Have BBS Wheels - Want Fuchs?
 

Hi,

Newbie (with respect to Pelican) here. I am hoping that some of you can assist me with some good advice.

I have an '88 Carrera 3.2L with a 3.5L twin-plug motor on the horizon (gathering parts!). Anyway, I bought the car about a year ago and it came with the old 80's style BBS mesh wheels painted silver (rather than gold!) and are 3 pc. They are 7's in the front and 9's in the rear but I don't know what the offset is offhand. Tires are 205/55's and 245/45's Pole Position S03's. The suspension is all stock that I can tell (at least for shocks/swaybars) and sits pretty high (okay very high). 26.75" ground to fender lip in the front and 25.75" in the rear!

Anyway, these wheels are a biotch to clean:( and I have pretty much gotten tired of them and am ready to find some original Fuchs. I know about most of the different combos available. The car is a semi-daily driver street car that MAY see the odd DE. The point being that I don't need the most aggressive combo out there (8's and 9's)

I realize that it is pretty hit or miss with the 7" Fuchs in the front with respect to rubbing the fender. I believe it doesn't have any chance to rub in its current configuration due to the high ride height. The car will be lowered to Euro spec with new shocks and torsion bars while the motor is out.

What do you guys think about running the 6" fronts with 8" rears and 205/55 and 225/50 or 245/45 combo? Most guys I see use 7's and 8's but I really don't want to have to deal with the prospect of rolling fenders or cutting a tire. Been there done that with other cars.

The 6's were standard and 8's were an option on the '89 models and seem to be a good compromise, especially for a street driven car. A 6 and 8 combo would also be alot easier on the wallet as they would be cheaper than a 7/8 or 7/9 combo. I've searched and cannot find much info specifically on a 6 and 8 combo.

What do you guys think? I would keep the 7's and 9's BBS' if they weren't such a hassle maintenance wise but am willing to downsize for ease of maintenance. Would much rather be driving the car and sneaking up on people with 260 bhp than cleaning wheels!

BTW, what seems to be the market rate for the 80's BBS 3 pc. wheels? I guess they could be a decent track wheel for somebody that doesn't care about cleaning every last mm of brake dust.

Any help is appreciated!

Ralph

Ralph,
I've had amost of the Fuch wheel combinations on my SC and nothing beats the 7/9 for looks and max tire size. I think you'll find that 7's will fit up front on nearly all of the SC/Carrera body cars no matter what the ride height. My 79 sits at about 24.5" up front with 7's and there's no prob at all. Also, you'll pay about the same for 8's as you will 9's. Best of luck on your decision.

45 series tires don't rub....225/45 on 7s and 245/45 on 8s work fine.....

Mark,

I was afraid someone was going to say that, although unless I am missing something it looks to me that 8's are quite cheaper than 9's.

Just so I have this straight, I SHOULD use the 7" wheel from the 951 (951 362 115 00) not only because the lug holes are countersunk like the 9" from the 930 and they would aesthetically match but also because the 951 version allows for more brake caliper room for potential future brake upgrades?

Stock brakes for right now but may have to do something at a later date when I get the 3.5L installed and running. Just trying to plan for the future. I don't want to go 17's or 18's for street use.

Man, 7's and 9's seem to be going for about $1,500/set which is a bit more than what is in the budget. I gotta get the 3.5L going before going back to the wife for permission:(

I guess I'll leave the 7's & 9's BBS wheels on there for now. I like the look of them but just don't want to spend the time cleaning them every week. :mad:

Ralph

I had to roll my front fenders with 205/55/16 of 7s...but I'm a tad under Euro spec I think.

Mike,

How do the 225/45's look on a 7"? I would think that they would "balloon" a bit on that wheel?

I guess you guys concur that 6's aren't an option for the front?

Ralph

If you can find 8s cheap, go for them. There isn't that much different between the 8s and 9s in the back, although you can comfortably run a bit wider tire. Due to the offset, the overall "width" of the rear end is close to the same.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1083545590.jpg

6's and 8's, 205 & 225, will be fine, but for track work 7's and 8's, also 205 and 225, will be better. Personally I think I would go with 7 and 8's and 205 225, even though you could go with 7 and 9 (I would still stick with 205 but would then go to 245).

The 6's are definately an option, but with 7's you can get more tire. Not sure about the brake clearance with the 951 wheels. I think you'll find sets of 7/9's are ~$200 over 7/8's.

If I were to find 8's significantly cheaper, I would than not use the 951 7's and rather the 911 spec 7's, right?

6's and 7's - stock 911 spec
6's and 8's - use 911 spec wheels
7's and 8's - use 911 spec wheels
7's and 9's - use 951 front and 911/930 spec rear wheels
8's and 9's - use 951 front and 911/930 spec rear wheels

Have I got this right or have I really got myself confused?

Thanks to all of you for helping me make light of all this.

Ralph

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1083546321.jpg

Looks OK to me....:rolleyes:

Mike,

yah, me too!:)

Carrera3.5L: you asked about the market value of the BBS RS wheels.

I sold a similar set (albeit gold) a few months ago on eBay for a bit over $700. And people are going to pay more for silver wheels than they will for gold. But the market is spotty on them. it might take you a while to sell.

7 & 9" Fuchs are the way to go for ease of cleaning.

techweenie,

Thanks! I am not desperate to sell, but if the right deal for Fuchs comes along I will pounce on them and change over. Good to know what other people have gotten so I don't sell myself short or outrageously overprice them.

Ralph

P.S. - It was a lot easier deciding on engine displacement than what wheel sizes to use!!!

If you care about performance 7 & 9 minimum. The 944 wheels get you a bit more brake clearance but not much and not enough to really worry over.

There is a much better selection of performance rubber in 17s

Lots of wheel info

here

Thanks Bill,

Yes, I took a look at that as well. Thanks for providing that (as you have been so kind to do many times).

Is it safe to say that I could get out of my 7's 9's BBS and into 7 & 9's Fuchs for an additional $300-$500? I would think than that I could break even (or close) on 7's & 8's and maybe make a little money if I chose 6's and 8's.

I care about performance to a certain point (wouldn't be starting a 3.5L twin-plug if I didn't) but because it will be a street car I am not sure that I would need (or notice) every last bit of grip like I would on the track. The focal point is seeing if 6's and 8's would be decent for my needs. I guess I could always swap the 6's for 7's again later on if I decide to track the car periodically, right?

Maybe if I take it off the street, ditch the Motronic and 20/21 cams for engine management and more aggressive cams I will look into 17" options more suited for a dedicated track car.

Thanks again to all of you for your assistance.

Ralph

The engine sound way over built for street use, Motronic and 993ss or GEs or elgins makes for a very nice streetable combo. IMO twin plug is a necessity w/ the pi--poor gas we get these days.

For street use, and if ultimate performance aren't the main issue, yes, 7 and 8 are ok. You are still going to be tire limited on a heavier faster car.

Then get the 951 8's for the front and 9's for the rear. Drive for awhile - bet you I don't lose money if I decide to sell mine.

Yes, the engine will probably be way overbuilt for street use but I will only be into it for about 7K in parts, which is why I am not transplanting a 3.6L.

100mm P&C's (using MFI/Carb set w/ valve cut-outs for Motronic)
Twin Plug with 993 Distributor and Andial Splitter
Web 20/21 Cams
Extrude Hone Intakes
ARP Head Studs & ARP Rod Bolts

I work in the sport compact car industry and fortunately know quite a few people. I have gotten quite a few of the above parts at either cost or for free!:) which allows me to do what I am doing. Can't purchase a 964/993 motor, perform some necessary reliability upgrades (i.e. valve springs, rod bolts) and do the mods necessary for fitment into an '88 Carrera for anywhere near that price. So I give up a potential 20-30-40 horsepower, I can get it all back at a later date by changing to engine management and probably coming close to what many are spending on 3.6L transplants.

I will have a brand new rebuilt engine for 7K that will make in the 260 horsepower range, will run on 91 octane gas and will be smoggable here in California (very, very important). And, in the event that I want to go racing at a later date, all I will need to do is ditch the Motronic and add carbs or some sort of engine management since I will be using the nice pistons instead of the less desirable wedge dome type typical of CIS/Motronic. Can change cam profiles to suit engine management if I want to go back into the top end without having to touch the bottom end.

Anyway, I have gotten myself way off track for this thread. Thanks again to all for your help. I guess I should go with 7's up front and either 8's or 9's in the rear. At least I know from a performance stand point that the BBS' I have are in the ballpark.

Ralph

Carrera3.5L,

Are you still wanting to sell your Silver BBS Wheels? Are they 16's? I am interested in seeing a picture of them. What kind of shape are they in.

PS: Glas to see there are some Canucks fans outside of Vancouver!

Kevin