Turning 16x6 into 16x8 via BBS halves???

[douglas bray]

For years I've wanted to have 16x8's on the back of my '88 narrow bodied car. A friend suggested that I have my 6's cut and welded into 8's or even 8-1/2's.

Is this something that is done very often? What about going the 3 pcs route with BBS halves? Looking at it, it seems doable, but I don't know where to start.

I have seen this:

Fuchs wheel all the part numbers and offset

(4) Fuchs machined 20 bolt (BBS) centers

16" Diameter New & Used Rims | Bob Woodman TiresBob Woodman Tires

Is it as simple as figuring out the conversion between inches and MM and backspacing and total width? I think this would be sick cool for my lightweight '88. what do you think? Any sources for milling the donor wheels?

[Joe Bob]

Not cheap, 16x8s are STILL available.

16 inch tires are drying up in performance sizes or getting stupid expensive due to limited runs my the manufacturers.

I'm thinking of selling my 8s and going back to stock 6 and 7s. All I can get is 50 series. No more cheap Kumho 45 series.

17s are cheaper to put tires on.

Just my $.02.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by douglas bray

For years I've wanted to have 16x8's on the back of my '88 narrow bodied car. A friend suggested that I have my 6's cut and welded into 8's or even 8-1/2's.

Is this something that is done very often? What about going the 3 pcs route with BBS halves? Looking at it, it seems doable, but I don't know where to start.

I have seen this:

Is it as simple as figuring out the conversion between inches and MM and backspacing and total width? I think this would be sick cool for my lightweight '88. what do you think? Any sources for milling the donor wheels?

Doug, I hate to suggest this because it isn't cheap, but it is safe. Have HRE build your wheels.



You can't see them well in this picture, but the rears are 17" x 10" - and I trusted them to get me through turn 8 at Willow at 6800 rpm in 5th gear! A better view is at about the 1:40 point in this YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmQZVVTJgUQ

[douglas bray]

I just went to hankook Ventus R-S3 on my 16x7 wheels currently on the back. They are crazy sticky. Car is glued to the road. I won't be doing anything that requires more than that and I don't see 16 tires vanishing just yet. F1 is still running 13".

[douglas bray]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

Doug, I hate to suggest this because it isn't cheap, but it is safe. Have HRE build your wheels.



You can't see them well in this picture, but the rears are 17" x 10" - and I trusted them to get me through turn 8 at Willow at 6800 rpm in 5th gear!

Dr. Pete, how are you? Interested in taking in Ruby?

You know I'm not looking for racing wheels. Any other ideas outside of going to replicas?

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by douglas bray

Dr. Pete, how are you? Interested in taking in Ruby?

You know I'm not looking for racing wheels. Any other ideas outside of going to replicas?

Doing great, Doug - thank you! Aside from talking with HRE, or the guys at Wheel Enhancement in L.A., I'd have to do some current research. BTW; HRE can build 8x16s using your centers.

Have you stopped by Red Line and visited Marc at the new shop yet? He's been crazy busy, so I think his move to the current location was a good one. Betcha he'll take in Ruby!

[douglas bray]

Well, I would love to see the new shop. I'll have to take the time. Could not believe the old place so the new place has got to be cool. Is he still working with Ferrari on the weekends?

Re: Ruby....My wife wants her parking space back. All she is missing is motor, trans, seats, wheels, and headlights. I'm into the car a whopping $3,020 and would let her go to a good home for half that. My goal was to save her from the crusher. I believe I have done that. Any loss I may take was simply the price of the education I got building her back to the point she is at. Stunning car, I just can't justify 7 cars in my driveway.

[TCracingCA]

Thus the suggestions for new rims and such isn't necessary. If you really like those centers and have an inner or outer half that you like. The Jongbloed guys come right to mind, who can turn you practically any outer or inner and mate your centers.

They are the Company that I am most familiar with, and the Jongbloed guy, just did release thru Accumoto a Fuch modular, but they should be able to work with yours! If not, then their are a few others. BBS don't go there, they wouldn't unless you are Ferrari, or McLaren or AJ Foyt (maybe not for him), but would for Mario Andretti, but not the common man! PS Engineering probably would have, but he is said to be retiring! I have to go in and visit, to see if he has, but he was doing a lot of custom stuff (Replicas of Gransports, Cobra, Halibrand, his own Mini-Lites, his own AR Mags, etc. and other vintage stuff. He could spin you out some probably if he isn't too busy!

I would give Jongbloed a call in Minnesota is where one brother moved, and I don't know about the other brother in NorCal? They when they left SoCal had a major split and don't know if they are talking to each other yet. Because of the Fuchs they are manufacturing for Accumoto, I would call them.

I have used more modular type rims than most, but short of let's say a pro team! Thus I have a bunch of crap in my garage (and a set off Modulars from Jongbloed's) days with SCCA Trans Am Series cars!

[douglas bray]

Originally Posted by TCracingCA

Thus the suggestions for new rims and such isn't necessary. If you really like those centers and have an inner or outer half that you like. The Jongbloed guys come right to mind, who can turn you practically any outer or inner and mate your centers.

They are the Company that I am most familiar with, and the Jongbloed guy, just did release thru Accumoto a Fuch modular, but they should be able to work with yours! If not, then their are a few others. BBS don't go there, they wouldn't unless you are Ferrari, or McLaren or AJ Foyt (maybe not for him), but would for Mario Andretti, but not the common man! PS Engineering probably would have, but he is said to be retiring! I have to go in and visit, to see if he has, but he was doing a lot of custom stuff (Replicas of Gransports, Cobra, Halibrand, his own Mini-Lites, his own AR Mags, etc. and other vintage stuff. He could spin you out some probably if he isn't too busy!

I would give Jongbloed a call in Minnesota is where one brother moved, and I don't know about the other brother in NorCal? They when they left SoCal had a major split and don't know if they are talking to each other yet. Because of the Fuchs they are manufacturing for Accumoto, I would call them.

I have used more modular type rims than most, but short of let's say a pro team! Thus I have a bunch of crap in my garage (and a set off Modulars from Jongbloed's) days with SCCA Trans Am Series cars!

I'm not totally set on using Fuchs centers if there is something out there that is inexpensive and retro. My car is somewhat of a backdated/RS/GT/weekend date car that is rather worthy of it's reputation.

A set of mini-lites out back would be perfect, but I'm only finding 15's. Any suggestions or donations would be welcome.

[TCracingCA]

Had a customer car that he was pulling some BBS's I think off of it to go back with Fuchs!

The outfits like Jongbloed and the other PS Engineering can get pricey and Jongbloed has been supplying modern stuff now, but can work on old stuff. The PS Engineering guy in Socal had his Trans Am replica Mini-lites drilled for the American Cars, but it shouldn't be hard for a redrill! He makes alot of rims that guys would die for, but most focuses on vintage Racing! Once you look over his site, you will see after going to products that WOW! There are others out there! But this is an example where I have went to shoe a few cars!

For 15" speed rated rubber. I changed to Pirelli P7 Classics, but not good to go street for long or for distances. They are not treaded adequately and do wear down faster than most tires (I think they had three sizes--- a 305, 285, and a 245 I think was their sizes (it should pull up on the internet), and made for European Vintage rally cars! BFG is one of the few with 15 rubber and they are adequately speed rated. I think Cooper tire still makes stuff in 15's that can go street, don't like the big white lettering on any car! At least BFG used to only do that on one side. Most everything else like the Blue Streak repops are racing tires!

[douglas bray]

I like what I see there. Love the RSR wheel.

[TCracingCA]

Because with those, you need the knockoff units etc.. I don't know if he had drilled units!

Mini-lite Company was back making the spokes, but I am not sure if they are doing Porsche drilled units. Those on PS are as authentic Trans Am racing as can be found. They look more Vintage than the remake Mini-Lites.

Some bad AZZ $hit on that PS Engineering site!!!!!!!!! All of my cars have been pretty special, because I like """the-not-normal-guy-has-found-this-stuff-yet"""-stuff!!!!!! Maybe I shouldn't share so my cars stay unique!

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by douglas bray

I'm not totally set on using Fuchs centers if there is something out there that is inexpensive and retro. My car is somewhat of a backdated/RS/GT/weekend date car that is rather worthy of it's reputation.

A set of mini-lites out back would be perfect, but I'm only finding 15's. Any suggestions or donations would be welcome.

performance wheels or panasport should do a 16" minilite wheel
will do up to 16x10 for the trans am racers.

[TCracingCA]

16 inch rubber has hung around, but I see it disappearing fast and I think it will be terminal for 16's! More cars on 15's an 17's by far than 16's. Thus 15's for vintage seem to have a few retro releases, like what I mentioned. But it is a gamble. I don't know why these Companies just stopped supporting at least a 10 inch tire with Y or Z ratings in all sizes? Stupid!

PS if you go on the PS engineering Gallery, there is a Porsche with their 15 inch Mini lites! Duh! I just looked at their site and saw that! So they do drill custom! He makes each rims himself is how he used to operate when I bought last!

[sp_cs]

Clint at rebel racing does 3 piece wheels using bbs halves if of any use? Not cheap

http://rebelracingproducts.com/Wheels.html

[jackb911]

True Design Wheels in Colorado modified 16x7 Fuchs into these 17x8 and 17x9.5's Here's a link: http://www.trudesignwheel.net/

As others have mentioned, 17" tires that fit properly are FAR easier to find than 16's.

[douglas bray]

Jack, always loved your car. The wheels are perfect. Will give them a call.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

Doing great, Doug - thank you! Aside from talking with HRE, or the guys at Wheel Enhancement in L.A., I'd have to do some current research. BTW; HRE can build 8x16s using your centers.

I bought a set of HRE Fuchs replicas back in 1997. I called them a couple of years ago to inquire about some different rim halves and they acted like they had no idea what I was talking about. It took two or three conversations and then the light bulb went off for the guy. He dug around the warehouse and found a pallet of wheel halves specifically for the 20-hole Fuchs centers they made. They don't have many left and acted like they don't have any intention of making more. I bought what I needed, but it wasn't cheap.

[RichardNew]

Skip the 16-inch conversion. 15-inch Fuchs are big with the vintage crowd. 17-inch is big with everyone else. There are very few tire choices in 16.

btw - What size tires are you looking at?

Richard Newton
Car Tech Stuff

[douglas bray]

Well, when I first looked at the hankook Ventus R-S3 I swear there was a size perfect for 16x8 and now I see that there isn't. I can get a matching tire for the 16x7 (already on the car for several months) and the 16x6, but not if I go to 8. What was I thinking?

The ventus are an incredible tire too. Used to be able to slide out the back end at will with my Toyo Proxis. Now that is a tire that sucks.