lje

Can anyone give me some direction on wheel spacers. I am interested in only the cosmetics, I want to fill up the fender wheels.

I am presently using 18" wheels. Do 18" rims have a different requirement than 17" rims that I use for the winter months or does it make an difference?

The spacers I'm considering are the DR series, 14MM in front & 15 MM for the rear.

I am aware I need longer wheel bolts. Does any one know what size I will need?

Are there any disadvantage sto doing this that I should be aware of?

Thank you.

autobahnNY

I have the H&R DR spacers, the look and feel great.It gives a more aggressive look.They widen the track of the car,which gives a more planted feel. You will need 68mm bolts,make sure you put the stock collars on the new bolts.Torque the wheel bolts to 96 ft/lb.I don't see any disadvantages,these are quality light weight spacers.

Q

lje

the same spacers will work with your 17's and 18's.

there are two types of "spacers" available from Porsche.
- 5mm spacers - these are shims, and require the use of [the longer] GT3 wheel studs


- 17mm spacers - these have their own studs built in, and only require you to purchase wheel nuts.


I used 17mm spacers - rear[Porsche] & 15mm spacers - front [FVD]
*personally* I would not use a shim as large as 13 or 14mm
...as opposed to a spacer that size.....

lje

Three questions, but they are easy. First I assume your comments are relative to your 03 S?

Are the DR Series shims I am considering, 14MM front & 15MM rear, (sold by Performance Products) considered shims and therefore you wouldn't use them?

Second, I understand you bought your rear 17MM spacers from Porsche but where did you get your front 15MM spacers?

Finally, I don't understand what [FVD] means?

Thank you.

Q

1)
Yes, they are shims.
No *I* would not use shims that wide.

2 & 3)
I purchased my 15mm spacers from FVD - www.fvd-usa.com
Other companies make this style of spacer .....including H&R I believe !

Cheers
Q

Turboflyer

Interesting. The spacer will give a wider stance, and would facilitate wider rims and tires. I think I am most concerned with the spacer. If it is not forged, it look a bit weak to be pushing around at 160MPH. I think the same thickness shim with longer bolts is a stronger way to go. The bolt are mostly in tension, the same tension as stock, and the load of the wheel in all directions is carried by all the bolts and hub mated to a steel rotor. When you use the adapters you separate this configuration and IMHO render a weaker set up. Both will add to un sprung weight but I don't know how much. Beside those GT3 wheel bolt look cool. Not that anyone will see them but the red makes the car faster just the same. Thanks for the pics. I am considering doing the shims just to get a little wider stance and one day put on the wider rubber. Is there something more to the application?

autobahnNY

I agree Turbo. I would be leery of adapters also. H&R are quality spacers. They have been flawless over the past yr or so..and you do feel the difference.

Q

why would you guys be concerned about using a genuine Porsche accessory


....and then go and use an aftermarket accessory that has not gone through Porsche's testing process


*CLICK Porsche spacers*

lje

To autobahnNY:

I assume when you say adapters you are referring to the 17MM wheel spacer, correct?

autobahnNY

Yes I do mean the 17mm spacers,but Q has a point,they are genuine Porsche parts.

lje

Right seems to me if you want to stay within the Porsche family, so to speak, you need 5MM up front and 17MM in the back.

One Porsche dealer said he would get me a price on H&R 17MM spacers for the rear since the Porsche 17MM spacers are so expensive.

He also recommende 5MM up front. The best price I have found is $292 for the 5MM and $215 for the rear, all Porsche parts.

Q

lje

- I tried 5mm upfront, and 17mm rear.
I felt it induced too much understeer

- Next I tried 17mm front & 17mm rear.
This was AWESOME, but a just a touch too twichy in the *** for me
Nothing major, and certainly better than the 5 / 17 combination

- Finally I settled on 15mm front & 17mm rear.
AWESOME TURN IN , nice balance.


GASP !!!

Prices I paid:
5mm Porsche shims = $40USea
10 GT3 wheel nuts to suit = $60US

17mm Porsche were $190US ea *from memory*
15mm were a bit cheaper

lje

As I read your postr you paid $200 US for the front 5MM spacers inlcuding new bolts and $380 including new nuts for the rear 17MM. Is that correct? Where did you get your front spacers, as I said my best price was $292 US for the front 5MM kit.

Q

lje
I edited my post.
I posted $120US ...but that was for 20 GT3 wheels studs , not 10 - sorry.

The 5mm shims & wheels studs were purchased from my local Porsche centre,
hence my shock at the price they are quoting you !!!

Vampyre

What is the difference between

wheel spacers and wheel shims?

do they do the same thing? are they installed the same?

what do the shimes look like?

thanks