Thoughts on spacers & studs for autocross/track/street

[Doug Hitchcock]

Hello:

I want to get spacers for my E30 325i, which is a daily driver and autocross toy.

My 205/55 X 14 Hoosiers rub on the strut housings just a tiny bit under extreme conditions up front.

The 225/50s in back also appear to be rubbing just a teeny bit, wearing a little patch of paint off the wheel house.

The rub appears to be on the raised sidewall lettering but not the body of the tire -- it's that minor.

So-o-o-o ... Ireland Engineering appears to have a happenin' deal: $29.95 for a pair of 1/8th or 1/4th inch spacers.

It's cheap ... but is there anything else I should know? Better sources?

Also, I probably will go ahead swap lug bolts for a set of studs and lug nuts.

If I'm using 1/4 inch spacers, how long should the studs be? I'm running 14 by 6.5 inch basketweaves for race rubber.

Thanks, all ...

Doug Hitchcock
Zinnoberrot (9/88) 325i No. 10 DSP

[alex]

Hello:

I want to get spacers for my E30 325i, which is a daily driver and autocross toy.

My 205/55 X 14 Hoosiers rub on the strut housings just a tiny bit under extreme conditions up front.

The 225/50s in back also appear to be rubbing just a teeny bit, wearing a little patch of paint off the wheel house.

The rub appears to be on the raised sidewall lettering but not the body of the tire -- it's that minor.

So-o-o-o ... Ireland Engineering appears to have a happenin' deal: $29.95 for a pair of 1/8th or 1/4th inch spacers.

It's cheap ... but is there anything else I should know? Better sources?

Also, I probably will go ahead swap lug bolts for a set of studs and lug nuts.

If I'm using 1/4 inch spacers, how long should the studs be? I'm running 14 by 6.5 inch basketweaves for race rubber.

Thanks, all ...

Doug Hitchcock
Zinnoberrot (9/88) 325i No. 10 DSP

IE screw in studs should be sufficient to run with 1/4 inch spacers. 1/8 would be enough to prevent any further rubbing.

[Doug Hitchcock]

Alex, thanks for the reply. May I pick your brain a bit more?

Will the spacers affect how the car steers?

And are there any issues with using studs on the street?

Thanks again,

Doug Hitchcock
Zinnoberrot 325i No. 10 DSP

[bOObOO]

I've run the IE screw in studs and H&R 15mm spacers and there's plenty of thread to engage the nut. I would imagine that the steering may get a little heavier if the rims get pushed out beyond the normal offset. I haven't experienced this with the 325 but it was the case with my Acura.
The only other thing you may want to consider is that you might want to avoid plastic centering rings if that is what your wheels have. Under sustained track use, I have heard of them melting... 8-[

No issues with the studs on the street, just make sure you locktite them in and torque your wheels studs after every session on the track (a good habit) they also make wheel changes much easier.

~andre~

[rwh11385]

I have H&R 8mm spacers x 4 if you're interested. But you'll probably go with IE.

[Doug Hitchcock]

"I have H&R 8mm spacers x 4 if you're interested. But you'll probably go with IE."

I did indeed go with the Irelands. Eighth inch was all I needed it turned out. And they're dandy.

I don't think the 8mm ones would be legal in my autocross class, DSP. Quarter inch max ...

Do you do club racing?

Doug Hitchcock
Zinnoberrot -- Fun to Say!

[dk]

having run spacers in the past, i really think the best solution is to just get a set of wheels that emulate proper OEM fitment and let you run the widest tires possible. which is what i'm doing now. IMO, money is better spent that way than getting an extra 10mm of track via spacers.

but i am admittedly ignorant as to what's allowed in specific scca classes, so what i think is right might not apply to you.

[rwh11385]

yes, i'd say the same. which is exactly what I did. bought panasports at et24,or 25, or whatever, instead of trying to use spacers on my borbets. they can fit 225 r compounds.....whenever i get there.

no CR for me. yet. in the future after i graduate any have a career......*maybe* hehe.

my Zinno is just a track/DE whore, with a little Auto-X mixed in.

[Doug Hitchcock]

Agreed, folks, the ideal solution is wheels with the proper offset and tires that fit.

Let me just say, I've used the spacers for an autocross school, and one autocross. No more minor rubbing problems, or in other words, everything is now copasetic.

FWIW, here's how I wound up where I'm at. I got some used Kumhos from an E30 buddy, 225/50s which I ran on the 14-inch basketweaves. When they wore out, I snagged a used set of 225/50 Hoosiers to autocross with.

Guess what--Hoosiers are about an inch wider than the similarly spec'd Kumhos. In fact, the 225 Hoosiers wouldn't even bolt up to the front hubs because they laid up against the strut housings.

I order a set of 205 Hoosiers for the front. They fit. I run some autocrosses and notice??? Shiny patches on the strut housing and rear wheel house.

So, now I'm sorta tapped financially and trying to get through the season with what I've got without damaging car or tires.

Note, I've no problems whatsoever with my street tires/wheels, which are dead stock b'caps and 195/65s.

The plan for next year is some 15X7s (Team Dynamics, most likely) with the right offset and Kumho V710 225/50s. I expect the spacers will sit in the tool box from then on.

Doug Hitchcock
Zinnoberrot E30 325i No. 10 DSP