Figured I'd ask here cause you guys actually race your cars. A lot of cars could use them for their stance, including mine, but I wouldn't wanna sacrifice anything for the purpose of looks. What do you guys think??

 

I run spacers on my racecar without any issues. My only recomendation is to make sure you have extended studs.

 

SM guys use them to tune handling, since offset is unrestricted.

They arent frowned upon, but unless you are using them to tweak handling (which if you're not in a spec class there are easier ways) , its cheaper and lighter just to buy wheels in the proper offset to begin with

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evan55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SM guys use them to tune handling, since offset is unrestricted.

They arent frowned upon, but unless you are using them to tweak handling (which if you're not in a spec class there are easier ways) , its cheaper and lighter just to buy wheels in the proper offset to begin with </TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesn't that defeat the point of a spec offset, since all a spacer is doing is effectively changing the offset? It seems odd that spacers would be legal but alternate offsets wouldn't be.

 

I think the cheap-o spacers that you can get at pep boys are frowned upon because they are not centering and fit with a lot of slop.

a properly machined spacer that is hubcentric and/or tight around the lugs is much better (provided you also run extended lugs). A friend of mine runs 1/2" spacers up front to clear his calipers. The spacers are hubcentric and have an outer machined lip just like the stock hub. the overall diameter is the exact size of the rotor hat as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evan55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its cheaper and lighter just to buy wheels in the proper offset to begin with </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evan55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its cheaper and lighter just to buy wheels in the proper offset to begin with </TD></TR></TABLE>

This is actually the reason why spacers were "frowned upon" for most people because they use them as a fix to the wrong offset wheels that they bought.

From performance POV, wheel spacer is a great tool. Wider track = more grip. It can do some last minute change in the car's behavior, without messing with the alignment or spring bias.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This is actually the reason why spacers were "frowned upon" for most people because they use them as a fix to the wrong offset wheels that they bought.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're kidding me...
What if nobody makes a race wheel with the offset you need? I'm using a 23mm offset wheel with a 5/16" spacer which effectively makes it about 17 or 18mm.

Have you tried to find a lightweight, affordable, 13" race wheel in 4x100 with a 18mm offset lately?

Oh, and the part about wheel spacers needing to be hub-centric.. that's a crock. They might fit better with the proper hub hole, but it's certainly not necessary.

If the original poster is looking for spacers to enhance his/her "stance", maybe this should be in the appearance forum.
Just a thought.

$.02

 

John,

you are right on all counts. Especially about hubcentric. Hubcentric is merely a tool for people so they can mount the wheel perfectly center. You can certainly achieve this without hubcentric

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You're kidding me...
What if nobody makes a race wheel with the offset you need? I'm using a 23mm offset wheel with a 5/16" spacer which effectively makes it about 17 or 18mm.

Have you tried to find a lightweight, affordable, 13" race wheel in 4x100 with a 18mm offset lately?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You TOTALLY misunderstood what I was saying.......

 

A wider track with your hubs in a stock location will wear the wheel bearings... They should be a wear item anyways, but it does add aditional stress to that location.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cobra Tim &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A wider track with your hubs in a stock location will wear the wheel bearings... They should be a wear item anyways, but it does add aditional stress to that location. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What's the difference with running less positive offset on the wheels?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cobra Tim &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A wider track with your hubs in a stock location will wear the wheel bearings... They should be a wear item anyways, but it does add aditional stress to that location. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes it would. It would also increase the scrub radius, making the steering a little bit numb. It would also retard the wheel rate, making the spring effectively softer.

For clarification purpose, as you mentioned, all these effects are from *wider track* with hub in stock location, regardless of achieving it through spacers or low offset wheels.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You TOTALLY misunderstood what I was saying.......</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe I did (if so, my bad), but you seemed to indicate that we're all out there buying the wrong offset wheels and using spacers because we bought the wrong wheel in the first place. Spacers are a necessary evil in this business.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
For clarification purpose, as you mentioned, all these effects are from *wider track* with hub in stock location, regardless of achieving it through spacers or low offset wheels.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly...

Its a tuning thing just like everything else... you have to find the BEST compromise for optimum performance, I dont know about you guys... but I dont have the money for 10 sets of wheel all at different offsets

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe I did (if so, my bad), but you seemed to indicate that we're all out there buying the wrong offset wheels and using spacers because we bought the wrong wheel in the first place. Spacers are a necessary evil in this business.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry English is never my strongest subject. It's not surprising if people misread it.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that many people buy wheels without looking for the appropriate fitment (even when the particular size/offset is available). What makes it worse is that even local SHOPS order wheels with wrong offset for young customers who don't know any better. Then when the wheels arrive, they rub the calipers and need to be fixed with spacers.

That's why wheel spacers are generally "frowned upon".

But for those of us who use spacers for suspension tuning, or in your case, to make up for the wheel sizes that aren't available, spacer is a great tool.

 

You misunderstood Evan. Offset is unrestricted in SM. There is no spec offset.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andy Bettencourt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You misunderstood Evan. Offset is unrestricted in SM. There is no spec offset.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doh! Reading &gt; me.

 

Porsche offers 5mm spacers and longer bolts as a factory option.

 

Great info guys, Thanks

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If the original poster is looking for spacers to enhance his/her "stance", maybe this should be in the appearance forum.
Just a thought.

$.02
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd be lying if it wasn't partly cause of aesthetic reasons. The reason I asked it here is because in A/C people sacrifice tons of performance for the right look..you know, the dumped cars, screwed up camber etc. Here you guys know what youre talking about, this threads proof. But yea..why not get a wider track in the rear without having to run totally unjustified 315 width tires? I can live with getting a quality set of spacers and extend studs. Again, thanks for the help