TheSamba.com :: View topic - Empi 5-spoke Knock-off question

Tue Mar 18, 2003 11:42 am

I keep seeing these polished Empi 5 spoke look alikes by American Wheel that look pretty cool and have the correct 5 bolt pattern. Any experience with them out there? Offset the same? Should I be able to use them on my lowered bus (3" only...not slammed) without narrowing beam if I use a 185 or 195 tire width? Any comments are appreciated.

Doug

Tue Mar 18, 2003 12:03 pm

i got them on mine..i think you are talking about these. snug in the rear with the lowering kit but i am using 68 beetle brakes. lowered with narrowed/adj beam and drop spindles in front. fit pretty good..may go to brm or the new randars when they come out..

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/68116.jpg

Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:39 pm

Those look sharp. My heart goes out to your driver door.

Did you have to narrow the beam due to rubbing to use these rims? That may be a factor in deciding on rims.

Thanks 66

Doug

Wed Mar 19, 2003 9:15 am

hey doug...i got a donor door. just not blasted yet...yeah she look ugly right now. No, the rims were fine in front. Unfortunately in those photos i have the 145s in front and 185s in the rear for a bug setup but i will sell those at the springmeet as there are almost no miles on them. If you ran a narrow or a low pro tire you wouldn't have any probs in the front.

Wed Mar 19, 2003 11:49 am

rick, if you decide to sell those 5-spokes when you upgrade let me know, I'll be looking for a set in a couple months (for SAC-BOR)

Wed Mar 19, 2003 12:56 pm

no prob Erik! just waitin on the new randars...i haven't even drivin with em on yet...tow here tow there...

Wed Mar 19, 2003 2:42 pm

So you think standard beam with those rims wouldn't work with say...185/65/15 tires? I have about 5-6" right now from the top of tire to the wheel well so I don't think the aspect ratio of tire will come into play as much as the width of tire. I think I rather narrow the beam if I can't stick 185 or 195 widths in there. Let me know your thoughts please.

Thanks
Doug

Wed Mar 19, 2003 3:53 pm

its not so much the wheel well as the turning radius with the tall aspect tires. You may get away with 185 front...you may rub on the outside lip of the wheel well...you could always go with the 14"s stock wheels and paint match them to your project..sounds like we are about the same way into our resto-customs..lol...i am hoping to go to bags depending on OD's mounts..i am not cuttin the frame on a bus..