[ITSHON]

I was told that when you change to aftermarket wheels you will need new valve stem and won't be able to use the existing one on the stock wheel. Is that true?

[kts262]

Originally Posted by grober01

I'm wanting to pick up some Enkei RC-T4s (18X18.5 48 offset).

ENKEI SPORT RC-T4 for TARMAC

Does anyone know if these will clear the 08 Brembos and are the 08 Brembos larger than previous years?

Thanks

You should be fine with those, I'm looking at the same rims for auto-x wheels.

The RC-T4 are designed for big brake kits so it should clear the Brembos just fine. They do clear the GDB's Brembos since a few people on here have them on their GDBs in that size and offset.

IIRC the 08 Brembos are essentially the same as the 04-07s. I think someone tried a set of pads for the 04-07s on their 08 and they fit perfectly.

[paikman]

Originally Posted by ITSHON

I was told that when you change to aftermarket wheels you will need new valve stem and won't be able to use the existing one on the stock wheel. Is that true?

Not true.
midnit switch his over to his TE37's damn thing doesn't even throw a CEL
There goes that thoery of re-calibration needed.

[Gearz]

Originally Posted by paikman

Not true.
midnit switch his over to his TE37's damn thing doesn't even throw a CEL
There goes that thoery of re-calibration needed.

To be clear, the factory valve stems have a pressure sensor and transmitter on the end inside the tire. If you install the factory valve stems in the new wheels (or buy a new set from Subaru) then they'll work fine. If you use normal valve stems in the new wheels you'll get a low pressure light on the dash after driving a few miles. The valve stem sensors may not fit all aftermarket wheels.

[Marcus]

So after a good bit of research I think I've found my ideal setup...

18x9.5 +45 TR Motorsport MT1 with 275/35R18 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec, all should fit with just a slight roll in the rear? I will also be lowering the car mildly when some springs are available.

Thanks in advance!

[DRIVEN1]

Originally Posted by Marcus

So after a good bit of research I think I've found my ideal setup...

18x9.5 +45 TR Motorsport MT1 with 275/35R18 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec, all should fit with just a slight roll in the rear? I will also be lowering the car mildly when some springs are available.

Thanks in advance!

I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me. I am going to be putting the same tires on my car. The 275 is 4 lbs heavier than the 265. If they both will fit,what would be better? Have the extra 40mm of tire but have 16lbs more of rotational mass? Or be 16 lbs lighter and have 40mm less of tire? I was thinking on such a small car the 16 less lbs of rotational mass would be better. Could someone answer that question for me? I also like the TR motorsport wheel, so good choice. Can't wait to see it with a wider tire on it.Thanks Mike

[altaic]

Originally Posted by kts262

IIRC the 08 Brembos are essentially the same as the 04-07s. I think someone tried a set of pads for the 04-07s on their 08 and they fit perfectly.

That's what I gather from vendors selling the same pads for 04-08, however the 08 specs are actually different. Among other things, the 08 pads are 2mm longer, which is a fair amount.

05 Specs:


06 Specs:


08 Specs:

[freeman]

Originally Posted by DRIVEN1

I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me. I am going to be putting the same tires on my car. The 275 is 4 lbs heavier than the 265. If they both will fit,what would be better? Have the extra 40mm of tire but have 16lbs more of rotational mass? Or be 16 lbs lighter and have 40mm less of tire? I was thinking on such a small car the 16 less lbs of rotational mass would be better. Could someone answer that question for me? I also like the TR motorsport wheel, so good choice. Can't wait to see it with a wider tire on it.Thanks Mike

I would get the 265s for sure. They are lighter and a little bit smaller in diameters than stock.

[altaic]

Originally Posted by Gearz

I ordered these wheels and tires from the TireRack. I was concerned about them clearing the brake calipers and was surprised when they sent me this screen shot of a CAD file they had of the clearance envelope for the '08 STI chassis. The green lines are the fender, liner and brake caliper envelope (including where the fender edge ends up under full compression and turn). The red curves are for the rear. The purple curves are the stock BBS wheel and tire profile. The black curves are the profile for the 18x9.5 TW Motorsport wheel, and the cyan curves represent the OZ Ultraleggera (18x9 ET55) that I was considering as well.

Hang on a second. The Ultraleggera has the same offset as stock, but is .5" wider. With the same tires, it should have the same profile as stock, or if anything, be closer to the fender. Shouldn't the purple curves represent the Ultraleggeras and the cyan represent the stockers?

Also, does the "15mm to liner at lock" indicate that there is 15mm of lateral space (i.e. assume the tire diameter stays the same, the tire could be 2x15mm wider, basically 275/35R18 or some such) between the stock front wheels/tires and the fender liner at full compression and steering lock?

[Gearz]

Originally Posted by altaic

Hang on a second. The Ultraleggera has the same offset as stock, but is .5" wider. With the same tires, it should have the same profile as stock, or if anything, be closer to the fender. Shouldn't the purple curves represent the Ultraleggeras and the cyan represent the stockers?

Also, does the "15mm to liner at lock" indicate that there is 15mm of lateral space (i.e. assume the tire diameter stays the same, the tire could be 2x15mm wider, basically 275/35R18 or some such) between the stock front wheels/tires and the fender liner at full compression and steering lock?

I took a 2nd look at the email I got from the guys at the Tire Rack. Looks like the cyan curve is not the OZ wheel, rather it's the profile of the stock wheel and tire shifted to the right to show the position of the inner sidewall of the tire when mounted on the MT-1 wheel. My mistake.

I don't know what 15mm to liner at lock indicates. It could mean clearance from the stock tire to the fender liner, or it could mean anything beyond that line will be closer than 15 mm to the liner.

I received the screenshot sorta as a favor because I was dealing directly with a guy who is a well known autocrosser who works there. He doesn't do tire sales anymore but was willing to help me out. The guy I ended up ordering the tires through is Rudy and he has a modded WRX and was also helpful. I recommend you ask him about the clearances.

[altaic]

Originally Posted by Gearz

I took a 2nd look at the email I got from the guys at the Tire Rack. Looks like the cyan curve is not the OZ wheel, rather it's the profile of the stock wheel and tire shifted to the right to show the position of the inner sidewall of the tire when mounted on the MT-1 wheel. My mistake.

I don't know what 15mm to liner at lock indicates. It could mean clearance from the stock tire to the fender liner, or it could mean anything beyond that line will be closer than 15 mm to the liner.

I received the screenshot sorta as a favor because I was dealing directly with a guy who is a well known autocrosser who works there. He doesn't do tire sales anymore but was willing to help me out. The guy I ended up ordering the tires through is Rudy and he has a modded WRX and was also helpful. I recommend you ask him about the clearances.

Ah, cool, thanks. I've been trying to figure out if a wheel with the same offset as stock can run 265s or 275s. It looks like there is tons of clearance to the strut in that drawing. Too bad there aren't more wheels available with >55 offset, although I don't know if that would adversely affect the bearings. I think I'll be safe with 265/35R18 on the 18x9 E55 Ultraleggeras, though.

[RallySportDirect]

Originally Posted by altaic

That's what I gather from vendors selling the same pads for 04-08, however the 08 specs are actually different. Among other things, the 08 pads are 2mm longer, which is a fair amount.

Im not sure where the Difference in pad length is. But when we got our 08 Sti, that was one of the first things we did. Was to see what old parts would cross over.
We took out the stock pads, and put in some after market pads we had on the shelf for the previous STi's. And they fit perfect.

[paikman]

sure most of you guys have seen this by now
18x9 +29 Advan RS 245/40/18, will be switching to 255/35/18
Rears rolled+pulled, lowered on JIC flt-tar, custom setup with 10kg front/8kg rear



Tons more in my journal.

[altaic]

Originally Posted by RallySportDirect

Im not sure where the Difference in pad length is. But when we got our 08 Sti, that was one of the first things we did. Was to see what old parts would cross over.
We took out the stock pads, and put in some after market pads we had on the shelf for the previous STi's. And they fit perfect.

No lateral space/slop?

[Subie 2.5 STI]

Originally Posted by paikman

sure most of you guys have seen this by now
18x9 +29 Advan RS 245/40/18, will be switching to 255/35/18
Rears rolled+pulled, lowered on JIC flt-tar, custom setup with 10kg front/8kg rear



Tons more in my journal.

sweet ride, did you have mud flaps in your rear or just the front. other than that the car looks great