spacer vs adapter

[dbrisson]

Am I correct in assuming its better to use longer studs and a hub centric spacer rather than the bolt on type hub centric adapter with its own studs? Or is there no detriment either way.

The reason I ask is the wheels I just put on my SC came with adapters and while it rides nice if its better to just use spacers i will pick those up and longer studs from pelican. I have done a few searches but nothing substantial in the opinion area.

[Por_sha911]

Spacers are better. You don't have to worry about the inside set of lug nuts being loose. If you plan on auto-crossing or racing, adapters are not allowed. For the street and casual driver adapters are acceptable.

[Lukesportsman]

How thick are your adapters, rear especially? 100mm studs require work.

[Lukesportsman]

Here a thread with some relative info.:

Replacing Wheel Studs?

[porsche930dude]

my fronts are spacers and rears are adapters. Im pretty sure the main reason for adapters is that you can only go so far safely with spacers

[Walt Fricke]

I once wrote something in another place expressing some doubts about adapters (not based on anything specific). Got an e-mail in reply from the guy who makes them. He pointed out, among other things, that Porsche used them with the 930s. No mere spacers -- adapters.

I see no obvious reason adapters should not be as strong. After all, a front hub is just a hunk of aluminum with studs sticking out of it.

It even seems to me that long studs are going to be subject to a bit more bending stress, but maybe not if hub centric (though that is not an interference fit). I hadn't thought of the question of keeping the inner nuts tight. I have thought that adapters have to be heavier, if for no other reason than that they use two sets of lug nuts.

Not having to change lugs seems a viable reason to consider adapters.

The ban on adapters has to be based on flimsey things used to run 5 bolt rims on 4 bolt hubs, or wide 5s on something smaller, or changing the bolt circle otherwise. Something like that. Not on using a Porsche style adapter. Nobody is going to kick a stock Turbo out for that.

Walt Fricke

[Peter Bull]

IAFAIK you can buy original Porsche adapters, and I would be very surprised if they were not safe to use. Obviously, you have to check the inner lug nuts regulary, just as you should check the outer ones.

/Peter

[RarlyL8]

Long studs and placers are best for many reasons such as simplicity, safety (no inner nuts to come loose) and weight.
If you decide to go with adapters, use steel nuts to hold the adapter to the hub and aluminum nuts to hold the wheel to the adapter.
If you take your time and torque them correctly (96#) there should never be a problem.

[dbrisson]

Thanks for the replies the current setup came with adapters that are called 1 Inch but really measure about 7/8ths, so I think I can go with 21mm spacers and 67mm studs and have no problems. Because the lugs are hidden under a cover, both sides are steel. I used a torque wrench to get 96+ lbs on all bolts.

[ttweed]

Originally posted by Walt Fricke
The ban on adapters has to be based on flimsey things used to run 5 bolt rims on 4 bolt hubs, or wide 5s on something smaller, or changing the bolt circle otherwise. Something like that. Not on using a Porsche style adapter. Nobody is going to kick a stock Turbo out for that.

The Zone 8 PCA rules changed this last year to allow adapters in time trials and autocross events precisely because there are many Porsche models that come with OEM factory adapters. Modifying the bolt pattern is not allowed, still, and all spacers and adapters are subject to inspection and approval in tech, to weed out any unsafe installations, and tech inspectors usually ask entrants who have studded adapters on their cars if they have checked the torque on the inner nuts lately. The relevant wording is as follows:
Any adapter to modify the Porsche bolt pattern will not be allowed. Drilling of wheel hubs is not allowed. Longer wheel studs/bolts and nonthreaded/non-studded spacers are allowed subject to safety inspection. Studded wheel spacers are allowed subject to safety inspection. Porsche Factory studded and non-studded but threaded wheel spacers are allowed in the vehicles in which they are factory installed, subject to safety inspection.

TT