Modification --> 5x130

[Wally]

After modifying the rear flanges to 5x130 and pressing (actually hammering ) porsche longer studs in them, some good friends have made me an adapter set for the front (+25mm, about 1 inch)to convert to 5x130.

I have tried the BBS-porsche rims and voila:



Wrong lighting, but what the heck:



Here's a pic of the modified flanges:



And here you can see the flat heads of the studs making it safe installation-wise, but more difficult to convert to 944 rear brakes lateron (less room)...:



I have used 23mm spacers over the long porsche studs, but as only the right rear tire rubs a tiny bit, I will try my 20-21mm spacers later for a total rub-free ride. Strangly enough, with these 8,5Jx17 ET50 rim and 225/45 tires, I still have some clearence left towards the trailing arm
Front wheels are 7x17 ET55 and 205/50

Regards,
Walter

[Bill K.]

Lookin' great Wally

Is it sitting level or raked forward? What's thre ride height front and rear?

What length studs did you use in the rear?

Is there a standard adapter available for the front?

I look forward to hearing how it handles once you get the thinner rear spacers and you can drive it hard.

Bill

[vwbill]

Wow Man, she is sitting and looking great!!! Nice Job with the mod and that opens up alot of future new wheel options for you!! She must be turning some heads! Can't wait to hear about the handling! Thanks for the posts! bill

[ubercrap]

Damn dude, that looks freakin' awesome! Who knew 8.5's would fit in the rear?!? You're causing me to think evil thoughts...

Oh, Bill K, there are standard 4x130 to 5x130 adapters available.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... C10%2D6711

I bet they're cast (maybe steel even?)-this new empi stuff doesn't have a very good reputation. Probably better to get custom billet ones made if you have the money and/or machine shop connections. And, sorry about the delay on your poly bushings, they are cut and drilled, just need some trimming and I'll get them out to you soon. I've had a lot on my plate...

[Wally]

Who knew 8.5's would fit in the rear?!?

Thanks for the nice comments guys!
Yeah, you'll only know for sure once you try it heh?
I would even say that 9Jx17 would also fit in the rear.

Probably better to get custom billet ones made if you have the machine shop connections.

Yes, thats what I did. They are from T6 aluminium and slide over the original disk centering ring and have their own porsche 71.5mm centering ring machined into them. Most aftermarket adaptors don't have the centering rings...
Mine also have studs glued into them. The adaptors themselves are fixed with allen head 10.9 grade bolts to the original rotor. Very smooth and very high quality.
I am sure they can make more of them.

My rear porsche studs are just the standard items on the rear of 944's with the longer studs for use with the 944 stock spacers.

The rise is very good. The car is raked a tiny bit foreward, so I suppose a castor adjustment of some sort would give even better straightline stability. Some fine-tuning of the car/suspension will be a constant thing I'am sure

One last remark about the handling: with the stock wheels, I could not use the full brake potential the car now has. That has changed a lot now

[vwfye]

awesome!!! i can't wait to get my car lowered!

[vwbill]

Man, so now you're gonna have a sweet cornering car and speeders that stops so quick your passanger makes change! So basically a super rally master!! Along with a hot looker! Sweeeet!! Great job! bill p.s. damn I have to get busy on my car!!

[MGVWfan]

Oooh, such a nice look with those new wheels Wally!

[Wally]

Thanks guys!

Man, so now you're gonna have a sweet cornering car..

Yeah, I tried to induce understeer yesterday on a highway 270-degree- exit, to find out its limits in this trim, but I got scared before the nose (or the back) would slide...

So basically a super rally master!!

Hope so, as I will enter the car in a very unofficial 'Gumball-rally' from our border to a vw-shop called beetle factory in germany (about 85 miles) on april 1st

[Wally]

Finally here's a pic of the mounted front wheel adapters:

[MGVWfan]

Oh, yes, that looks like a nice adapter. Those wheels really make your 412 look great. What's the ride like with the low profile tires?

Excellent!

[Wally]

Thanks man. Its like Mick says: "wheels maketh the car"

These 'low' profile tires are not really that low. They are 205/50 up front.
I was thinking of changing them for 195/45 if the time comes for them

The ride itself is actually very firm, now I drove the car for a few thou miles since the lowering. I think my Koni's - combined with the slightly harder springs - are relatively a bit too hard in total, even in the softest setting. I may try something else later

Yeah, I like the adapters because they have the centering ring, which gives excellent wheel balance at all times.

[vwbill]

That looks beefy!! Nice job on the mod! Nice look all around!! bill

[Bill K.]

Wally - how thick are the front adapters? Any concerns with only three bolt mounting (balance/flex)?

...how much room to fender with wheel straight and with wheel full lock (front/back)? ...how much room to strut?

Thanks, Bill

[Wally]

25 mm (1 inch)

The mount is by 4 bolts!! Only the fourth bolt goes through all the way and is also used to mount the wheel. Its very neat

Perfect balance. Clearance to strut is about 1,5 cm. Plenty anyway.
The nice feature of the 412 is that I haven't corrected the steering lock and I can still steer full lock as original

Regards,
Walter