Centerlocks - I'm out! ....Hello 5-lug conversion!
09-03-2011, 10:34 PM
#76
Race Car
Great Photo's Doug.....
The conversion is time consuming but I can say that the finished product looks fantastic in person and as you would expect drives just like it did....
rlips - Stock 997.1 wheels would also work...
Great work Doug, thanks for trusting in me to help you out on this
Now where is the key to the Scotch collection 
The conversion is time consuming but I can say that the finished product looks fantastic in person and as you would expect drives just like it did....
rlips - Stock 997.1 wheels would also work...
Great work Doug, thanks for trusting in me to help you out on this
Now where is the key to the Scotch collection
09-03-2011, 10:49 PM
#77
Rennlist Member
Hi Everyone!
SUCCESS!!!!
Ok, you will be very pleased to know that my 5 lug conversion was track tested on September 1st and the car performed perfectly. So those who wish to do the conversion can now "have at it" as per post#1 of this thread. Note from a previous post that the labor time for this work is 3 to 4 hours per corner plus a full alignment when complete. Also, for this conversion it does not matter what brake set up you have OEM steel, PCCB, or aftermaket because the wheels carriers remain the same (i.e. you don't have to change them out). Thus, for those who a wondering, the position of the hub face remains the same after the conversion, so similar wheel offsets are used.
Here are a few photos of the completed work for you viewing pleasure. Sorry I didn't have time to blast out to the mountains for a spectacular photo shoot (.....its been a busy week!!! ), so I did my best in my driveway.
The Forgeline 19 inch GA3-R's do look extra sexy in the 5 lug configuration. FYI: If you already have Forgeline wheels in CL, you can have Forgeline build you some new "centers" and you can re-use your rim halves to save some decent $$$ on your "new" 5 lug set of wheels.
Enjoy!
Doug N.
PS. Feel free to PM me any questions you may have, I will be happy to help.
SUCCESS!!!!
Ok, you will be very pleased to know that my 5 lug conversion was track tested on September 1st and the car performed perfectly.
So those who wish to do the conversion can now "have at it" as per post#1 of this thread. Note from a previous post that the labor time for this work is 3 to 4 hours per corner plus a full alignment when complete. Also, for this conversion it does not matter what brake set up you have OEM steel, PCCB, or aftermaket because the wheels carriers remain the same (i.e. you don't have to change them out). Thus, for those who a wondering, the position of the hub face remains the same after the conversion, so similar wheel offsets are used.Here are a few photos of the completed work for you viewing pleasure. Sorry I didn't have time to blast out to the mountains for a spectacular photo shoot (.....its been a busy week!!! ), so I did my best in my driveway.
The Forgeline 19 inch GA3-R's do look extra sexy in the 5 lug configuration. FYI: If you already have Forgeline wheels in CL, you can have Forgeline build you some new "centers" and you can re-use your rim halves to save some decent $$$ on your "new" 5 lug set of wheels.
Enjoy!
Doug N.
PS. Feel free to PM me any questions you may have, I will be happy to help.
09-03-2011, 11:01 PM
#78
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Next week Porsche will raise the prices of the aforementioned parts..
And in 3 years will offer it as an option for the next GT series.
Doug well done mate! A pioneer!
I am happy that I contributed something small to this project, and I am contemplating making it a sticky just to bug them a bit. I know that they are reading us 24/7.
And in 3 years will offer it as an option for the next GT series.
Doug well done mate! A pioneer!
I am happy that I contributed something small to this project, and I am contemplating making it a sticky just to bug them a bit. I know that they are reading us 24/7.
Thanks Mooty........hmmmm Michelin Slicks....OK!
Answers:1) Suncoast prices as of last month
2) 3-4 hours per corner, plus full alignment - call it 12 hours X shop rate for a quick estimate
3) I have e-mailed Suncoast with all of the info and will ask them nicely if they could possibly do a a group buy for my fellow Rennlisters - I will report back on this thread. Note Jeff at Western Performance has offer special pricing for Wheels and Forgeline wheel center conversions - see his post below
Well golly thanks, but as mentioned previously I did have a good deal of help from the guys I called in for opinions and technical info:
Steven Tory (Trophy), Paul Botting (basic), John (911 Slow), Pete Hitesman (SavyBoy), Jess Lattin (Porsche Master Tech), Ric Knab (Suncoast Parts Manager).
I did the detective work (which wasn't really rocket science) and Steven and Paul also helped in my garage with the actual conversion work.
Again, special thanks to all!
Rad is spot on with this. I had Apex send me some studs a couple months back. This thread got me motivated to go out and do some testing today.
As you can see, the thickness various from front to rear on both OEM and CCW.
Here are some approximate measurements I got of each wheel from the hub face to the bottom of the bolt hole:
Rear CCW: 41.3 mm
Rear OEM: 52.4 mm
Front CCW: 52.4 mm
Front OEM: 46mm
Here are some photos of the bullet nose 81 and 91mm studs. The 91's fit, but are really long and stick way out. Way too much extra thread on the wheel side.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deputyd...7627586382250/
The only thing I noticed was that the 91's had a couple extra threads on the hub side. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. The 81's have plenty of thread to seat properly. In a perfect world I'd probably prefer the 81's had as many threads on the hub side at the 91's.
I will say that the customer service at Apex is awesome. They sent me three studs (61, 81, 91) at no charge so I could test fit.
As Rad said, the 81 seems to work best. You could probably get away with a 71, but I like the idea 4-6 threads showing after the nut is torqued down.
As you can see, the thickness various from front to rear on both OEM and CCW.
Here are some approximate measurements I got of each wheel from the hub face to the bottom of the bolt hole:
Rear CCW: 41.3 mm
Rear OEM: 52.4 mm
Front CCW: 52.4 mm
Front OEM: 46mm
Here are some photos of the bullet nose 81 and 91mm studs. The 91's fit, but are really long and stick way out. Way too much extra thread on the wheel side.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deputyd...7627586382250/
The only thing I noticed was that the 91's had a couple extra threads on the hub side. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. The 81's have plenty of thread to seat properly. In a perfect world I'd probably prefer the 81's had as many threads on the hub side at the 91's.
I will say that the customer service at Apex is awesome. They sent me three studs (61, 81, 91) at no charge so I could test fit.
As Rad said, the 81 seems to work best. You could probably get away with a 71, but I like the idea 4-6 threads showing after the nut is torqued down.
Doug,
We mentioned in a previous post we were looking at a solution that is easier on the wallet for folks looking to do this conversion. We can't do any better than purchasing the factory parts at Suncoast, but we can certainly help with wheels.....
We have worked with Forgeline to be able to offer special conversion wheel pricing in both 18 and 19 inch. Like you said, we can also help out folks who currently have Forgeline wheel and need new centers. Our Forgeline pricing will make the conversion a little easier and you will be getting an excellent high quality set of wheels! Specials in both 18 and 19 inch!
PM or email us if any of you are interested in a set of wheels! We will do our absolute best to ensure you are satisfied!
Cheers
We mentioned in a previous post we were looking at a solution that is easier on the wallet for folks looking to do this conversion. We can't do any better than purchasing the factory parts at Suncoast, but we can certainly help with wheels.....
We have worked with Forgeline to be able to offer special conversion wheel pricing in both 18 and 19 inch. Like you said, we can also help out folks who currently have Forgeline wheel and need new centers. Our Forgeline pricing will make the conversion a little easier and you will be getting an excellent high quality set of wheels! Specials in both 18 and 19 inch!
PM or email us if any of you are interested in a set of wheels! We will do our absolute best to ensure you are satisfied!
Cheers
09-03-2011, 11:38 PM
#79
Instructor
Join Date: May 2010
Location: On the way to the track...
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Thanks for that info Doug, that may be the tipping point for me. I want as much as a stock Porsche look for the street, with the option do access the many wheels out there for track use. Well done, I suspect there will be a rash of Centerlock wheels on the market soon.
09-04-2011, 01:31 AM
#81
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Great Photo's Doug.....
The conversion is time consuming but I can say that the finished product looks fantastic in person and as you would expect drives just like it did....
rlips - Stock 997.1 wheels would also work...
Great work Doug, thanks for trusting in me to help you out on this Now where is the key to the Scotch collection
The conversion is time consuming but I can say that the finished product looks fantastic in person and as you would expect drives just like it did....
rlips - Stock 997.1 wheels would also work...
Great work Doug, thanks for trusting in me to help you out on this
Now where is the key to the Scotch collection 
Its open all the time!I'd say though, its time for a wee trip (sip!) around Scotland!
Thanks, glad to help out!
09-04-2011, 01:41 AM
#82
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
No worries!
Oh, wait a second......worries
.....who wants my perfect OEM Centerlock hub set ups and wheels? I need to pay for all of this!!!! Cheers!
Doug N
09-04-2011, 11:09 AM
#83
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2006
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there's a guy on here who has converted a 7.1 into a 7.2...., maybe he want your wheels?
congrats, doug! you don't stuff around. let bidrawn publish this project.
congrats, doug! you don't stuff around. let bidrawn publish this project.
09-04-2011, 11:38 AM
#84
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
A very "special" article on this interesting subject will written by me and likely be published in an another "Excellent" Magazine.
I will keep everyone posted.Cheers!
Doug N.
09-04-2011, 02:11 PM
#86
Nordschleife Master
09-06-2011, 08:05 PM
#89
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Gents,
The collective talent and resourcefulness of the guys on this Board is something to behold. Great thread~although in the moderate track-day use that my car sees I haven't had issues with the CL's it is great that the effort was made to explore a viable option using all Porsche OEM bits. Cheers!
The collective talent and resourcefulness of the guys on this Board is something to behold. Great thread~although in the moderate track-day use that my car sees I haven't had issues with the CL's it is great that the effort was made to explore a viable option using all Porsche OEM bits. Cheers!
