Changing a wheel stud pattern - possible?
Discussion
I have been trying to find some replacement alloy wheels for my 1991 Honda NSX and it is a nightmare. Suffice to say I have had to become an expert on staggers, potential handling traits, wheel weights, offsets and wheel/tire ratios! 
I've finally found a wheel that I think would really suit the car, all the dimensions are correct except the stud pattern. The wheels are 5x112 and my studs are 5x114.3
If anyone has any suggestions as to how to convert my car to fit the wheels they'll be saving me around a grand and three months waiting for a parcel to arrive. Thanks in advance.
Bragging rights to the first person to guess the donor of the wheel
I've finally found a wheel that I think would really suit the car, all the dimensions are correct except the stud pattern. The wheels are 5x112 and my studs are 5x114.3
If anyone has any suggestions as to how to convert my car to fit the wheels they'll be saving me around a grand and three months waiting for a parcel to arrive. Thanks in advance.
Bragging rights to the first person to guess the donor of the wheel
You could commission some adapter plates that bolt onto the current hub.
Just like Caterham did when they used Triumph front hubs infront of a Ford rear axle.
But it would probably cost you a fair dollup of cash and the plates act as a big spacer that can bugger up your offset and load the wheel bearings.
You also need to make sure they are properly balanced and take into account the extra unsprung weight.
Just like Caterham did when they used Triumph front hubs infront of a Ford rear axle.
But it would probably cost you a fair dollup of cash and the plates act as a big spacer that can bugger up your offset and load the wheel bearings.
You also need to make sure they are properly balanced and take into account the extra unsprung weight.
Pat H said:
How's about saving yourself a pocket full of cash and keeping the originality to boot?
Get them painted a dark anthracite?
Or white, if you are brave?
It is amazing what you can do with the original wheels.
My car currently looks like thisGet them painted a dark anthracite?
Or white, if you are brave?
It is amazing what you can do with the original wheels.
I am not adverse to a little experimentation, but I'm not sure painting them white is the answer.
These are my other ideas although they all cost 5 times as much as the Merc option
Which do you like?
Any other ideas for OEM wheels from other manufacturers?
Edited by sassthathoopie on Thursday 23 October 21:27
You dont wanna mess with wheel dimensions on a sublime handling car like an nsx! my friend bought a 1997 one with 17 inch azev A 5 spokes , quality wheel, but it drove horribly. front end wandered and shimmied...tried lots of geometry changes etc, no avail...
got some 2nd hand 16 inch oem ones and it drove beautifully again!
Be careful!
got some 2nd hand 16 inch oem ones and it drove beautifully again!
Be careful!
s3fella said:
You dont wanna mess with wheel dimensions on a sublime handling car like an nsx! my friend bought a 1997 one with 17 inch azev A 5 spokes , quality wheel, but it drove horribly. front end wandered and shimmied...tried lots of geometry changes etc, no avail...
got some 2nd hand 16 inch oem ones and it drove beautifully again!
Be careful!
That why I've spent hours doing my homework! I am staying very closely to the specs for the 2002+ OEM wheels ie 17x7 17x9 with similar weights and offsets, and not wacking on a random 18/19 combo like our American cousins favour. This way I ought to get more modern looks, a little extra grip and avoid spoiling the sublime ride/handling balance. It's not easy though! got some 2nd hand 16 inch oem ones and it drove beautifully again!
Be careful!
sassthathoopie said:
Wouldn't that reduce the strength of the hub?
No,not at all.I have ally hubs on my capri,they are basically a tubular holder for the bearing with four `petals` sticking out at one end,one for each stud.
these are made for race/rally mk1-2 escorts,if they can take that sort of stick the cast iron ones on your car will be more than up to the job.
not forgetting when the disc is fitted to the front of the hub it will also need drilling.
BTW some merc hubs are drilled in this fashion from stock.
sassthathoopie said:
I have been trying to find some replacement alloy wheels for my 1991 Honda NSX and it is a nightmare. Suffice to say I have had to become an expert on staggers, potential handling traits, wheel weights, offsets and wheel/tire ratios!
I've finally found a wheel that I think would really suit the car, all the dimensions are correct except the stud pattern. The wheels are 5x112 and my studs are 5x114.3
If anyone has any suggestions as to how to convert my car to fit the wheels they'll be saving me around a grand and three months waiting for a parcel to arrive. Thanks in advance.
Bragging rights to the first person to guess the donor of the wheel
How much £££ are you willing to spend??I've finally found a wheel that I think would really suit the car, all the dimensions are correct except the stud pattern. The wheels are 5x112 and my studs are 5x114.3
If anyone has any suggestions as to how to convert my car to fit the wheels they'll be saving me around a grand and three months waiting for a parcel to arrive. Thanks in advance.
Bragging rights to the first person to guess the donor of the wheel
Some places will make wheels to fit, just tell them the specs and their CNC machine will cut the alloy.
dickkark said:
sassthathoopie said:
Wouldn't that reduce the strength of the hub?
No,not at all.I have ally hubs on my capri,they are basically a tubular holder for the bearing with four `petals` sticking out at one end,one for each stud.
these are made for race/rally mk1-2 escorts,if they can take that sort of stick the cast iron ones on your car will be more than up to the job.
not forgetting when the disc is fitted to the front of the hub it will also need drilling.
BTW some merc hubs are drilled in this fashion from stock.
I've found two more OEM options, both Honda so this time with the right stud pattern!
Unfortunately they have large offsets (even bigger than my current wheels!)
I've used an online offset calculator and it predicts that the front wheels will 6mm closer on the inside, and the rears 11mm closer on the inside. Will I be able to get around this by using the narrowest spacers I can get away with? I know the fronts are quite tight to the callipers but there is a little more room at the back.
Do you think I'll need longer studs? Is this safe for a car that will do 165mph and was built out of aluminium with fine tolerances?
Many thanks for your ongoing contributions
Unfortunately they have large offsets (even bigger than my current wheels!)
I've used an online offset calculator and it predicts that the front wheels will 6mm closer on the inside, and the rears 11mm closer on the inside. Will I be able to get around this by using the narrowest spacers I can get away with? I know the fronts are quite tight to the callipers but there is a little more room at the back.
Do you think I'll need longer studs? Is this safe for a car that will do 165mph and was built out of aluminium with fine tolerances?
Many thanks for your ongoing contributions
Edited by sassthathoopie on Friday 24th October 19:42
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff