Please check my wheel math..and my physics?

[Blitzboy54]

Like a lot of you know 2 of the most difficult decisions when building one of these cars is Paint and Wheels. I have the first figured out for the most part but have been struggling to find the wheels I want. The current leader in the club house is Forgestar F14's. They are becoming more common but they check a lot of boxes. I have searched the interwebs high and low and have come close on some other options but these fit the bill the best. The good news is they can be customized (simply request the specs that FFR uses for their 18 inch Hailbrand and Bob is your uncle). I am going with 18's

Front Wheel Backspace: 6.00" (24mm Offset)
Rear Wheel Backspace: 6.46" (12mm Offset)

I got a quote from them. for custom wheels that match the bolt pattern and backspacing they are roughly $2,200 plus tax. As it turns out through using this really awesome fitment tool I found online ( https://jr-wheels.com/et-calculator ) I have also figured out that if I purchase 18X9 and 18X11 in their over the counter offering I can spend $1,570 plus tax.

Here is the rub, on the front the backspacing is off by 1/2 inch. This is easily solved with a spacer. The rears are a little more complicated. The backspace is way off by 1 1/2 inches AND the bolt patter doesn't match, BUT if I install a 1 1/2 thick hub adaptor everything lines up the same and lines the bolts up.

So my question to the collective wisdom of the board. Is this route worth saving $600. The wheels end up where they belong but is there something I missing with the spacer or adaptor that I do not know because I have never done this before?

Your feedback is appreciated.

[rich grsc]

Short answer is NO, not worth the savings

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'd spend 600 bucks before I'd cheese it up with adapters/spacers. Beyond that what will you have to spend for said adapters and spacers? In the end you're probably talking a whole lot less than $600 to just do it right from the get go.

Jeff

[Blitzboy54]

That's what I needed to hear. I have been so far down the wheel rabbit hole the last week I'm getting loopy. It's crazy how many wheel options are ALMOST right but not quite.


Thanks boys

[gbranham]

Totally agree with everyone else. Spend the extra $600.

[RoadRacer]

I've bought two very cheap sets of wheels - and thick spacers - to adapt to a porsche pattern on one set and a viper 6-lug on another set.

It's a PITA, so only worth it when you save a bunch of money. Even then, you'll be cussing choosing the spacer option forever afterwards :D

[cv2065]

Never use spacers if you can help it. Sounds like you can help it with $600. :cool:

[Blitzboy54]

You guys are all entirely correct. I guess I needed to say it out loud before realizing how stupid an idea it was.

[CraigS]

I don't think it is a stupid idea. For street driving and using high quality spacers like Eibach or similar, it will work. I'd limit myself to a tire like a 555g2 or similar. No drag radials or 100-200TW autocross tires. OTOH I wouldn't do it myself because I don't like to have restrictions especially in tires.