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Fitment guide

Porsche 911 997 Carrera & Carrera S Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Originally published | 04/11/2018
Updated | 09/20/2023

Vehicle Covered in this Guide 2005-2012 Porsche 997 911 C2 & C2S Narrowbody Chassis

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter. Our 18" wheels clear the optional factory PCCB. 

Available Wheel Designs

Bolt Pattern

5x130

Center Bore

71.6mm

Lug Seat

R14 Ball Seat

Thread Pitch

M14x1.5mm

OEM+ Wheel Fitment

Easy upgrades for street-driven cars

  • Black Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Race Silver

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for enthusiasts enjoying their car day-to-day on the street, and they are typically paired with all-season or performance oriented summer tires. These wheel and tire configurations will improve the appearance and performance of the car without requiring modifications to the factory suspension or alignment. Just bolt-on and enjoy!

While these wheel fitments can be used for track days and AutoX, performance will be left on the table. Drivers that prioritize performance should review our Performance Street & Track and/or Hardcore Track & Race sections below.

Wheels

  • Front: 18x8.5” ET45 // Rear: 18x11” ET60
    • Available in: SM-10
    • C2S brakes require 3mm front spacers for caliper clearance

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 235/40-18 // Rear: 295/35-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra-High Performance All-season: Continental Extremecontact DWS 06+
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (220 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 295/35-18
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra-High Performance All-season: Continental Extremecontact DWS 06+
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)

Wheels

  • Front: 19x9” ET50 // Rear: 19x11” ET60
    • Available in: SM-10
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 305/30-19
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra-High Performance All-season: No options currently available
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
  • Alternative 1: Front: 235/35-19 // Rear: 305/30-19
    • Factory 997.1 GT3 tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra-High Performance All-season: No options currently available
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama AD08R (220 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
  • Alternative 2: Front: 235/35-19 // Rear: 295/30-19
    • Factory 997 C2S tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Ultra-High Performance All-season: No options currently available
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)

Performance Street and Track Wheel Fitment

Wider fitments for enhanced performance

  • Grey Porsche 911 - VS-5RS in Brushed Clear
  • Black Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • White Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Silver Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • White Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Red Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Satin Black
  • 1 / 2

Whether you enjoy spirited street driving or you are a weekend track warrior chasing lap times, these wheel & tire configurations are ideal for enthusiasts looking for a more dramatic improvement in performance and they are typically paired with performance oriented summer tires or track oriented r-compounds. Most notably, these fitments incorporate wider 9” front wheels which provide superior tire sidewall support over the more "generic" 8.5" front wheels. A wider front wheel and tire combination will increase front end grip and close the stagger from front to rear resulting in sharper turn-in and less understeer. This is one of the easiest and most effective improvements you can make to your Porsche from a handling perspective.

We've optimized the offset of our 9" front wheels to to work well with the stock fenders, however, a wide variety of tire compounds can be used and some may require negative camber to fit properly. See fitment notes under each tire configuration below to see if modifications are required. If you plan to track your car, we highly recommended dialing in negative camber regardless of whether your wheel/tire fitment requires it for fender clearance. Negative camber is vital for extracting the most performance and longevity out of your tires, and without the proper amount the outer shoulders of your tires will wear out prematurely and running tire costs will dramatically increase.

Wheels

  • Front: 18x9” ET46 // Rear: 18x11” ET60
    • Available in: SM-10 & EC-7RS

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 295/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
    • R-Compound: No options currently available
  • Alternative 1: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 305/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
    • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • Extreme Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Wheels

  • Front: 18x9” ET46 // Rear: 18x12” ET63 or ET65
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 305/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
    • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • Extreme Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 315/30-18
    • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended with camber plates
    • Max Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

Wheels

  • Front: 19x9” ET50 // Rear: 19x12” ET63 or ET65
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 305/30-19
    • Direct fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 325/30-19
    • Factory 997.2 GT3 tire sizes
    • Direct fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60TW)
  • Alternative: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 315/30-19
    • Direct fit
    • Max Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300 TW)
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)

Hardcore Track Wheel Fitment

Track focused fitments that require significant modifications

  • Black Porsche 911 - VS-5RS in Brushed Clear
  • White Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite
  • Black Porsche 911 - SM-10 in Anthracite

These wheel and tire configurations are best suited for hardcore track junkies and club racers competing for a spot on the podium. Everything from Extreme Summer tires to full Racing Slicks are commonly used depending on your experience behind the wheel, class rules, etc. Most notably, these fitments incorporate wider 9” front wheels which provide superior tire sidewall support over the more "generic" 8.5" front wheels. A wider front wheel and tire combination will increase front end grip and close the stagger from front to rear resulting in sharper turn-in and less understeer. This is one of the easiest and most effective improvements you can make to your Porsche from a handling perspective.

We've optimized the offset of our 9" front wheels to to work well with the stock fenders, however, a wide variety of tire compounds can be used and some may require negative camber to fit properly. See fitment notes under each tire configuration below to see if modifications are required. If you plan to track your car, we highly recommended dialing in negative camber regardless of whether your wheel/tire fitment requires it for fender clearance. Negative camber is vital for extracting the most performance and longevity out of your tires, and without the proper amount the outer shoulders of your tires will wear out prematurely and running tire costs will dramatically increase.

Wheels

  • Front: 18x9” ET46 // Rear: 18x12” ET63 or ET65
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 305/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage additional negative camber
    • Extreme Performance Summer: No options currently available
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative 1: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 315/30-18
    • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended with camber plates
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW), Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW)
  • Alternative 2: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 315/30-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage additional negative camber
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: No options currently available
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)
  • Alternative 3: Front: 245/645-18 // Rear: 305/660-18
    • A minimum of -2.5º front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended
    • Racing Slick: Pirelli DH
  • Alternative 4: Front: 265/645-18 // Rear: 315/680-18
    • A minimum of -3º front & -2.2º rear camber is recommended with camber plates
    • Racing Slick: Pirelli DH

Wheels

  • Front: 19x9” ET50 // Rear: 19x12” ET63 or ET65
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS & VS-5RS
    • Popular fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 305/30-19
    • Direct fit
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 325/30-19
    • Factory 997.2 GT3 tire sizes
    • Direct fit
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Pirelli Trofeo R (60TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 315/30-19
    • Direct fit
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
  • Alternative: Front: 235/35-19 // Rear: 315/30-19
    • Direct Fit
    • Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
    • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)
    • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW)

Spec Race Wheel Fitment

Spec 997 is a PCA racing series that promotes equal competition between drivers utilizing the 2009-2012 997.2 C2 S (3.8 liters) and C2 (3.6 liters) Coupes. Both six speed manual and PDK transmission are eligible.

A s pec series or "one-make" series is based on a designated make/model vehicle and requires all drivers to prepare them in accordance to a predetermined set of rules. A field of identical race cars puts an emphasis on driver skill and team preparation, and with costs controlled more drivers can afford to get behind the wheel. This is some of the most exciting and competitive racing out there!

Whether you currently race in Spec 997, plan to join in the future, or you intend to modify your weekend track car in parity with the rulebook so you can accurately compare lap times to racers, any 987 Cayman/Boxster owner can run this approved wheel and tire configuration. In regards to wheels and tires, official rulebook states:

  • 18" wheels are required (8-9" front, 10-12" rear), but may be any commercially available aluminum wheel.
  • Wheel/tire combined weight must be equal or exceed 40 lbs. for fronts, and 46 lbs. for rears.
  • Spacers are allowed so long as the top of the tire does not stick out beyond the fender.
  • Steel bolts or lug nuts are required. Hubs may be converted to studs in place of wheel bolts.
  • Click here to view the complete rulebook

Wheels

  • Front: 18x9” ET46 // Rear: 18x12” ET63 or ET65
    • Available in: SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS

Tires

  • Dry: Front: 245/35-18 or 275/35-18 // Rear: 315/30-18
    • Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)
  • Wet: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 305/30-18
    • Hoosier Radial Wet H20

Additional Resources

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter. The following brakes have been tested and confirmed to clear our wheels.

  • OEM FRONT 6 piston 380mm PCCB - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.9007A FRONT 6 piston 380x32mm - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.9005A FRONT 6 piston 380x32mm - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.8004A FRONT 6 piston 355x32mm - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.8003A FRONT 6 piston 355x32mm - fits all
  • Brembo Race 3K2.8011A FRONT 4 piston 355x32mm - fits all
  • Brembo 2P1.9004A REAR 4 piston 380x28mm - fits all
  • Brembo 2P1.8001A REAR 4 piston 345x28mm - fits all
  • AP Racing by Essex CP9661 13.01.10096 FRONT 6 piston 372mm - fits all
  • AP Racing by Essex CP9449 13.01.10097 REAR 4 piston 365mm - fits all
  • StopTech 83.780.4700.61 4 piston 355mm - fits all

Still have questions?

Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form Call us: 925-245-0773 Email us: support@apexraceparts.com