Porsche 981 Cayman Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Are you trying to dial in the aesthetic or maybe increase the performance of your mid-engined Porsche sports car? Look no further than this 981 Porsche Cayman wheel and tire fitment guide covering the 2014-2016 Base, S, and GTS trim levels. Are you looking for fitment info on the GT4? Head over to our 981 Cayman GT4 Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide. We have fitments ranging from OEM+, Performance Street and Track, and Hardcore Track to best fit your needs. Unlock the full potential of your 981 with options like our Forged VS-5RS, EC-7RS, and SM-10RS as well as the Flow Formed SM-10 we have you covered with various levels of performance and weight savings.

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.

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for enthusiasts enjoying their 981 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!

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET46
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10" ET36
• • Available in SM-10, ML-10RT, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS, VS-5RE & SM-10RE
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/40-18
  • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
• Factory Sizes: 
• • Front Tire Size: 235/45-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/45-18
  • Factory 981 tire sizes
  • Direct Fit
  • Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
  • Max Performance Summer: Bridgestone Potenza Sport (300 TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW)

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 20x9" ET50
• Rear Wheel Size: 20x11" ET50
• • Available in VS-5RS
  • 5mm Rear spacer may be required to clear strut depending on options.
  • Clears 410mm PCCB

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/35-20
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-20
  • Factory GT4 Tire Sizes
  • Direct Fit
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N1 (180 TW), Dunlop Sport Maxx Race 2 N1 (80 TW)

These are our most popular 981 fitments perfect for drivers that want an increase in wheel and tire width over stock without the compromise of having to heavily modify the car. Some modifications may be needed depending on the tires and wheels run. These fitments offer a dual-duty option for those who want to use these wheels on the street and drive to the track for an HPDE. Summer and Extreme Performance tires are what we recommend for these wheel fitments.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET46
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10.5" ET44
• • Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS, VS-5RE & SM-10RE
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/40-18
  • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW)
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
  • Some front tire compounds may need camber plates to bring the tire fully under the fender
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Alternative 2:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-18
  • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
  • Some front tire compounds may need camber plates to bring the tire fully under the fender
  • Short rolling diameter front & rear
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R
• Alternative 3: 
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/35-18
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front camber is recommended via camber plates
  • Max Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Sport (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: No options currently available

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET50
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x10.5" ET44
• • Available in SM-10, ML-10RT, VS-5RS, & SM-10RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 285/35-19
  • Direct fit
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport 02 (340 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: No options currently available
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-19
  • Direct Fit
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)
• Alternative 2: 
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 285/35-19
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front camber is recommended via camber plates
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: Goodyear Supercar 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
• Alternative 3: 
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/35-19
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front camber is recommended via camber plates
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)

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 typically found on a 981. These fitments prioritize performance over ease of installation. Some of the below options may be a direct fit but other require increased camber through camber plates to ensure fender clearance.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET46
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10.5" ET44
• • Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, SM-10RS, VS-5RE & SM-10RE
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/40-18
  • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
  • Some front tire compounds may need camber plates to bring the tire fully under the fender
  • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW)
• Alternative 2:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-18
  • A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
  • Some front tire compounds may need camber plates to bring the tire fully under the fender
  • Short rolling diameter front & rear
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)
• Alternative 3: 
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/35-18
  • A minimum of -3º of front camber is recommended via camber plates. Fender rolling may be required.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Nankang CR-S (200TW)
  • R-Compound: No options currently available
  • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
• Alternative 4:
• • Front Tire Size: 245-645-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 265-660-18
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front & -2º rear camber is recommended
  • Racing Slick: Pirelli DH
• Alternative 5:
• • Front Tire Size: 265-645-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 305-660-18
  • A minimum of -3º of front & rear camber is recommended with camber plates
  • Racing Slick: Pirelli DH

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET50
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x10.5" ET44
• • Available in SM-10, ML-10RT, VS-5RS, & SM-10RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 285/35-19
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front camber is recommended with camber plates
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: Goodyear Supercar 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
• Alternative 1:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 285/35-19
  • Direct fit
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
  • R-Compound: No options currently available
  • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
• Alternative 2:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-19
  • Direct Fit
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
  • R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: No options currently available
• Alternative 3: 
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/35-19
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front camber is recommended with camber plates
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Falken RT660 (200 TW)
  • R-compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40 TW)
• Alternative 4:
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 295/30-19
  • A minimum of -2.5º of front camber is recommended with camber plates
  • The rear tires are short, but this can help with rear fender clearance especially for the Hoosiers.
  • Extreme Performance Summer: Goodyear Supercar 3 (220TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW), Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW)
  • R-compound: No options currently available
  • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 (40 TW)

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.

• Factory Base 4 piston - Clears all
• Factory S/GTS 4 piston - Clears all
• Factory PCCB 6 piston 350mm - Clears all
• Brembo 1M1.9040A 6 piston 380mm - Clears all
• Brembo 1M1.8048A 6 piston 355mm -Clears all
• Brembo 1N3.8021A 6 piston 350mm - Clears all
• Brembo 1P1.8516A 4 piston 365mm - Clears all
• AP Racing CP9661 13.01.10096 6 piston 372mm - Clears all
• AP Racing CP9661 13.01.10072 6 piston 355mm - Clears all

Still have questions?

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