Spacer question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

DWBOX2000 · 04-08-2018, 06:05 PM

When looking at my 2000 986 I noticed my least favorite angle of the car is standing at the front, looking at the side but at an angle. I then walked around looking at different views, back straight side, front, side view from rear of the car. All great. After trying to figure out the angle I didn't like, I realized the wheels are in the wheel wells to deep. The back looks great. The car is an S with the 17" twists. Do people ever put spacers just in the front and if so, what size spacers would be used so they don't protrude more the rears. No spacers in the rears. 1st one I like, 2nd not so much.

DWBOX2000 · 04-08-2018, 06:07 PM

If it matters, car has bilstein HD's and h&r springs all around.

BoxsterSteve · 04-08-2018, 06:25 PM

I’ve got 15mm spacers for all 4 corners coming shortly, along with a wheel stud conversion to compensate for the depth of the spacers.
I’ll post up some pics in a couple of weeks once they get home and I’ve got everything installed.

NewArt · 04-08-2018, 08:03 PM

I’d go 10 to 15 all around.

JBauer · 04-08-2018, 08:40 PM

Here's what 15s all around looks like.

DWBOX2000 · 04-09-2018, 03:01 AM

Thanks everyone. I love that car JB. Almost got red, seller backed out.. BoxsterSteve, what spacers did you get?

Racer Boy · 04-09-2018, 07:09 AM

I feel the same way, the view from the front is spoiled by the front track being too narrow. I put 15 mm spacers on the front and thought it made a large difference in how it looks (for the better). It also has slightly more steering feel now. I like it so much, I've got rear 20 mm spacers on the way from ECS Tuning.

rdonahe · 04-09-2018, 08:04 AM

I've got ECS Tuning 15mm front and 25mm rear. Fills out the wheel wells perfectly.

Cunningr · 04-09-2018, 09:19 AM

Curious if you add spacers do you need to have the car alligned again?

BoxsterSteve · 04-09-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

BoxsterSteve, what spacers did you get?

Hub centric 15mm 4-pack from eBay. The ad said they were 5x130 with a 71.6mm centre bore; VW, Audi & Porsche compatible.
Not overly pricey.
Couldn’t find the exact ones I bought.

CrisZenithBlue · 04-09-2018, 01:58 PM

I just put 15mm all around a few weeks back and I’m in love with the new look! No longer looks wimpy.. handles better too. Go for it!

CrisZenithBlue · 04-09-2018, 01:59 PM

Put front and rear, the rear needs to come out more as well. You won’t regret it

DWBOX2000 · 04-09-2018, 02:16 PM

Now is this a case of you get what you pay for? The prices are all over the place. I just don't want to buy cheap ones and have the bolts shear off. Anyone have a brand recommendation? Thanks again guys.

rdonahe · 04-09-2018, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Now is this a case of you get what you pay for? The prices are all over the place. I just don't want to buy cheap ones and have the bolts shear off. Anyone have a brand recommendation? Thanks again guys.

I’m running ECS Tuning spacers as well as their wheel studs. I’m no engineer but they seem high quality and I’ve had them installed for almost a year and a half.

H&R spacers are another brand I’ve used on other cars in the past that are regarded well.

In my understanding the key is that they are hubcentric.

rdonahe · 04-09-2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunningr

Curious if you add spacers do you need to have the car alligned again?

No alignment needed as far as I’m concerned. You are not “opening up” the suspension so no geometry changes, only pushing the wheels outboard a smidge.

Starter986 · 04-09-2018, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdonahe

I’m running ECS Tuning spacers as well as their wheel studs. I’m no engineer but they seem high quality and I’ve had them installed for almost a year and a half.

H&R spacers are another brand I’ve used on other cars in the past that are regarded well.

In my understanding the key is that they are hubcentric.

Likewise ECS. 10 front. 20 rear. I did enough reading and research to fees comfortable ordering from ECS. The kit I purchased included the bolts.

Racer Boy · 04-09-2018, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

Likewise ECS. 10 front. 20 rear. I did enough reading and research to fees comfortable ordering from ECS. The kit I purchased included the bolts.

Same here!

DWBOX2000 · 04-09-2018, 06:36 PM

Does 260 sound right for 4 15mm spacers and lugs?
Any before and after pictures?

Racer Boy · 04-09-2018, 06:57 PM

I paid $130 for two 15 mm spacers with lugs from ECS, so that does sound right.

Anker · 04-10-2018, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdonahe

No alignment needed as far as I’m concerned. You are not “opening up” the suspension so no geometry changes, only pushing the wheels outboard a smidge.

Spacers will increase camber because if the lengthened lever arm of the suspension, and with the increased camber you also get a change in toe-in. Whether you change them enough to go out of spec is another question.