Bolt-on wheel spacers: Are they safe?
 

Does anyone have any experience with the project kics bolt-on wheel spacers?

My BBK will be delivered shortly, but the wheels that fit the BBK won't be here for another two months, and I have a track event in two weeks. Right now I've got 17x7.5 RE30's on the front with a +43 offset. The stoptech template made it look like I need about 3mm more offset to get the proper clearance. I'm not interested in a 3mm spacer, but a 10mm spacer with integrated studs seems like it would be a better idea. The motoiq guys seemed to do alright with the spacers.

If I kept an eye on the torque settings of both sets of nuts (hub and spacer), would this still be an incredibly dumb idea?

I guess the question is, which is safer: spacers with integrated studs and a BBK, or stock brakes (with decent street pads, ss lines, and ATE fluid) in 90+degree ambient temps and 30 minute lap sessions at VIR?


Also, I should mention. I have the ducting and flanges necessary for brake ducts like robrob made in his how to. So I suppose ducted factory brakes are an option as well.

I use 17mm spacers to keep my stock front tires on with the stoptech bbk. I have not had any issues with that setup. I have tracked it once at vir in the rain (hence street tires) and it did just fine.If you only use a 10mm spacer you will have to make sure there is room on the back of the rim for the OEM studs because they will stick through the spacer.

Thanks for the feedback Pete. The RE30's have additional holes specifically for this type of setup, so hopefully the wheels studs won't be an issue.

I've had a wheel spacer break completely off before and send one of my tires/wheels rolling down the road into a K-Mart parking lot on my old mustang.. Not sure the brand but just a personal experience.

Which part broke? The studs on the wheel spacer?

Never had any issue with spacers, just make sure and size them properly. Anything over 5mm requires either extended studs or intigraded studs in the spacers.

This can happen to a Mustang regardless of running spacers or not lol

That's funny!! :LOL:

What's wrong with a 3mm spacer?


Studies show mustang drivers are twice as likely to cheat on their sister.

Unless you've already demonstrated to yourself that the OEM set up doesn't work for your driving level I'd run the OEM brakes rather than messing about with spacers. You can go a long way with just proper pads and brake fluid.