Adapters, 4 to 5 lug good or bad? Options

[Rand]

How's your shop coming?

I can start another thread on that question.

Just update the one you started before. By now you must have some good pics.

[socal1200r]

these are the set I was looking at

For a daily driver, I'd consider using those in order to run 5-lug wheels. The other pic that had a conversion "kit" for $1000, seriously?! Then of course you have to factor in the cost of 5-lug wheels, which for "original" wheels verge on the ridiculous. For $1000 I'd expect to get wheels, tires, AND the conversion kit. I was thinking of converting to 5-lugs, but after seeing the costs involved both for the hardware and 5-lug wheels, that thought quickly passed. I've got other things to spend my money on...

[Chris914n6]

You will be limited to high offset wheels. Boxster fronts, maybe modern 911 fronts if narrow enough, and I think some of the phone dials.

The redrilled hubs from PMB would be the much better way to go if the 911 parts are out of budget.

Rear hubs have been redrilled for 30+ years, I've never seen a failure, some people (like PBM) add a spacer for a little more surface area.

That was more of a reference to fronts with vented rotors.

The rears don't leave much meat for the studs to bite into. The pair on my car were welded on by the PO or whoever did it because the studs came loose. I really need to get my early hubs drilled before the 3.5L swap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

4x130 to 4x4.5 - that's the ticket to glorious wheel choices.

[RickS]

No one has mentioned that frequently with adapters in the rear, it pushes the wheels out so far that the chances are good that one or both tires will rub the fender. I won't say how I know.... but then I did the full 5 lug Monty and have been converted. PTL.

[Mueller]

these are the set I was looking at

For a daily driver, I'd consider using those in order to run 5-lug wheels. The other pic that had a conversion "kit" for $1000, seriously?! Then of course you have to factor in the cost of 5-lug wheels, which for "original" wheels verge on the ridiculous. For $1000 I'd expect to get wheels, tires, AND the conversion kit. I was thinking of converting to 5-lugs, but after seeing the costs involved both for the hardware and 5-lug wheels, that thought quickly passed. I've got other things to spend my money on...

You need to learn how search better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

http://www.pmbperformance.com/catalog/item...565/9746772.htm

Still not cheap, but I'd rather give my money to Eric.

There are few factory Porsche 5 lug wheels you can get that don't cost too much, in the $400 to $600 for a set.

[Gunn1]

these are the set I was looking at

For a daily driver, I'd consider using those in order to run 5-lug wheels. The other pic that had a conversion "kit" for $1000, seriously?! Then of course you have to factor in the cost of 5-lug wheels, which for "original" wheels verge on the ridiculous. For $1000 I'd expect to get wheels, tires, AND the conversion kit. I was thinking of converting to 5-lugs, but after seeing the costs involved both for the hardware and 5-lug wheels, that thought quickly passed. I've got other things to spend my money on...

You need to learn how search better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

http://www.pmbperformance.com/catalog/item...565/9746772.htm

Still not cheap, but I'd rather give my money to Eric.

There are few factory Porsche 5 lug wheels you can get that don't cost too much, in the $400 to $600 for a set.

Thanks for the link Mueller

[mlindner]

I would not do adapters, Eric has a very nice setup, redrilled rotors, new bearings, seals, works with you original calipers, your suspension stays original. Best, Mark

[zach914v8]

I have had custom made billet adapters on my car for 15 years. I ran an 11.8 seconds in the quarter mile with the help of nitrous. So they seem safe to me. Mine are 2" wide and adapt 4x130 to 4x114.3 or 4.5. can be used with wheels thet have a +35 to +42 offset. I think my wheels are 7" wide, maybe 8".

These were made by a company that made wheel adapters for off road jeeps and rock crawlers. When I ordered them the guy assured me that these adapters would be just as strong as the hub they were being bolted to.

Driving my car aggressively for the last 15 years and I have yet to have any issues with them.

[socal1200r]

I have had custom made billet adapters on my car for 15 years. I ran an 11.8 seconds in the quarter mile with the help of nitrous. So they seem safe to me. Mine are 2" wide and adapt 4x130 to 4x114.3 or 4.5. can be used with wheels thet have a +35 to +42 offset. I think my wheels are 7" wide, maybe 8".

These were made by a company that made wheel adapters for off road jeeps and rock crawlers. When I ordered them the guy assured me that these adapters would be just as strong as the hub they were being bolted to.

Driving my car aggressively for the last 15 years and I have yet to have any issues with them.

Now you're talking! That opens up a whole world of wheel possibilities! What would a set of those adapters run? I have 4-lug Mahles on my '73 1.7, so going to 5-lug wouldn't be OEM anyway, so I would be totally fine with running some 4x114 or 4x100 wheels. And with the variety of offsets available with those more common bolt sizes, I'm sure I could find a nice set of wheels to fit the stock body.

[zach914v8]

Back in 2001 dollars they cost me $125 each. I sent them a stock lug bolt and measured the hub bore on my wheels so they cut cut a hub centric lip on the adapter. The place that made them for me closed up way back in 2008 during the recession. They look simple I'm sure and decent machine shop could build a set.

EDIT: I also wanted to add, that when I had these made I also had a 95 honda prelude with 19" on it so I had these made to fit those wheels. Since then I have changed wheels a few time. But now all I have to do to find new wheels is search wheels for a 95 Honda prelude.

[Joe Bob]

I have a set of 4x130 to 5x130 and close to you if you want to try them out. High quality make.

[Gunn1]

I have a set of 4x130 to 5x130 and close to you if you want to try them out. High quality make.

Joe Bob, I greatly appreciate the generous offer. But at this point to try them out I would have to have a set five lug wheels with tires mounted on them to determine whether they fit under the fenders on my narrow body. Also I believe if/when I go from the 4 to the 5 lug it will be in form of a kit like Eric's that will keep things pretty much as designed and allow me the most room under the fenders without messing around to much with the offsets.

What I great offer though, Thanks again

[Mueller]

Big difference between 4 to 4 adapters and 4 to 5 adapters.

PCA has banned adapters that allow a different bolt pattern, as far as I know 5x130 to 5x130 spacers are allowed.

I'm guessing this was due to bad quality 4 to 5 adapters (I too had some cast 4 to 5 adapters and recycled them instead of selling, you could see the porosity in the casting)

If you look at the picture, more meat between the holes and studs for a 4 to 4 adapter, I'd have no problem with those at all as long as you ensure the adapter is properly attached or torqued.

[Mueller]

I have a set of 4x130 to 5x130 and close to you if you want to try them out. High quality make.

Joe Bob, I greatly appreciate the generous offer. But at this point to try them out I would have to have a set five lug wheels with tires mounted on them to determine whether they fit under the fenders on my narrow body. Also I believe if/when I go from the 4 to the 5 lug it will be in form of a kit like Eric's that will keep things pretty much as designed and allow me the most room under the fenders without messing around to much with the offsets.

What I great offer though, Thanks again

There are no Fuchs or Cookie cutters that will fit under the stock fenders with adapters (on the rear) You will need later offset wheels like '87 and newer 944 wheels or anything newer like the Boxster as long as it is a 7" or narrower with an offset in the 50mm range.

Your normal 7" wide Fuchs will have a 23mm offset which is not enough for use with an adapter.

[zach914v8]

I have a set of 4x130 to 5x130 and close to you if you want to try them out. High quality make.

Joe Bob, I greatly appreciate the generous offer. But at this point to try them out I would have to have a set five lug wheels with tires mounted on them to determine whether they fit under the fenders on my narrow body. Also I believe if/when I go from the 4 to the 5 lug it will be in form of a kit like Eric's that will keep things pretty much as designed and allow me the most room under the fenders without messing around to much with the offsets.

What I great offer though, Thanks again

There are no Fuchs or Cookie cutters that will fit under the stock fenders with adapters (on the rear) You will need later offset wheels like '87 and newer 944 wheels or anything newer like the Boxster as long as it is a 7" or narrower with an offset in the 50mm range.

Your normal 7" wide Fuchs will have a 23mm offset which is not enough for use with an adapter.

Mueller, what are your thoughts on the 2 piece adapters that adapt 4 to 5 lug? I have always thought some 19" 18" corvette z06 wheels would look awesome on my car, I just don't have much faith in those 2 piece adapters.

[Mueller]

I have a set of 4x130 to 5x130 and close to you if you want to try them out. High quality make.

Joe Bob, I greatly appreciate the generous offer. But at this point to try them out I would have to have a set five lug wheels with tires mounted on them to determine whether they fit under the fenders on my narrow body. Also I believe if/when I go from the 4 to the 5 lug it will be in form of a kit like Eric's that will keep things pretty much as designed and allow me the most room under the fenders without messing around to much with the offsets.

What I great offer though, Thanks again

There are no Fuchs or Cookie cutters that will fit under the stock fenders with adapters (on the rear) You will need later offset wheels like '87 and newer 944 wheels or anything newer like the Boxster as long as it is a 7" or narrower with an offset in the 50mm range.

Your normal 7" wide Fuchs will have a 23mm offset which is not enough for use with an adapter.

Mueller, what are your thoughts on the 2 piece adapters that adapt 4 to 5 lug? I have always thought some 19" 18" corvette z06 wheels would look awesome on my car, I just don't have much faith in those 2 piece adapters.

Even more hardware to loosen up or forget to tighten? No thanks, I am sure they work and can be used with 0 failure.

One thing to think about , if you take your car to a shop for new tires many shops refuse to replace tires on vehicles with spacers or adapters. It would suck to have your car up on the lift with no wheels on it and the shop not willing to re-install your rims and tires.

[zach914v8]

I get your point, I never really thought about that. I have always worked at a shop with a tire machine so I have always done it myself.

Now that I do think about it, if I had a customer come in with adapters I would probably turn them away as well. Too much liability to take on.

[Joe Bob]

Some people use the term adapter and spacer interchangeably. They are wrong as spacers will slip over existing studs. The early 930 did this from the factory.

As to options, I would and have done the drilled option on the rear and swapped out the stock 914 front end for a 3.5 inch caliper spaced 911 one. You CAN you the earlier ones but you are limited to to early calipers unless you do some fancy work to the caliper mounting points, like filling and re-drilling.

The downside is having to replace the rear wheel bearings. Once you push out the hub they are destroyed.

Remember to toss the new bearings in the freezer overnight prior to slipping them into the swing arm and pushing in the refurbished hubs with studs......

[Mueller]

Some people use the term adapter and spacer interchangeably. They are wrong as spacers will slip over existing studs. The early 930 did this from the factory.

As to options, I would and have done the drilled option on the rear and swapped out the stock 914 front end for a 3.5 inch caliper spaced 911 one. You CAN you the earlier ones but you are limited to to early calipers unless you do some fancy work to the caliper mounting points, like filling and re-drilling.

The downside is having to replace the rear wheel bearings. Once you push out the hub they are destroyed.

Remember to toss the new bearings in the freezer overnight prior to slipping them into the swing arm and pushing in the refurbished hubs with studs......

Local Americas Tire won't change a tire on a car with those slide on spacers, or at least last time my mother-in-law went there. Her car only had a 1/8" spacer for brake caliper clearance and they wouldn't service the car. She had to take it to another shop.

[Joe Bob]

I never take a car to a shop for wheel change, I take the wheel in myself. I don't trust those monkeys to not crush my oil lines or to properly snug down the lug nuts.

As to arbitrarily not working on cars with spacers? They are ignorant monkeys.....kinda like Mustang owners.