I have a set of 3 piece wheels that are 18x8 ET14.5 (~5.25" backspace)... Currently they are running a 6" inner barrel, .25" crush spacer, and 1.75" lips. If I am reading the ET/Backspace charts correct, If I go with a 2.75" lip, it will make my wheels 18x9 with 5" backspace. I would like to go with 3.25" lips so I can run 18x9.5, but is it going to make the wheel stick out?

The chart has be a bit confused. Basically 8" wide with ET14.5 has ~5.25" backspace. If I go with a 1" wider lip, the backspace doesn't change, so I am a bit confused.

I don't want to replace the lips and barrels as it is too pricey, so I am either replacing lips OR barrels. What are my options?

 

Changing the outside barrel won't change the backspacing, but it changes the offset.

 

What offset can I run on my thirdgen? Can I get away with a -6 offset? Or am I pushing it? I am not a fan of wheels sticking out.

Basically I can only go 1" wider lips to achieve a 0 offset.

 

I'm coming up with 5.2" of backspacing, so yeah pretty close. I think 1.25" lips would be about right if you can buy 1/4" increments.

Up front you can probably get by with wider if you plan on running lots of camber. Something to keep in mind is camber will tuck in the top of the tire in the front. With struts up front 2.5-3 degrees wouldn't be out the ordinary for autocross or trackdays.

However, just because you can fit it the added scrub radius will tramline worse and can cause some other handling issues.

Just curious, where are you sourcing the lips and what are they running you? I've seen shelby series 1 wheels go for relatively cheap, but I had thought speedline went bankrupt and figured custom made parts would be too pricey to make it worthwhile.

 

Stock on these wheels is a 1.75" lip, and with my math, to get a 0 offset, I could run 2.75" lips, which I ordered 4 of... so I am only going 1" wider on the lips. They only offer them in .5" increments. If you search for Speedline Lips, you will find a company in Denmark who makes them. I'm currently in England, so shipping wasn't too bad for me.

 

Sorry, I meant +1.25 wider lips, so 3" lips. That place, http://www.felgenfuchs.de/ looks pretty reasonable on prices, especially with the current exchange rates. CCW used to be $150 a part, but now they're nearly double at $275/each. Fikse was even higher though I think at ~$300 each.