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Build Advice from Airkewld

…from an email dated 7/17/17.

Thanks for the email Jim, the renderings, and the information. It will allow me to understand your vision and give you the best recommendations I can.

So, if you are building this for show use, anything can be done because expectations are about fit, finish and accomplishing your vision. Love the photoshops, it looks incredible. I need to be the devil’s advocate though. 19’s on a late model ghia, that is going to be tough. You really only have 7″ total width to play with, so finding a wheel that fits exactly, before paint is key to the entire equation. Air Ride and high performance are polar opposites. High performance applications need stability, firmness, less sway and body roll. Air Ride is plush, soft, floats like a butterfly, etc. But if you are building a show car, totally bitchin’! In my opinion, you will need to go one route or the other if you have expectations of one or the other, as having both is not an option.

My opinion, 4″ Narrowed PRObuilt Beam with air ride, front and rear disc brakes in a porsche bolt pattern and a mild 1914cc and below engine. This is one route. The other route, 4″ Narrowed PRObuilt beam with adjustable shocks, big BAD Series Brakes, adjustable shocks in the rear and the big 220 horse engine. Both are cool in their distinctive looks but function completely different.

What do you think?

Airkewld LLC
Pete Skiba – Founder & COO

In retrospect, 220 ponies really would be over-kill for a 95% show Ghia. Realistically, am I going to spend 100’s of hours getting the body perfect to hit the road and beat the snot out of it? I’m guessing that 1914 would produce what, 110 – 120HP? Still a drivable VW. Probably save a couple grand on the engine build as well. I’ll need that, as I’m really stuck on the 19’s and I’m certain I’ll have to get them custom made.

Here’s what they suggested…

Air Ride Beam

Brake onto Ball Joints

Rear Air Ride Kit

Air Management Kit

Disc Brake Kit

EDIT NOTE FROM 2/27/2020

Perhaps consider this. A custom made Avant Garde F230, 17×7 and a 205/50 17 tire. Per Pete Skiba, an 7 inch wheel with a backspace of 5.125 to 5.5 inches will work with their Probuild 4″ narrowed beams. You will need to check with AG to see what offsets they can do on this wheel.

https://avantgardewheels.com/ag-forged/f230/