wheel spacer for an 02 2.7 boxster, good idea?

[Yuta]

I have a 02 boxster 2.7 boxster with stock 17" rims.... The wheel spacers are inexpensive. I am wondering if installing them is going to make the car look more sporty?

my concerns are:

1, how thick is reasonable? If it is too thick, maybe the wheel will hit the fender when the suspension travels upwards?

2, Will it affect the alighment and result in abnormal tire wear?

3, Will it affect handling ?

[Nostril Cheese]

Its going to look like a Boxster with wheel spacers.

1. Yes, if the spacer is too thick, it will hit the fender.

2. It can affect alignment. Yes, poor alignment will cause tire wear.

3. Yes, it can affect handling as you will widen the track of the car.

You'll need to also install longer wheel bolts (VERY important).

[mikewood]

1. I think, on Boxsters, most run something like 7-10mm front and 12-14mm rear spacers. You can get away with wider without hitting stuff, but I don't know how much more.
2. No, it will not affect alignment.
3. You will be changing track width. Without going into details around change in wheel rate, roll center, scrub radius etc., yes, you can change handling of the car with spacers. How will depend on the differential f/r, mostly.

The biggest thing is to make sure that you are using hub centric pieces that are machined to a loose interference fit and high quality fasteners, which definitely isn't the case with all kits. The other thing that can be an issue is increased bearing wear in an application resulting in excessive offset. I don't think that is an issue with Porsches on stock backspace wheels.

[turboflyer]

I run something like 17 0r 20s and yes it will effect rear camber but with in an adjustable range. We are talking minor but is moves the tire farther rout for its center so camber is changed. It filled the wheel well nicely .

[mikewood]

Spacers will not affect camber. Doesn't matter if you move the wheel 2mm or 200mm, the angle stays constant. I suppose, theoretically, if you moved the contact patch a huge distance away from the lca pivot and had a soft enough spring, it might lower static ride height, which on an IRS car would add to static negative camber, but I can't imagine that being likely.

[Yuta]

Originally Posted by turboflyer

I run something like 17 0r 20s and yes it will effect rear camber but with in an adjustable range. We are talking minor but is moves the tire farther rout for its center so camber is changed. It filled the wheel well nicely .

These rims look so nice... I think id better save up for a new rim set.. probably 19"...

[whatodo]

I am currently using H&R 23mm spacer for my rear and tyre size - 265/35/18. It looks very good and just nice (doesnt stick out)

[Fingal]

Nice driveway. Where are all the oil stains? (lol)

I have that car but with black interior. The 986s were/are 'classic' now!