I finally broke down and installed 15mm rear spacers today. IMHO, they look great. I'm still undecided about putting the recommended 7mm spacers up front. It seems too small to make a difference. I don't need them for clearance, since I have stock wheels. They're purely for the stance. Frankly, I could go without anything on the front wheels. Any thoughts on sizing for the front?



Before



After



Wider view

 

Looks good. Which brand did you go with?

Do you have a better profile picture of the front and rear wheels? I have a rear set on order and thinking about getting spacers for the front too.

Thanks.

 

Car looks great Walter! Can we get a picture of the whole car further back? Just a bit hard to tell by the pictures.

 

Having BTDT, go 15 in front too... yes, even in spite of 7mm recommendation/max (assuming no track/DE)

Quick test... relocate both spacers to same side - one front, one rear . Take a peak after a quick drive to settle the suspension and I know you'll be very pleased. But if you feel it's too much (doubtful), then go w/ 7mm or stay naked. 15mm up front will also help a smidge w/ the inherent under-steer.

Good luck

 

Burg, good advice, but I'm a condo dweller, and swapping the spacers out would be an ordeal. I appreciate your input that 15mm isn't too much for the front. 7mm just seems like a waste of time. It might be my imagination, but I feel like I'm more planted on the road with just the rear spacers (so far).

ECS, I'll try to take more pics and post soon. Your online video on spacers was very helpful to me.

C4SNY, the spacers were generic (sorry ECS) that were given to me. With your WB, I don't know if the effect would be the same. You already have a more aggressive stance. I can't imagine that you won't be as thrilled as I was when you get yours installed, though. Good luck.

Thanks, all. I'll likely end up with 15mm up front.

 

Looks good! What size tires and wheels are you running?

 

It's stock all the way, with 295/30's on recently-painted OEM 19" Turbo rims. The only suspension parts that are not stock are the spacers. The 15mm spacers really fill out the wheel wells nicely, allowing the rubber to budge out just enough to let you know it means business.

I don't know why I'm still hesitant to do the front. I think PCNA spooked me with its 7mm recommendation for front wheel spacers. That is both because it's so slight, and because it's different from the 15mm recommendation for the rears.

Or maybe I'm just used to seeing bigger rear tires on Porsches vs. the fronts.

 

I would of done the same..good choice..in regards the 7mm spacer does anyone know if you would need new lugbolts for this size spacer or will the stock work?

 

Forgive the photo quality, but here are a couple more shots of the rear. Unfortunately, I can take a wider shot without leaving my parking garage, and it's dinner time.



Here's the front, still in its virgin state. It's quite a bit narrower, but I'm not sure whether I prefer that. Nah.

 

I tried to research that when looking into this little project. The best I came up with is that you need longer bolts for all spacers. I found no exceptions for narrower widths. I can't imagine needing new bolts for 3mm spacers, but I don't really know. Given that this is a potentially serious safety issue, I concluded that I would need them if I were to go with 7mm. Others may disagree. I'd like to see something definitive. At least they're not expensive.

 

I run 7mm on the front and when you look at it from the point of view of 7mm it doesn't seem like much, but when you consider it eliminates half of the factory inset it seems like more. To me the difference is notable.

Yes, it is well established that you do need new lug bolts with 7m and even 5mm spacers. Our sponsors ECS and Adaptec sell them (as do others). I like the galvanized ones I got from Adaptec; they aren't too expensive and keep looking shiny without getting dull and rusty like the factory ones. Be sure to use a nylon-shielded socket for removing the bolts to keep from scratching off the galvanized coating or paint if you go with black. I use the Protect-a-Socket I got off eBay for $20 (search "Protect-a-Socket Porsche").

 

The stock lug bolts on your 997 are long enough to have adequate thread engagement with up to a 2mm spacer. But I'm not aware of any 2mm spacers on the market. For 3mm and larger, extended lugs are recommended.

 

Yep, 15mm in front will bring those out right to the edge of fender lip top.

 

I am a new owner. First post on this forum. My car has 15mm spacers front and rear. I absoultely LOVE the stance! The previous owner has run these spacers for 2 years without issue. Hope this helps.

 

TCZ, welcome, and thanks. Your car looks great with the 7mm spacers up front. I need to acknowledge that this is indeed enough to make a difference.

Have you been tempted to go wider? I realize the car is new to you, but it doesn't seem to take long to start getting the itch to tweak things, whether the car needs it or not. :-) Ah, decisions, decisions . . . Such sweet torture.