If you didn't already have the tires I would say drop to a 225 (or maybe even a 245) in the rear as that is more optimized for a 8.5" wheel and gives you slightly more wiggle room. On the plus side you don't have the fenders on yet so these can be manipulated somewhat to be sure you fit the tire.

[Chris914n6]

In the front I use 21mm 944 spacers on 17x7 and that tuck stock fenders. Basically stay near the same offset as fuchs 15x7 @ 23mm. 225/45-17 tires

The rear is the same though I rolled a bit. (edit, 21mm + 5mm spacer)

You will need to add whatever the flares add to the spacer in the front, maybe subtract 1/2" for more clearance. Same for the rear except subtract the 1.5" wheel difference.

Side note: tires matter. I have a pair of both 8.5" and 9" that came with same size tires and the 9" is actually a bit smaller at the tread so it would tuck easier. It is what it is.

Also, tires hit the trailing arm before anything else, unless it's cambered alot then it's the chassis.

[Chris914n6]

I test fit a 9x17 255/40 under my rolled rears. Ideally 21+21mm spacer should clear the inner sheetmetal, but it wouldn't tuck my fender so in the pics its 21+15mm. IIRC stock camber.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1728786226.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1728786227.2.jpg)

[technicalninja]

@Chris914n6
Before I saw your pic of a 9 on stock (modified but stock non the less) I would have bet BIG money that there was ZERO chance of a 255 going under.

I'd have been WRONG!

Now, you don't have room for a virus...

Have you swung that without the spring?

I'm still not sure it would work but WOW!
It's on the car.

Thank you so much for taking the time to try that out and posting pics!

My comment on "skinny springs" shows my Japanese experience. Skinny springs usually means more clearance to the inside.
The 914 runs the complete assembly in a closed box...

Silly Ninja!

Right now, it's looking like 1"+ on front and 1.5" on rear is a good starting spot for Boxster wheels.

Now, all of you have spent time helping me, should any of you need assistance on modern shit hit me up.
I can usually help!

That offer is Worldwide, any make, not just Porsche stuff.

Thank you all once again!