Achieving balance with spacers
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 96
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From: Louisville, KY
Achieving balance with spacers
Has anyone ever tried to tamp down understeer by placing slightly wider spacers on the front relative to the back? I hit upon this idea after reading that the justification for widening the 991's front track was to limit understeer. I'm wondering if it would work on my stock '00 996 with H&R sport springs. I haven't taken measurements yet to see how much room I have, but it looks like I have more room in the front than the rear.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
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From: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Increasing the width of the front wheels (to 8.5 in.) combined with 7MM spacers is how RUF does it for first generation 996's. The stock 225MM tires do seem to grip much better now and the rear end seems to want to pivot a little more freely as well (also stock size rubber at 265MM) on 10 in wheels and 7MM spacers.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Maryland's Eastern Shore
IMO the stock 17 in. wheels and 205MM tires are not enough footprint for a car with so much rear weight bias. On the stock rims (I have my snow tires on the stock 17 in. twists) you can use trail braking and/or drop throttle to get the front end to bite at little better but the stock setup just doesn't have enough grip up front.
I started with wider front wheels for this reason. You can also mount a bigger rear sway bar to get the sensation of more grip up front, but I wouldn't do so without going to the 18 in. tires first, since doing so lessens rear grip at the limit on anything less that a really smooth surface.
I started with wider front wheels for this reason. You can also mount a bigger rear sway bar to get the sensation of more grip up front, but I wouldn't do so without going to the 18 in. tires first, since doing so lessens rear grip at the limit on anything less that a really smooth surface.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 81
From: 19454
I think there are many inexpensive ways to help decrease understeer.
wider front tires, increase front track, add a stiffer rear sway bar, tire pressure.
I think any 1 or combinations of above would help.
I'm on 255/35/18 front with 295/30/18 rears. I do have spacers in front also along with rear sway bar.
Car feels more neutral than before. For my 100% street drive purposes, I'm happy.
wider front tires, increase front track, add a stiffer rear sway bar, tire pressure.
I think any 1 or combinations of above would help.
I'm on 255/35/18 front with 295/30/18 rears. I do have spacers in front also along with rear sway bar.
Car feels more neutral than before. For my 100% street drive purposes, I'm happy.
