Bigger Wheels

[dave914]

I'd like to reduce engine rpms on a converted V6 914. What options are out there?
I have four lug hubs now, and would like to keep them, (to save costs over converting to five lug or re-drilling if possible)
What 16 or 17 inch wheels are a good choice (steel or alloy)
Since the car is already flared, wider wheels would be ok to.
If I choose wider wheels, will a taller tire (side wall) give as good handling as a shorter tire, if on a narrower rim?
(ie what is the trade offs if any from a taller tire verses a wider wheel, can one correct for the other? Currently I have 195 50 series on a 15 inch rim. I'd like bigger diameter (reduce engine rpms) and still maintain handling of the short 50 series, but I have room for wider wheels too.
any advice on this???

thanks DAve

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I don't know offhand of any 4x130mm 16" or 17" rims. You'd probably have to have them made up custom. There's a good chance that will cost you as much as the five-bolt conversion...

Taller tires will give you a mushier response and worse handling, all other things equal. On a narrower rim, the problem will be even worse. However, the tradeoff might be worth it.

You can go to a 205/50-15 and get a bit taller sidewall. That fits on most, but not all, 914s. The 205 will be a little bit taller, but will give you a bit more rubber on the road.

Not sure what else to tell you... 8^(

--DD

[TFI]

I've had somewhat the same problem with my turbo four cylinder conversion. I have about 180hp w/ 195/60-14 tires and first gear seems VERY low.
i've been looking into taller tires also.
here's just one website i found that has custom 16 inch wheels in various sizes. I don't know anything about the company but what you can find on their site. haven't heard any good or bad on them.
http://www.salesco.com/wheels/composite/index.html

could you let me know if you find any others? I"ll be boosting my hp by tweaking my fuel injection system, should get about a 10% increase in hp... then i could basically skip first gear with the tires/wheels that i have. (if i had second gear heh heh see other post)

[This message has been edited by TFI (edited 01-24-2000).]

[RarlyL8]

You shouldn't have to give up anything by going to a taller wheel/tire combo. The shorter the combo the quicker the feel (gearing and steering). You now have 190/50-15s. This is 22.48" tall by 7.48" wide with a 3.74" sidewall. If you go 225/40-17 you get 24.09T x 8.86W with 3.54"S. The net change is +1.61"T, +1.38"W, and -0.20"S. This wider tire with a similar sidewall hight will give improved handling and you gain 7.16% in rollout to reduce your RPMs from 3000 to 2785 @ 60mph.
This is just an example of what can be done. Rim size depends on how much room you have. The tire described would take from 7-10" rim. Don't forget offset - real important. Hope this helps.

[mike mueller]

I bought my welder from that company (Salesco), good deals, okay service.
As for the "composite" rims they sell, you'll need the extra power to turn those things...very heavy. Also they are not very "custom", what they mean is that compared to the factory rims they are custom (different). You cannot have special offsets and bolt circle patterns oredered, they look in the catalog and tell you if they will fit or not.

Dave, try Wheel Enhancement, I think there are in Los Gatos off of Winchester. I know they make true custom sized rims, or they used to. If you want 3-piece alloy rims expect to pay $300 to $450 each.

To keep the four bolt pattern and have bigger rims (16's or 17's) will cost you one way or another. You could get 4-bolt to 4-bolt adaptors made (much stronger than 4-bolt to 5-bolt, the factory uses 5-bolt to 5-bolt "spacers", same thing if done correctly). Then your choices are much better, use a Honda or Ford pattern, then you can pick up 16 and 17 inch rims all day long.



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Mike Mueller
Antioch, CA
1970 1.8

[TFI]

mike,

does that company you are talking about have a website? i'm interested in seeing what they have to offer.

-jim-

[Joe Bob]

Dave,

Your post does not mention where you live. But if you ever get to the Pomona Swap Meet in LA, there is a guy that makes custom wheels. He can get you the offset you need...all it takes is $$$.

I am sure that if you conatct someone that goes there on a regular basis, they could get the guy's name and number for you...try the 914 Rennlist....there are a lot of guys that go there religiously...
www.rennlist.org 914 list.

[mike mueller]

The name of the place is WHEEL TECHNIQUES, not Wheel Enhancement, W.E. deals with high end Porsche rims.Here is the address for Wheel Tec.: http://www.wheeltechniques.com/index.html
Wheel En. has a web site as well, same as their name plus .com.



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Mike Mueller
Antioch, CA
1970 1.8