355 Spacer | FerrariChat

355 Spacer

Discussion in '348/355' started by erikwa, Jul 23, 2006.

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  1. erikwa

    erikwa Rookie

    Jan 28, 2006
    16
    #1 erikwa, Jul 23, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Changed the battery on my 99 355 F1. I found this spacer on the wheel hub. Is it factory original from Ferrari or must a previous owner put it there?
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  2. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    After market. And unless ya have a set of standard wheel bolts leave them on.
     
  3. chrmer3

    chrmer3 Formula 3

    May 19, 2006
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    Chris
    Yep, unless you have 53mm wheel bolts laying around yours are now too long.
     
  4. erikwa

    erikwa Rookie

    Jan 28, 2006
    16
    Ok. Thanks. For me its a surprise bonus. The car looks perfect with the spacers.
     
  5. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
  6. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    hey chaa! what tire sizes are you running??
     
  7. mgtr1990

    mgtr1990 Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2005
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    Naples Florida
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    Martin Graham
    Agree completely
     
  8. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    295/35/18 rears with 11mm spacers:D
     
  9. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    Sounds pretty wide. Any problems with rubbing??
     
  10. GordonF355

    GordonF355 Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2005
    1,017
    Cincinnati, Ohio
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    Gordon

    I have the exact same setup as CHAA, same spacers and tires / size and I NEVER had any problem with rubbing at all! You just can't beat the look... looks so much more aggressive!
    gordon
     
  11. kimoSabe

    kimoSabe Karting

    Dec 7, 2003
    191
    No CA
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    Ray C.
    How about the front?
     
  12. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    11mm spacers all round. No problems what so ever. Even tyre wear fantastic grip great stance.
     
  13. mgtr1990

    mgtr1990 Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2005
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    Martin Graham
    I have the same set up different tires but the look and lack of problems I agree with.
     
  14. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    What tire sizes are you running?

    chaa is running 295/35/18s rear. 235,40,18 front.
     
  15. Gershwin

    Gershwin F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 21, 2005
    6,415
    Kentucky
    you didn't mention the brand name of the tires that you and Gordon are using.
     
  16. F355Bob

    F355Bob Formula 3

    I have 295 rear on Challenge wheels with a 15 mm spacer. Perfect. Tire comes right to edge of fender. Fronts are 225 with 15mm spacer. I have a set of HREs with 295 rear no spacer and 255 front no spacer. After lowering the car, the front fender needs to be rolled, otherwise without lowering, no rubbing.
     
  17. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    I almost bought some of those spacers. I returned them because the diameter is too small to capture the rubber seal on the wheel. That rubber seal on the factory 355 wheels is there specifically to "seal" the bare magnesium on the mating interface from the outside elements.

    Magnesium corrodes very easily and can weaken with enough corrosion. So if that spacer does not meet up with the seal, you are exposing the "bare" magnesium to moisture, detergents, brake dust and who knows what other bad stuff.

    Needless to say I will be making my own spacers. I will size them to take advantage of the design purpose of that rubber seal.
     
  18. 348paul

    348paul Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2002
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    Kent - UK
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    Paul Hill
    I belive you are getting confused with "Magnesium" and "Magnesium alloy"

    This is a very interesting site that goes into detial on Magnesium Alloys:

    http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=355


    It is often said that Magnesium alloy wheels have low corrosion resistance - this is not quite so provided they have been manufactured correctly.

    The 355 & 550 were the only cars fitted with this rubber seal and yet the likes of the 512TR, 360, 430 etc have Mag alloy wheels and no rubber seal.

    Even though Ferrari have done away with any seal on the latter cars with Mag Alloy wheels ,we could possibly look at doing something as a special kit for the 355 for people who want to retain the sealing of the ring.

    Paul
     
  19. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    Paul
    The 360, 512tr & 430 wheels are "aluminum", and have a higher corrosion threshhold. Thereby eliminating the need for the rubber seal. The "355" wheels are magnesium or a magnesium alloy variant and is more susceptible to corrsion. I have seen some "challenge wheels" (magnesium) with high levels of corrosion because they "don't" have the seal by design. Because these are "racing wheels" they did not see the need for "long term" use and the added weight.
     
  20. 348paul

    348paul Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2002
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    Paul Hill
    Can you tell me where you sourced your information?

    I have a set of OEM 512 TR wheels that weigh approx 30% lighter than the set of 512 TR reproduction wheels I have in aluminium? (Both sets are identical to look at)

    Paul
     
  21. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    My info as I understood it, is from a combination of a few friends who together have restored/worked on a couple of hundred f-cars. As for your 512 wheels, replicas are almost always heavier than originals. Replicas are usually gravity cast (cheaper to do) and will use more material to make up for the the strength that forgings or pressure castings have. Therefore the additional overall weight.

    Forgings are the best they can use less material and are very repairable should they be damaged.

    One of my friends that I spoke of now mostly deals in wheels for high end cars. He can make any wheel design to order. Sorry for the plug: www.eurospeedz.com

    I will verify my understanding of the different wheel materials with him as I will be seeing him this week.
     
  22. xavior

    xavior Formula 3

    Aug 22, 2006
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    sorry for the stupid question but I rather ask here then start a whole new thread. I will go with 11mm spacers all around. After doing this, does the car need to be realigned? If I take this on the track is it safe?

    X
     

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