Watanabe RS-8 re-barrel

[HarryB]

So, I have found a set of 15" RS-8's in a reasonable price. Thing is that they are 6.5" wide and the offset is 35, so I was thinking of changing the outer rim to end up with a 7" or 7.5" wheel with 22ish or 10 offset. Searching online revealed that those are 2-piece wheels, meaning that the inner/outer barrel are welded together. Now, I have access to a machine shop so I can theoretically split them, but does anyone have info on where I could source replacement barrels (preferably in Europe). Even better, I could only keep the centers and swap both halves (inner and outer) if I was to find a decent quality replacement.

[vindi49]

I'm sure I've seen some on a facebook post ... pine or something?

Russell

[speedypenguin]

HarryB, are you in Europe? Reason I ask is I have a set of RS8s in 15x7 et15 offset that I'm planning to put up for sale...

[HarryB]

Yes, Greece. Might be interested depending on condition, price and location.

[fwdtamiya]

I'm sure I've seen some on a facebook post ... pine or something?

Russell

http://pine-engineering.co.nz/collections/frontpage

[Flyin 92]

I know a guy who changed lips on his RS8s to make them x7 (or 7.5 don't remember exactly) +17 or something along those lines. It was just a simple bolt-on swap. No cutting or welding required.

[freedomgli]

Try Spintech Wheels (http://spintechwheels.com). If they don't do it or don't have it, they will know who can and does.

Also see The Official Wheel Build Almanac & Reference Thread (http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7091597-The-Official-Wheel-Build-Almanac-amp-Reference-Thread)

[HarryB]

Thank you all for your posts!


I know a guy who changed lips on his RS8s to make them x7 (or 7.5 don't remember exactly) +17 or something along those lines. It was just a simple bolt-on swap. No cutting or welding required.

That's exactly what I wanted to do, but as far as I searched those seem to have the lips welded together, as they are 2-piece instead of 3-piece; might be wrong though.


Try Spintech Wheels (http://spintechwheels.com). If they don't do it or don't have it, they will know who can and does.

Also see The Official Wheel Build Almanac & Reference Thread (http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7091597-The-Official-Wheel-Build-Almanac-amp-Reference-Thread)

Time to study! Thanks!

[Dandy]

I have never actually seen them re-barreled but I have seen them refinished a couple of times and the centers were completely removed from the barrels in the process. The separation can be done.

[MLambert19]

Bringing this one back from the dead. Anyone have any ideas?

Still several ET34 15x6.5/7 RS-8's kicking around on Buyee and elsewhere... It would be well worth doing if I could get them re-barreled to 9" wide and have them clear my StopTech BBK, be able to run 225 R1R's in style.

-Matt

[kung fu jesus]

Maybe not the answer you are looking for, but I would reach out to custom wheel companies like Ehrlich Wheel Works. See if any of them know. I see a lot of custom BBS, Work, even classic stock cast wheels converted to custom 2-3 piece.

[MLambert19]

Maybe not the answer you are looking for, but I would reach out to custom wheel companies like Ehrlich Wheel Works. See if any of them know. I see a lot of custom BBS, Work, even classic stock cast wheels converted to custom 2-3 piece.

HarryB has a StopTech template and some 15" RS8's, after he checks that, I'll proceed with getting quotes. Thanks!

-Matt

[HarryB]

Reporting back/documenting this. Radially, the template clears the wheel barrel with room to spare. Axially, on my 15x7 ET27 wheels, the "caliper" part touches the spokes. With a 3mm spacer, it barely clears the inner face; I would run 5mm spacers to be on the safe side.

P.S. The faces on my wheels are identical to a set of 15x6.5 ET34 I had; not sure all RS8 15" 4x100 faces are the same or not.

[MLambert19]

15x9 RS-8's are going to be a thing... Now I just need to find a shop for the re-barrel. Faces acquired!

-Matt

[MLambert19]

Try Spintech Wheels (http://spintechwheels.com). If they don't do it or don't have it, they will know who can and does.

Also see The Official Wheel Build Almanac & Reference Thread (http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7091597-The-Official-Wheel-Build-Almanac-amp-Reference-Thread)

SpinTech doesn't appear to still be in business.

WheelFlip can only do outer barrels.

Love20Bee has quoted me a price... but it's really, really steep.

Anyone else stateside building wheel barrels? I can't imagine a set of 4 wheel barrels costing as much as a new T56 transmission.

-Matt

[HarryB]

Maybe try https://www.augmentwheels.com/ as well?

Just occurred to me that we have been using Keizer 3-piece wheels in FSAE a decade or so ago, and they are US-made. Might want to contact and ask them too.

[kung fu jesus]

This is old, but I considered buying and rebarreling Wats a long time ago. The details are fuzzy, but there was something odd about them that makes them tricky.

There are a number of shops that could do it, VR Wheels in LA, Ehrlich Wheels in NC (VA?), etc., but expect it to be expensive. There just isn’t many ways around it. Aluminum prices are soaring too.

[MLambert19]

Maybe try https://www.augmentwheels.com/ as well?

Just occurred to me that we have been using Keizer 3-piece wheels in FSAE a decade or so ago, and they are US-made. Might want to contact and ask them too.

23552

Holy smokes... I may reach out to them about some 15x9 4x100 Campy in gunmetal. Those would be pretty phenomenal.


This is old, but I considered buying and rebarreling Wats a long time ago. The details are fuzzy, but there was something odd about them that makes them tricky.

There are a number of shops that could do it, VR Wheels in LA, Ehrlich Wheels in NC (VA?), etc., but expect it to be expensive. There just isn’t many ways around it. Aluminum prices are soaring too.

Thanks, just sent e-mails to both. We'll see. Love20Bee suggested welding the barrels together, but otherwise didn't mention anything difficult about them. One of the other vendors I reached out to only does 17" and larger sizes.

-Matt

[MLambert19]

Maybe try https://www.augmentwheels.com/ as well?

Just occurred to me that we have been using Keizer 3-piece wheels in FSAE a decade or so ago, and they are US-made. Might want to contact and ask them too.

23552

Holy smokes... I may reach out to them about some 15x9 4x100 Campy in gunmetal. Those would be pretty phenomenal.


This is old, but I considered buying and rebarreling Wats a long time ago. The details are fuzzy, but there was something odd about them that makes them tricky.

There are a number of shops that could do it, VR Wheels in LA, Ehrlich Wheels in NC (VA?), etc., but expect it to be expensive. There just isn’t many ways around it. Aluminum prices are soaring too.

Thanks, just sent e-mails to both. We'll see. Love20Bee suggested welding the barrels together, but otherwise didn't mention anything difficult about them. One of the other vendors I reached out to only does 17" and larger sizes.

-Matt

[druz]

Pine Engineering built my MK3 but the cost of shipping back and forth from NZ might negate any savings over the cost from Love20Bee. Mine went from Japan to NZ to US.

Barrels alone are close to $2k since you need both halves. Love20Bee has asserted themselves at the top of this market in the US and can command a premium but since the RS8 are front mounted and yours don't need to be split, it shouldn't be a difficult job. I would definitely weld them though.