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Posted by: russtee54 Aug 22 2011, 10:08 PM

I have recently aquired a 73 914 with 2.0 FI. It has set up for a while but has been covered in a garage. I am going to bring it back to life and have one question. As I have 4 VWs including 1 type 4 bus, will a set of Empi 4lug wheels fit on a 4 lug 914. The car has 3 of the factory wheels like I have seen in some pictures and 1 VW wheel installed. I want to move it to a better place (My Garage)and I have the aforementioned wheels and would like to put them on. Is that Kosher or should I just try to find the missing wheel. I am new to the whole Porsche scene but I am familiar with the 2.0 FI cause thats the engine in my Type 4 bus. I have worked on VWs for about 12 years and I am expanding my Hobby.

Posted by: ezbngreen914 Aug 22 2011, 10:17 PM

I don't know the answer to your question, but I just wanted to welcome you to the 914 Ward of the German auto mental institution. I'm a reletively new 914 owner myself and this site has been invaluable. I'm sure you'll have several answers within the next couple of hours. I'm also sure everyone would love to see some photos of you 914... and VWs too. I would love to have a bus. Good luck!

Posted by: russtee54 Aug 22 2011, 10:34 PM

Here are some of my others. Fran is the 67 bug w/65 fenders, Baby is the 73 Super, Beezelbes is the 72 Campmobile camper bus. As soon as I get the 914 out from under cover and back into the light, I,ll post some pics of her.

Posted by: kg6dxn Aug 22 2011, 10:43 PM

Same bolt pattern, different offset. You will have to try them to check for good fit.

Posted by: russtee54 Aug 22 2011, 10:48 PM

Okay, Thanks I am going to try and move it this weekend and as the tires that I have are pretty new and already mounted to the Empis I wanted to replace the ones on the car that are dry-rotted.

Posted by: euro911 Aug 22 2011, 11:59 PM

Stock-ish 165's will pose no problem even if the offset of the wheel is for VW bug ... and depending on the tire's width profile, on up to 195's typically fit just fine.

The rear track is a little wider than the front, and wider tires could rub on the insides [of one or both sides] of the wheel well lips. Rolling a baseball bat between the tire and the lip(s) usually solves that problem.

Here's my wife's car with VW bug offset EMPI's and 165's:



... and

Posted by: russtee54 Aug 23 2011, 06:25 AM

Thats exactly what I have. Thank you. Where did you get the center caps?

Posted by: rick 918-S Aug 23 2011, 08:00 AM

Ya, Where fif you get the centers?
Oh and

Posted by: RobW Aug 23 2011, 08:03 AM

Posted by: Tom_T Aug 23 2011, 10:33 AM

The EMPI & Western wheels with the VW offset will only fit up to 165s on the rear wheel well.

You can use them to move it, then hunt down either the missing 2 Fuchs 2L wheels (originally 5 in a set including spare) or a full set & sell the odd 3 of yours. They'll have the proper offset for wider 195/65R15 & larger tires if you choose them, are lighter than just about any others (10.1 lbs. IIRC each) and look great on narrow body 914/4's IMHO.



Nice Bus & Dubs BTW!

Posted by: euro911 Aug 23 2011, 01:13 PM

I currently have a set of Rivieras (with VW offset) on my '75 914. They have 185/60's and they don't rub on the rear wheel well lips (but then again, the lips have been rolled under).

The 914 they came from did rub a little on the rear, as evidenced by small gouges on the outer diameter of the tires. Be aware that some 914's have wider 'gaps' between the suspension components and the fenders on one side or the other - from the factory. Each car has the possibility of being 'slightly different'.

Also, individual manufacturers' tire widths vary, even if they're listed as the same exact size, so it's good to do a little research before purchasing.


As for the center caps, IIRC I purchased them from a seller on eBay (ISP West?), but I've seen them available at a couple of local tire stores, as well as a few local VW Bug/Bus aftermarket stores. I purchased the Porsche 'stick-on' inserts on eBay as well (Adante)?

Posted by: russtee54 Aug 23 2011, 04:15 PM

Thank-you. Your experiences and info are greatly appreciated. This is my first Porshe and I am hoping all goes smoothly.

Posted by: 76-914 Aug 23 2011, 04:51 PM

Isn't that David Koresh's old VW?

Posted by: Philip W. Aug 23 2011, 08:04 PM

I also have the 8 spoke empi, I have 195/55 tires, were pretty tight until we rolled the lip under, and I have those caps with the emblem. Got those from autombile atlanta. Also saw them on the samba site. Bolt pattern is a 4x130 some like bonds tv had 4x100 or 4x110

You should be fine.

Phil

Posted by: russtee54 Aug 24 2011, 06:27 AM

Thanks again, and David was my cousin. Just kiddin lol.WACO: We Ain't Comin out.

Posted by: Drums66 Aug 24 2011, 04:15 PM

.....I can tell Welcome to the World