BBS RS Wheel Question

[jamesjedi]

Why is the BBS RS not a good candidate for widening and then used as a race wheel?

I see some race cars using them. Also, I see that they are not supported by BBS as a race wheel.


I have been considering getting a set and widening them.

Anyone know anything about these wheels? Thanks!

[KTL]

They're fantastic wheels and are very capable as race wheels. They're actually stronger than the race wheels. The wheels are build for street use, so they have more bolts (34 vs. 20) and the rim shells are thicker thereby making them stronger.

They are a great candidate for widening. You just have to find someone to custom make the shells for you. Bogart wheels or Mirage Int'l (Jae Lee) are two shops that come to mind that can help you with this.

They're not supported by BBS as a street wheel. It's a legal thing IMO. They don't want to sell street wheel bits to the Joe Shmoe DIY'er, then Joe screws it up and sues BBS.

These are great wheels. Strong forged centers, thick rim shells (the original ones) and 34 high quality bolts. That's why they were crazy expensive back in the day when new.

[wwest]

I have had a set on my green metallic 78 Targa almost since bought it in 84, gooding lookin', sturdy. Friend has a set on his forest green 79 Targa.

Spare parts on Ebay...

[jamesjedi]

Thanks for the replies.

The centers are forged? Stronger that the Motorsport wheels?

Which makes them heavier, that is OK.

[jamesjedi]

KTL did you use a set for your race car?

I am building a car that may use 930 front brakes (I have a pair) and use 16x9 and 11's. Would you know of the backspace needed to build wheels without spacers? I have a widebody conversion...without the 930 hubs/trailing arm.

I have been searching...will do more.

[wwest]

Getting new Pelican alternator.

[KTL]

I did have a set on my pseudo/wannabe racecar '87 Carrera DE track car. Car was fairly stripped down and lightly modified.

>23/31 t-bars, Koni shocks, monoballs & poly bushings, corner bal. & aggressive align, 964 VCI brakes (previously 993 brakes), BBS RS 16x8/9 with various R comps (whatever was cheapest at the time)

>mild engine tweaks- the usual chip & exhaust thing, lightweight clutch, 964- like cams

>fiberglass hood, bumpers, tail to get the weight down (2500 w/out driver if I recall)

Was a fairly quick car and the BBS were never an issue. Used a few sets of them for around 4 years. The 16x8/9 set (ET +28mm front, ET +15mm rear) is still in use on a friends NASA TT 911 car. They are holding up just fine.

Funny aside, every time i'd have a tire shop mount tires, they'd always say they are amazed how light the wheels are (same goes for Fuchs too).

Yep the centers are forged. The older BBS motorsport wheels are cast. At least the magnesium ones are. Very obvious by the rough casting. I'll take a picture of a motorsport center if you'd like? The newer ones are forged. I've got a set of four old ones that i'm perpetually "refinishing" & building to use as rain wheels for my racecar.

BBS RS

The 930 brakes will fit inside the BBS RS NO PROBLEM plenty of clearance. My larger 993 front brakes also clear the RS wheels no problem. The 3-piece wheels have lots of clearance due to their rim shells that have basically no taper to them. Fuchs have a lot of taper to them and make it hard to clear large brakes, besides the 930. Not saying the 930 are not large, just that the calipers are somewhat compact.

I'll have to check on the 930 body mod. offsets. Friend 175K911 (Ed) is making his '86 a widebody so he has recently sized his Fikse wheels for that. My front wheel info. is not helpful because i've got modified longer/wider front A-arms & that throws off the wheel o/s. However my rear is typical 930 body mod with 930 rear flares & std. SC rear suspension.

My rear wheels are 17x10 with an offset of ET+6mm. However I run a 930 spacer in the rear that is 28mm (original 930 rear spacers). So that effectively makes my rear wheel an ET -22mm (negative (-) offset, not (+) positive). Plenty of fender clearance on the outboard side and tons of chassis & oil line clearance on the inboard side. So I could run wider 17x11 wheels if I wanted to (probably would better suit the 275/40 tire) but my current setup works pretty good. So far haven't found the need to run more rear tire like 295 or 315. Car is pretty light (2550 with me in it and well equipped) and getting lighter and only moderate power with a carb'd 3.2SS making around 230 at the wheels. Run too much tire and you can't get enough heat in them.

[techweenie]

The wheel rim parts are interchangeable within the RS series, for a given diameter, which means you can find BMW and other wheel outers that are deeper; inners that are shallower, etc. And you can 'frankenstein' the wheel you want. As mentioned, there are multiple suppliers that make correct 34-hole rim parts. There are plenty of parts in the wild as well.

[jamesjedi]

Brilliant. Thanks for the information. Also, thanks for the measurements. Do you have a picture of the modified RS wheels on the car?

[KTL]

Originally Posted by jamesjedi

Do you have a picture of the modified RS wheels on the car?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/480114-new-bbs-rs-34-bolt-shells-any-width-diameter.html