Harsany

Does anybody think that the factory wheels are conservative in offset? I know it's common from the factory, but I think the car would sit better with some wheel spacers to bring the edge of the tire closer to the edge of the wheel well.

RettlerT

That's what xcellr8tion said the first time he saw the car and I have to agree. How would you go about it? Would it change the dynamics of the suspension?

Harsany

H&R or MTM wheel spacers, maybe about 10 to 20mm. It actually may improve the handling with a wider stance. No effect on alignment.

RobC

Link to my pics with aggressive offset. The wheels are 20x9 ET25, which pushes the wheels out 26mm relative to stock.

http://www.robcheng.com/s6bbs/

Harsany

Yes that looks great! I thought the factory offset is 45mm? Which would make your difference 20mm??

RettlerT

That makes a world of difference! Looks great RobC. Would it take a 26mm spacer to achieve the same effect? If so a 20mm might work fine.

RobC

Remember that offset is relative to the center-line of the wheel. My BBS wheels are 1/2" wider than stock (9" vs 8.5"). So the math is (45-25)+0.5*(12.7mm)= 26mm.

If my new wheels were 8.5" wide with ET25, then yes the difference would be 20.

I like the very simple wheel offset calculator found here:
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

RobC

Your math is right, and many will argue that large spacers are not a good thing. That have no experience to say one way or another. 20mm will push the wheels out 3/4" which should make a noticeable aesthetic difference.

tenspeed

The only times I have heard about spacers and safety is when a spacer with lugs is used. If cheap metal is used as a base, the lugs sometimes pull out.

If the spacer is a flat piece of metal and longer lug bolts are used, there shouldn't be a safety issue.

Harsany

Spacers that are not designed specifically for the model of car should never be used. H&R and MTM both fit the hub perfectly and the both supply longer lugs. Spend the money for quality spacers and you will not have a problem.