Hi,
I am contemplating changing my current 5.5 Brazilian chrome rims for alloy wheels (new Chinese model displayed on the forum a few weeks ago).
Should I keep 5.5s or revert to 4.5 with wheel spacers?
I would spontaneously be inclined to chose the latter option that should make the steering feel lighter. For the record I plan to keep 165 tires.
Testimonials are most welcome.
Wide rims or narrow rims and spacers?
- Pascal Zundel
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:31 pm
- Pascal Zundel
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:31 pm
Re: Wide rims or narrow rims and spacers?
Same subject, different question: what was the rim width on Carreras? I only know they sported 20mm spacers.
- Bil Brown
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 907
- Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:36 pm
- Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: Wide rims or narrow rims and spacers?
[*]Pascal..........356 Carrera GT cars were fitted with 4 1/2x15 alloy/steel wheels with the Carrera offset for the 60mm front brake drums. These wheels do not fit over 356/356A 40mm brake drums without the 20mm spacers. Here`s one of those wheels.
Bill Brown
-
- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:16 am
- Location: Santa Monica, CA
Re: Wide rims or narrow rims and spacers?
Pascal,
Consider 5.5 in the back, 4.5 in the front. That way you don't mess up the delightful, mechanical steering feel- the best part of a later 356. Cuts down on oversteer and softens the on-stilts look at the rear. Porsche started doing the same thing a few years later when it figured out what was going on. Plus you can carry a spare (4.5 - 165) which fits in the front, and half of the time can replace a wheel and tire of the same size.
Very subtle modification you can reverse in 5 minutes.
165/78 and 185/70 for the tires. Vredestein makes the Sprint Classic in both sizes.
Consider 5.5 in the back, 4.5 in the front. That way you don't mess up the delightful, mechanical steering feel- the best part of a later 356. Cuts down on oversteer and softens the on-stilts look at the rear. Porsche started doing the same thing a few years later when it figured out what was going on. Plus you can carry a spare (4.5 - 165) which fits in the front, and half of the time can replace a wheel and tire of the same size.
Very subtle modification you can reverse in 5 minutes.
165/78 and 185/70 for the tires. Vredestein makes the Sprint Classic in both sizes.
Last edited by Edwin Ek on Tue Jan 10, 2017 11:46 pm, edited 3 times in total.
#6386
- Bil Brown
- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:36 pm
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Pat Daily
- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:04 pm
- Location: central Virginia
Re: Wide rims or narrow rims and spacers?
Me too!
Pat Daily
Midlothian, VA
356B coupe (121123 aka "Fast Frieda")
Midlothian, VA
356B coupe (121123 aka "Fast Frieda")
- Pascal Zundel
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:31 pm
Re: Wide rims or narrow rims and spacers?
To Bil and Pat,
I am surprised that you chose 175/70 tires as this means your cars are geared even lower than standard US cars that were originally geared low.
Not necessarily much of a problem with a standard 60hp car used exclusively on twisty B roads or mountain passes. Bigger issue on more powerful cars or for highway use.
I would have thought that the more sensible upshift from the standard 165 would be 185/70 as was offered by Porsche as an option on early 911s.
I am surprised that you chose 175/70 tires as this means your cars are geared even lower than standard US cars that were originally geared low.
Not necessarily much of a problem with a standard 60hp car used exclusively on twisty B roads or mountain passes. Bigger issue on more powerful cars or for highway use.
I would have thought that the more sensible upshift from the standard 165 would be 185/70 as was offered by Porsche as an option on early 911s.