How bad of an idea is it to put 1" wheel spacers on the rear wheels of the 350 Z? I've been told it can warp the rotors, bend lug bolts, etc.

 

1" spacers would have to be the kind that have their own lugs and bolts up to the existing lugs. I can't see how they would warp the rotors. If they are done correctly, should be no problem, although others may disagree.

 

Yes...that's the kind I was talking about. Here's the link:

http://www.spencerlowracing.com/prod...el_spacers.htm

 

Yes, that kind are fine, you won't bend the lugs, becuase they aren't any longer. I'm sure you realize it, but the link you showed is for 6 lug Nissan trucks. Of course, that may be what you want them for too.

 

Yes, thanks....I was just showing that as an illustration. I haven't found anwhere that sells spacers to fit the Z.

I was planning on upgrading the tires on my track model (to Toyo T1S 235/45, 255/45), but I'd like to move the wheels out to fill the rear fender flares a bit more. Spacers seem like an easy solution, but I'd hate to compromise the geometry of the suspension in any way.

 

Well, it depends. Part of the problems with offsets in general is not looks, it's trying to deep the center of the wheel where it was before. Otherwise it becomes a torque arm and puts undue stress on everything from the lugs to the bearings. The bearings really end up taking a beating because you end up putting a load on them in a direction they were not designed to handle.

I just heard back from TC Kline about the setup they use for race tires. 17x8 front and 17x8.5 rear with spacers and longer studs. I asked for the specific offsets, but wasn't given those. My only real suggestion again is to try to keep the wheel center where it was before.

 

Steve can you elaborate. Ive been reading alot lately about wheel offsets and such. If you go with too low of an offset for the front wheels, you increase the scrub radius, which in turn will make the steering heavier, and increase wandering and bump steer. How many mm would it take for this to happen....generally. Im worried about the lower offset of my front iForged wheels.

What does increasing the rear offset do...since its always in a fixed position?

 

Think of it this way, imagine putting on a 2' long spacer. I am being drastic to illustrate. That 2' spacer becomes a torque arm. No longer are the forces in the bearings limited to the vertical plane they were designed to operate in. Now look at bump steer, the steering axis is still located at the hub, so any force acting in the opposite direction of the cars travel would also be multiplied by the torque arm causing "bump steer." Coversely, the steering becomes heavier as well because it now takes more force at the steering axis to move the front wheels.

So it's not really the offset that is the problem, you can have a lower numerical offset, but still keep the wheel centered in the same place. That would help bearing wear and warping problems, but as long as you extend the wheel further out from the car's centerline you will increase bump steer. I hope that makes sense and helps.

 

Steve,

Since your knowledge and experience is way beyond mine, would you say it is a bad idea to put spacers on the rear? I do not track the car, but I certainly don't drive it all that conservatively either. It is not my daily driver however, and 5000 miles a year is about the kind of mileage I put on.

 

So lower offsets wont really casue more wear on the bearings. I mean, I tried to keep it conservative and keep the fronts to +20mm...thats still 10mm less than stock. Are we just talking about spacers here?

 

I mispoke there. If you keep the same offset as you add width then the centerline will remain the same.

As you increase wheel width, you need to increase the offset to clear the strut or shock. I don't think slight changes will have huge consequences, especially at the rear, but they will change the way the car feels and reacts through the steering at the front end.

 

im just looking for a 10-20mm wheel spacer, something to just help out the stock setup...where could i look online for something like that?

 

My 15mm custom made spacers arrived today..........

I still have no studs!!!

Does anyone have a clue where I can get 12x1.25x60 (ish) studs for my Z? I cant see paying 10bux a stud (its rediculous since they are 70c a pop).

Pepboys (yeah i know haha) said they had 100s of studs.... but didnt feel like LOOKING for my size. They said they only know how to search by car. Errrr.

Only other place I found is in California and they are 2.50 a pop and are back order for a week or two. Yet this same company sells them INCLUDED with their hubs for free. VERY confusing.