Apex 18x11 amd Cortex offset struts, spacer requiered?

[Mad Hatter]

Just wanted to see if anyone has the 18x11 Apex wheels with Cortex front struts. Did you need a spacer and if so what size??

 

[7500RPM_Ben]

I would not think you would need a spacer? I thought their offset allowed us to bolt directly on?

 

[Grant 302]

Sorry. I should have been able to answer this last week. Forgot to do the test fit while I was swapping wheels. Meant to do it.

slackin'

 

[7500RPM_Ben]

Sorry. I should have been able to answer this last week. Forgot to do the test fit while I was swapping wheels. Meant to do it.

slackin'

Boo! JK, I have been curious because I do not want to change studs because of a spacer.

 

[Black Boss]

@Mad Hatter I'm looking at the Apex wheels in 18 x 11 for a different application, but based on test fitting 18 x 11 wheels from my Boss with Dynamic coilovers, my guess is you'll need a 20-25mm spacer up front. The Apex wheels are ET52 -- exactly the same as my Boss rears, while up front I was running ET32. The Cortex setup is a little different up front, but you're going to need spacers.

 

[cobrarob]

@Mad Hatter There was a post using Forgestar 18x11(e52) by @Surfergeek,think he was using a 8mm...check it out

 

[Mad Hatter]

Yup now I remember that thread. Will be using 315/30-18 R7s. I was hoping to get a away with a 10mm or less spacer.... Since my budget has been dented by off-road adventures , was debating getting two now for the rear and then get the right size spacers for the front once I can size them . At least the SVE drifts look similer to the Apex wheels in black!

 

[cobrarob]

Also those r7's are wide. When i switched from 305/35 nt01 to that size r7 on my 18x11's,they were wider

 

[cobrarob]

Get some washers and put on studs for a quik measurement

 

[7500RPM_Ben]

@Mad Hatter There was a post using Forgestar 18x11(e52) by @Surfergeek,think he was using a 8mm...check it out

He was able to use 8mm spacers with a 52mm offset? That brings the wheel offset to really 44mm. Would that fit a Boss with stock type struts on lowering springs? I am also looking at 19x11's squared that are 50mm offset and that would be awesome to run a 1/4" spacer (roughly 6mm) to get to 44mm.

 

[Black Boss]

My estimates were with 315 R7's. As @cobrarob points out they are a good bit wider than the Nitto 305's. They also have a squarer (wider) sidewall.

 

[Mad Hatter]

My goal for next year is to run 315 square so I can keep up to the faster cars in my category. I am quite happy with the 295/30-18 R7s now on the sve drifts but about 1 second behind a pair of ZL1's (no longer street cars, mine still is). Takes me a long time to get parts so I wanted to get everything lined up before hand. But more then likely will get the rear 18x11 's first then try them on the front to get the right size spacer. The brake ducts rub a little with the 295's if I do not use a 1/8" MM spacer. I saw the OPMustang.com has the hubcentric spacers I might need. Really not comfortable with the flat 1/8th spacers I have... I am suspicious that they might be the cause of me going through a fair amount of ARP bolts and loosing a wheel a while back......

 

[Black Boss]

@Mad Hatter I'd also recommend steering stops -- relatively cheap, but will fix the brake cooling duct rub with wide wheels/tires up front.

 

[Grant 302]

@Mad Hatter There was a post using Forgestar 18x11(e52) by @Surfergeek,think he was using a 8mm...check it out

That thread is here. The rim alone doesn't need a spacer.

https://trackmustangsonline.com/thr...305-tires-and-rotatable-it-can-be-done.10310/

The tires in question are 12.5 wide on an 11" rim, so there will be about 1/4" overhang on each side. The NT-01s in the thread are 12.32" on an 11" rim.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=13ZR8R7&tab=Specs

So I think you shouldn't 'need' more than 5mm, but all depends how much tire clearance you can live with. Less than 10mm should be good.

 

[7500RPM_Ben]

Thanks for the thread @Grant 302 !

 

[Apex Wheels]

I apologize for being late to the party here, I have been hiding out at SEMA this week. Although the JRi Cortex offset coilovers are very helpful in regards to creating more inner strut clearance for aggressive front wheel and tire fitments, it is not enough to omit the spacers up front entirely. The offset struts will reduce the spacer thickness required, and depending on the tire being used, you are typically looking at 10mm - 15mm spacers. As others have mentioned, R7's will run wide in comparison to most, so your numbers may look a little different from others who have tackled this fitment with the same offset struts.

Wheel hardware is often a topic that is overlooked. Quality extended studs are highly recommended, and vital for proper spacer installation and operation. We are working on adding Mustang specific wheel studs and spacers to our product line, which would incorporate the same quality, fit and finish as our current BMW hardware. This is a 2018 project

I know how expensive this sport can be, but refreshing wheel hardware at set intervals is very cheap insurance. Whether enthusiasts are running factory hardware or quality aftermarket hardware, frequent inspections and using the right operating techniques can help prevent failures from occurring.

- Ryan

 

[zajac]

I think the 18x11 wheels square, and offset Cortex struts and wide tires and spacers have been covered pretty well in other older threads. My Forgestar 18x11 et 52mm are the same as the Apex 18x11 at et52mm. I run BFG 315/30/18 R1S tires on my Forgestars on a 2007 S197 Saleen and I have to use a 12mm spacer in the front. This setup leaves no tire stick out in the rear and none in the front...if...you run 2.5 deg or more neg camber, My only question on this setup is...maybe I can run 18x11.5 wheels?

 

[Grant 302]

@neema squeezed 18x11.5 up front with some poke of the rim with the CorteX offset. 18x11.5 could be made to fit.

Edit:
Oops! 18x11.5 not 18x12!

 

[neema]

I think the 18x11 wheels square, and offset Cortex struts and wide tires and spacers have been covered pretty well in other older threads. My Forgestar 18x11 et 52mm are the same as the Apex 18x11 at et52mm. I run BFG 315/30/18 R1S tires on my Forgestars on a 2007 S197 Saleen and I have to use a 12mm spacer in the front. This setup leaves no tire stick out in the rear and none in the front...if...you run 2.5 deg or more neg camber, My only question on this setup is...maybe I can run 18x11.5 wheels?

You certainly could, but not many make 18x11.5s in the <$500 range. I had 18x11.5 Weld S71 RTS on the front at one point but took me ages to realize they shipped with the wrong offset (~12mm to low). The front wheel you see in my sig picture has strut clearance seen below (tons!).

 

[Grant 302]

The rim juuuust kisses the strut body without spacers. Might be able to clear with 1/8" or even 1/16" or 2mm, but I only had 3/16"(~5mm) on hand. And that should be good for street use with a tire up to ~12.4" max section width (must be taken on an 11" rim). Maybe more with a higher aspect ratio tire. The tires are Rivals in 275/35.

With 3/16" spacer:




My guess is that the 19x11" ET52 rim would just clear with no spacer.