LSswap

Hello,
So I just bought an 85.5 944 with a widebody kit last weekend for the purpose of ls swapping to make a fun toy. One of the first things I want to get fixed on it is the rear wheels. I'm curious if anyone else has had wheels widened, my rears are fuchs 15x9s and I'm thinking of widening them to 15x11s to fit some nice fat rubber in the back and match the body better.


Anyone have any experience with it? Or are there better wheel options for this?


And don't judge me on the rear exhaust setup. lol I didn't do it and it won't look like that once the ls is in. I haven't seen tail lights like these before either, I don't know if I like them or not.


Thanks

racerbvd

1st, are you sure they are 9X15 Fuchs & are they factory Fuchs or aftermarket?

2nd, tires for 11X15s won't be easy to find or cheap.

3rd, for the cost of having a set of factory Fuchs properly widened, you can buy a set of aftermarket ones in the size you need.
Here is one option.
http://www.braidusa.com/Wheels/Comp/BZ/BZ.htm

LSswap

I'm changing brakes after work tomorrow, I'll verify then. I just bought the car last Saturday, the previous owner claims they are Fuchs.

That website is definitely a good second option. The company I am interested in having widen the wheels charges 2-300 a wheel and polishes the welds off after to keep a nice clean look.


What width would you recommend? I'm planning on roughly 420whp, so I need a tire that will stick. I feel an added 2" will put it just about right in regards to the fender. But maybe +/- 1/2 an inch will make tire selection easier?

LSswap

I just went through the paper under the hatch carpet with all the options listed, it says the car came with 15" fuchs (option 401). So I would assume these are real.

odurandina

got to go 18" wheels.

just not enough selection/flexibility for 17"s.

LSswap

These are 15s. Should have a good selection. I dont want to run a large diameter wheel, want as much sidewall as possible.

JustinL

You better check into tire selection before going down this road. What kind of tire are you planning on running?

konakat

There's at least one tire option. http://www.amazon.com/Mickey-Thompso.../dp/B00975F8OW

racerbvd

They should be 7&8s, and you really want a larger rim than 15s, you don't have to widen the rim to get the desired traction.
I would be surprised if they can widen an aluminum rim for $300, steel maybe,
I have a set of 9&11X15 Centerlines

LSswap

Yeah, they may be 15x8. The PO claimed 15x9 but I don't think they're that wide. I want to widen them not only for the wider tire selection, but also to match the widebody kit better. They don't look good sunk in the way they are. And 15s give me the best tire options for traction. Coming from CTS-Vs, everyone was trying to fit 15 and 17" wheels in order to get more sidewall, with this I'm starting off at 15"! No reason to switch away from that.


What do the centerlines look like? Do you have any interest in selling or trading?


These are the two companies I am looking at for wheel widening:
http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/
http://www.ericvaughnmachine.com/


Eric Vaughn claims $300 on the high side, could be $200 a wheel.

LSswap

My current tires are 215/60/r15s. I'm thinking with 2" wider wheel I can step up to a 275/50r15 like an NT555r. They're about 1/2" taller and 2 1/2" wider at roughly 10.8". I just worry about the added diameter, may need to roll fenders a bit. Seems we have an oddball diameter to aim for, I can't find much for wide tires around 25" tall.

konakat

Yeah, for summer tires you need to go to a bit smaller diameter for 15". There should still be plenty of sidewall though.

racerbvd

I love to trade, and I love fuchs, and the wide body car is getting big brakes, so the Centerlines will no longer be useful for me.







Perfect for that vintage racer..





Nice wide, old school set of wheels, tires are shot, but good for rolling or to just get you by.