Pelican Parts
Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   Pelican Parts Forums > Porsche Forums > Porsche 911 Technical Forum


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread
Author
Thread Post New Thread    Reply
Administrator
 
Jack Olsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 13,333
Building a better Fuchs

Well, at least 'building one that's almost as good' would do.

I'm putting together a set of custom-made 17-inch Fuchs (in 8.5- and 10-inch widths), and I've got a choice. The safe way to go is with three-piece wheels with 20 (or more) bolts holding the sections together. Mike Marshall has a set of these, and they look great and (so far) have held up well.

A less ideal option is to have two-piece welded wheels made with the same Fuchs centers. It's a direction I'm considering because I can't get 3-piece wheels made in time for the Open Track Challenge next month. The two piece wheels are made by heating an outer rim up so that it expands enough to slip a Fuchs center in, and then letting it cool and welding the center in place. Lindsey Racing has been using a set on a track car that's heavier than mine without incident for five years.

Here's what they look like:



I know nothing's quite as good as a one-piece Fuchs wheel, but I'm interested in other guys' thoughts about this 17-inch version.


Last edited by Jack Olsen; 04-16-2002 at 01:36 PM..
Old 04-16-2002, 01:25 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #1 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Third House on the Right
Posts: 4,301
Garage
"I can't get 3-piece wheels made in time for the Open Track Challenge next month."

I think your own statement gives you the best way to go.

I am sure that both wheels are very good. I would think that down the line any damage to a three piece wheel could be more easily repaired.

It also looks like the "weld-in" version will require you to chrome the wheel for a shinny finish. You know as well as anyone that the forging will weaken the center portion of the wheels, and will eventually peel off the surface (at least the centerportion.)
__________________
..
Old 04-16-2002, 02:06 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #2 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Jack Olsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 13,333
Those look chromed in the picture, but they're polished. On mine, the insets will be painted black, and the spokes and rims will be polished.
Old 04-16-2002, 02:11 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #3 (permalink)
Registered
 
Chuck Moreland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 5,668
From a strength and repairability perspective, I like the three piece solution.

Two piece might be just fine, but I wonder what happens to the center when it is welded. Does it get harder and more brittle? And do they heat treat these to anneal? May not be necessary, just questions I'd be asking.

I've seen Marshall's wheels and from an appearance perspective - they KICK ASS. They keep the classic look but update it very nicely with 17 inch. I think the bolt circle helps to visually fill out the space to the rim.

If your taking a vote, put me down for 3 piece.
__________________
Chuck Moreland - elephantracing.com - vonnen.com
Old 04-16-2002, 02:26 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #4 (permalink)
Registered
 
expatriot98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 4,067
Jack,
Ask yourself which design you really want for the long term. If it's the 3 piece, and I suspect it is, wait for them. Whichever you choose, go with your gut, it's usually right.
Mark
__________________
LGBFJB
Old 04-16-2002, 03:34 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #5 (permalink)
Warren Hall Student
 
Bobboloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Los Angeles Ca.USA
Posts: 4,104
Garage
I saw a three piece recently that cracked in the rim right below where the fuchs center bolted to it. The fuchs center was fine though. But I think this only makes a good argument for the quality of the fuchs forge and a bad one for the rim manufacturer.

Bobby
Old 04-17-2002, 12:43 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #6 (permalink)
 
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 7,492
Garage
Hey Jack, I've got a solution and you'll save a bag full of money as well! In my travels today, I spotted a Ricer with 20 inch diameter hubcaps on normal diameter wheels - yes, they covered part of the tire sidewall, leaving only about an inch or 2 showing. They were chrome and even had a Fuchs-like design!! Just trying to be helpful. -- Curt
Old 04-17-2002, 01:05 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #7 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Porsche Money Zen
Posts: 1,701
Send a message via ICQ to old_skul
You know, someone would make a bundle of money if they started turning out forged wheels of the same build quality and style of Fuchs, but in 17" and 18" sizes.

I'd pay *loads* of money for 18" Fuchs.
__________________
Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2 (I will miss you)
1985 Scirocco 8V (I will not miss you)
1986 Dodge B150 Ram Van (I can't believe I got $200 for you)
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
Old 04-17-2002, 04:46 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #8 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fountain Valley,ca. USA
Posts: 1,180
Garage
Jack, for my money i would go with the welded wheel if it is as strong as the 3 pcs. I have seen the 3 pcs. in one of the catalogs and they are great looking in a high tech sort of way but i really like the stock look of the welded wheel. I am shopping for new tires right now and wish i could go up to the 17in but can't see spending the $ for the bigger wheels . How much for the welded wheel? What ever you get are going to look tits on your car .
Jerry
Old 04-17-2002, 04:59 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #9 (permalink)
Moderator
 
CamB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,111
Garage
Quote:
Originally posted by JMPRO
Jack, for my money i would go with the welded wheel if it is as strong as the 3 pcs. I have seen the 3 pcs. in one of the catalogs and they are great looking in a high tech sort of way but i really like the stock look of the welded wheel. I am shopping for new tires right now and wish i could go up to the 17in but can't see spending the $ for the bigger wheels . How much for the welded wheel? What ever you get are going to look tits on your car .
Jerry
I was looking at the Excellence article in respect of this car (http://www.early911sregistry.org/jCalzia.html) last night. With the black, early style painting the rim to spoke mouting hardware looked like it fully blended in.

I suspect Jack (and others) have seen the car in the flesh (metal?) and can give a better idea.

The idea of a set of custom offset 16s which allowed 225s on the back of a narrow car (ie a 911R offset) is semi-attractive at this stage (except for the (I imagine) unholy cost).
__________________
1975 911S (in bits)
1969 911T (goes, but need fettling)
1973 BMW 2002tii (in bits, now with turbo)
Old 04-17-2002, 05:37 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #10 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fountain Valley,ca. USA
Posts: 1,180
Garage
Mark, to tool up to forge a new fuchs wheel 17 or 18 in. could cost thousands and thousands of $ and requires equip that can handle 40 or 50 tons of pressure. Very large forging equip. It is a lot different manf. process than the computer driven mills and laths that are used for most wheels today. There was an artical in either excellance or panorama a few years ago that showed the process fuchs used to make wheels and it s a very complicated process.
my 2 cents
Jerry
Old 04-18-2002, 09:42 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #11 (permalink)
Registered
 
turbo dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 449
Garage
Is the welded wheel really much weaker than the bolted wheels? The welded wheel has heat weakening of the rim, the bolted wheel has localized stress concentrations around each bolt. Neither is going to be as strong as an original Fuchs, but both seem to work. maybe you could get a welded wheel heat-treated to bring it back?

__________________
David Schultz
1973 911T 2.7
Old 04-18-2002, 12:46 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #12 (permalink)
 
Reply


 


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:10 PM.


 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page
 

DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.