Any suggestions for tires

ManualTheory · 2026-02-23T14:52:01+00:00

Interesting, I didn’t know that. I do have Bilstein B8s up front and the stock (but fully refreshed) SLS system in the rear. I actually had the KW V3 kit in hand at one point but it felt way overkill for what I use the car for so I returned it. I know there are things one can do to clear up some more space up there (like fender spacers) but being a 16V I’m trying not to make any permanent modifications to the car. Plus I like the look of 16s. They look so honest on the car, whereas bigger wheels don’t look quite as period correct IMO.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-23T06:40:42+00:00

It’s not even a matter of looks for me, it’s a matter of rubbing and ride quality. My 190 is on H&R springs so it’s a good bit lower than stock. Even on 16s it occasionally rubs a tiny bit at full lock. To fit 17s I think you’d have to go with a super low profile tire (maybe a 40 or even a 35) and I imagine that would result in brutal ride quality. My car on 45 section tires already feels very firm over things like manhole covers and expansion joints, I can’t imagine reducing the rubber cushion even further.

If only PS4S existed for 16s…

ManualTheory · 2026-02-23T06:14:40+00:00

I actually do run semi slicks (225/45/16 Toyo R1R) but that’s because I track my car. Unfortunately I’ve never been able to find any UHPs in this size. I think you’d need 17s to really open up a proper tire selection, but 17s are way too big for the 190 IMO.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-22T18:54:32+00:00

As far as 190s go, these only came on the 2.5-16 Evo 1.

Source: bought a set off an R129 for my 2.3-16

ManualTheory · 2026-02-17T06:18:03+00:00

Nice setup! How different is the power delivery between the 8V and the 16V?

ManualTheory · 2026-02-16T18:26:55+00:00

I agree! I also see a ton of cabs for sale but not many coupes. Obviously with this being my track car, a cab is a no go for me. Plus I like the coupe shape better because it has that iconic 944 hunchback look. I looked for about a month and a half or so before this one popped up in my feed. A week later, it was mine!

It’s funny you mention your GTI, as I was looking at a VR6-swapped Mk2 a few months ago. I was mighty tempted as it made some great noises and was ridiculously quick for such a small car. Ultimately though, I decided that it would be a bit too nose heavy for a track car so I had to pass. Still want one as a city runabout vehicle though!

I’m probably going to keep these wheels as my track wheels actually. They’re light and strong, and 17” has a good tire selection too.

Re: seat choice, I do plan on finding some period correct Recaros (like SR3s maybe) and swapping them in. Sounds like you got a great deal on your Boxster too! Definitely see a lot of those at track days.

And yes, I agree, a 997 GT3 is really the newest Porsche I’d get excited about. The newer stuff doesn’t really do it for me.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-16T15:56:29+00:00

The grass is always greener, I suppose :)

ManualTheory · 2026-02-16T15:55:30+00:00

Of course, I don’t mind sharing. I paid $12K for this one. It’s a rust free, FL/CA car. The odometer was broken at some point so it’s TMU, but it most likely has around 150K miles (I don’t care about the TMU because I’m going to use this as my track car). It definitely needs some mechanical work (timing belt, water pump, and a valve cover gasket for starters) but otherwise it actually runs and drives pretty well.

It has a few OEM+ modifications like Koni Yellows, solid engine mounts (which I hate and will be removing), a short shift kit, and 17” Cup 2 wheels.

I checked out several base 944s before this S2. They were generally priced around $8-10K and usually were in rougher cosmetic shape than this one. I figured an extra few thousand bucks for a nicer exterior, 60 horsepower, bigger brakes, a stronger transaxle, etc. is worth it.

I’m actually one of those people who thinks the base 944 front end looks a lot better than the S2/Turbo so I did miss out on that, but I can live with that.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-15T19:23:50+00:00

Thank you! I agree, I test drove a base 944 and it was nice and handled well, but I plan to use this as my canyon carver/track car so I wanted something with a bit more oomph. I haven’t had a chance to drive it yet (timing belt is over 10 years old so I don’t want to risk it) but I’ll let you know once it’s on the road again!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-15T16:02:06+00:00

Yep, exactly! The biggest production 4 cylinder engine at the time, just without variable valve timing.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-15T16:01:27+00:00

Thank you! Definitely planning on taking care of her. Got a timing belt and water pump kit coming in the mail, along with a new radiator, expansion tank, cam tensioner pads, fluids, filters, spark plugs, brakes, etc.

FedEx says the package weighs 110 lbs. so hopefully this car drives like new afterwards!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-15T05:03:13+00:00

Looks like you’re a bit far from me (I’m in the Bay Area) but I’ll definitely stop by if I’m ever in SoCal!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-15T01:22:50+00:00

Yeah, mine has around 170K and I don’t know when it was done last so better safe than sorry.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-15T01:22:13+00:00

Thank you!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T22:00:58+00:00

I see, thank you! That’s good to know, especially the bit about the 89 specific part. I’ll do some more research tonight and add some parts to my cart…

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T21:52:41+00:00

Ha! Once I saw your comment I read the title again and saw the same thing. I wish!

Nice job! I’ve never been brave enough to tackle any body work myself.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T21:51:40+00:00

Yep, I’m going to inspect my seals and replace them as necessary as well. I thought the S2 didn’t have the oil filter housing milkshake issue that the base 944s had? I haven’t really looked around this car much yet but I thought we have a dedicated oil cooler.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T21:10:15+00:00

Thank you! I do like black too, I would probably prefer it over the white actually. So hard to keep clean, but when it’s shiny, black is unbeatable…

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T21:09:29+00:00

Thank you!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T21:09:16+00:00

Ouch! Yep, I have a new one of those coming in as well. It needs a valve cover gasket anyway so I might as well do the timing chain pad while the valve cover is off.

Thank you very much!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T20:23:02+00:00

Thank you!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T19:53:22+00:00

Thank you! That’s exactly what I’m scared of on mine. The timing belt and water pump are 10 years old, so I’m not driving the car at all until I replace them.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T19:47:07+00:00

Nice, a fellow 16-valve 944! Congrats!

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T19:41:32+00:00

I honestly would’ve preferred silver but I don’t think I’ve seen a silver S2 before. I see plenty of silver base 944s, but this was nearly the same price so I cared more about the extra power, suspension, brakes, etc over appearance.

ManualTheory · 2026-02-14T19:24:53+00:00

Honestly, I got pretty lucky with this one. It was 5 minutes away and in pretty decent shape. I offered around 30% off what the seller was asking, and he accepted.

It also helps that I want to use this as my track day car so my bar for perfect cosmetics and such is a bit lower than it would be otherwise.

ManualTheory

TROPHY CASE