4 3/8” backset wheels | 356 Speedster, 550 Spyder, Replica, Automotive Community

cruzpch Supporting Member

My car came with a nice set of wide five wheels — but with a big 4 3/8” backset. This tucked them in so tightly the tires rubbed on INSIDE occasionally after I lowered the car. I also thought they looked a little weirdly shallow.
I put together a replacement set of 4.5 x 15 Mangels — with the “correct” 3 3/4” backspace and I’m ready to swap the tires on. I’ll be selling the set that came on the car but I’m wondering: with all this backspace, what were they designed for?

Attachments

Hide

Images (4)

12/27/246:02 PM

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

DannyP

4.5" wheels with extra backspace are PERFECT for the front on 550 Spyders with wider front disc brake options.

If the wheels sat inboard too much, you could simply have used spacers between the wheels and drum/rotor mounting face.

12/28/2410:40 AM

cruzpch Supporting Member

I did. I used inch spacers to eliminate the occasional inboard rubbing. Now I’m working on eliminating the overall “shallow “ look of the wheels.

Thanks for the 550 Spyder tip.

12/28/242:23 PM

WOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member

I hate adapters as they are often unsafe. But they could be used to convert, say, a 4-bolt to a wide five. They would add a 1/2 per side. Dropping front spindles for front or rear disc brakes would increase "track" a 1/2, too.

12/29/249:58 AM

DannyP

Greg, @cruzpch already HAS wide5s. He doesn't need to convert his bolt pattern.

I would never recommend an adapter. Spacers yes, adapter: no thanks.

However, that particular pictured item makes a wonderful wheel balance adapter.

12/29/242:46 PM

WOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member

I thought he bought new ones and was wondering who/how the old ones could be used?

12/29/243:40 PM

Add Reply

Sign In To Reply

<div id="{%=id%}" class="reveal-modal small h-alert-modal-popup" data-reveal>
    <div class="first-modal-focus focus-utility-element" tabindex="0" aria-label="Inside Modal"></div>

<h4 id="{%=id%}_title" class="margin-bottom-10 popup-title"></h4>
    <div id="{%=id%}_body" class="margin-bottom-10 popup-body">
        </div>

<ul id="{%=id%}ButtonGroup" class="button-group h-popup-buttons even-button-group even-1">
    <li id="{%=id%}Okay_buttonContainer"><a id="{%=id%}Okay" href="javascript:void(0);" class="button success no-margin-bottom h-alert-modal-ok-button" role="button">OK</a><script type="text/javascript">
        (function() {
            function {%=id%}Okay_click(event, data) {
            {%=id%}Popup.hide();
        }
        
                $('#{%=id%}Okay').on('click', {%=id%}Okay_click);
        })();
    </script></li></ul><a href="javascript:void(0);" class="close-reveal-modal" aria-label="Close Modal">&#215;</a><div class="last-modal-focus focus-utility-element" tabindex="0"></div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
        (function() {
            {%=id%}Popup = new SS.Popup.ModalPopup('{%=id%}');
        })();
    </script>