17' fuchs
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Flatfourfool
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2001 12:01 am
17' fuchs
I am hoping to dip into the pool of knowledge on the forum again and ask if a 17 by 7 in rim will fit on a 70 ghia I am praying as I really want to run empi 17 inch fuchs...
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FJCamper
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Re: 17' fuchs
Hi FlatFourFool,
Ghias have very limited fenderwell space.
The Ghias you see with wheels wider than 5.5 inches typically have specially shortened axles and inner sheet metal work.
FJC
Ghias have very limited fenderwell space.
The Ghias you see with wheels wider than 5.5 inches typically have specially shortened axles and inner sheet metal work.
FJC
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rfsalter
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:31 pm
Re: 17' fuchs
Do the shortened axels affect performance? In what way?
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FJCamper
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Re: 17' fuchs
Hi --
Short axles change a lot of suspension geometry.
On a dragster, rear axle shortening is not much of a problem, because coilover springs must be used so springing can be adapted to suit. But it does affect a swing axle's pivot point, so that less axle movement means more wheel movement. That means a bump leverages the transaxle pivot point higher than normal, which usually leads to reducing tire tread adhesion.
Shorter front axles mean stiffer front torsion springing, even with special softer torsion leaves. A shorter torsion bar (or leaf bundle) is stiffer than a longer one.
The extra stiffness is usually unpleasant on the street and if too stiff, breaks tire adhesion in racing because the suspension loses compliance. Too stiff and you just bounce.
Most people who shorten axles come to wish they didn't.
FJC
Short axles change a lot of suspension geometry.
On a dragster, rear axle shortening is not much of a problem, because coilover springs must be used so springing can be adapted to suit. But it does affect a swing axle's pivot point, so that less axle movement means more wheel movement. That means a bump leverages the transaxle pivot point higher than normal, which usually leads to reducing tire tread adhesion.
Shorter front axles mean stiffer front torsion springing, even with special softer torsion leaves. A shorter torsion bar (or leaf bundle) is stiffer than a longer one.
The extra stiffness is usually unpleasant on the street and if too stiff, breaks tire adhesion in racing because the suspension loses compliance. Too stiff and you just bounce.
Most people who shorten axles come to wish they didn't.
FJC
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martyrg
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:25 pm
Re: 17' fuchs
So can you a narrow front, say a 4 1/2" and a wide rear, say 6" or 7"?
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FJCamper
- Moderator
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- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:19 pm
Re: 17' fuchs
Hi Martyrg,
We've never been lucky with anything but 5.5 wheels on our Ghias.
Wider tires will fit on the rear if you have the right amount of offset (the more the better). The front tires have to steer and wide tires will rub inside the fenderwells on full lock. You can adjust your steering stops to prevent this, but you really cut down on your turning radius.
"Wide" is defined as anything more than 175's, especially for the front. I've heard of people who run 185's or even wider. It just hasn't worked for us. We were rubbing bodywork inside and outside on 175's. You'd think all Ghias were the same. The variable must be the offset.
However -- I've been talking about stock 70-series tires. The lower the tire profile, the wider the tire you can fit, as it now clears the fender arc. Even 195's will work. We recently tried 205's but it just wasn't happening.
Ironically, the Bug can use all sorts and well/tire combos. Tire size restriction is the price we pay for our "Italian suit."
FJC
We've never been lucky with anything but 5.5 wheels on our Ghias.
Wider tires will fit on the rear if you have the right amount of offset (the more the better). The front tires have to steer and wide tires will rub inside the fenderwells on full lock. You can adjust your steering stops to prevent this, but you really cut down on your turning radius.
"Wide" is defined as anything more than 175's, especially for the front. I've heard of people who run 185's or even wider. It just hasn't worked for us. We were rubbing bodywork inside and outside on 175's. You'd think all Ghias were the same. The variable must be the offset.
However -- I've been talking about stock 70-series tires. The lower the tire profile, the wider the tire you can fit, as it now clears the fender arc. Even 195's will work. We recently tried 205's but it just wasn't happening.
Ironically, the Bug can use all sorts and well/tire combos. Tire size restriction is the price we pay for our "Italian suit."
FJC