Are Wheel spacers ok with our cars?

[slitherv10]

Thinking of bringing the custom wheels a little bit further out of the wheel well. Mostly the back ones. I have heard different opinions on this.

1. Car has too much torque and wheels spacers would get damaged or not be able to handle the power.

2. Car would perform less adequate.

3. Could screw up the rims somehow.

I don't know answers to any of those questions so feel free to add your opinion/facts.

[Timnineside]

For OEM wheels I have done it a few times. Cheap easy mod that makes OEM wheels look great. They use them on the Comp Coupe (I think don't quote me here) so in theory you should be fine.

Of course this will but strain on the bearings but who knows how much and if it would have much of an effect.

I haven't a clue why you'd want to on custom wheels though. Typically they sit flush with the body and sticking them out beyond that would look tacky (in my opinion of course). I'd also have to think you'd be throwing the road debris all over the place asking for damage to the car.

-Tim

[slitherv10]

For OEM wheels I have done it a few times. Cheap easy mod that makes OEM wheels look great. They use them on the Comp Coupe (I think don't quote me here) so in theory you should be fine.

Of course this will but strain on the bearings but who knows how much and if it would have much of an effect.

I haven't a clue why you'd want to on custom wheels though. Typically they sit flush with the body and sticking them out beyond that would look tacky (in my opinion of course). I'd also have to think you'd be throwing the road debris all over the place asking for damage to the car.

-Tim

Actually the custom wheels that I have sit well inside the wheel wells and I would like to get them flush as original, but,

UPDATE.....I installed Michelin PSS's this year and had to go to a 30 profile over the 25 profiles that the PZeros had. Unfortunately with the larger wheel diameter of the new tires I see that with adding the spacers it would end up making the rubber hit the lip of the wheel well. It looks like I have to stick with the look unless I find a 345/25.20 series tire tat is not 700+ dollars each as is the Nitto Invo's which is the only company offering that size right now.

[Luisv]

Have a set on my car... Part of the brake upgrade I did. No issues at all.

[GuitarSteve2112]

Is this for the GTS? Looking forward to seeing what you do.

[Luisv]

Sorry....answered the first time without detail as I was falling asleep.... :-). Wanted to add some answers...

1. Car has too much torque and wheels spacers would get damaged or not be able to handle the power.

Nonsense. The spacers are just that... Spacers. They add space between the rotor and wheel. They are just blocks of aluminum with six holes that add 1/4 of an inch...for example. They do not transfer torque as they are along for the ride.

2. Car would perform less adequate.

Makes the tires go further out. You you adding width... If anything this would improve handling. However!... Have the alignment set/checked properly if the spacers are added. Not that it would make a huge difference... But if your setup was at a max threshold...the spacers could just toss it out of spec.

3. Could screw up the rims somehow.

If the wheels are of lesser quality... This might be something to consider in extreme cases with very large spacers. For example, adding 1.5" spacers on a Jeep Wrangler and using that with the stock steel wheels. I've seen that done... Lol.... And I've seen the damage if the wheel hits a curb on a slide.... They destroyed the wheel and hub bearings.... The spacers helped make that worse than it would have been. On the same note though.... The Jeep did not flip because of the added width....BUT.... In the Viper's case where, at most, you'll be adding 3/8" or 1/2", I would not worry at all.....



Hope this helps a bit more.... I'd do it....for both aesthetics and handling... Not an issue. Love the ones I have form IPSCO. BTW.... If you do...get the extended lugs and look at my brake upgrade thread about how to get those to go in easily and never bind....