narrow beams and turning

[rip]

I want to get my street bug to handle a bit better, so figured the best place to start is the first thing that touches the road, the tires. I want to get some traction and have a good foot print. So I read a bit, and found that with a little work I could fit 7 inch rims on the bug. It's a 1970 std. Figured also should reduce the tire side wall a little to. So I want either 16 or 17's.

But looking over some of the posts about turning, wider tires, and narrowed beams, people have said that a benefit with using a narrowed beam is that with:

-wider tires + stock beam decrease turning

while

-wider tires + narrowed beam increase/stock like turning

This info was in a post about narrowing beam versus wider fenders. Anyways do I got this right? I figured that narrow beams decrease turning and wider tires also decrease turning. Or is it because with the narrowed beam you are now able to fit spacers between the hub and the rim

-to increase/regain track
-to add clearance between lower trailing arm

Thus no longer having to change the steering stops because of clearance issuses? And decreasing the turning radius?

So my main question is this right? That simply using a narrowed beam will not make turning better with wider tires but rather the spacers you can now fit help retain a stock like turning radius and still run wider tires? That you need some sort of combo of rims offset, beam, and spacers?

If I got this right please let me know.

thanks for the help.
Rip

[vujade]

the reason you want to use a narrow beam to keep your turning radius stock is that Porsche Brakes, Dropped Spindles and most rims widen your track width, which increases your turning radius and makes it more difficult to turn (no power steering).

By narrowing the beam say 2 to 3 inches you are able to offset the increases made by your modifications.

Dropped Spindles widen your track 1/4" per side or 1/2" total
Disk Brakes widen your track min 1/4" per side or min 1/2" total (sometimes 1")
17 x 7" rims widen your track min 1" per side or min 2" total (sometimes more, depending on rim offset)

[rip]

so narrowing the front helps with making it easier to turn? I thought if you narrowed the front beam you lose the ability to turn. Isn't that what most cal look guys complain about when narrowing the beam?

thanks for the help
Rip

[vujade]

the reason the cal look guys complain is because there are narrowing the beam and then using 4.5" wide rims, so they are completely changing the front track width.

When we narrow the beam we are usually keeping the turning radius the same by using Porsche brakes and 7" wide wheels or even wider.

Its just not the same

[rip]

cool so how much do we loose/gain by using a narrowed beam and 7 inch wider rims?

Say something like a 3" narrowed beam and the 7's, still be close to stock or do we still lose a bit of the turn? Wouldn't mind setting up the bug for really good handling, sort of like autoX but not on the extreme side of it, rather just really good street. Can I make U turns like the stock bug? Would I be a little further out (foot or so), or am I stuck now making a 3 point turn?

thanks
Rip

[vujade]

it all depends on the offset of the rims. tell me what rims you are using and what the offset is and I can help you calculate the track width increase or decrease.

[nodoze]

Hi, I have a narrow beam (3") with CB dropped spindles, wheel adapters (1") and 7" porsche cups (+55 offset) on a 73 standard, stock fenders. Never had a problem with u turns or rubbing. And its good and low

[MattKab]

Welcome to the forum.

16+" wheels that fit (and steer properly!) under stock arches looks the biz IMO.

nodoze, your system sounds proper nice.

Matt

[BWE]

On my '70 std beetle I'm running a 3" narrowed beam with CB drop spindles, Ghia disc conversion, 5/8" spacers (each side) and a 16"x7" 43ET wheel with a 195/50/16 tire under stock fenders. I have a tiny rub turning right @ wheel lock but I think that it is the wheel weight contacting the very end of my swaybar. I'm very happy with the layout and the look.
Cheers,
Dave