Wheel discussion (From 818 Open House Pics Thread)

[Frank818]

MOD NOTE: This discussion was created from this 818 Pic Thread:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?10624-Open-House-818-Pics

Completing the detailed suspension pix of I can't remember who, those pix are AWESOME!!!!! I needed that to check on a few details.

- What are the rims are the S and R?
- Those KONI adjustables, are they compression/rebound adjustable as well?

[metalmaker12]

S wedssport
R I think Rotas
S just height
R rebound/ compression too

[spaceywilly]

The S has Wedssport tc105n and the R has Work CR Kai

[Frank818]

Work Emotion CR-KAI
They are the best looking I've found so far for my taste. Less than 400 per rim.

There's also the Emotion CR Ultimate, which is same looking but lighter and stronger. Both in 17-18.

That means the R had 18x7.5 in the rear, unless it had 5x114.3. I am reading the Work specs on the wheels.
Quite a lot more choices in 5x114.3. How complex what that upgrade again (5x100 to 5x114.3)?

The CR Kai in 18x9.5 is about 22lbs and the Ultimate is apparently about 2lbs less per wheel.

Metalmaker, do you know if it's possible to have the R suspension in the S? Or the specs are really for track us and too stiff on the road, even though they are rebound/comp adjustable? That last feature is quite useful around my place, I currently have old Bilsteins PSS-9s and I had to use that adjustment to find a good compromise.

[metalmaker12]

Thanks Sti, do you have FFR confirmation of that wheel, I just want to be sure.

You can get the r's coil overs if you want, but it is an option. The rear rims were 18x9 or 18x9.5, I need a refresher lol.

[Frank818]

http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans-Dapt/969/3604/10002/-1

Now these are... 1.25" inch thick (and using 1.5" studs, not 1.25") if I can read correctly. That's... 31.25mm chopped off of the offset. Gee... Would need 53mm offset deep concave wheel and you'd be at 21.75mm as actual. I wonder if 255s would rub on the fenders with 22mm offset.

I think I'll have more trouble selling my moded car (to finance the 818 and save space in the garage) than converting to 114. :) Unless the 18x7.5 (in 5x100) in the rear can fit 255s.
But I really really like those CR Kai and CR Ultimate... in deep concave.

[metalmaker12]

Sti, from the pics it looks like I see the WORK raise lettering on the R's rims, that works for me lol, sorry I concur

[Samiam1017]

And pics of the rear down low to see the rear diffuser. It's hard to tell with the shadows in the pics.

[Frank818]

Thanks Sti, do you have FFR confirmation of that wheel, I just want to be sure.

You can get the r's coil overs if you want, but it is an option. The rear rims were 18x9 or 18x9.5, I need a refresher lol.

According to Work's website, 18x9 don't exist, so if it's 18x9.5, they are exclusively in 5x114.
Now if they are the CR Ultimate (same good looking), in 5x100 it's only 18x7.5 or 18x8.5.

[RM1SepEx]

They do look odd, but in terms of speed to road worthy, factory mirrors are best for now. I sold mine off (they were WRB anyways). I still want F430 mirrors, but it looks like they would take more work to mount.



It looksl ike they took of the factory mounting triangle and made a custom piece that attaches directly to the vertical axis hinge.

exactly what they did, I discussed this with Jim at the open house.

[metalmaker12]

According to Work's website, 18x9 don't exist, so if it's 18x9.5, they are exclusively in 5x114.
Now if they are the CR Ultimate (same good looking), in 5x100 it's only 18x7.5 or 18x8.5.

That's why I questioned STI, they are 5x100, I looked at spindles close

[Frank818]

That's why I questioned STI, they are 5x100, I looked at spindles close

Then they must be 18x8.5, 7.5 would be pretty small to fit 255/35/18 (assuming the size on the R).
Still, depending on the rims someone wants, maybe a 5x114 conversion would be an option, but I don't know the best approach.

[bnr32jason]

Work, as well as many Japanese wheel companies are known for making "one-off" size and offset wheels if you can get a few people together to do an order. When I wanted a set of Work XD9's for my R32 GT-R I wanted 18x10 but wanted slightly lower than the typical +18 setup they normally offer in that size. So myself and two other people went in on some custom 18x10 +8 XD9's and only paid only about 10,000 yen extra per set. Now we were in Japan and placed the order direct through a Work dealer, so that probably helped.

While there is not currently a 5x100 available in 18x9, I wouldn't doubt that Work made the CR-Kai in that size in 5x100 at some point.

[Frank818]

Currently not available in 18x9 in either bolt patterns, but it's good to know about the one-offs, though, tnx for the info. :)
I'll do all I can to get those wheels, I really love them. But I got time, a lot of time... I am not even on the 818 list yet! loll

[bnr32jason]

You could also go with 18x8.5 in 5x100. 255's will fit nicely on a 8.5" wheel. Then you don't have to bother with any custom order headaches.

http://www.frsport.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=8219

[Jim Schenck]

Wheels on the R are Rota Torque, the rear are 18x9.5 with a 35mm offset and they do rub slightly with the 255 hoosiers although those tires have a section width more like a 275 than a 255.

[Mechie3]

Rub inside, or rub outside?

EDIT: Looked up Hoosier Tire info.

255/40/18 has a tread width of 9.8" and a section width of 10.6".

255/35/18 has a tread witth of 10.3" and a section width of 10.8".

10.6" is 269mm
10.8" is 274mm

[Frank818]

You could also go with 18x8.5 in 5x100. 255's will fit nicely on a 8.5" wheel. Then you don't have to bother with any custom order headaches.

http://www.frsport.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=8219

The CR Kai yes in 18x8.5. Except it's not the look I want, they are flat face. The Semi and Deep concave require 5x114.
Then I want to pay a premium for lighter and stronger wheels, the Ultimate is the choice. 18x8.5 in Semid concave 5x100 is available, but not the Deep concave.
I got time to think about that and see my options. Maybe another brand/model looks similar.

[Frank818]

Wheels on the R are Rota Torque, the rear are 18x9.5 with a 35mm offset and they do rub slightly with the 255 hoosiers although those tires have a section width more like a 275 than a 255.

Ha, that looks the same as the Work CR Kai. lolll
Yeah, I'll keep those on my list as well! They are not expensive! Like 800-1200 a SET OF 4, depending on the option.
True 255s would probably fit if the Hoosiers are more like 275s.
tnx for the info!

[metalmaker12]

See I knew they were Rotas, jim or Dave had mentioned it to me way back, but I was thinking maybe they did change them. They do look like the work wheels since rota basically makes look alike wheels. Another example to only post when you got confirmation. Since the car is so lite I would think the Rotas would be a decent rim to use. There on my potential list too. Jim has told me a normal 265- 275 should fit, I concur. Boy it's hot out

[Canadian818]

Ha, that looks the same as the Work CR Kai. lolll
Yeah, I'll keep those on my list as well! They are not expensive! Like 800-1200 a SET OF 4, depending on the option.
True 255s would probably fit if the Hoosiers are more like 275s.
tnx for the info!

Or perhaps 275's will fit with the perfect offset.

[Frank818]

See I knew they were Rotas, jim or Dave had mentioned it to me way back, but I was thinking maybe they did change them. They do look like the work wheels since rota basically makes look alike wheels. Another example to only post when you got confirmation. Since the car is so lite I would think the Rotas would be a decent rim to use. There on my potential list too. Jim has told me a normal 265- 275 should fit, I concur. Boy it's hot out

I reckon there isn't much you don't know. loll

They are actually 22lbs in 18x9.5 +20. According to someone who weighed them on another forum. 22lbs, that's the same as the Work, or maybe 2lbs more but hey, that is nothing for street driving.

So the rears are 18x9.5 +35.
The fronts, I think I've seen the specs written somewhere else.

Looking on the famous Tirerack.com for my prefered tire (Yoko's Advan Neova AD08), both 265/35 and 265/40 are 10.7" section width.

255/35 and 255/40 are respectively 10.1" and 10.3", so these 2 will fit no issue.

Now I have no idea of the driving differences between 35 and 40 heights. That's another story. :)

[longislandwrx]

Wheels on the R are Rota Torque, the rear are 18x9.5 with a 35mm offset and they do rub slightly with the 255 hoosiers although those tires have a section width more like a 275 than a 255.

at the open house the drivers side tire stuck out about an inch and the right side was flush. Either the body wasn't mounted straight, the frame was tweaked, or the flares/cuts were just uneven on the preproduction body. The left side would definitely rubbed on a bump.


there is no room for any more tire on the outside rear. very little on the inside.

in the front there is a about a fingers width left inside and outside but that's about it.

[07FIREBLADE]

If your willing to paint you could always do fender flares. Which model of rota wheels were on the 818r?

[Frank818]

If your willing to paint you could always do fender flares. Which model of rota wheels were on the 818r?

Torque.

[Jim Schenck]

The tires rubbed on the outside, but there were two other factors that kind of cancle each other out a little. The R sits about an inch lower which hurts clearance but we ran more static camber which helps it. A slightly narrower tire like the 255 Toyo, and 5mm more offset is what we have on the white car and it is a nice fit. Maybe a 275 could be made to fit with some specific brand and just the right offset but I think it would probably require a bit more camber than you would usually run on the street, so we are saying 255 is max for what we know will work without problems.

[spaceywilly]

hm... sorry I didn't think they would put Rotas on there. I had Rotas on my WRX thinking I got a great deal and then they bent pretty easily. I wouldn't use them again. They are just cheap versions of nicer wheels. Personally I'm going to get a set of the Weds for my BRZ and then carry them over to my 818 once I get one. At 14.7lbs each they are one of the lightest 17in rims out there.

[Frank818]

The tires rubbed on the outside, but there were two other factors that kind of cancle each other out a little. The R sits about an inch lower which hurts clearance but we ran more static camber which helps it. A slightly narrower tire like the 255 Toyo, and 5mm more offset is what we have on the white car and it is a nice fit. Maybe a 275 could be made to fit with some specific brand and just the right offset but I think it would probably require a bit more camber than you would usually run on the street, so we are saying 255 is max for what we know will work without problems.

That's pretty good.

Let's see, R888s in 255/35/18 have a section width of 10.2", mounted on +25 offset.
That give us an idea of how it fits.


hm... sorry I didn't think they would put Rotas on there. I had Rotas on my WRX thinking I got a great deal and then they bent pretty easily. I wouldn't use them again. They are just cheap versions of nicer wheels. Personally I'm going to get a set of the Weds for my BRZ and then carry them over to my 818 once I get one. At 14.7lbs each they are one of the lightest 17in rims out there.

Well it's nice to hear stories, will make some of us think twice.
What size tires you had?

[spaceywilly]

Well it's nice to hear stories, will make some of us think twice.
What size tires you had?

225/45R17 on Rota Tarmac 2 17x7.5. I hit a pretty decent pothole that blew out the tire and also bent the rim, but I have hit bigger potholes (and rallied) on my other set of wheels (Prodrive P1 with snow tires) and those held up fine. End of the day the Rotas will probably be fine, I am just turned off the brand now. If you google you'll find plenty of opinions on them.

[Frank818]

Jim,

May I ask what space left was there on the outside on the S?
Cuz if I find wheels with 40mm offset, using the same tires, I won't know if it will fit. If you say 35mm with these R888 255/35/18 there was 1-2mm left on the outside, then I'd know that 40mm offset wheels would be out of my list.

tnx

[Frank818]

225/45R17 on Rota Tarmac 2 17x7.5. I hit a pretty decent pothole that blew out the tire and also bent the rim, but I have hit bigger potholes (and rallied) on my other set of wheels (Prodrive P1 with snow tires) and those held up fine. End of the day the Rotas will probably be fine, I am just turned off the brand now. If you google you'll find plenty of opinions on them.

Ok, you still had to have a bad luck in a pothole and needed to blow your tire out. I thought the tire was fine and the rim was bent, on normal bumps your find on the roads. That'd be pretty bad. But still, worth consideration, especially that the Work aren't that expensive, just a matter of finding the right size, offset and face, or custom made. Plenty of options anyways.

[Mechie3]

I've had rotas on my WRX since 2007. They were even the ones on my car when it wrecked and now on my 02. It might be the style of rota you get. I had the SDR (prodrive knockoffs). They've survived quite nicely.

[StatGSR]

I have had Rota Grids on my integra since 2004, they have seen many miles on some of the crappiest roads in MN as well as about 10 track days. I would absolutely buy them again. for every 1 horror story which is typically over exaggerated or had absolutely nothing to to with the wheels strength (car was crashed or tire was damaged), there has got to be at least 500-1000 happy rota wheel owners.

[Frank818]

I am just thinking about that, do we need to have same diameter tires front and rear?
Or can the front tires be smaller (in height) than the rear? Cuz 215/45/17 are smaller in height/diameter than 255/35-40/18.

[Mechie3]

You need the same size left to right, but not front to back since it's not AWD.

[Frank818]

You need the same size left to right, but not front to back since it's not AWD.

Yeah left to right I'd imagine. :)

So it's not bad when the front tires roll faster than the rear?
I hope RaceLogic traction control isn't using the front wheel as the reference, otherwise it will always think the rear wheels are under spinning. :)

[Samiam1017]

Yeah left to right I'd imagine. :)

So it's not bad when the front tires roll faster than the rear?
I hope RaceLogic traction control isn't using the front wheel as the reference, otherwise it will always think the rear wheels are under spinning. :)
It would be measuring at the hub which would be spinning at the same speed front and rear. As there the same size. It's only the out edge of the tire that's spinning faster but at the same rpm as the center! If that makes sense! Lol

[wleehendrick]

Yeah left to right I'd imagine. :)

So it's not bad when the front tires roll faster than the rear?
I hope RaceLogic traction control isn't using the front wheel as the reference, otherwise it will always think the rear wheels are under spinning. :)

Of course the front wheels are the reference, otherwise how does the traction control system differentiate between wheel spin and acceleration? It compares the speed between wheels, that's all the info it has to go on. (Stability control systems add accelerometers, but in general traction control is based only on wheel speed)

Tire diameter mismatch can be an issue with factory traction control systems. For example, on my Z, the rear tires have a larger diameter than the fronts (275/35-19 vs 245/35-19). If the proper size is not installed, the rear wheels turn faster than intended and the traction control kicks in thinking the rears are slipping; this is a problem when some people have ignorantly installed the same diameter front and rear. I would expect a quality aftermarket system, like RaceLogic, would allow the front/rear tire diameter to be individually specified.

[wleehendrick]

It would be measuring at the hub which would be spinning at the same speed front and rear.

No it wouldn't! If the rears tires have a larger diameter, the hub spins slower. (for the same linear vehicle velocity with no slippage)

[Samiam1017]

No it wouldn't! If the rears tires have a larger diameter, the hub spins slower. (for the same linear vehicle velocity with no slippage)

You sir are 100 percent correct. Thanks for correcting that. I read and thought to quick and my mind went to one axel in stead of comparing front to rear.

[Frank818]

Ok so my thinking was right.
I can't believe RaceLogic wouldn't allow a diameter difference, it's widely used for various applications, they certainly cannot impose same size everywhere. Another thing I'll try to confirm. :)

Duh, well after googling around I found a post from 2004 that says RLTC uses tire size setups, tire diameters and car speed to figure out if the wheels spin over your pre-set allowable slip %.

Some people changed tire front and rear for street vs track and it changed the proportional setup without causing any issues. But it is configurable.




Note to self for later % difference calculations: 255/35-18F and 285/30-18R street vs 245/45-17F and 275/40-17R track, no difference in RLTC management.

[Jim Schenck]

Frank,

The white car fitment is a little different because it has 18x8.5 instead of 18x9.5. The wheels on that car are 42mm offset and give about 3/8 clearance, but on a wider wheel you would lose a bit of that, even with the same size tire.

[Frank818]

On the S?
The S uses 255/35/18 as well or different size?

[Jim Schenck]

same rear size tires on both, 255/35/18

[bnr32jason]

I think there was a discussion before, but I can't find it.....

You may (or may not) have trouble squeezing something like a 285 street tire onto the 818.

The R for track testing has been running 18x9 +40 if I remember correctly. This was on a 255mm Hoosier slick and you can see how the wheels and tires are already poking out of the rear. Of course slicks run a little wide, but someone (maybe Wayne?) mentioned that on this setup there was VERY little inner clearance left to the suspension parts. So you may have modify the fenders a bit and run a lower offset wheel if you want to fit tires that wide.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16950&d=1366897130

[Wayne Presley]

It has Hoosier R6 tires in 255/35-18 which if you look at the tire data you'll see it's really just as wide as every other 275.

[Frank818]

run a lower offset wheel if you want to fit tires that wide.


Hmmm, increase the offset, no? If you lower the offset, the center of the wheel will be shifted towards the inside, which will push outside the rim.

[bnr32jason]

Hmmm, increase the offset, no? If you lower the offset, the center of the wheel will be shifted towards the inside, which will push outside the rim.

Lower offset.

Assuming you keep the wheel width the same going from a 40mm to 30mm offset would give you 10mm more inner clearance because it would push the wheel outwards by 10mm.

[Frank818]

Lower offset.

Assuming you keep the wheel width the same going from a 40mm to 30mm offset would give you 10mm more inner clearance because it would push the wheel outwards by 10mm.

Exactly. to do so the center of the rim is located closer to the inside (closer to its center), so it pushes out the rim and tire. Since the tires are already rubbing on the fender, running a lower offset would make it rub more, but will clear out the inner side where the suspension is.

[Wayne Presley]

Since the tires are already rubbing on the fender, running a lower offset would make it rub more, but will clear out the inner side where the suspension is.

Only the R rubbed with overly wide 255/35-18 hoosiers, they would be a 275 in any other tire based on tread/section width...

[philly15]

out of curiosity does anyone have the alignment specs from the cars at the open house?

[bnr32jason]

Exactly. to do so the center of the rim is located closer to the inside (closer to its center), so it pushes out the rim and tire. Since the tires are already rubbing on the fender, running a lower offset would make it rub more, but will clear out the inner side where the suspension is.

That's why I said you would need to modify the fender too. I don't think there is much clearance left inside, so your only option if you want to run a crazy tire setup is to run a lower offset wheel and modified fenders (flares maybe?).

[Frank818]

Yes. I don't think FFR designed the car for 305s anyway.

My goal is to drive a crazy car rather than a crazy tire setup. :) I think no matter what we do, the car will be crazy. :)

[metalmaker12]

38 offset is prob the lowest you can go before you rub the quarters. I will be running 18x9.5 38-45 offsetout back and 17x8 40-45 offset, rota, rays, enkis or something

[Wayne Presley]

out of curiosity does anyone have the alignment specs from the cars at the open house?

Yes

[metalmaker12]

Well Wayne what are the specs

[Silvertop]

Well Wayne what are the specs

Not unless you know the secret handshake.

[Frank818]

38 offset is prob the lowest you can go before you rub the quarters. I will be running 18x9.5 38-45 offsetout back and 17x8 40-45 offset, rota, rays, enkis or something

But on the R the R6s which are almost 275 large with a 35 offset where slightly rubbing, they said. So if you take 35 offset on real 255s, maybe it's going to work. Maybe...

[bnr32jason]

But on the R the R6s which are almost 275 large with a 35 offset where slightly rubbing, they said. So if you take 35 offset on real 255s, maybe it's going to work. Maybe...

The 818R that has been tested runs a 9" wide wheel so the offset of a 9.5" wide wheel is different. If you run a 7" wide wheel on the rear you could run a +10 offset if you really wanted to. Remember offset is only a part of the equation, wheel width is the other part.

[rori]

My wheel choice comes in an 18x9.5 +40 for the rears.

For the fronts I have a choice of 18x8.5 +45 or 18x7.5 +40.

What would you choose/suggest for the fronts?

[bnr32jason]

Depends what size tires you want to run. If you are sticking with a 215 or 225 I'd go with the 7.5's. If you are running a 235 or 245 go with the 8.5

[Frank818]

The 818R that has been tested runs a 9" wide wheel so the offset of a 9.5" wide wheel is different. If you run a 7" wide wheel on the rear you could run a +10 offset if you really wanted to. Remember offset is only a part of the equation, wheel width is the other part.

Darn right!!! I totally forgot about the 9".

Anyone knows the offset difference between 2 wheels that have 0.5" width difference in order to keep the center of the wheel at the exact same place?

I don't know if you understand why I mean.


Ok found this from someone here : http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator

[Stickshift84]

All of my assumptions so far are to the rear wheel. The most extreme fit from F5 is an 18x9.5 with a +35mm offset and a 255/35-18 tire. This means the wheel sits (9.5/2)-(35/25.4)" or 3.37" outside of the hub. If you want to run a 255/35-18 tire the maximum offset to push the wheel to the outside is a +35mm in keeping with the F5 recommendations. That offset remains whether the wheel is 8.5", 9" OR 9.5" wide when keeping the same 255 series tire. If you want to run a narrower tire the offset could increase. For every 0.4" of tire width decrease the offset could increase by 5mm ( in this case to a +30mm wheel). Hope that helps.

[Frank818]

Very valuable, tnx!

Can the same calculations be applied for the front wheel? I mean to remain within F5 recommendations for the front.

[bnr32jason]

All of my assumptions so far are to the rear wheel. The most extreme fit from F5 is an 18x9.5 with a +35mm offset and a 255/35-18 tire. This means the wheel sits (9.5/2)-(35/25.4)" or 3.37" outside of the hub. If you want to run a 255/35-18 tire the maximum offset to push the wheel to the outside is a +35mm in keeping with the F5 recommendations. That offset remains whether the wheel is 8.5", 9" OR 9.5" wide when keeping the same 255 series tire. If you want to run a narrower tire the offset could increase. For every 0.4" of tire width decrease the offset could increase by 5mm ( in this case to a +30mm wheel). Hope that helps.

I'm completely confused by what you posted here. Tire size doesn't have anything directly to do with offset, am I misunderstanding what you are trying to say.

Lets take an example:

18x8.5 +35 offset wheel is the baseline
18x9 +35 outer position of the wheel extends 6mm and you lose 6mm of inner clearance as well
18x9.5 +35 outer position of the wheel extends 13mm and you lose 13mm of inner clearance.

Are you saying as long as we run a 255mm tire, that a 18x8.5 +35 will work exactly the same as a 18x9.5 +35? I think I must be misunderstanding.

[Stickshift84]

The offset only shifts the center of the wheel which has the same effect as shifting the center of the tire. A 255 series tire fits flush or outside the maximum to F5 specs with a +35 offset. Tire width will only vary a small amount when mounted on different width wheels.

Does anyone know the FRONT wheel width and tire size that F5 recommends for just fitting within the fenders?

[metalmaker12]

Wow nick you made more than one post lol, lets just wait and see what people put on and just use the stock rims until then

[rori]

My wheel choice comes in an 18x9.5 +40 for the rears.

For the fronts I have a choice of 18x8.5 +45 or 18x7.5 +40.

What would you choose/suggest for the fronts?


Depends what size tires you want to run. If you are sticking with a 215 or 225 I'd go with the 7.5's. If you are running a 235 or 245 go with the 8.5

I'm more worried about being able to fit the 8.5". That would be my first choice. I'm having trouble finding specs on what was on the FFR builds. Most discussions seem to focus on the rears.

[Wayne Presley]

The R had 8 fronts and 9 rears.

[bnr32jason]

The offset only shifts the center of the wheel which has the same effect as shifting the center of the tire. A 255 series tire fits flush or outside the maximum to F5 specs with a +35 offset. Tire width will only vary a small amount when mounted on different width wheels.


So you are saying a 255mm width (not series) tire will sit in the exact same spot regardless of wheel width as long as it's a +35 offset?

[bnr32jason]

I'm more worried about being able to fit the 8.5". That would be my first choice. I'm having trouble finding specs on what was on the FFR builds. Most discussions seem to focus on the rears.

I don't see any need to run a 8.5 up front anyways. There may be fitment problems and there may not, we'll have to wait to see a couple builds that experiment with different wheel combinations. I'm going to be running a 17x7.5 up front and 18x9 in the rear just to be safe. The only thing I may need to do is run a spacer in the front since my 17x7.5 wheels are +50, but I'm hoping they will look fine.

[Frank818]

So you are saying a 255mm width (not series) tire will sit in the exact same spot regardless of wheel width as long as it's a +35 offset?

Yes, if the wheel offset calculator on internet is right.
I am not on my computer right now but someone posted the link.
Reason for that is if you add 1 inch, you add half of it on each side, therefore the tire remains in the spot.
The fact is the 1 inch more added is independent to the offset it is relative to the real center of the wheel.

[Kooldaddy]

Am I missing something? Has anyone thought of the modular wheels out there? And I think as long as everyone here on the forum wants fatter, stickier rear tires, that wider rear fenders need to be an option or at least some sanitary and not labor intensive flairs?
i know I want as much grip as I can get front and rear, that means wider stickier tires all around. I am a T type personality and need the adrenalin rush of fast (used to race high horsepower bikes). I am a late/trailbraker, early power on kinda guy.
KD

[Silvertop]

Am I missing something? Has anyone thought of the modular wheels out there? And I think as long as everyone here on the forum wants fatter, stickier rear tires, that wider rear fenders need to be an option or at least some sanitary and not labor intensive flairs?
i know I want as much grip as I can get front and rear, that means wider stickier tires all around. I am a T type personality and need the adrenalin rush of fast (used to race high horsepower bikes). I am a late/trailbraker, early power on kinda guy.
KD

Actually, I don't think everyone here on the forum DOES want fatter, stickier tires. Many do, of course, and those that do have a tendency to show more, um, ENTHUSIASM for that than some of the rest of us, who are just building our street toys with less grandiose intentions. But the 818 as designed has room for plenty of rubber under the fenders, while still being aesthetically OK for slightly less aggressive tire/wheel sizing. But it's a kit. Build it your way.

[Kalstar]

Is anyone sticking with the 16" in an aftermarket wheel? I am thinking about it but is it too small?

[Silvertop]

Well, too small for what? There are certainly 16" wheels available that will work on the car. And there are certainly no shortage of high performance tires that will work. Can you get the 16's in the width you want? You will need to look at 16" tire width availabilities to make sure you can get what you want there too. They will need to be higher profile -- probably 50 or 55 series depending on the width -- but it is doable. Depends mostly on the look you are going for, and the tire (and wheel) width available and desired. Beyond making sure you can get the tire size you want, its mostly a matter of personal preference. But I'm sure you know all of that.

Personally, I don't think 16's are too small. I'll be using 16's -- the stock Subie wheels. Of course, I like the look of a slightly higher profile anyways, and I don't feel the need to run really wide tires. And I just don't feel like spending $1000 on a set of wheels. I have already found way too many places on this car to spend extra $1000s of dollars............:)

If I WAS going to go with aftermarket wheels, I would look at 16's -- though I might also consider 17's. I don't think I would go to 18's. Just my preferences

[Kalstar]

Well, too small for what? There are certainly 16" wheels available that will work on the car. And there are certainly no shortage of high performance tires that will work. Can you get the 16's in the width you want? You will need to look at 16" tire width availabilities to make sure you can get what you want there too. They will need to be higher profile -- probably 50 or 55 series depending on the width -- but it is doable. Depends mostly on the look you are going for, and the tire (and wheel) width available and desired. Beyond making sure you can get the tire size you want, its mostly a matter of personal preference. But I'm sure you know all of that.

Personally, I don't think 16's are too small. I'll be using 16's -- the stock Subie wheels. Of course, I like the look of a slightly higher profile anyways, and I don't feel the need to run really wide tires. And I just don't feel like spending $1000 on a set of wheels. I have already found way too many places on this car to spend extra $1000s of dollars............:)

If I WAS going to go with aftermarket wheels, I would look at 16's -- though I might also consider 17's. I don't think I would go to 18's. Just my preferences


Thx for the reply. I found some new inexpensive 16" wheels I like. They are 16.3 lbs each and only 117.00 each. I also found stock fitment 205/55/16 Hankcook V12 (highly rated and one of the lightest tires in the industry) for 81.00 each. Mounted and balanced ready to install for less then 800.00 for the whole package. They look great, inexpensive and light. Just didn't know if they would look too small.

[07FIREBLADE]

One thing to keep in mind though if you run the 16in wheel. You limit yourself on brake options in the future.

[Silvertop]

Thx for the reply. I found some new inexpensive 16" wheels I like. They are 16.3 lbs each and only 117.00 each. I also found stock fitment 205/55/16 Hankcook V12 (highly rated and one of the lightest tires in the industry) for 81.00 each. Mounted and balanced ready to install for less then 800.00 for the whole package. They look great, inexpensive and light. Just didn't know if they would look too small.

You might want to try the 205-55's on the front only, with 225/50's for the rear. The 225's will likely fit the wheels you are looking at, unless they are very narrow -- less than 6 inches wide. Given the weight balance of the 818, that combination would be likely to give you a more neutral grip. The overall height will be the same -- nominally 25 inches. Which, if you check, will about the same overall height as the 17's and 18's that other builders are running. You won't quite fill the wheel wells horizontally though -- might be about an inch or so inboard of the fender edges. But if this bothers you, you can always add some wheel spacers..........

Regarding 07Fireblade's note about potential brake limitations -- I suspect he's right about that. But it will come down to how much brake you think you are going to need. Unless you plan to go racing, the stock brakes should be more than adequate-- even for track day events. It seems to me that a stock brake system that was meant to do a good job stopping a 3100 lb car is going to have EXCEPTIONAL stopping power on a car that only weighs 1800 lbs. Just my .02

[Scargo]

I'm wondering what FFR thinks now that they may be upping the horsepower on the race car? Jason told me the driver thought it could handle some more horsepower. Wasn't that fast on WGI back straight. I'm thinking of starting at 400 WHP on my pure racer.
If the tires were rubbing on the inside at the rear it must have been the coils, near the top? Couldn't the tops of the shocks move in a little? I don't mind doing rear flares.
What I am considering is 17x8.5 with 38+ offset and 18x9.5~10 with 38+ offset. Undecided on tires but am thinking 275x35x18 Hoosiers for the rear. Not much difference in section width between them and 255s.
I am thinking I may want 18s on the front so I can run a Stoptech 355 mm BBK on the front. Crazy?