Joe Bob....I'm sure many here would be pi$$ed.....if they went to a lot of trouble having wheels custom made "to spec" for them....and then finding out they "need spacers". Then this---> only if adding spacers helps...what if you need to go the "other" direction?

Any of you guys that are wasting time reading all this that have a Fuchs 6 laying around can add fuel to the fire by checking the overall, front and back dimensions, but be careful they measures will be error checked for accuracy
this is how you do it
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1298748158.jpg

here's the definitions
http://members.rennlist.com/1976c38/...AQ-diagram.gif

I haven't owned a 6 since '73 when I installed 7 & 8s on my '72 911 but here are the #s that Have been reported
wheel 1
bead width in. 6.0

fact ET 36.0

calc. ET 37.0 this # is different because 1 or more of the measurements are off by a bit

back mm 121.00

front mm 47.00

overall mm168.00

overall in. 6.6

wheel 2

bead width in. 6.0

fact ET 36.0

calc. ET 36.0 this # matches the factory ET and is one indication of good measures

back mm 120.45

front mm 48.45

overall mm168.91

overall in. 6.7 another indicator of good measures

Responding to Wil:

I agree, comment was tongue in cheek.....but I "believe" that we are talking about stock off the shelf Minilites and Fuchs (both early and late offsets). So.....using a spacer in most cases would work if they are a too much set inboard. I've rarely if ever seen a Mini or a Fuch having too much "dish" on the outside.....unless they were turned outside in....:eek:

If they are set too far out.....they'll look like a 63 Impala with 135s on chromed reversed wheels.....which WERE turned outside in.

As an aside, I invited the poster that asked about the 17s to call me....we discussed the issue and MY advice was the 285s where going to be too wide....even with spacers and/or baseball bat mods AND likely too tall as tire sizes vary. Hoosiers are the worst culprit.

You and Bill then confirmed my Plebeian opinions.....I just have some off the wall experience on this stuff based on the stupid adventures and tricks I've pulled over the years.

Just my $.03 worth adjusted for inflation......

Thanks everyone - (specially joe bob :) )

My head continues to spin - but am finally 'getting' it somewhat...

However the wheels that were a possibility turned out to be 18" wheels (guy was a bit clueless) - I fear a little 'ghetto' on the puppy.

The picture on the bottom has the wheels I went to look at - if anyone is interested they are really reasonable, and in good shape (a tiny two place curbing on one wheel - the others are great - with OK Pirelli p-zeros on them - 50% left on rears - 80% left on fronts) email me and I can get you the contact info.

So - the search continues -

the next candidate - 17" (yep really this time) 7.5" wheels - backspacing 5.23, 25 offset...

Getting closer - right?

And I have often gone a bit wider with the tires - the tiny 'overlap' is sort of good protection for the wheels though - I went from 245s to 255s on the caddy to protect the rather expensive (but really 'caddy' looking :rolleyes:) vogues on them.

http://4.photos.ebizautos.com/used-2...0996-4-640.jpg

backspacing 5.23, 25 offset...

Ummmm, looks like back space in inches and 25 in mm?

Yep -

Size: 17x7.5
Bolt Pattern: 5x130
Offset: 25 mm
Hub Bore: 84.1 mm
Backspace: 5.23 in

Closer?

13.2842 centimeters or 132.28 mm

So-are these new wheels as possibility for the puppy - or is the offset too much? I know the fuchs probably have about a 15mm offset or so...

i'm hurt that you don't appreciate my help:(

but I will bang my head against the wall one more time anyway.;)

7.5 ET 25 is an appropriate fir for the front of an SC/Carrera, the outer edge of the wheel is ~4.65mm closer to the lip and the inner edge is ~8.05mm closer to the strut and inner wall, both of these are doable you can use 205/45 x17 or 225/40 x17 tires w/o too much trouble

you wouldn't want to use them in back, there compared to a 9ET15 Fuchs the outer edge is moved ~29.05mm inboard(this is what you care about as the tire will be inset over an inch more than usual) the inner edge also moves ~9.05mm further from the trailing arm(you really don't care about this)

Oh bill - I do appreciate your help - sorry...

So - the new candidates (the 17x7.5 / 5.23" bs - 25mm offsets) good for front - but not so good for backs - right?

I don't care about putting a huge amount of rubber to the road (the 7.5 will do that over the stock 7" rears I have now) but, it appears the offset/backspacing will be too far off to make this a good choice for the rears? And I would assume there isn't a spacer solution to 'offset' this...

Thanks - really - I understand tire sizes (finally have grasped aspect ratio - smile) but the whole wheel offset/backspacing is still a bit like rocket science - smile

Hey Bill, I gave you kudos on the phone when Foxpaws called.

Fox, your 16x7 rear ET is a 23.

http://tech.rennlist.com/911/pdf/FuchsSizes.PDF

right

yes you can use a spacer to push the 7.5 out, again think ET and width, if you use the 7.5 in back and it sits ~29mm too far inboard then you use a 29mm spacer to push it out.

I don't like spacers but that is just me and being more involved w/ track cars w/ the correct width and o/s wheels, but for the casual user a guess a spacer is ok. The other issue is that w/ a 7.7 the biggest rear tire will be ~ 235/45 x17 A 245/45 is not speced for a 7.5"

Most any of the late 7-8 and 8-9 high o/s wheels would be a much better choice for you, as long as spacers are used

So -since they have similar offset, and a slightly larger backspacing I could be safe it looks like with the new 17"-7.5" 'possibles'?

Mostly I would like to keep the Fuchs I have on the car 'nice' (they are currently perfect), and have a more 'updated' look on the wheels -

Plus - for about $500 for all 4 - they are cheaper than a pair of new manolo blahniks (my personal 'tires' of choice) ;)

Thanks bill - slowly getting this...

< deleted confusing bit >

And why only the 235s - I don't mind at all if the tire sits 'out' a tiny bit from the wheel...

And I would love to get expensive wheels - but, not in the future for me... just something different would be nice... and leave the fuchs in a box for the time being.

Ah - I think I have it....

132 - backspacing on new wheel
+25 - offset
=157

Old fuchs wheel
112 - backspacing
+23 - offset
=135

need 22mm spacer?

Fox, you could do what a LOT of people have done.....buy a set of Fuchs 16x8s. Put the 7s up front. 225/50 and 245/50 are still available.

Unless you are stuck on the more modern look.....5x130 is not a common size for wheels.

Below is a link to various model lug patterns. Mercedes and VW have a few model but ET backspace and such are all over.

Alloy wheel fitment guide and pcd's.

Your other alternative is adapting to another wheel pattern using a spacer/adapter. Not the choice of many...but some have done it w/o an issue. Inside lugs and nuts can't be seen and tightened without pulling the wheel.

You WILL NEVER get past the safety guys on the track with adapters.....yes, the turbos have spacers but from the factory......so they get a pass.

yep - and what do a pair of 16 x 8 decent fuchs cost - like $1500 or so - right? And isn't the tire selection still a bit 'iffy'?

I am finding out that the 5x130s are a pain - complete with a selection of mostly ugly wheels... or very expensive wheels -

I wonder why - aren't there quite a few cars (porsches, VWs, maybe some subies) that use that bolt pattern?

Or I suppose I could look at the wide selection of wheels available for Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter vans - smile. I know they use the same bolt pattern...

Gak-

Most Mercedes are 5x112 like the later VW van/bus. The only 5x130 Merc is the G class.

http://www.mercedesbenzpic.com/merce...g-class-31.jpg

Fuchs 16x8 are all over the price board. 600 needing a refinish to 1200 for a pair. The 16x6s are worth 200 to 400 a pair.

tires have a design width range for a 245/40 x17 it us 8 - 9.5" for most tires if you go to 245/45 x17 then the design range is 7.5 - 9" but then the OD goes up to 25.7" as mentioned previously you probably don't want that tall a tire because of the gearing effects. 235/45 @ ~25.7" will be bad enough

Just some friendly advice inexpensive short term can be very expensive long term. Don't buy wheels until you can afford ones that fit correctly

Yep - g class is the size that fits the sprinter vans - but the offset is like 45 or so...

That just gets silly.