Wheel Spacers

[Palmball]

I was looking at my car directly from behind today as I walked up to it from a distance and noticed that it looked a little narrow tracked compared to the width of the car.

It's not really noticeable from most angles but it did concern me enough to research some solutions and it seems this is has also bothered a few other people over the pond. A company called Formula Dynamics has a range of different spacers available for the GT/GT-S and after a bit more searching I believe a person called Noor from Sport Italia is their UK distributor and also a forum member (so I've PM'd him too!)

These spacers aren't cheap but do appear to be a bolt-in type that should be as good as a solid extension of the hub. However, I have no experience of spacers and have traditionally shy'd away from them as I always thought that if wheels were meant to be in a certain position then the manufacturer would have made it that way.

So, does anyone know of any downsides to fitting spacers (such as odd handling characteristics or additional vibration) and indeed if theres any reason why the GT range comes out of the factory with have the wheels so heavily tucked into the arches?

 

[Dan!]

Oh I'd be interested to see what the outcome of this is. As I mentioned on another thread, I love the look of the car, except from where you stand when filling it up as the front wheels look too tucked in under the arches.

 

[Andyk]

Spacers are OK and as I understand it don't add much apart from looks................You are right about the price of FD spacers.....they are a little expensive.......Don't see why they are either as my friend has bough some for his 911 Turbo and are great quaility and cost half the price.

 

[Emtee]

Both Formula Dynamics and Noor of Performance Italia are well known on the forum. I've bought from Noor (FD DBW module amongst other bits and bobs) and he's a fine fellow; enormously helpful, whether in relation to his Formula Dynamic stock, or for more general advice. If you choose to go with the FD spacers, or just want to ask some questions, then he's definitely worth contacting.

I too looked at the FD spacers for my 4200, but in my instance I was able to find alternatives from another source. I can't comment on what difference they make as I'm waiting for my car to return so I can fit them, but along side the cosmetic improvement, I'm hoping that the wider track, in conjunction with its lower stance, will improve the handling.

 

[conaero]

You wont go far wrong with FD products Jeff (and Noor) are fine fellas.

I suspect for your car, FD will be your only option at this time. I think the GT and QP are the same so it might be worth looking into this and save yourself a few quid.

As for what the do performance wise the only negative thing I have heard is that they can make the car tramline. Also you are changing the geometry so I would get a full setup done once they are fitted.

 

[Andyk]

I did hear somewhere that over time spacers with stress certain parts.......Over lots of time that is....Any one know if that is true....Was going to fit some to the GTV but so many bad reports and the fact that they looked good but spoilt the handling...Oh and the tram lining.

 

[BennyD]

I've got a pair on the front of my BM and so far, in nearly two years, no problems. I was told that they can give your wheel bearings a hard time due to the extra leverage, so time will tell. No adverse traits to report.

 

[SpyderNick]

Both Formula Dynamics and Noor of Performance Italia are well known on the forum. I've bought from Noor (FD DBW module amongst other bits and bobs) and he's a fine fellow; enormously helpful, whether in relation to his Formula Dynamic stock, or for more general advice. If you choose to go with the FD spacers, or just want to ask some questions, then he's definitely worth contacting.

I too looked at the FD spacers for my 4200, but in my instance I was able to find alternatives from another source. I can't comment on what difference they make as I'm waiting for my car to return so I can fit them, but along side the cosmetic improvement, I'm hoping that the wider track, in conjunction with its lower stance, will improve the handling.

Hi Miles,

Did you purchase from a company or secondhand FD ones from an individual ? As I would be interested in knowing the company/price if that was the case.

 

[marcos]

I had spacers all round on 4200 at one point. Coupled with lowering 20mm, full geo and fitting FD spings, the car drove amazingly well! Took them off and SimonM has them now (bloody cheaply I might add!!) as the Khan's that were fitted already had the desired offset.

They aren't cheap, but are beautifully made specificaly for the car by the recognised modding experts.

It's something I may look into for the DB9 as well, had the same thought when I saw a pic of it from behind... just a few mm would make all the diference!

 

[Scousegit]

Following a few hints my Wife bought me rear spacers for my GT (from Noor) for Xmas. Easy to fit and certainly enhances the looks with it's wider stance. I don't think I would fit them to the front for risk of stone chips but the rears make the car look moor agressive. Haven't noticed any change to the handling as yet but then again I haven't been on many spirited roads since fitting (this will be rectified shortly).
Cheers
Andy

 

[hunta]

I'm hoping that the wider track, in conjunction with its lower stance, will improve the handling.

Miles - I'm probably being dim or misunderstanding, but how do spacers lower the stance?

 

[conaero]

Following a few hints my Wife bought me rear spacers for my GT (from Noor) for Xmas. Easy to fit and certainly enhances the looks with it's wider stance. I don't think I would fit them to the front for risk of stone chips but the rears make the car look moor agressive. Haven't noticed any change to the handling as yet but then again I haven't been on many spirited roads since fitting (this will be rectified shortly).
Cheers
Andy

Andy, a very good and valid point made about the stones. Widening the front track will change the trajectory of these and may cause a lot of damage.

 

[Emtee]

Hi Miles,

Did you purchase from a company or secondhand FD ones from an individual ? As I would be interested in knowing the company/price if that was the case.

Hi Nick, I've got mine from Hill Engineering. Here's the link... http://www.hillengineering.co.uk/ca....html?osCsid=ac25fc53bbd60a9e0aa1a7c6c3187846

You'll just need to check the bolt lengths, dependant on the width of spacer you go for. I've gone for 15mm all round with long through bolts. Pricing is shown with VAT and delivery to be added.

Miles - I'm probably being dim or misunderstanding, but how do spacers lower the stance?

Sorry Hunta, I should have been clearer in my post. I've had my car lowered 20mm on the springs.

Regards, Miles.

 

[BJL123]

www.fk-automotive.de are a Dutch/German based company and a;; their gear is made in Germany to very high standards using Hub-centric design spacers in light alloy. Cost is around £50 for a pair. Sizes given are the overall increase so 20mm spacers means 10mm each side.

 

[SpyderNick]

Thanks Miles,
Also BJL123 , That' a great price for a pair, its looking like i will be going for some spacers now. i am thinking 15mm each spacer though, just enough to get thye wheel to reach the arch.

 

[Emtee]

Thanks Miles,
Also BJL123 , That' a great price for a pair, its looking like i will be going for some spacers now. i am thinking 15mm each spacer though, just enough to get thye wheel to reach the arch.

Don't forget the wheel bolts! That is a good price if it includes the extended bolts that you'd need for 15mm spacers, but not if they're separate.

 

[SpyderNick]

Don't forget the wheel bolts! That is a good price if it includes the extended bolts that you'd need for 15mm spacers, but not if they're separate.

good point Miles

 

[Palmball]

Noor has got back to me with some very helpful info and also the promise of a cheaper set than the FD's which he's currently testing. If they pass the test then it'll be interesting to see what he thinks the difference is...I'll find out when I get back from holiday next week.

Out of interest, and sorry if this seems a silly question (I have no experence of spacers), I assume with spacers that you bolt the spacer to the wheel and then bolt the wheel to the spacer (this is the case with the 22/25mm FD's). How does this work with 10/15mm (or less) spacers as surely the wheel can't be held on with less than 10mm worth of thread that a thin spacer would allow? If the wheel bolts go straight through the spacer, (which means the spacer can't be bolted to the hub) does this piece of unattached metal between the two cause additional vibration?

 

[Emtee]

Out of interest, and sorry if this seems a silly question (I have no experence of spacers), I assume with spacers that you bolt the spacer to the wheel and then bolt the wheel to the spacer (this is the case with the 22/25mm FD's). How does this work with 10/15mm (or less) spacers as surely the wheel can't be held on with less than 10mm worth of thread that a thin spacer would allow? If the wheel bolts go straight through the spacer, (which means the spacer can't be bolted to the hub) does this piece of unattached metal between the two cause additional vibration?

There are generally two types.

For narrower spacers, say up to around 15mm, these tend to be bolt through where the bolt length is extended to account for the width of the spacer in question. The spacer isn't independently held in place, other than the hub collar, but once bolted there shouldn't be vibration, but it is because of this that well engineered spacers are a must. Not some cheepo's off Fleebay.

For wider spacers you tend to have seperate bolts what hold the spacer to the wheel plate. The bolts are recessed into the spacer itself and therefore don't stand proud of the surface. You then use your standard bolts to hold the wheel to the spacer.

 

[Andyk]

Thanks Miles,
Also BJL123 , That' a great price for a pair, its looking like i will be going for some spacers now. i am thinking 15mm each spacer though, just enough to get thye wheel to reach the arch.

Even if you add theblots thats got to be far more cheaper than the FD ones......