Tuning best size spacers

[bozothenutter]

following on from my question about tires (and stud conversions)

what determines the optimal spacer size for handling?

does this have to do with tire/wheel size?
is it determined by wheelbase?
is it the wider the better?

enquiring minds want to know!

 

[Pep0]

If you go to 14" you are approaching wheel arch clearance turning circle problems.

If you go to larger discs there is a greater risk of fouling the wheel.

If you go for wider track you stress the wheel bearings more.

It is simplest buying the same configuration as some one else, e.g. Abarth, e.g. you can get a set of spacers from breaker.

Noel

 

[fingers99]

Generally, all you're trying to do is to get te ET back to what it was.

If you go for a wider track you put a lot more strain on steering and wheelbearings.

So, remembering that the higher the ET on the wheel the closer the wheel sits to the centreline of the car, and that the stock ET is 27mm (see the FAQ), if you wanted to fit 35ET wheels, you'd need 8mm spacers.

It's a bit more complicated than that -- some people recon that a wider track at the front improves turn in, so I tend to fit 8 or 10mm spacers at the front and 3mm at the rear with 35ET, others recon that equal spacers all round is the way to go.

A few fashionistas fit wider spacers at the back, but this is clearly insane on a FWD car.

 

[David C]

A few fashionistas fit wider spacers at the back, but this is clearly insane on a FWD car.

Some even fit wider tyres on the rear of a FWD car... :doh: