[Seltzer]

I have been tracking e-bay, Rennlist, and others since Winter looking for a decent set of 16x7s and 8s to use as track wheels (DE only) at a realtively decent price. While my preferance is for original Porsche Fuchs, I continually see ads for aftermarket Fuchs wheels.

What is the story on the after-market wheels? My main concern is are they as reliable as I assume Porsche wheels are? Given that on the track, your wheels play a fairly important role in keeping your car on the track, I would rather not be penny-wise and crashed.

[cmartin]

skip the cast copies

[Gator_86_951]

Well I don't think the wheels are going to explode on you or anything. But, they may not be forged. My fuchs are forged. I purloined them from my dad's 930. That can make a big difference because once you bend a cheap wheel you basically have to throw it out. Also, if they are steel, they are going to be heavy, which is not what you want. You want low unsprung weight.

Can you post a link to these wheels you are looking at? A quick google search didn't yield me anything.

[markwemple]

If they aren't TUV approved, I wouldn't do it. I remember about 15 years ago a bunch of guys had some of the cheap look a likes and they came apart at speed. Not pretty.

[Trak Ratt]

They look just like the real thing but are cast instead of forged. The edges of the peddles are a little different but hard to tell if not side by side. But because they have the same dimensions, only cast, they aren’t anywhere near as strong. I’ve seen pictures of some that reportedly had broken during street usage.

[Gator_86_951]

I stand corrected. I guess they can explode.

[Seltzer]

Thanks......that what I suspected. Had a good bid going on e-bay but after being named the high bidder the seller posted additional info saying he was sorry but they were 6s and 7s and not 7s and 8s. Fortunately e-bay allowed me to recind my bid.

I thought about trying 9s on back of my '87 Targa but have been advised that they probably would not fit (any advice?). I want to make sure what ever I get does fit and there are no issues in a DE environment vs. a street evnironment.

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Seltzer

I thought about trying 9s on back of my '87 Targa but have been advised that they probably would not fit (any advice?). I want to make sure what ever I get does fit and there are no issues in a DE environment vs. a street evnironment.

Work great, look great on SCs or Carreras I run 245-16 tyres on 9s

[jvreed]

Pelican BBS alwasy has people selling fuchs and fakes for that matter

[Don Wohlfarth]

Originally Posted by markwemple

If they aren't TUV approved, I wouldn't do it. I remember about 15 years ago a bunch of guys had some of the cheap look a likes and they came apart at speed. Not pretty.

I can only agree with about 10% of what Mark posts and this is one that I agree with.
I've seen 3 or 4 fuch look a likes fail. Several years ago the chief driving instructor had one fail at a autocross. All the spokes broke, the hub stayed on the axle with all the lugnuts in place while the rim and tire continued down the course.
If you are going to run track events I would not use cast wheels. On the street they may be OK.