FF spacers

I've been resisting trying these out of respect for the factory set up, but the look is just too narrow in the rear end of the FF.

Tried 18mm spacers today, and they're a little too wide but wow, the ride was dramatically improved.

More stable in a straight line, more grip in a corner, and less tramlining. I think 15mm is likely perfect.

 

That's with the stock wheels?

 

Maybe the HE 15 mm spacers are a better choice if the tyres poke out with the 18 mm units.

 

For aesthetic reasons, have always gone with 15's on the back (with 10's or 11's on the front) of previous Ferrari's (and now being installed on new F12) and the improvement in ride never ceases to surprise me. My theory is the increased mechanical leverage on the suspension, resulting from having the wheel end-point extended, results in a softer ride. Sport still remains sufficiently firm for me, stability is great, and "bumpy road" is downright cushy. Having said that, no FF experience.

 

i have alot of experience with spacers on the oem and f12 wheels on the FF

 

With all the millions of dollars and man hours that goes into designing a Ferrari, how come the factory doesn't do this if it makes the ride better, etc. Can anyone think of a reason? Im sure there has to be some downside to something.

 

with novitec springs and novitec 20mm spacers all around!
it drives much better!
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from the side
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I'm with you and thinking along the same line. IMO, spacers add stress to the bolts and hubs and I would avoid them. I figure the extra length would have been built in from the factory if intended in the first place.

 

Can only guess the factory set-up is designed to optimize performance across a range of criteria. Spacers definitely put a priority on the stance/look of the car and improve ride smoothness. On the other hand, there may well be a meaningful trade off in ultimate track and handling performance, and crispness.

 

Certainly makes sense that there must be some increase in stress, but keep in mind that the bolt lengths are customized to match the spacer size. I've kept them on for very occasional track events (where I push pretty hard for maybe 5-6 laps at a time) with no issues at all. Any more than that, I'd take them off.

 

There's definitely more stress on both wheel bolts and the hub assembly. It will also change how the spring rate works in relation to the weight of the car. This is due to the fact that you move the wheel away from the leverage point, such that the up and down movement of the wheel exerts more torque to the pivot point. This will in essence make the car feel slightly softer.

As for why they don't? There's a couple of reasons. But the main reason is that most manufactures tuck in the tyres somewhat to protect the exterior. Also, there has to be room for snow chains. I believe the latter is a mandatory thing here in the EU. If they wanted to make the track wider, they would have to make the car wider.

Lastly, I've also been told that it makes for better aerodynamic efficiency.

 

I'm confused how the lowering allows 20mm to work, and not protrude in the rear.

18 is sticking out a bit in the rear

seems like a 10/15 or 15/15 or 0/10 would be best for the stock springs (which I am happy with)

 

Please let me know or send me a link of snow chains that would work for this car. I can't find any studless tires in oem sizes, or anywhere close to oem sizes especially for the rears.

 

Camber.

 

That would be a very large adjustment in the rear end ...

 

18mm to 20mm is almost identical so on my car if you can see the photo of the side is just perfect align with the fender, no sticking out at all

 

Pearless Super Z6 P#SZ435 and Pearless Z Chain P#Z-563 will fit 295/35R20 and 285/35R20 tyres.

If you want to run studded tyres you can easily do that as well. Just get a set of Cali/Cali T 19" rims(or what ever aftermarket you like with same spec) and mount 235/40R19 and 285/40R19 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 on them. And yes, 19" WILL fit as they are the same brakes on both cars. Heck even offset is almost identical between the FF and Cali/Cali T.

 

Was in the garage tonight having a puff with the wifey and we were admiring the stance of the FF - its just perfect. I can see how someone might want to add spacers but I am so happy with stock setup and its perfect blend of performance and looks.

 

So why not share it instead of this post?

I'm with you, and that's why I resisted. Yet to me the car looks a little odd, rears are inset and bit more than fronts, both are under the wells more than I'd like.

I'm thinking of doing 10 or 15mm in the rear only. Stock springs. The 18mm feels really nice.

 

Looks great ... still having an issue imagining 20mm tucking under in the rear with camber, but surely it works The fronts are easy ... big gaps there.

How does it ride compared to stock spring height, and how far down did you drop?

 

The ride is good! Actually to be honest I do not drive the car almost none before the new springs got install, but I like the way it feels (sportier)!
It went down like 2 inches all around and I put a skid plate on the front too to be safe

 

For what it's worth, dealer sent me this morning pics of 15's just installed on rear of my F12. Factory suspension height. I'm going to live with it over the holidays and then decide whether its worth dropping it a half inch on the factory springs.
View attachment WP_20161210_008.pdf
View attachment WP_20161210_002.pdf

 

spacers can help (along with ride height) make the car look a lot nicer and enhance the stance IMHO. There's a point where it looks cool and drives ok, but essentially you're changing the setup of the car, so be advised.... in 95%+ of street driving that won't make much of a difference, other than you might pick up more rock chips or get a bit of irregular tire wear.

As a general rule, when you (just) add spacers, you're adding track and softening the spring rate. Go wider in the rear, the rear end will "tow", you will get more understeer and the rear end will actually roll over a bit more. Go wider in front, you'll have less understeer but the car will resist rotating and taking a set (these are general chassis 101 comments)

Most Ferraris - the 458 in particular -are very rake and ride height sensitive. Again, realistically, 95% of street driving you won't notice it (unless you bottom out). Big ride height changes do require a careful alignment as you're changing quite a bit of the suspension geometry.

 

Thanks for the infos!