Sorry I keep starting threads, but I got a job and I want to take advantage of my 8's potential. I posted this in another section, but it got no hits. Anyway...

Alright, so I hate the way the stock wheels tuck so far into the fenders, but I don't have the cash for a set of new wheels just yet, so I am considering running some spacers. I've searched around the forums, but I've only found threads regarding Series I's with spacers.

My main question is what kind of offset do the stock SII wheels need to be flush. The SI wheels need about 25mm, but I don't want to just assume SII are the same and have problems with rubbing, or the wheel sticking out past the fender. I'm thinking 20mm should be fine, because I don't want to roll the fenders.

Next question is, are the stock (Sport) 18" wheels hollow or solid on the inside? I don't want my stock studs to rub the inside of the wheel and have to shave off threads, so I'd have to go with 25mm spacers to avoid clearance issues. Unless the wheels are hollow.

Last thing, I'm going to lower the car with some Tein's soon. Will the tires rub if they are sitting flush, or should it be fine? I forget which Tein's they are, but the lower ones, which I think are S Tech with a 1.5/0.8 drop.

Does anyone have experience with spacers? How would you say the handling changed? Is the car more stable and prone to understeer, or quicker and more prone to oversteer?

Thanks.

 

I do

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...highlight=25mm

 

I read that entire thread, but it's all about the Series I. Haha. It inspired some of my questions though.

Does the 25 you have rub at all with the stockers?

 

Honestly it shouldn't matter between the series I and series II. The suspension is pretty much the same. I did rub in the rear slightly when I am off camber and had a full load but that was rare. Running 25mm spacers will put you at a 18 x 8 +25. Plenty of series II's have run 18 x 9 +30 wheels without rubbing or needing a fender roll.

That said, if you typically drive with heavy set passengers then you will rub.

 

Just 170 pound me. Haha. Have you notice any fatigue or stress on the spacer, wheel or studs?

 

Nope, I had Eibachs and generics and both used grade 8 hardware. I also mistakenly bought a set of H&R spacers with the wrong hub bore and they were all the same in terms of apparent quality and hardware. Just make sure you torque them to factory lug nut spec and you will be fine.

I did a ton of reserach and could not find a single case of a spacers failing and causing any accidents or a wheel to fall off, etc. Spacers are commonly used in many high load off road situations and are commonly used on vintage racing. A lot of the hating and negative opinions and **** talking towards spacers are by people who have never run them and have no real experience with them. Think of the stress and off road vehicle puts on the wheels and hubs when rock crawling. Jeeps and other vehicles often run 2" spacers.

I ran them for a long time, did several canyon runs, etc. and they performed flawlessly. Just make sure you get an alignment after installing them to minimize tire wear.

 

Two last things, is your car lowered and if so, what spring? Also, how was the handling compared to stock compared to S2? Haha.

 

Did you read my thread? I am on Tein S techs. Honestly I did not feel a huge change in handling but I have to admit I went on the Texas8 cruise not too long after installing the spacers and the car seemed to have handled better with the wider trac. I actually meant to remove them for that run because I was nervous about how it would affect the car at the limit but I didn't and i was pleasantly surprised.

Honestly I really can't say anything bad about my spacer experience and I will be running 10mm spacers up front with my Volks to push them out slightly.

 

I forgot. Haha. Care to sell me any of your old spacers? I'm a broke college kid with an addiction to flush fitting wheels.

 

Sorry bro they are sold already, they go very quick. PM member sifu, and ask him if he sold his.

 

Solid on my 2009 GT.

 

Really? Mine are hollow on in between each stud point.

 

Yep. I just checked a few days ago when I mounted my Volk RE30s for a Black Friday track event.

 

Maybe the 2010 wheels are different in that respect then, weird.

 

That is weird because I test fitted a set of 40th wheels and they fit.

 

Someone must have it wrong, as I really doubt the wheels changed at all. What would warrant a change like that by Mazda?

This is a curious mystery.

 

I'll take a photo when I put the stockers back on in the coming week.

 

Thanks. I'd really appreciate that.

 

I could have it wrong, I will double check when I get home. I am running winters so I have my stocks sitting in the garage, maybe i am picturing the winters in my head since they have holes in between each lug.

 

Holes all the way through, or just empty spaces that aren't visible from the outside?

 

Obviously you still didn't read my thread

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/4560971278/http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/4560971278/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/9krpmrx8/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/4560341957/http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/4560341957/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/9krpmrx8/, on Flickr

 

I did. I've seen both of those pictures and even the pics someone linked to another site that showed 15mm spacers.

I was asking him if his winter wheels had holes all the way through or just cavities in the back. Some wheels have 10 stud holes, despite being for a 5 lug application.

 

Thats exactly what my stocks look like as well as well as my winters. My winters are a 5 lug design with casting holes.

 

Backside of my 2009 18" wheel. No extra room.













backside of an 19" R3 wheel
It's an old picture I had and but there is a little room between the lug holes.

 

Either way with 25MM spacers they stick out maybe an 1/8th of and inch. They will work fine with factory wheels.