Wheel GURU's HELP!

infected07 · 07-12-2008, 02:58 PM

I have someone with a set of 18" gramlight 57s Maxximum (225/40/18)

And wondered if they would fit on my sti, or clear the brembo calipers. How much of a preformance loss would it be also? The wheels aren't as wide and the tires arent' nearly what the Potenza's are. Any info would be great!

thanks

cam

***VSGTS14*** · 07-12-2008, 05:00 PM

what's the offset and bolt pattern? if they are smaller than stock, then don't put them on.

infected07 · 07-12-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

what's the offset and bolt pattern? if they are smaller than stock, then don't put them on.

I'm not sure the offset... I think there 40. I know the bolt pattern is the same, 5x114.3. Why shouldn't I put them on if there smaller than stock? A free set of Rays Gramlights is a pretty sick deal, I just wanted to know if they will fit alright and clear everything.

**boondocksaint** · 07-12-2008, 08:31 PM

If they're free, why not just test fit them?

Also, please post wheel and tire questions in the Wheel and Tire forum, not the General forum. That should be obvious.

infected07 · 07-12-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

If they're free, why not just test fit them?

Also, please post wheel and tire questions in the Wheel and Tire forum, not the General forum. That should be obvious.

Cause I dont have a garage to test fit right now, and I figured one of the wheel guru's would just know

Yeah I just figured it was a general question, i'm not good at navigating this site yet.

thanks.

T3h_Clap · 07-13-2008, 06:01 AM

my guess is they are 18x7.5"

the offset is on the back of the wheel on the mount face.

they are either +33mm, +43mm or +48mm.

the +33mm will clear brembos but the offset is really low, especially for a 7.5" wheel and you may have fender issues depending on your ride height, suspension and alignment.

the +43mm will clear as well and is the correct offset for the MY05 STi.

the +48mm will not clear brembos without a spacer, and running a spacer on stock wheel studs is not recommended.

you can always buy new tires for it and if they are free you can sell them later on.

once you know the offset we'll know if they'll work, otherwise it's all a guess.

infected07 · 07-13-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3h_Clap

my guess is they are 18x7.5"

the offset is on the back of the wheel on the mount face.

they are either +33mm, +43mm or +48mm.

the +33mm will clear brembos but the offset is really low, especially for a 7.5" wheel and you may have fender issues depending on your ride height, suspension and alignment.

the +43mm will clear as well and is the correct offset for the MY05 STi.

the +48mm will not clear brembos without a spacer, and running a spacer on stock wheel studs is not recommended.

you can always buy new tires for it and if they are free you can sell them later on.

once you know the offset we'll know if they'll work, otherwise it's all a guess.

Okay! Thanks for the info. I've set up an apt. with my buddy for wednesday to test fit them in his garage. I'm on stock suspension still so I cant see them rubbing. 7.5" seems so small for such a high end wheel... im supprised they didn't order them with a more agressive stance. Oh well, if they fit I will be happy and take some pics to let you all know.

-cam

T3h_Clap · 07-13-2008, 09:42 AM

you said they are free?

if you're buying them you should buy a wider wheel.

the 07 STi looks much better with an 18x8.5 +45mm and a 235/40/18 tire or even a 245/35/18 tire.

going down to a 7.5" wheel and cheaper tires will reduce performance.

nhat · 07-13-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3h_Clap

you said they are free?

if you're buying them you should buy a wider wheel.

the 07 STi looks much better with an 18x8.5 +45mm and a 235/40/18 tire or even a 245/35/18 tire.

going down to a 7.5" wheel and cheaper tires will reduce performance.

18x8.5 ftw

going to a 7.5" wheel is a step back seeing as how the oem bbs are 8" wide.

infected07 · 07-14-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhat

18x8.5 ftw

going to a 7.5" wheel is a step back seeing as how the oem bbs are 8" wide.

I realize that guys, its hard to say becuase the stock BBS are not bad, especially wrapped in the potenza's. I know a wider wheel is more agressive and would look much better... but gunblue 18" Rays gramlights will look amazing on my 07 SWP. I'm trying to justify the looks (besides rim width) over the stock BBS. I think it would look killer, but I hate that im losing preformance. I'd be going to a Khumo tire, from bridgestone but I think the wheels would look hot for summer and use the stock BBS for winter (with preformances winter ofcoarse). I am just hoping the change isn't too noticable... I guess if I got them (not free) but a killer price, I could always clean them up and sell them. they were kurbed quite bad but its only 140 per wheel for a brand new finish again. How much do you think this things are worth on the market? maybe find myself a cheaper 18 x 8.5 like Enkei's or somthing. RPF1's are nice.

**boondocksaint** · 07-14-2008, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infected07

I realize that guys, its hard to say becuase the stock BBS are not bad, especially wrapped in the potenza's. I know a wider wheel is more agressive and would look much better... but gunblue 18" Rays gramlights will look amazing on my 07 SWP. I'm trying to justify the looks (besides rim width) over the stock BBS. I think it would look killer, but I hate that im losing preformance. I'd be going to a Khumo tire, from bridgestone but I think the wheels would look hot for summer and use the stock BBS for winter (with preformances winter ofcoarse). I am just hoping the change isn't too noticable... I guess if I got them (not free) but a killer price, I could always clean them up and sell them. they were kurbed quite bad but its only 140 per wheel for a brand new finish again. How much do you think this things are worth on the market? maybe find myself a cheaper 18 x 8.5 like Enkei's or somthing. RPF1's are nice.

$140 a wheel to fix and refinish them? Walk away from whatever shop you're talking to and either A) find a new shop, or B) find a better set of wheels. Preferably B, but that's just an opinion.

T3h_Clap · 07-14-2008, 05:23 AM

so $140 per wheel to refinish + how ever much they cost?

the gramLight 57Maximums are not $400 a wheel to start with.

i agree the gunblue will look great on your car, but do not make the mistake of buying wheels that "need repair".

there are alot of quality vendors that can find a wheel that will fit a reasonable budget.

fourseasonsandles · 07-14-2008, 06:00 AM

I just put on a set of 18x8.5 57Mximums on my car 2 weeks ago. While they were/are heavier (21lbs) than the stock BBS (19.2lbs) and my Rota Tarmac 3s (20.1lbs), They look beautiful in comparison. As far as performance goes. If you are worried about the tires, look into a set of Falken Azenis 615. If you dont track your car, I dont think you will notice a difference in performance.

As far as the weight goes. I took off the Tarmac 3s to put these on. While the Gram Lights are a better quality wheel, they did weigh .9lbs more. That said, the combo of the Gramlights with the lighter Falken tires is still lighter than the stock set up of the BBS and the RE070 tires by about .7lbs

I have found that it is the tire size that makes a big difference as far as performance goes. I am sure I may have lost a little bit of performance going to a heavier rim, but I havent noticed anything.

Question about 18s and performance (I did my HW and question still unanswered) - NASIOC

07-12-2008, 02:58 PM	#1
infected07 Junior STI Driver Car: l2005 CGM WRX STi Fav Mod: Cobb AP Location: Calgary AB Posts: 51 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Wheel GURU's HELP! I have someone with a set of 18" gramlight 57s Maxximum (225/40/18) And wondered if they would fit on my sti, or clear the brembo calipers. How much of a preformance loss would it be also? The wheels aren't as wide and the tires arent' nearly what the Potenza's are. Any info would be great! thanks cam This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-12-2008, 05:00 PM	#2
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 9,981 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Wheel GURU's HELP! what's the offset and bolt pattern? if they are smaller than stock, then don't put them on.

07-12-2008, 08:31 PM	#4
boondocksaint Reasonable Car: Boony's Motown STi Fav Mod: correct grammar Location: D3TR01T Posts: 22,622 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Wheel GURU's HELP! If they're free, why not just test fit them? Also, please post wheel and tire questions in the Wheel and Tire forum, not the General forum. That should be obvious.

07-13-2008, 06:01 AM	#6
T3h_Clap Wheel33tist Whore Car: Aspen White GDF-D Fav Mod: Pastelito Racing / SFSOC Location: 0R!4ND0 Posts: 21,323 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Wheel GURU's HELP! my guess is they are 18x7.5" the offset is on the back of the wheel on the mount face. they are either +33mm, +43mm or +48mm. the +33mm will clear brembos but the offset is really low, especially for a 7.5" wheel and you may have fender issues depending on your ride height, suspension and alignment. the +43mm will clear as well and is the correct offset for the MY05 STi. the +48mm will not clear brembos without a spacer, and running a spacer on stock wheel studs is not recommended. you can always buy new tires for it and if they are free you can sell them later on. once you know the offset we'll know if they'll work, otherwise it's all a guess.

07-13-2008, 09:42 AM	#8
T3h_Clap Wheel33tist Whore Car: Aspen White GDF-D Fav Mod: Pastelito Racing / SFSOC Location: 0R!4ND0 Posts: 21,323 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Wheel GURU's HELP! you said they are free? if you're buying them you should buy a wider wheel. the 07 STi looks much better with an 18x8.5 +45mm and a 235/40/18 tire or even a 245/35/18 tire. going down to a 7.5" wheel and cheaper tires will reduce performance.

07-14-2008, 05:23 AM	#12
T3h_Clap Wheel33tist Whore Car: Aspen White GDF-D Fav Mod: Pastelito Racing / SFSOC Location: 0R!4ND0 Posts: 21,323 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Wheel GURU's HELP! so $140 per wheel to refinish + how ever much they cost? the gramLight 57Maximums are not $400 a wheel to start with. i agree the gunblue will look great on your car, but do not make the mistake of buying wheels that "need repair". there are alot of quality vendors that can find a wheel that will fit a reasonable budget.

07-14-2008, 06:00 AM	#13
fourseasonsandles Silver Member Car: 06 CGM Wingless Fav Mod: The Newest One! Location: Ra cha cha NY Posts: 3,337 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Wheel GURU's HELP! I just put on a set of 18x8.5 57Mximums on my car 2 weeks ago. While they were/are heavier (21lbs) than the stock BBS (19.2lbs) and my Rota Tarmac 3s (20.1lbs), They look beautiful in comparison. As far as performance goes. If you are worried about the tires, look into a set of Falken Azenis 615. If you dont track your car, I dont think you will notice a difference in performance. As far as the weight goes. I took off the Tarmac 3s to put these on. While the Gram Lights are a better quality wheel, they did weigh .9lbs more. That said, the combo of the Gramlights with the lighter Falken tires is still lighter than the stock set up of the BBS and the RE070 tires by about .7lbs I have found that it is the tire size that makes a big difference as far as performance goes. I am sure I may have lost a little bit of performance going to a heavier rim, but I havent noticed anything. Question about 18s and performance (I did my HW and question still unanswered) - NASIOC This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.