Wheel Spacers Versus Performance

[jmatta]

2K3 Boxster S...are you running the stock wheel widths/offsets? I run 8 & 10 X 18 and wouldn't have any room or need for spacers, as my wheels fill the fender wells already..

[2K3_Boxster_S]

Originally Posted by jmatta

2K3 Boxster S...are you running the stock wheel widths/offsets? I run 8 & 10 X 18 and wouldn't have any room or need for spacers, as my wheels fill the fender wells already..

yep, i'm running stock 18". Carrera lights. the ones that were a factory option for the 2003. I don't even know how wide they are. 18x9 maybe????

Check this out. it's a Porsche bulletin for the Boxster. This is funny.

Non-OEM Wheels/Bolts [grp4 9701 4407 3/4/97] 1pg
Use of aftermarket wheels or wheel accessories (spacers etc.) or non-OEM wheel bolts on Boxster vehicles is not approved.

Only the standard wheel bolts can be used to securely mount the wheels to the vehicle. Boxster wheel bolts with rotating spherical collars are a special design and made from a correspondingly selected alloy for compatibility with standard wheels.

Endurance tests have shown that conventional, commercially available non-OEM bolts can loosen when the car is driven, even if they were installed and tightened to the specified torque.

Eighteen inch wheels are not approved for use on Boxsters. Use of eighteen inch wheels on Boxsters under severe conditions may result in structural failures of the body and/or suspension.

If you use spacer's you will die. sincerely Porsche. drive safe.

[jaykay]

the discussion got lost on this....anyone with a negative experience while using 15mm spacers on the front and 20s on the rears?

....yes an S is suppose to have wheel bearings that can take this...

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by jaykay

the discussion got lost on this....anyone with a negative experience while using 15mm spacers on the front and 20s on the rears?

....yes an S is suppose to have wheel bearings that can take this...

Ultimately, it comes down to 3 basic concerns; size, offset and clearance. Starting with a baseline of information (i.e. your current wheel set-up), one can calculate the difference in fitment based on changes in wheel size and offset, as well as likely changes in tire width. When properly calculated , one can determine the appropriate amount of clearance. As far as structural integrity is concerned, I know a vast number of enthusiasts, to include myself, who have been using spacers for years with little to no adverse affects. This begs the question, how big is too big when it comes to spacer size ? Over the years, I've seen just about every wheel and spacer configuration imaginable. And at the end of the day, if a particular application works, well then I guess it works. I'll share a little trick with you as to how one can effectively measure inside wheel clearance. By simply taking a series of allen wrenches, see which sizes will pass between the inside lip of the wheel and the strut or perch. Believe it or not, this simple technique has proven to be an excellent way to preliminarily measure inside clearance. From there, one can estimate how changes in offset or spacer size will effect wheel clearance inside the fender. Even my Porsche "guru" was impressed by this. Determining outside fender clearance is easy. Just use your finger.

[jacabean]

I have been running 7 mm front and 14 mm rear for a few weeks. i have been waiting for some sort of wierd vibration or something to happen but all is good. they make the cars stance much better. I would even like to go a little wider on the rears.

[2K3_Boxster_S]

Ordered the following from FVD

23mm = .90 inch Rear
15mm = .60 inch Front

will try to do a Before and After shoot if I have enough time.

should be done this weekend.

[jacabean]

that set up should be very aggressive

[attasvg]

Originally Posted by 2K3_Boxster_S

Ordered the following from FVD

23mm = .90 inch Rear
15mm = .60 inch Front

will try to do a Before and After shoot if I have enough time.

should be done this weekend.

I have 15mm front and I believe 21mm rear. Perhaps it's 23. It's been a while since I installed them. It was an H&R set. Absolutely LOVE the looks!

Pictures in this thread:
My vision completed. Mod bug bit HARD.

Atle