987 Cayman/Boxster Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

  • Updated

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Vehicle Covered in this Guide
All 2005-2012 Porsche Cayman and Boxster chassis. Fitment is identical between all models.

 

Bolt Pattern Thread Pitch Center Bore
5x130mm M14x1.5mm 71.6mm

 

OEM+ Fitments 

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These 18" and 19" OEM+ fitments were developed specifically for the 987 Cayman/Boxster platform. They're best suited for drivers predominantly enjoying their car on the street, and/or for light track days and AutoX events. A combination of slightly wider wheel widths and perfected offsets provide enthusiasts with a more aggressive stance, and a meaningful increase in performance over the stock configuration without requiring a bunch of modifications to the car. Whether you want to re-use your stock tires or upgrade to "+1 tire sizing" (245 / 275), these easy to install wheel fitments have you covered. 

 

Wheels - Option 1

  • Front: 18x8.5" ET50 or ET42 // Rear: 18x10" ET36
    • Popular Fitment
    • We have two offsets available for the 8.5" front wheels. The ET50 will be a more conservative fitment (still more aggressive than stock), while the ET42 will sit 8mm closer to the front fenders for a very flush fitment.

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 275/40-18
    • Direct Fit
    • A slightly shorter 275/35-18 can also be ran in the rear
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW), Yokohama APEX V601 (280 TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260 TW)
      • Extreme Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Nitto NT05 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
  • Narrower Alternative: Front: 235/40-18 // Rear: 265/40-18
    • Factory Tire Sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260 TW), Bridgestone S04 PP (280 TW)
      • Extreme Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW)
  • Shorter Alternative: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
    • Direct Fit 
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260 TW), Bridgestone S04 PP (280 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 1: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but may require a small amount of negative camber up front to prevent rubbing depending on tire model and vehicle ride height.
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260 TW), Bridgestone S04 PP (280 TW)
      • Extreme Summer: Bridgestone RE-71R (200 TW), Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nitto NT05 (200 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 2: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 285/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but may require a small amount of negative camber up front to prevent rubbing depending on tire model and vehicle ride height.
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Bridgestone S04 PP (280 TW)
      • Extreme Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Nitto NT05 (200 TW)

Wheels - Option 2

  • Front: 19x9" ET50 // Rear: 19x10" ET40
    • Popular Fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 275/35-19
    • Direct Fit
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Bridgestone S04 PP (280), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Pirelli P Zero (220 TW), Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW), Yokohama APEX V601 (280 TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260 TW)
      • Extreme Summer: Bridgestone RE-71R (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Nitto NT05
      • R-compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
  • Narrower Alternative: Front: 235/35-19 // Rear: 265/35-19
    • Factory tire sizes
    • Direct Fit
    • Availability:
      • Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW), Bridgestone S04 PP (280), Hankook V12 (320 TW), Pirelli P Zero (220 TW), Continental ExtremeContact Sport (340 TW), Yokohama APEX V601 (280 TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260 TW)
      • Extreme Summer: Bridgestone RE-71R (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
      • R-compound: Toyo R888R (100 TW)

 

HPDE/Race Fitments

These fitments are best suited for weekend track warriors and competitive club racers looking to maximize grip and overall performance. 9” front wheels provide superior sidewall support over the more "generic" 8.5" front wheel option, which allows drivers to extract the most performance and longevity out of a given tire compound. Wider front wheel's and tires dramatically improve the cars ability to turn into the corners, and it mitigates unwanted understeer.

While the 9" wheels aren't very difficult to fit under the front fenders, there are many different tire sizes and compounds that can be used, many of which will require negative camber to prevent rubbing the front fenders under suspension compression. See high-level notes under each tire combination below, or contact one of our Porsche Product Experts by submitting a fitment request form to have a more detailed one-on-one conversation about your track/race car.

 

Wheels 

  • Front: 18x9" ET46 // Rear: 18x10" ET36
    • Popular Fitment
    • Spec Cayman approved wheel specifications 

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 275/40-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity. 
    • 275/35-18 rear tires can also be used
    • Availability: 
      • Extreme Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Nitto NT05 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)
      • R-compound: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
  • Shorter Alternative: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity.
    • 2020 PCA SpecCayman tire sizes (Hankook C51 medium slick compound)
    • Availability:
      • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW)
      • Slick: Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 1: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity. 
    • Availability:
      • Extreme Summer: Bridgestone RE-71R (200 TW), Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nitto NT05 (200 TW)
      • R-compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R
      • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 2: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 285/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity. 
    • Availability:
      • Extreme Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Nitto NT05 (200 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 3: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 295/30-18
    • We encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity. Rear fender rolling is typically required.
    • Availability:
      • R Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW)
      • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Michelin Cup 2 (40 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 4: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 295/30-18
    • We encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity. Rear fender rolling is typically required.
    • Availability:
      • Extreme Summer Tire: Yokohama A052 (200 TW)
      • R Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
      • Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)
  • Wider Alternative 5: Front: 245-645-18 // Rear: 305-660-18
    • Aggressive negative camber specification are required to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression, and to fully leverage the potential of the slicks. Rear fender rolling is typically required as well.
    • Availability:
      • Slick: Pirelli DH
  • Wider Alternative 6: Front: 265-645-18 // Rear: 305-660-18
    • Aggressive negative camber specification are required to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression, and to fully leverage the potential of the slicks. Rear fender rolling is typically required as well.
    • Availability:
      • Slick: Pirelli DH

  

Big Brake Kit Clearances
Brake-Clearance.jpgThe following factory and aftermarket big brake setups have been tested and confirmed to clear: 

  • Factory 4 piston 318mm - fits all
  • Factory PCCB 6 piston 350mm - fits all
  • Brembo 1M1.9004A 6 piston 380mm - fits 18x8.5" ET42 & 18x9" ET46 SM-10 wheels only
  • Brembo 1M1.8802A 6 piston 355mm - fits all
  • Brembo 1P1.8503A 4 piston 365mm - fits all
  • Brembo 1B1.9016A 4 piston 355mm - fits all
  • AP Racing 13.01.0054 CP9661 4 piston 355mm - fits all
  • StopTech 83.788.6700.51 ST60 6 piston 355mm - fits all

Please email or call us with any other questions related to brake clearance and we’ll be happy to help.

Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form
Call us: 925-245-0773
Email us: [email protected]

 

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