Motorsport Spacers Install

[marjen]

So I just got my Motorsport Tech spacers in. One is a 1/4" slip on, the other is 3/4" Bolt on.

Any concerns using the 1/4" slip on with stock studs?

Any concerns using a bolt on spacer?

I have never used spacers before and have heard they can cause issues, though I have not really heard of anybody who has had an issue with a wheel falling off or something. Just checking before I get them installed.

Thanks.

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[HISSMAN]

You will need studs with the 1/4 spacer. I wouldn't use any spacer over 5mm without longer studs. You are just shy of 6.5mm with a 1/4 spacer.

 

[marjen]

You will need studs with the 1/4 spacer. I wouldn't use any spacer over 5mm without longer studs. You are just shy of 6.5mm with a 1/4 spacer.

Dang i thought you could get by with 1/4". Where does one get new studs?

 

[Norm Peterson]

ARP studs should be available. Try some of the competition-oriented places like Maximum Motorsports, Vorshlag, and Stranoparts. Talk to somebody, and be clear that you're talking about an S550.

They won't be cheap, except in comparison to having a wheel fall off because you couldn't get enough thread engagement on the OE studs.

FWIW, I wouldn't go much past a 1mm shim-spacer on OE studs unless I know for absolute fact that I'll have well over one stud diameter worth of threads engaged after the spacer is put in place. I think that's 14mm for the S550.


On edit, check with Optimum Performance.


Norm

 

[Optimum Performance]

Dang i thought you could get by with 1/4". Where does one get new studs?

If you want to stay with 14MM studs we offer this KIT

If you want to opt for ARP 1/2" Studs we offer this KIT

We also offer them as complete hub assemblies.

We also offer quality wheel spacers HERE HERE HERE

We agree with Norm, that's why we would rather see studs long enough use a spacer instead of a bolt on design. Any spacer under 12mm will only be a flat spacer. Our 15mm and 16.5mm spacers are hub and wheel centric.

We do small runs of the spacers because 1. Everyone always wants a different size 2. They are expensive to make

If we could get a better idea of what everyone wants we would do larger runs but quality US billet is expensive to have sitting on the shelf.

This THREAD shows the thread engagement with our spacers and 14mm mid length studs, giving a margin of safety.

 

[marjen]

Well I had the spacers installed yesterday. When I first got to the shop they had them installed on the wrong wheels the back was very aggressive. My mistake as I did not specify and I got to say they actually looked pretty sick, but I was going for more of a flush look all around so had them switch them up.

The rears is a slip on 1/4" I told them NOT to install if they felt they in any way would not have enough stud. They said they got around 6+ solid turns and that they would work just fine. I do have conical lugs so maybe you get an extra turn out of those over stock as I know I heard I would probably be 1-1.5mm to short. Also they are hub and wheel centric. I am going back today to have them recheck that all is well.

The front is a 3/4" bolt on and they did not have to cut the studs at all. It just fit FYI for anyone else who might be wondering. It looks like the studs barely extend past the spacer a tiny bit, but my wheels actually have a space there so no issue at all.

The quality of the spacers is excellent. I worked with Lenny and he did a great job. It took about 2 weeks to get them as they custom make all the sets I believe.

I am getting some sort of sound that may/may not be related to the install though. I also had struts/shocks and BMR lockout kit installed at some time so not sure which one is causing the sound. Checking that out today.

 

[HISSMAN]

Eh.. Just be safe buddy. There are real reasons why we give the advise that we do. Post pics though.

Well I had the spacers installed yesterday. When I first got to the shop they had them installed on the wrong wheels the back was very aggressive. My mistake as I did not specify and I got to say they actually looked pretty sick, but I was going for more of a flush look all around so had them switch them up.

The rears is a slip on 1/4" I told them NOT to install if they felt they in any way would not have enough stud. They said they got around 6+ solid turns and that they would work just fine. I do have conical lugs so maybe you get an extra turn out of those over stock as I know I heard I would probably be 1-1.5mm to short. Also they are hub and wheel centric. I am going back today to have them recheck that all is well.

The front is a 3/4" bolt on and they did not have to cut the studs at all. It just fit FYI for anyone else who might be wondering. It looks like the studs barely extend past the spacer a tiny bit, but my wheels actually have a space there so no issue at all.

The quality of the spacers is excellent. I worked with Lenny and he did a great job. It took about 2 weeks to get them as they custom make all the sets I believe.

I am getting some sort of sound that may/may not be related to the install though. I also had struts/shocks and BMR lockout kit installed at some time so not sure which one is causing the sound. Checking that out today.

 

[HISSMAN]

Having said all of that...just for giggles, please undo one of the wheel nuts and see how many complete revolutions you get out of it.

 

[marjen]

I will do that later today. I will say I use this shop for all my installs for my car and they have always been excellent and have a very good reputation and work on a ton of performance cars.

 

[Optimum Performance]

You might be alright, it depends on the wheel and lug nuts design. I know they are not as classy but why I like open lug nuts, you can see the thread inside the nut. If the cone of the nut is threaded and you get well into the nut you should be good. A good way to test it is to remove one lug nuts, measure the protrusion of stud from the bottom of the seat for the nut then compare it to the nuts you are using.If you have a solid 5/8" of confirmed thread engaged you have a decent margin of safety.

Curious what size hub dimension did you and Lenny come up with, we make ours to 70.5mm so it slips on fairly easy when cold and doesn't require a hammer and chisel to remove them.The wheels typically have a fairly loose fit to the hub.

 

[marjen]

I am not quite sure on exact dimensions. I know he said both wheel and hub centric and he called the wheel manufacturer just to confirm exact numbers.

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