Small spacer vs big spacer
 

Assuming I end up with the same offset in the end, is there any advantage/disadvantage of going with
a +48 wheel with a 28mm spacer, or
a +35 wheel with a 15mm spacer

They both result in a +20 offset. What else is there to consider?

I'm wondering if going with the larger spacer (in general) would actually be the safer choice to make sure that the car's lugs clear the wheel. Or, is that problem simply a non issue unless there's extended studs involved?

In general you want to go with the smallest spacer possible.

1) Go too thick of a spacer and you're not going to have enough threads to hold your lug nuts on

2) Less weight

Ok, I was thinking only about bolt on spacers so that threads wouldn't be an issue, but good point.

I don't see that it matters much with spacers that large. I would use the smaller spacer unless the other one allows for rotating tires. Weight should be similar as the wheel with smaller spacer will have more material in the hub.

why not get a wheel with the offset you want?

offset will affect concave. typically the lower the offset, the more concave the wheel looks, but that also depends on the spoke pattern.

I'd recommend spending the extra money and adding extended aftermarket studs and using slip-on spacers (over bolt-on.) The aftermarket studs will be stronger and not introduce additional potential points of failure. Now if going with bolt-ons, then get the absolute best quality spacers you can. You're looking for aluminum alloy (often with magnesium) spacers that are hubcentric with good pressed in studs and excellent lug included nuts. H&R Track+ are tried and true. http://trakplus.com/

I'm currently using 12mm of modular spacers from Parts Shop Max as they also stress test these in drift applications. https://store.partsshopmax.com/shop/.../WheelFitment/

The cost of the above are higher than many "billet" custom spacers. They're load bearing items that need to work every time. I'm sure there are other brands that offer various degrees of engineering and testing. I'm referring to those I have first hand knowledge of that worked flawlessly. I've had a few bad experiences all due to poor construction. I'd recommend staying away from all "white labeled" bolt-on spacers from a multitude of vendors as many result in failures of the stud, lug nut or warping of the material itself.

gl/hf

This completely relies on the manufacturing process for the wheels. Some companies cast the wheel with a low offset and then just shave the hub mating surface to raise it. Which is essentially just running a spacer from the factory for the lower ones. Others actually change the spoke concave or push the spokes back into the wheel resulting in a dish appearance which is better as it does not alter scrub radius like the previous method or spacers.

Whether the scrub radius being altered is a problem will depend on you and how you use the car. From my understanding if you want the best handling the closest to a 0 scrub radius is the best. I believe a positive scrub radius will increase steering angle and could be beneficial for drifting.

Slight correction... scrub radius is a direct function of suspension geometry, wheel offset and wheel width, doesn't matter how you get the offset (wheel construction, spacers, etc).

Scrub radius is simply the distance between the center of the wheel and an imaginary line drawn down the steering axis to the pavement.

http://images.sportcompactcarweb.com...nsion_08_z.jpg

I can no longer read the words "contact patch" without having Gforce/Ubersuber/Suberman flashbacks. It has ruined the term for me forever.

I jounced in my chair as I LOL'd at this.

Do you have a link to this? I'd also like to be ruined.

Oh it was spread across hundreds of threads and was the stuff legends are made of. They say that if you stand in front of a mirror and repeat his name three times all your tires will go flat and your car's suspension will just fall apart.
Many were deleted but here are an example from each of his incarnations. If you ever feel really ambitious you can search threads started by him. Those of course are a small fraction of the total works since they would of course not show his activity in other threads.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56887
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71770
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118334