"Widened" 4-lug Fuch's?

mike mueller · 11-29-2002, 09:07 AM

Found a company that can widen the factory Fuchs from
the stock 5.5" width all the way to 8"+

These are welded, not machined factory centers bolted
to spun aluminum outer halfs.

Has anyone done this?

I know this is pretty common with the 5-bolt Fuch's
and I have never heard of a failure with this method.
(a lot of the brand new modern alloys are of the
welded design)

The only negitive with this method is that I believe
they can only "add" the additional width to the inside
of the wheel, so those with GT flares would not be
interested since you'd have to run spacers to move the
wheels outboard to look "decent"

I just thought it would be neat to be able to run
stock looking 4-bolt fuchs with a width of 6.5 or 7"
under the stock fenders

cost is approx. 180 per wheel which is not cheap, but
it offers an alternative to doing a 5-bolt conversion
or buying one of the few aftermarket 4-bolt rims.

I'm sure they can widen the Mahles and Pedrinis, but I
feel the Fuchs are the better choice for this
modifcation due to the construction of the rim
(forged vs cast)

Mueller

RonD922 · 11-29-2002, 10:07 AM

Hello,

I would be quite interested in the name of the company...

I too am in the same boat as you with wanting wider wheels..

I have a very nice 4 lug suspension and my brakes are fine for my needs but I would like to run wider ower profile tires and I need larger rims-6-7" would be perfect...

Thanks,
Ron

RD Evans · 11-29-2002, 08:00 PM

Mike-this sounds like a cool option for where flares and 5 bolts don't make sense. My '74 1.8 is undergoing body work now but I don't think this is the car to invest big bucks on flares and 5 bolts. I have a nice set of Pedrinni's and another set of Fuchs that might be worth modifying.

DuckRyder · 12-01-2002, 05:28 AM

Does the company also refinish / restore them.?

Sounds like a great plan, as 195/50/15 work best on 6 inch wheels and 205/50/15 like about 7.

RonD922 · 12-01-2002, 06:24 AM

So they are adding width to the inside of the rim correct??

How wide can you go under stock flares with this "new" Offset??

Do the only add width to the inside or do they a little to outside to give the rim a lip??

Thanks,
Ron

PS Again a company name would be helpful so that I could ask these questions to the company....

mike mueller · 12-01-2002, 07:26 AM

Ron,

I still have to contact the company and ask if they have done this wheel or know if they can. I'll post something as soon as I get an answer from them. (hopefully this week)

so far not as many people responed to this post as I'd have thought for some reason, I was hoping more people would go for this and if the company could indeed do these Fuchs, we could ask for a group buy discount.

I'm pretty sure it's only the inside of the wheel that they do.
Without measuring (I don't have my 914 here yet to do the final measurements) I'd venture to say that max width will be 6.5 to 7" with a 205 or possibly a 225/50, but you might have to slightly roll the fender lip.

Right now you can purchase a 15x7 rim that will allow you to put a 205/50 inside the fender wheels, a 225/50 should work, but rolling of the lip is almost a sure thing.

RonD922 · 12-01-2002, 08:08 AM

Hello,

If the comany can do Mahles...

I would be pleased to send off 2 of my mahles to be widened to 7" for the rear...

Also will the $180.00 inlcude refinishing??

If so I may send off 2 more to be widened and refinished!!

Let Me Know becuase I am seriously looking into wider rims and new tires!!

Thanks.
Ron

mike mueller · 12-01-2002, 08:25 AM

Ron,

I doubt the price would include refinishing.....

I've had no luck contacting them, the email is bouncing back, it's an old @home account....I'd say they have not updated thier webpage in a long time or are no longer in business

DuckRyder · 12-01-2002, 03:44 PM

a large percent of the "home" accounts are now "attbi" worth a shot.

Doug M · 12-02-2002, 09:01 AM

You can buy brand new Revolution 7" wide wheel for about $200. They fit perfect on a stock 914.

RonD922 · 12-02-2002, 09:46 AM

Hello,

Where can you buy these "revolution" wheels from??

Thanks,
Ron

PS Anyone ever thought of just using some aftermarket wheels for hondas, mitsu's and such?? I have seen many rims that have like 12 holes made to fit 4 lug, 5 lug, 6 lug....

I would really like to get some 16 x6x7 4 lug rims that look half decent...I like the mahles and possibly the 4 lug fuchs but I am not interested in any aftermarket common wheels-Such as Riveria/American Racing

mike mueller · 12-02-2002, 10:00 AM

Revolution:
http://www.ttrsracing.com/

$216 each, on sale right now for 15x7's

Compomotive for 225 each, 15x6 and 15x7

or Panasport, about the same price

See the post from Korgi (sp) for different 4 bolt pattern use.
I've seen Honda and Ford Mustang (80's) being used.

Huge selection of Honda rims in any size you want just about.

The only thing with Honda rims is the offset, you'll want spacers for most of them due to the offset. (which is no big deal, just one more thing to buy or make)

J P Stein · 12-02-2002, 10:29 AM

I'm no expert on the subject of welding aluminum and don't keep up with the latest technology, but here's a couple things.

Welding on forged material(usualy A7050, dunno what auto manuf. use) is a no,no in the aircraft industry.
Alminum forgings are high stress items on aricraft.

Welding on castings is acceptable (A356 is pretty much standard).
Aluminum castings are low stress items on aircraft

Plate used for welding is A6011 (AIR) condition 0 (Non-tempered).

Generally, you would have to look real hard to find any welds on a
modern commertial aircraft, tho I do know of some welding on titanium for the USAF.

Are your wheels high stress areas?

mike mueller · 12-02-2002, 10:50 AM

Of all the research that I've been doing on this, it seems that as long as the welding is done on any part other than the hub mounting face, then it's okay.

With the prices quoted, I think I'll pass now.....

~price of 250 per wheel, of course this could be Canadian prices which would make it an attractive price

Greens Automotive
http://www.greensautomotiveltd.supersites.ca/tireswheels/

I think I've come to the conclusion to sell my 4-lug Fuch's and buy something off the shelf.

anthony · 12-02-2002, 11:00 AM

Personally I really like the way the Panasports look on the 914. The only car I've seen them on though is Chris' old car:

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RonD922
PS Anyone ever thought of just using some aftermarket wheels for hondas, mitsu's and such?? I have seen many rims that have like 12 holes made to fit 4 lug, 5 lug, 6 lug....

The main problem is that none of those holes fits the 4x130mm pattern. Almost nobody makes 4x130mm wheels. And most of those that do are made for the Bug and won't fit anything wider than a 165 on a 914 under stock fenders.

--DD