IRS in VS Speedster

Does anyone have an IRS pan in there Classic body VS Speedster? If so, why is Kirk limiting the wheel size to 4.5" width? Anyone been able to put wider tires in there IRS equipped machine? I want to have 195 rear 185 front.

(Message Edited 10/5/2002 8:24:38 PM)

Eric,

The rear track on an IRS pan will only allow 4.5" rims because of the offset- 5.5" rims add the extra inch on the outside of the rim, not the inside. If you want more width, there are posts from guys who either had rims widened, or found a source with more rim width inboard of the hub. I've got the 4.5"s w/ a 185/65 tire, and it just barely fits- but fit it does.

I own a swing axle hot bug(62). It handles great, due to the sway bars, gas shocks and tires. I run 185 on rear 5.5 rims and 165 on front on 4.5 rims. Is the IRS worth the loss of tire width? I can't believe stuffing a 185 tire on 4.5 rim with IRS will give me a better handling car than my suspension/wheel/tire combo on my beetle. Any ideas?

I have a CMC w/IRS. AHMEN to the wheel offset problem. Solved mine by getting rear Spyder wheels from Beck - the Spyder maker guy. They are 5 or 5.5 (don't remember- whatever is standard) not 4.5's. The clearance is such that I'm running 195's with room to spare, could go to 205's and be back ~where I was with the orig.165's w/ respect to fender clearance on the rear. These wheels won't fit the front - clearance probs. - need standard offset there.
HTH
Bill

Thank you Bill.

I guess I need to find a vender who can supply wide five wheels with the correct offset.

I really want to have the IRS tranny. I just want to be sure I can put the right tires on my speedster before I place the order.

If anyone knows the specific offset needed let me know.

(Message Edited 10/6/2002 6:42:03 PM)

Eirc,
Forgot to say the wheels are Mangle (sp?). They look Identical to the ones normally used on Speedsters, but the rim is offset to the inside of the wheel center. Really pretty hard to tell without a close look.

The other solution is wheel spacers. Move the rims out a little. You could just get longer wheel studs pressed in and use wheel spacers as found in Stoddards or Perfectmotion. Wider wheel base helps a little.

Jack,
I believe the problem is the axles are too long on the IRS, not too short.

Bill,
Thanks. It looks like I can order the positive offset wheels right from Becks web site. The only problem is I wanted to order my VS with wide five wheels. Beck sells the chrome 4 lug wheels.

I'm still looking for a positive offset wide five wheel. If anyone knows someone who can modify the wheels for me, I would appreciate the advice.

I may just go for the 4 bolt. The 4 bolt wheel is less susceptible to overtorque twist (rim and drum warp). Just less authentic look.

(Message Edited 10/8/2002 8:45:02 PM)

Maybe go to the drum and rotor blanks and have them redrilled to the wide five pattern? Or, if you are willing to switch wheels, you could find a set of wheels with the right offset... Porsche 911 wheels have positive offset. I can't tell you how much, but that would be easy to measure. Have the blanks drilled to fit the wheels you like... maybe some late model 5 spoke bullet wheels!