Wheel spacers

does anyone have a view on wheel spacers. Are there fore and againsts?

Well Porsche actually sell them - they are in the Techquipment brochures. So I guess they are approved by Porsche (um, as long as they are the Porsche approved ones!)

Certain wheels require spacers, I expect to maintain clearance with the inner bodywork. Not following the Porsche recommendations would be ill-advised. The spacers must add to the unsprung weight, but I don' t think they weigh that much. From a safety perspective, I don' t think there is an issue, as long as you make sure the wheels don' t protrude beyond the bodywork (otherwise it is illegal and you need wheel arch extensions).

In a way, adding spacers can' t be much different from Jamie changing the fronts on his 3.2 from 6" to 7" , as this pushes the outside of the rim further out (and possibly the inside further in). The only difference is in how the wheel fixes to the hub, with/without spacers.

Any more info? I know wheel spacers are not as exciting as deleted posts, but I thought there might be a little more interest after I moved the post here!

Thanks for moving it mark, i think allan has decided not to put any spacers on for now ( i could be wrong and he will apprecaite any advice still) he had his tyres changed last night at the elite BBQ so he happy now! all the way home, which is over an hour i had a running report on the handling of every bend, curve or corner! still whatever keeps you boys happy Kim

I can understand boy racer type mobiles adding spacers to make their car handle/look better but was surprised to see them in the Porsche Tequipment brochure. Surely our cars have been designed to the ultimate.... any increase in track width would have an adverse effect on the precisely designed handling characteristics???? But then why have I added strut braces front and rear????

Tim, Thanks for the comment, I have decided to give the new tyres, and tracking a chance, so no spacers (yet). Still wanted to ask you about the strutt braces you have had fitted, good ? bad?, would you recommend them?

Got them from Evolution motor sport in the good ole' US of A. Check out http://www.evoms.com/ Also got an induction kit from them. After reading lots of stuff I decided to fit a strut brace to the front of my C4, which already has the sports suspension option. I had searched the web and the exchange rates were extremely favourable, so I bought them from EVO. Unfortunately they sent a rear strut brace. After I contacted them they apologised profusely and as the cost of P&P would have eroded the savings they offered to send the front brace and let me keep the rear at a very generous discount, which I readily accepted. Really nice people to deal with. How much difference does it all make? As I am a bit reluctant to track my pride and joy and only car and as the local constabulary were reluctant to let me carry out exhaustive testing on the Farnham by-pass, definitive improvements are difficult to measure without comparing lap times around a track. I will say it is very, very stable at high speed, as found out on roads to Le Mans, less affected by the odd bumps, undulations and cross winds, but at low speed how can you say it is ' better' on our poor English roads. Yes the ride is a little harsher. Front fits no problem, rear fouls the interior shelf carpet a fraction but after a marginal trim of the foam lining in a couple of places you wouldn' t notice. The induction kit? Sounds wonderful and initially feels like a rocket has been fitted. After the euphoria wore off I did notice that under hard acceleration there is a bit of a lag at about 4500-5000rpm as it feels like the air cannot get in quick enough and it seems to suffer from a slight water-hammer type effect, if you are familiar with this phenomena. Certainly wouldn' t take it off though! If you do decide to get one from them just remember to factor in any dollar saving with the import duty you will get charged in the UK. Hope this is of interest. Oh, and don' t forget to tell your insurer so they have an excuse to take another 50 quid off you.

Thanks for the info Tim, I am possibly looking to change the shocks and springs shortly, the car having already completed almost 90k miles, and the strut brace could be fitted at the same time. I have also fitted an induction Kit, which has to be said is a mod that I also would not take off either. How did your engine adjust? ours seemed to take about 100-150 miles slowly getting deeper and louder until the full deep roar between 4500-7000 RPM was acheived. Fantastic!!!!

Fired her up, not a lot of difference to the tickover, just a little ' lumpy' .... Drove to the corner nice and gently then flattened the loud pedal and wheeeeehooooo! Didn' t really notice the ' pooter adjusting as it only had to cope with ' throttle wide open, bung in loadsa petrol and make a noise like a bansheeeeeeeeeeee' Very difficult to drive gently now as I just want to hear that roar!!!![ ]

Know what you mean, have never understood why its not fitted as standard? But dont care now..............................

Hello newbie here Can you explain what is in the Induction kit? and where to get it? Ta

Induction kit, there are many more people on this forum with far greater knowledge than I on this subject, but I will tell you as I understand. The idea is to get as much air into the engine as possible, as quickly as possible, (making as much noise as possible(comment from my wife!)), you remove your standard stock air filter and possibly some of your ducting, and fit a washable high air flow cone filter instead, this takes about 15-20mins, with the right kit and will cost between £150 and £350 depending on make. Ours came from Design 911 Europorsche 0208 900 0900 Airetek £295 +vat My advice it check the websites for best current price. Everyone I have talked to who has done the conversion would never go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

check the link on my previous posting dated 18/7/03 re Evolution Motor Sport - good info!!

Thanks for the info Does it also change the note of the engine as well as increase power or should I also add a PSE? Thanks

no change to exhaust note, just a lot more induction noise [ ]

Alan & Tim..... are these induction systems enclosed (as Porsches standard system) or just bolt on open filters. I have been told that the open type can ingest more hot air from the engine & actually reduce BHP ?

From Evo' s website - " Incorporates bottom portion of OEM airbox and includes laser cut aluminum heat shield for to utilize OEM fresh air duct for a true cold air system." As the website pictures show, my installation is an open design in the engine compartment although the words seem to indicate they have taken on board comments such as the ones you have heard. The dyno testing shows an increase in power and I would assume that was measured on a rolling road, probably the worst situation for engine heat effect. How effective is the OEM fresh air duct I wonder?? It does not feel as if there is a loss of power - quite the opposite but only some properly conducted road testing would prove or disprove any power gain. For £230 odd quid this is quite a cheap mod for a porsche. They claim if you combine this upgrade with a GIAC Computer upgrade will get you 25+BHP increase.... oo er missus.....

I can' t say one way or another as to power gains or losses with cold or hot air. All I do know is that the kit I fitted did incorporate the bottom portion of OEM airbox with an aluminum shield to utilize some fresh air from the existing duct, but I do have to say, gaining another 8-13BHP (as claimed by the manufaturer), is not really the point of the mod, its the SOUND over 4000rpm that is worth the money. I can say however, I now have quicker throttle response and acceleration than before the mod, so you will have to draw your own conclusions?....

Jamma, excuse my ignorance, what do spacers do? Are they widening the footprint of the car for stability or what?

Hi , its meant to add some stability but more cosmetic I reckon. I am now having the geo done to take this into consideration

Sorry for my ignorance, but I assume that with 17mm spacers you need longer wheel bolts to compensate? Does the spacer kit come with these and a longer locking wheel bolt?

Yes you get longer bolts, I never got wheel locks with mine though when I had them done at OPC. I never park anywhere dodgy anyway.

You can use 7mm spacers all round on the 2002-on C2 without rubbing issues.

You have mail!

I had them also. I agree in what you said.

I thought 7 mm spacers could be put on earlier models to?

If they are the 7.5" fronts and 10" wide rears, you should be able to fit 5mm spacers on the front, and ut to 17mm on the rear. The rear arches might need rolling if you do go that big though. If you are doing it for appearance, I would wait until you get it back. You will find that the lower M030 suspension makes it appear that the wheels fill the arches better.

Personally I wouldn't do replica wheels of any sort ! Not the same quality as genuine.

I wouldn't think so. Porsche don't suggest different setting for with/without spacers. 20mm on the front might be a bit much. I seem to recall Porsche suggest 5mm front and 17mm rear, so 20mm at the front might put the tyres close to the arch, particularly on full lock.

Thanks for that Richard

The sizes of the spacers you have are the ones shown in the Tequipment catalogue. They may even have been specified from new. I think most people fit them for cosmetic reasons, and I doubt you would notice much, if any, difference in feel without them. Bear in mind that longer bolts should be used when spacers are fitted, so if you remove them you might need a new set of bolts, including the locking ones, so there is a cost.

thanks appreciate it.

Hi Phil 15mm rear spacers on mine and they fill the arches fine, longer bolts are also reqd. Andy

Thanks Andy I do have the m030 suspension. where did you get yours from ? And are your fronts spaced as well or standard. thanks Phil

They were already on the car. I had thought about fitting 7mm on the front but never followed it through. Have a good look online for recommendations, lots of sellers out there good luck Andy

Stupid question, (perhaps), but does the size of your wheel affect how big the spacer can be? Many thanks

This thread may be of interest. https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=959918

so I am clear wheel shims are up to 7mm and spacers are above 7mm onwards ? thanks Phil

I may be incorrect but is it not just different term for the same thing? This may help. https://www.performancealloys.com/wheel-spacers-shims

Thanks Andy that’s very helpful. just realised I will need New wheel locking bolts as well as standard ones

When I took my turbo to Center Gravity Chris recommended 7mm spacers on the front to help reduce understeer. I actually put them front and rear in the end, but it does improve the looks a bit too.

That is interesting thanks Mr pg