t3h_Clap's Wheel33tist Blog

Looking at running a 17×9 on your Subaru Impreza WRX STi?

Here’s a short list of some of the available 17×9 wheels for the Subaru Impreza WRX STi (05+) that clear the brembo brake calipers.

These models listed below may require modifcations to fit a given suspension setup. The modifications required to make these fit will be addressed later. Although the 9.5″ article seen here (http://t3hclap.com/archives/11) and the Fender Mod article seen here (http://t3hclap.com/archives/49) are must reads for all people hoping to run 9″ wheels.
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It’s official Rays has released some new wheels. Some sexy ass wheels. Some 19×9.5’s that will be perfect for the new 2008 and 2009 GRB STi. Onto the pics and sizing!

Volk Racing

VR.G2 

New Volk Racing G2

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Here is a brief list of tire sizes that will be close to factory size for the GD Subaru Impreza WRX and Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

Here are the applicable sizes. Each of these will work on a stock body WRX with the correct wheel/offset/suspension/alignment setup. May need fender rolling or other fender mods to fit without rubbing. 05-07 GD STi Fender mod.

225/45/17
235/45/17
245/40/17
255/40/17

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Here are a few little graphs I put together for a few different people to compare the different measurements of a few select size tires.

First up is a comparo of a select few 255/35/18 and 265/35/18

all tires listed in this graph are a 35 profile and 18″ diameter

Measuring Width is the wheel width that was used when measuring Tread width and Section width. Both of tread width and section width change with wheel width. More on this in a future article.

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The width of the wheel is one of the key factors in selecting a wheel.

Go wider than stock?

Stay the same width?

Go narrower than stock?

These are a few questions that must be asked and answered before selecting a wheel. Not all wheels are available in all sizes.

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I received a Private Message last night on one of the many forums I frequent and it is a common one. I’ve cropped down the users original question and cleaned up the answer a little.

Quote:

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Yes, Low offset wheels hurt your wheel bearings more than stock.

the center line of the wheel being further from hub creates more stress than the stock offset.

is there “proof” of this? is there some mile marker where your bearings will explode if you run a +30mm offset on a Subaru? No.

Are you causing more stress than factory? Yes.

Will you need to replace them earlier? Yes.

I’m more than willing to read a report from someone who has proof of their broken wheel bearing vs. non broken low offset wheel bearing.

You wont see me wasting time figuring out the actual point of where it happens. Low offset wheels increase wear. Either you accept that or you stay with a higher offset wheel. End of Story.

-T3h_Clap

Running an Aggressive fitment on an STi isn’t easy but at the same time it isn’t impossible. For autox, track, show, street it is possible to find a wheel and tire combo that will meet the needs you’re looking for.

To run a 9.5″ wheel on an Subaru Impreza WRX STi GDB/F you’ll need the following

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This is the most basic measurement on a wheel.

Simply, wheel diameter is the height of the wheel.

Late Model vehicles don’t generally see smaller than 14″ and can go as high as 20″ from the factory.

Aftermarket wheels generally are going to be larger in diameter than their factory counterparts.

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Offset alone is useless.

The combination of wheel diameter, wheel width, offset and disk/face is needed to know fitment.

Offset is the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the hub mounting face.

This distance dictates the wheel’s placement within the wheel well. Offsets are described in three different ways, Positive, Zero and Negative.

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