I take my car to track days, and am wondering what is the point of wheel spacers and if they are really increase your handling.... or are they just for looks?
and if you guys have them, what size space do you run?
Thanks,
Nathan

 

Spacers do not give you better handling, it's just for looks. Most think it looks better with their wheels nice and even with their fender, not all sunken in. I've seen people use 25mm spacers on OEM ap2 wheels and it looks great.

 

Only thing is stance I would of thought?? Slightly wider track, but how much you would notice it? unsure...

saying that though I put 20mm axle spacers on my old fiesta in the rear and it made it feel very planted, especially with the addition of coilovers!!

 

Mostly for looks but they are sometimes needed in order to clear big brake kits as well.

 

do they ever decrease handling?

 

It gives you a wider wheel base. Depending on what size you run it could be 1" wider to 2".

I guess the term, "wider is better" could be used.

 

Do they mess up the wheel alignment?

 

X2...I've actually done some research on wheels spacers, and there's a lot of mixed opinions on them. It seemed across the board as well....some would say it decreases performance, others would say no effect at all, and then some argue that it would even increase it.

 

no. unless you have to mess with your alignment to fit a ridiculously wide spacer so it wont rub

 

I did some reading too and most of the track guys seem to shy away from wheel spacers. They say that it is more rotational mass for no good reason. They tend to go with wider wheels and tires before ever go with spacers if not needed.