Porsche 981 Cayman Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Vehicle Covered in this Guide 2014-2016 Porsche Cayman chassis including Base, S & GTS models.

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 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: 18x10" ET36
• Available in SM-10

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 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: 235/45-18 // Rear: 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: 19x9" ET50 // Rear: 19x10" ET36 or ET40
• Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, & VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 255/35-19 // Rear: 285/35-19 
• Direct Fit
• Ultra High Performance All-Season: Continental Extremecontact DWS 06+ (560 TW)
• Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
• Extreme Performance Summer: Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
• Alternative 1: Front: 255/35-19 // Rear: 275/35-19
• Direct Fit
• Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 (540 TW)
• Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
• Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW)
• Alternative 2: Front: 245/40-19 // Rear: 285/35-19
• Direct Fit
• Ultra High Performance All-Season: Continental Extremecontact DWS 06+ (560 TW)
• Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
• Extreme Performance Summer: Bridgestone RE-71RS (200 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD09 (200TW)
• Factory Sizes: Front: 235/40-19 // Rear: 265/40-19
• Factory 981 tire sizes
• Direct Fit
• Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
• Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
• Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW

Wheels

• Front: 20x9" ET50 // Rear: 20x11" ET50
• Available in VS-5RS
• Clears 410mm PCCB

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-20 // Rear: 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)

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: 18x10.5" ET44
• Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, & SM-10RS
• Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 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: 255/35-18 // Rear: 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: 255/35-18 // Rear: 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: 265/35-18 // Rear: 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: 19x9" ET50 // Rear: 19x10.5" ET44
• Available in SM-10, VS-5RS, & SM-10RS
• Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 255/35-19 // Rear: 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: 255/35-19 // Rear: 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: 265/35-19 // Rear: 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: 265/35-19 // Rear: 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)
• Alternative 3: Front: 255/35-19 // Rear: 305/30-19
• Direct fit
• Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
• Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Yokohama AD08R (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. 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: 18x10.5" ET44
• Available in SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS, & SM-10RS
• Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 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: 255/35-18 // Rear: 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: 255/35-18 // Rear: 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: 265/35-18 // Rear: 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: 245-645-18 // Rear: 275-645-18
• A minimum of -2.5º of front & -2º rear camber is recommended
• Racing Slick: Pirelli DH
• Alternative 5: Front: 265-645-18 // Rear: 305-660-18
• A minimum of -3º of front & rear camber is recommended with camber plates
• Racing Slick: Pirelli DH

Wheels

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

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front: 265/35-19 // Rear: 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: 255/35-19 // Rear: 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: 255/35-19 // Rear: 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: 265/35-19 // Rear: 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: 265/35-19 // Rear: 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)
• Alternative 5: Front: 265/35-19 // Rear: 305/30-19
• A minimum of -2.5º of camber is recommended in the front with camber plates
• A minimum of -2º of camber is recommended in the rear
• Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW)
• R-Compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (180 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3R (100 TW)
• Semi-Slick: No options currently available

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