[DeTomaso] Fw: FOR Sale Rant

[Will Demelo]

Julian K went with 4 5/8 F and 4 3/4 R with 10" F and 13"R rims. This 
happens to be exactly what Larry Stock states as factory.
Byers states that their 4.5" and 6.5" backspacing measurements are factory 
because his wheel manufacturer uses  orig wheels as templates.
Who's on first?
Will
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tomas Gunnarsson" <guson at home.se>
To: <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] FOR Sale Rant


> Will,
>
> I'm not particularly fond of using backspacing for specifying rims. I like 
> offset combined with rim and tire width better. Anyway, as you're doing a 
> Gr4 conversion the basic idea must be to replicate fender flares that 
> cover GT5 sized wheels. Starting at the rear, the GT5 rims are 3" wider 
> than the 10" GTS rims. The 345 tires are 60 mm or about 2.5" wider than 
> the 285s which means the outer edge of the 13" wheel is about 3" further 
> out than the 10". The GT5 and GTS wheels have similar but not identical 
> back
> spacing, it's as simple as a question of not hitting the lower A-arm 
> mounts. Up front the deal is similar. Rims are 2" wider with similar 
> backspacing, tire is again 60 mm wider so outside of wheel should be about 
> 2.5" further out. Kjetil Finne converted his narrow body with Gr4 flares 
> and retained his old 17" wheels for narrow body. Up front he built new 
> A-arms to move the wheels out and at the rear he uses monstrous spacers, 
> IIRC more than 4", to get the right look. Someone with a GT5 maybe has the 
> offset
> numbers available? They're stamped on the wheels. If you're going to use 
> larger wheels than 15" diameter you'll be running into other clearance 
> issues as the OD of the wheels will likely go up. You'll have to choose 
> whether to retain the position of the wheel in the wheel well or the 
> ground clearance.
>
> Tomas
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Will Demelo" <wdemelo at cogeco.ca>
> To: <detomaso at realbig.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 3:56 PM
> Subject: [DeTomaso] FOR Sale Rant
>
>
>>I appologise for last weeks post with the expletives.
>> I am trying to convert my car to GR4. The fibreglass flares are going to 
>> be riveted on, just as from the factory.
>> I ordered wheels from a vendor last fall and the agreed upon price was 
>> not charged to my card. Apparently there was more machining involved. 
>> After waiting 3-4 months, I gave up and cancelled the order. The wheels 
>> had not beed started yet (confirmed by Kodiak). I had to threaten credit 
>> card fraud to get my money back.
>> I recently placed another order to another vendor. I was told that they 
>> had converted many cars. I mounted the flares on my car using clamps and 
>> took measurements to the hub surface.
>> After requesting the backspace measurements 3 times, I was finally told 
>> 4.5"F and 6.5"R.
>> The reproduction Campys I have on my car now, with stock narrow body, 
>> have a 6.25" backspacing. Now I'm no math major, but how are new wheels, 
>> with almost the same backspacing be correct after I extend the flares 
>> outward about 4"??
>> I was told by the vendor that I was doing things backwards. I should get 
>> the wheels and then modify the flares to accomodate. I don't agree with 
>> this. There is zero movement with my flares. They have to meet front and 
>> rear body lines and then the upper portion gets pushed to meet the body.
>> I don't inderstand how I can't mount my flares to the body, take 
>> measurements and order wheels with custom offsets.
>> Ron L has just spent $5500 on GR4  wheels from a vendor and he requires 
>> 1" spacers in the rear. I know of another fellow with a factory GT5 and 
>> the GR4 wheels he ordered with "factory" specs required 1 1/2" spacers in 
>> the rear and 3/4 in the front.
>> I'll be damned if I am going to spend uwards of $5k to then have to 
>> replace studs and install spacers.
>> I try my best to send all info and communicate to only have vendors ship 
>> me parts, at my expense.
>> Will
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