What's the latest on wheels?

[michael everson]

Ok. I want to buy some wheels. I have 2004 STI spindles and brakes These are 5x100. I want at least 17 but might even need 18. What width front and rear should I get? I don't need anything crazy.
Thanks mike

[Frank818]

Someone will post the FFR recommended sizes, but unfortunately you got a lot choices.

It depends what tires you have or want.

For F225/45 anything between 7 and 8.5 will work.
For R255/40 anything between 8.5-10.0 should work.

An extreme (not most, ask Erik loll) choice is 255/35/18 on 9.5.

My personal choice is F8.0 and R9.0.

But what I do is I go on tirerack.com and after selecting my tires I check the recommended width for the size and I search a wheel to fit that spec. If I can't find I check the recommended width range and I search a wheel for that. So I start tire (not tired loll) and then wheel.

[Wayne Presley]

Mike,
I would go with 17x8 fr 40 to 45mm offset and 18x8.5 in 40-45mm offset

[DodgyTim]

Not sure if you've dowloaded the manual yet, so .......

From the build manual:

"The following wheel and Tire recommendations will allow the wheels and tires to fit under the optional
Fenders:
Front maximum wheel width and offset: 8 inch wide with 40mm offset
Front maximum tire width: 215mm
Rear maximum wheel width and offset: 9.5 inch wide with 40mm offset
Rear maximum tire width: 255 (some brands are wider and may only fit a 245)
Front / Rear optimum sizes: 215/45/17 Front and 255/35/18 Rear"

[07FIREBLADE]

Not sure if you've dowloaded the manual yet, so .......

From the build manual:

"The following wheel and Tire recommendations will allow the wheels and tires to fit under the optional
Fenders:
Front maximum wheel width and offset: 8 inch wide with 40mm offset
Front maximum tire width: 215mm
Rear maximum wheel width and offset: 9.5 inch wide with 40mm offset
Rear maximum tire width: 255 (some brands are wider and may only fit a 245)
Front / Rear optimum sizes: 215/45/17 Front and 255/35/18 Rear"


What are these optional fenders you so speak of.... pics or its not real lol ;)

[DodgyTim]

No idea...I just cut a bit from the manual:confused:

[wleehendrick]

What is the motivation for a a 17/18 staggered set-up? Just the aesthetics of a larger diameter rear wheel? (A wider wheel/tire makes perfect sense to me, and I will be using a 215 or 225 in front with a 245 or 255 in back) . However, since the overall diameter should be the same front/rear (~25"), why go with a reduced rear sidewall? So why not spec a 225/40-18 in front? Is the clearance that tight that FFR only felt comfortable recommending a 215 in front, which is more available in 17" diameter?

I expect most will go for the same diameter, either 17 or 18, and there are plenty of tires to choose from.

So, isn't the following appropriate (given the wheel width/offsets stated)?

215 or 225 front, 45 series on 17, 40 series on 18 (225 may rub)
245 or 255 rear, 40 series on 17, 35 series on 18 (255 may rub)

[ehansen007]

The difference in tire diameter from a 215/45/17 to a 215/40/18 is .2 inches. Does this create an issue if one wanted to go with the same tire size all the way around? i.e. 215/40/18 on all for corners so you can rotate them? What is the benefit of going 17s in the front? Thanks Wayne.

[wleehendrick]

There was already a 'lively' discussion regarding symmetrical tires all the way around. The chassis was tuned for a staggered (wider rear) setup and narrowing the rears will introduce more oversteer. Some were concerned that this would turn the 818 into an tail happy basket case, but Wayne stated that his opinion was that is should be OK.

[Frank818]

For width discussion I agree.

But for the wheel diameter (17/18, 18/18, 17/17, other) I am not sure there was actually a discussion about that.

[D K]

Is there any reason to run different dia wheels up front?

[Grintch]

Given the apparent diameter restrictions up front, I think 18's would really narrow your tire choices. Looking at my '04 STi wheel list (might be needed to clear the Wilwood BBK and ofcourse for anyone trying to use the STi Brembo setup), I like the Enkei RFP-1's in 17x8 and 17x9 (both +45) as they are a good combination of light, strong, and reasonably cheap.

It's odd that FFR recommends a +40 wheel, as I don't see anyone that offers one in 5x100. And it's not close to any of the OEM wheels.

[wallace18]

Be careful before you buy. I bought wheels and tires for my 2002 WRX donor and had to change out the front tires and add 10mm spacers to make the wheels work on my 818. Check out my thread for more info.

[Quiny]

Anyone found any really good deals? I have no intention of pushing the car to the limits of the tires so I'm looking for cheap and cool.

[Silvertop]

Anyone found any really good deals? I have no intention of pushing the car to the limits of the tires so I'm looking for cheap and cool.

If you're not planning on really pushing the performance envelope -- The cheapest deal will be to use the stock WRX wheels with 205/50-16's on the front and 225/50-16's on the rear. Doll the wheels up with a little creative paint if you want to make them look a little cooler................:cool:

That's what I'm going to do.

[Quiny]

If you're not planning on really pushing the performance envelope -- The cheapest deal will be to use the stock WRX wheels with 205/50-16's on the front and 225/50-16's on the rear. Doll the wheels up with a little creative paint if you want to make them look a little cooler................:cool:

That's what I'm going to do.

I would but I already sold the wheels and tires, I couldn't help myself I was in process of selling all the stuff I wasn't going to use and someone offered $250 for the set. I'm working on getting half of what I spent on the donor back. That should be able to cover new rims and tires. I would like to keep it under $1200.00

[Xusia]

XXR wheels look good and are about 1/2 the price of Enkei RPF1s.

[Silvertop]

XXR wheels look good and are about 1/2 the price of Enkei RPF1s.

Another choice -- IF you are willing to drop down to 16" wheels -- There are plenty of inexpensive wheels available in that size class for $500 to $600 per set. I'm not necessarily suggesting you do that, especially if you have your heart set on 17's -- but it IS a choice.

[Grintch]

XXR wheels look good and are about 1/2 the price of Enkei RPF1s.

I can't find any specs on the XXR wheels (weight, offset, etc.), but I do find pictures of cracked and failed wheels. They look a lot like a set of "Drag" wheels I had (like same manufactuer, different marketer/brand), which where cheap, looked good, but where relatively heavy and not particuarly strong. A number portion of the Grand Am ST & GS teams use the RFP1 because of its combination of weight, strength, and price.

Wayne - why do you recommend only a 8.5" wheel in the rear?

On a different question - The only reason I see to use 18" wheels in the rear is that it allows you to use a slightly wider wheel, the max 9.5" recommended by FFR. All the 17" Subaru wheels seem to max out at 9", but it looks like the tire selection is a bit better at 17" so I would stay there unless I was running an unlimited track car (NASA TT, ST rules give a weight break to cars with 245 or narrower tires, and 245 is a perfect fit on a 9" wheel).

[Xusia]

This site has some info: http://www.nlmotoring.com/XXR-530-Wheels-s/1673.htm

As for strength, I think it goes back to your intended use. I'm planning on street use with an occasional track day. Therefore, I think a wheel like the XXR will be fine. If I'm wrong, the RPF1s will be my next purchase. I do like the RPF1s a lot, but I like the color, wheel size choices, and price of the XXRs more.

[Zodiac]

I've been looking around and found the XXR 518's and might want to get those. Unfortunately they only come in a 48 offset and sizes are 17x7, 17x8.5, 18x7, or 18x8.5. Would it be safe to still get these? 48 offset I'm assuming I might need to get spacers? 8.5 too large for the front?

I plan to run 215's in the front and 255 (unless hankook runs too ride) or 245 in the back. I just want to make sure I don't buy and then have a problem and have to waste time and money.

[wallace18]

I've been looking around and found the XXR 518's and might want to get those. Unfortunately they only come in a 48 offset and sizes are 17x7, 17x8.5, 18x7, or 18x8.5. Would it be safe to still get these? 48 offset I'm assuming I might need to get spacers? 8.5 too large for the front?

I plan to run 215's in the front and 255 (unless hankook runs too ride) or 245 in the back. I just want to make sure I don't buy and then have a problem and have to waste time and money.

I have 48 offset wheels and am using 10mm spacers front and back. See my thread on my wheels and tire stuff.

[ehansen007]

I autocrossed the xxr 526's pretty hard and never had an issue. Such a cool looking wheel for the price.

[Wayne Presley]

I got set up as a dealer at SEMA for the XXR wheels.

[Xusia]

Awesome! I plan to order these, so I'll be talking to you soon!

[wleehendrick]

I got set up as a dealer at SEMA for the XXR wheels.

Great! I'm thinking staggered (17"/18") 530's in Chromium Black. I have my donor wheels/tires, so won't need em for a little while, but I'll get in touch when I'm ready.

[Xusia]

That's exactly what I'm thinking.

[Wayne Presley]

I have the chromium black on my wheels and it looks great.

[RM1SepEx]

If you're not planning on really pushing the performance envelope -- The cheapest deal will be to use the stock WRX wheels with 205/50-16's on the front and 225/50-16's on the rear. Doll the wheels up with a little creative paint if you want to make them look a little cooler................:cool:

That's what I'm going to do.

like this? semi gloss black powder coat. Custom aluminum centers with the PC lasered off for the FFR logo

23423

I have 225 for the rear and the stock 205s for the front

[Xusia]

So Wayne, can you provide a quote here (so others can see the prices)? I'm looking for a set of XXR 530 wheels in Chromium Black: 17x7+35 (Front) and 18x8.75+33 (Rear). And if you are also Federal Tire dealer, I', looking to mate those wheels with Federal RS-R 215/40-17 (Front) and 255/35-18 (Rear).

[Canadian818]

So Wayne, can you provide a quote here (so others can see the prices)? I'm looking for a set of XXR 530 wheels in Chromium Black: 17x7+35 (Front) and 18x8.75+33 (Rear). And if you are also Federal Tire dealer, I', looking to mate those wheels with Federal RS-R 215/40-17 (Front) and 255/35-18 (Rear).

Might I add 535's in the same sizes... :)