195/60R-15 on a KG

[51577]

I'm sure this gets asked all the time, but can I fit 5.5" EMPI 8 spoke wheels with 195/60R-15 tires under my stockish '73 Ghia? It looks to be a perfect bolt-up for Bugs (Hot VW's Totally tech issue from a few years ago did it). I have about 2" between the top of the tires and the fender lip at all four corners, but will rubbing be an issue when I turn? Below are pictures of the stock tires (ugly as hell) in the fender wells for reference.

Drivers Front

Passengers Front

Passengers Rear

Drivers Rear

[vujade]

185/65/15 would probably be a better fit. They are about the exact
same height as a 195/60/15, but a 1/2" narrower.

Its going to be a tight fit regardless of what size tire you use seeing
as Aftermarket Empi's dont have the best offset
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[51577]

Is there a wheel with better offset but similar looks?

[58lolight]

I have 195/60s on the rear of my 58 Ghia but had to shave my rear wheel arches to fit. I have 185/60s on the front and have no issues. I am running BRMs on my car and I think they have a better offset than 8 spokes.

[Cohibra45]

I'm running original Porsche 2.0 914 Fuchs with 195/60/15 Goodyear Triple Tread. They have around a 40mm offset and have 1/2" clearance between sidewall and rear fenders. The offset is what makes the difference.

Good luck,

Kelly

[hpw]

[Cohibra45]

No pictures of my car (1970 vert), but the person I bought them off of has some here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/129696189DjGtNy?start=12

Check out his customers Ghia and other cars.

Take care and good luck,

Kelly

BTW, here is his website: http://www.magrowheels.com/

[agquarters]

Would it be possible to use spacers in order to change the offset of the empi wheels?

[hpw]

[Cohibra45]

The bottom line:

If you use Empi 8 spokes, you will be very limited in what tire size you can use. Most people find that the 165 is the most that the rears will fit on a Ghia. That is why most are frustrated and keep trying to fit the proverbial round peg in a square hole...

That is why I went with the Porsche 2.0 Fuchs. Even the Eagle replica Fuchs are not as much offset as the original Porsche wheels. Why do you think that Porsche/VW used these? The amount of offset is the limiting determiner for wheel choice. I guess you could cut down the torsion bars and shorten the trailing arms, but I think it would be easier to just buy the right wheels the first time!!!

Check out this site for '8' spoke wheels: http://www.minilitewheels.us/
You might even get the right offset you will need.

If you look under the rear wheel well of a Ghia, there seems to be a lot of room for a much larger tire than 165 and there is. You just have to find the right wheel backspacing...Just be careful and I am sure you will end up with what you want.

Also, check out these wheels: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2555661&highlight=#2555661

I really like these, but they are extremely hard to find!!!

Here is where I purchased my wheels. http://www.magrowheels.com/ He is very good and has a ton of photos of customers cars with his wheels.

I think realistically that 205 is the largest most will be able to fit under the rear of a Ghia. I have seen 215 and know that one or two have shoe horned 225 but that is with special wheels and other mods.

Good luck and take care;

Kelly