Spacers vs Handling ?
07-25-2006, 09:19 AM
#16
Three Wheelin'
I thought that the MKI 996 GT3 cars came with 5mm spacers on them (front and rear) to improve track handling? It surely can't be a bad idea. That said, I'm running them all around and it definitely 'feels' more excited to turn 'into' and drive hard 'through' corners than it did before.
07-25-2006, 12:11 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by JimB
Actually cup cars have the same fenders as our cars and don't have super wide wheels. I think they are 9s and 11s. Usually they race on what amounts to about a 235-245 in front and 285 on back.
A wider car is theoretically better but a modern Porsche suspension is a tricky thing. Also, adding spacers is adding extra stress to a street suspension that is already under extra stress on the track.
At the end of the day, it is unlikely that you will have any trouble with reasonably sized spacers on the track. It is equally unlikely that you will see any advantage.
Jim
A wider car is theoretically better but a modern Porsche suspension is a tricky thing. Also, adding spacers is adding extra stress to a street suspension that is already under extra stress on the track.
At the end of the day, it is unlikely that you will have any trouble with reasonably sized spacers on the track. It is equally unlikely that you will see any advantage.
Jim
07-25-2006, 05:11 PM
#19
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Originally Posted by mitch236
The only reason cup cars would run with these tire widths is because anything wider would be illegal.
This I do know. You can’t say a cup car is wider and therefore wider is better so adding spacers to a 996 will make it handle better. Neither can you say a GT3 comes with 5 mm spacers and a GT3 handles better than a 996 so adding spacers will make a 996 handle better. Neither can you say that a rulebook for an autocross series says that spacers progress you to another class so spacers are good and will make a 996 handle better.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t put spacers on your 996. I have 7mm and 15mm spacers on my street car just to make it look good. I’m just saying that Mike asked how spacers will impact handling. Don’t tell him that it will improve handling unless you know that to be true and I’m pretty sure nobody here knows that to be true. I’ve spent more time and money changing and testing suspension parts on my 996 than anyone this side of Grand Am Cup and I don’t know the answer.
Ok, I’m climbing off my soapbox and going back to work now.
Jim
07-26-2006, 10:20 AM
#20
Race Director
Thread Starter
JimB, thank you for you honest answer.
