Differences Between Hollow Spoke Wheels

[autoconnoisseur]

I just had a friend of mine trying to convince me on that the turbo wheels on my C4S are not the same as the ones that would come stock on a 996 turbo.

So my question is; are the wheels on a 996 Turbo really different(lighter)than the ones on my C4S? I have the flat black hollow spoke C4S wheels.

[Loren]

Yes, there are two versions of the Turbo I and Turbo II wheels.

The standard wheels on the Turbo were hollow spokes and weighed less than the solid wheels that were standard on the C4S.

Turbo wheels were about 5 pounds lighter (per wheel) on average.

[Richard Hamilton]

The very early 996 Turbos (like mine) were fitted with solid spoke TurboII wheels as standard, and hollow spokes as an option. The hollow spokes became standard not long after.

[autoconnoisseur]

So I seemed to have lost this bet... <_<

[Richard Hamilton]

Maybe I've confused things.

When you say 'flat back' do you mean smooth faces? The hollow spoke TurboIIs have a smooth face, and the solid spoke have two ridges in them.

What option code wheels are they? If they are M415, then they are solid spokes. If they are a different code, then the only way to be sure would be to take them off and check the part numbers cast on the back.

[autoconnoisseur]

Thanks for the pictures! It makes sense. I have to check my wheels to see what I have.

I meant flat black, or matte black. They are powder coated from factory. Think that was an option when the car was new(Tequipment?).

[Richard Hamilton]

Doh! You said flat black - I just misread. Dyslexia rules - KO?

Just feel behind the spokes with your fingers and you will feel the ridges or not.

[goldenwarrior1]

The quickest way to tell is to look at the valve stems. The solid wheels have rubber valve stems and the Hollow Spoke wheels have metal bolt in stems.