Narrowing magnesium wheels?

Hi Tillman,

I had the 360 rears narrowed to 9 by these guys http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/

Their business is repairing, increasing and decreasing rim widths. I believe the 360s are aluminum alloy and made by BBS. Check them out. I know of one or two other fchatters that have used them and been happy - don't know if they do mag.

Here is a shot of the inside of the narrowed rim.

If you have to run spacers on the front, it can be a real pain to balance the spacer on the disc, position the wheel and not knock off the spacer or get it out of position while holding it all together to get the first bolt in, so, i had a local machinist bore a larger hole partially through the spacer so that an allen bolt and washer could be used to retain the spacer and disc, instead of the pointed stock bolt. see photo.

all for now,
chris
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So what do yah have so far? Four of 7.5 and two 10.5?

 

Did you get a quote on how much to narrow them yet?

I think you want the 9" in the back, if i'm not mistaking. Nothing wrong with going the same #'s all around, but i think you will be happy if you got them narrowed. It's going to look sweet. 7.5 fronts and 9 in the back.

OH YES.

You have seen mine. I'm happy with the way i went. Cost a few bucks. But hey, that's life in the fast lane.

 

Well, get the poll going so i can vote on it.

 

You won't find too many folks out there qualified (or certified) to weld or machine magnesium these days. You may be able to find someone from the aircraft / aerospace industry who is willing to do it ---- but, odds are they will not ever have done wheels before, so you'll have to hold their hand alot ---- and, you'll pay serious coin for the privilege.

 

Hi Tillman,

If you are tracking the car or are a serious, hard driving enthusiast, I would concurr with the pizza dude, go for wider rears. If you are uncomfortable with cutting and welding magnesium, or see a less strenuous use envisioned for the car, go with the 7.5s front and rear. I know a few posters are uneasy with welded wheels but i wanted the diameter, (for the brakes and availability of GOOD street rubber), while staying with a Ferrari wheel, (and one that i liked the looks of).

Or go with the funky old aluminum 360s

Please keep us posted as to what Weldcraft has to say, or not say.
regards,
chris

 

If you do try to narrow them, please be sure to drive BEHIND me during our next rally. I wouldn't trust a wheel like that over 30 mph, but that's just me.

 

If the people know what they are doing then there is no problem with the wheel integraity. You see this at the track a lot and there are also 2 and 3 piece wheels that are welded up. Common practice done in the hot rod industry for years. Make them wider or narrower just weld and grind and if you want x-ray them.

 

I would certainly hope so...!! as non-annealed wrought or cast mag is pretty damn soft. Place a call to whomever made them originally to confirm the precise heat treatment (there are many different processes / temperatures used for magnesium) they used.