lotusGT3

Hello, I have a 993 S running factory 17" rims. Rear offsets look good but I don't love the sunken look of the fronts. So, looking to see what type of spacer is recommended. Got to be hubcentric so min 10mm. From a guess I'd say 12 - 15mm is about right. Any advice from experience on the right size for looks (not too aggressive) and so that there is no fouling of the guards over bumps or on steering lock.

Cheers.

Martin S.

If they are 17 X 7, you can easily do 10mm. I run 18 X 8 front and have 7mm front spacers and the fender lips rolled. It depends on how much the car is lowered. I hope you get a more definitive answer but this is all I have for now.

lotusGT3

Thank you and to confirm the car is not lowered. All factory.

ble2011

I've been running 7mm for years in the front. However, I do not know what offset my non factory wheels are though. So probably not much help.

Edward

I have a NB car, and have been running the 7mm spacers up front for years. I don't think that's "enough" for the look you're desiring, but just thought I'd throw that out there.

BTW, when you say "spacer" I'm assuming you mean a simple hub-centric disc you put in behind the wheel ...7mm is as thick as you want as you're diminishing the exposed threads to bolt down the wheel. Beyond 7mm or so and I think you're now looking for "adaptor" which is a plate that bolts to your hub, then has its own studs for your wheels. This will ensure that you have enough threads to secure the wheel safely, irrespective of its thickness; though too much and I'm not sure what stress then may put on your misc bearings and such. Perhaps someone here can address this.

Edward

Martin S.

Good point Edward...nice to know that you 993 is probably worth close to what y0u paid for it, back in the day. I am enjoying this facet of 993 ownership...but I digress.

I run 7mm on front AND have installed long lug bolts and steel lug nuts. In addition, I have had the fender lips rolled.

Edward

Very long time no see and drive with you, Marty! Glad to see you well, friend! Indeed, owning a 993 not only these days but for all these years has really made me appreciate these glorious beasts even more!


Yes, replacing the studs in lieu of adaptor plates: another excellent option for one wanting to go thicker than the 7mm plates.

Edward

Martin S.

We had some good times back in the day, indeed we did. I recall driving Buttonwillow with you in the fog, out first trip to Buttonwillow, pretty scary. I got my 993 in December 1999...so 15 years for me....about 4,500 miles per year average, up to 84,XXX total, still a baby...not me, but the car.

Hope to see you again one of these days.

Marty

Baby is going back to her 993 RS configuration, all new paint too...still Grand Prix White. "Baby at Buttonwillow was the old 993 RS Club Sport configuration, going back to the 993 RS look, Baby as 993 RS.

Bill Verburg

The stock 7x17 ET55 wheels used a 5mm spacer for a net ETof 50

Things that change when a bigger spacer is used are
1) ET goes down 1mm for each mm of spacer width
2) scrub radius, goes up by 1mm for each 1mm of spacer width
3) stud length needed, goes down by 1mm for each 1mm of spacer width unless m spacers w/ studs are used

for 1 the concern is lip clearance if the wheel is spaced out too far
for 2 the concern is steering feel and ABS performance, Scrub radius stock is ~10mm. You can reduce scrub down to 0 safely but as you do you lose feel at the steering wheel. If scrub goes positive the ABS no longer functions in a safe, self correcting fashion.
for 3 the concern is thread engagement, you need the stud to be nearly flush to the face on an open lug at a minimum.

if you want to fill out the wheel well more in front I'd use an 8ET52, it fills out the wheel well more by 8mm more than a 7 ET50, has 2mm less scrub which gives better steering feedback and uses the same studs as came on the car