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+1 or +2 wheels on Spridget

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ncbugeye

ncbugeye

Jedi Warrior
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Has anyone considered or actually done the unthinkable and done the "inch-up" trick, and fitted larger wheels with low-profile tyres to a Spridget, in my case a Bugeye?

So when upgrading from the standard 13x4 steel wheels with factory correct 145SR13 Michelin SP4 tyres to, say Minilites, instead of the "correct" option of 13x5 wheels and 175x70R13 tyres, fit either:
<ul>[*]14x5 wheels and 185x60R14 tyres (Plus one option)[*]15x5 wheels and 195x50R15 tyres (Plus two option)[/list]

In either case the outside diameter of the wheel and tyre remains almost exactly the same as standard, give or take a tenth of an inch.

Is this sacrilege? Unacceptable? Will I be booted off the forum for eternity?

Would either of these options, or any other similar option, actually work? Would it foul the wheel arch or the mechanicals in some way? I would expect the racing gurus would have done it if anyone... Hap? aeronca65t? ChrisS?
 
I have another car I would like to do this on. My wife drives a little ford festiva and it has 12 inch tires. 12s are hard to find and when you can find them they are not of good quality and don't last long. I would love to go up to 13s but I don't know what wheels/tires will fit. The little 12 inch factory mags look good but I hate hunting tires.
 
I wrestled with this issue for yrs. Several yrs ago Moss had two publications listing original tire sizes and modern tire sizes. The original tire was almost the same heighth as the 14/185/60. Finally, Kent Prather had wheels built by Circle(they've been bought and the name has changed) that have a different offset for the front and the back. This way, all the tire is under the wheel well and with no rubbing. One thing you have to think about if you use any taller rim, is that with the smaller tire you lose some cusion. I don't think the bugeyes suspention can handle it. I have a friend with the thin rubber on a modern car and it rides rufffff. I love the look and the ride on my bugeye. But, it isn't stock and some don't the look.
 
I know 17" VW wheels fit on a Sprite.
The tires those wheels had on them did rub but we only pushed the car a few blocks down the street.
So yes it works but you do have to pick and choose carefully.
 
spritenut said:
I know 17" VW wheels fit on a Sprite.
The tires those wheels had on them did rub but we only pushed the car a few blocks down the street.
So yes it works but you do have to pick and choose carefully.
Click to expand...
No pictures of El Spridget /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
 
Spridgets have a 4" PCD and 20mm offset. Most import cars use a 100mm PCD and 40-45mm offest. 4" = 101.6mm. You CAN bolt 100mm PCD wheels to 4" applications. But, it isn't really a good idea.

The good news is the 25mm difference in offset allows use of 1" thick spacer/adapters.

For obvious reasons, you can fit wider rear tires on a RWA car.
 
Oh before I forget Frank said that VW Jeta 13 inch spares, the donut ones work great on Bugeyes.
 
You mean the little diddly ones that say max 50mph on them that you see folks driving with them on at 85 on the Interstate?

So that would mean I wouldn't have to carry a full-size steel 5th ... ?

Off to my VW dealer asap.
 
That's what Frank was telling me. I thought I would check a few junk yards.
 
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