James_Harvey

After talking to a few suppliers, I am getting different messages regarding just what wheels will or wont go on an STi7.

Could anyone tell me the offsets that fit... ET48, ET51, ET45????

Also what dimensions? Looking for 18's.. 18 * 8, 18 * 7.5????

Finally, what tyre dimensions?

Thanks,

James.

Tigertim

The best fit and works a treat are actually 7.5 x 18 wheels with an offset of ET48 to ET53.
Any of those work.
8 x 18 is too wide and 7 x 18 too narrow, especially when you fit a 225 width tyre, will not work properly.
Scooby Sport always recomended 7.5 x 18 Speedlines, then got the UK importership for MIM and Tecnomagnesio, they do not do a 7.5 x 18, only 7 x 18 and 8 x 18, and amazingly now recommened those!!
Amazing how money talks!
So, 7.5 x 18 ET48 to 53 are great, as agreed by Prodrive, and they should know!

Tim

Dave T-S

James

Be careful.....although the (technical) info in the above post is largely correct, it is not ET or width which defines what wheels will physically fit on an STi7, but spoke profile and thus caliper clearance.

For example, 7.5x18 ET48 wheel "X" might fit, but 7.5x18 ET48 wheel "Y" will not, solely because they have a different shape spoke.



[Edited by Dave T-S - 6/20/2002 9:12:55 AM]

Tigertim

Dave, you are exactly correct!
Thank god, some one who understands wheels!
Pity a few manufacturers do not understand more!
However, the offset is paramount, that is why so few wheel manufacturers cannot get an offset of ET48 to ET53, less alloy on the back face of the wheels, hence the wheel spoke hits the calipers.
Good to see you know your stuff Dave!

James_Harvey

Thanks for the info

Any idea as to whether the Antera 321 would fit (http://www.elitedirect.com/antera_321.html)?

James.

[Edited by James_Harvey - 6/19/2002 10:54:28 PM]

Andy W

simple answer........ I doubt it.
Very few wheels do due to the thickness of the calipers. You can get them from the dealer these are very similar to the P1 wheels 2 colours), scoobysport have wheels that will fit but personally I think they look like they came of an X5 or a Laguna (no offence to anyone MHO only).

Andy

Dave T-S

Tim

Not being picky, but I think you've fallen into the trap, or I misread your post.

I agree ET is important for wheel/tyre clearance with the suspension/wheelarch, plus steering feel.

However, for physical caliper clearance on an STi7, the ET is irrelevant. Take a hypothetical example - if you could buy a Speedline GT1 Lite in either ET10 or ET70 to take ridiculoue extremes, neither would physically fit an STi7. As you know, the ET is only the relationship between the hub mounting flange of the wheel and it's centre line, and the spoke/caliper clearance will be the same on a given wheel irrespective of ET. In summary, a GT1 Lite for example will not go on an STi7 irrespective of ET as there just isn't enough spoke clearance for the calipers.

Pete Croney

Tigertim

Shame they don't do a wheel to this spec for the new STi then, as James asked. Prodrive's wheel is ET46.

You clearly know nothing about what wheels and tyres fit these cars and I am certain you have not driven one with the different wheel and tyre combinations to compare handling characteristics.

I'm not sure why you would not expect me to recommend Tecnomagnesio. I am one of the directors of the importing company and I'm pretty certain that most people know that as it has been discussed on this BBS many times. I am part of this company, because I think their products are brilliant. I am also a big fan of Speedline and Scoobysport are distributor for their wheels too. Scoobysport will have the latest Speedlines on the website soon.

These will include the new "flow formed" Turini (2120). ET48 18x8, fits the new STi7 in gold or silver.

As for your generous offer of supplying 18x7.5" ET48 GT One lites with 225/40 18 Bridgestone SO3 for £1100, incl vat and delivery, I'll take 5 sets please as I can't buy them this cheap from Speedline and Bridgestone.

As there are only 1 set in existance between all of the European importers, you'll excuse me if I pay on delivery, not up front.

I'd prefer not to pay up front, mainly because is someone is lying through their back teeth over this. In the US, Australia and in Europe there have been several cases of people offering similar products at similarly ridiculous prices. They then disappear with all the money.

You may be an innocent party in a similar scheme, you may not. But coming on here, hijacking every wheel thread with this, with no details in your profile, is bound to make people question things. Especially when the wheels do not currently exist.

I have reported this thread to the moderators and SdB.

ex-webby

Tigertim

IF you would like to advertise on scoobynet, please contact me with regard to setting up a banner advert.

Otherwise please do not post any more messages about these wheels, or any other commercial offer.

Regards

Simon

Dave T-S

James

Going back to the original question, Prodrive now (just) have a 7 spoke 18" wheel specifically designed for the STi7 in production, as well as the P1 type 10 spoke one.

I'll post some pictures of them both up when I get home tonight.

And also, not favouring (or ignoring) any supplier, IIRC OZ Superleggeras will fit too; plus the Tecnos that Pete mentioned.

Correct tyre is 225/40x18 - rolling diameter is 637mm, which is closest to the OEM 225/45x17 RD of 634mm.



[Edited by Dave T-S - 6/20/2002 2:36:21 PM]

Rob D

Dave,

Like this you mean!



Cheers,

Rob.

Dave T-S

I knew when I mentioned it, someone would beat me to it (but now saves me doing it ).

Dave T-S

Adding to my earlier post, I should have mentioned that the Superleggeras only fit in 19", and these were originally VW/Toyota fit - the ET may not be ideal for Impreza.

More info on the Prodrive wheels:

The P-FF7 (7spoke) as per the pic above is 8 x 18” ET51 and fits ALL New Age Impreza inc 5 door and is available in Bright Flitter & Gold.

The P-WRC1 (10spoke) is 7.5 x 18” ET46 and is for STi cars and has been in stock for some time in Crystal Titanium and Rally Gold.

Rob D

Dave,

Is the P-FF7 not supposed to be lighter then the P1 type wheel as well?

Rob.

Pete Croney

These look like a forged wheel. They'll be around 7-8kg instead of 11-12kg. Very similar to the wheel that TSL do, but more spokes. Nice design, I like them.

Forging isn't cheap. Hold tight when the price is announced

Dave T-S

Rob

Not sure about the comparison with the P1 type wheel, but the 7 spoke P-FF7 wheel/tyre assembly is 3kg lighter than the OEM STi7 one.

Dave T-S

Cross posted with Pete.

Pleasant surprise - the P-FF7 is the same price as the P-WRC1 - £275 bare, £450 with tyre (both inc vat).

Pete Croney

Good price for a forged wheel, but I would have expected it to be lighter than that as new techniques mean there are plenty of cast wheels at less than this weight.

Still a nice design though.

Dave T-S

Pete

Don't forget that's 3kg less for the wheel AND tyre, and a 225/40x18 tyre is going to be heavier than a 225/45x17, so the bare P-FF7 wheel is probably 4 or 5kg lighter than the OEM one.

[Edited by Dave T-S - 6/20/2002 4:43:46 PM]

Dave T-S

Another update - P-FF7 wheel is 1.5kg lighter than P-WRC1

Rich B

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

They are v.nice. I will have to wear the tyres out a bit quicker now.

Thanks for that chaps.

Pete Croney

A 225/40 18 weighs less than a 225/45 17 Dave

It would be easier if your "correspondent" told you EXACTLY how much the new wheel weighed, rather than roughly how much lighter it is than wheel X which weighs roughly Ykg

The current benchmark is 8.5-9.0kg for wheels of this size eg Speedline's Turini.

What does it weigh?

Since forged wheels aren't allowed in WRC now, I would hope it is lighter than a super strong cast WRC wheel.

[Edited by Pete Croney - 6/20/2002 5:13:31 PM]

MikeWood

Pete

The wheel weighs 9.0kg which isn't bad for a wheel that has to support nearly 2tonnes at GVW! This shouldn't be too much of a suprise as it's a flowformed wheel being made for us by Speedline.

Other than a forged Aluminium (still allowed in WRC) or forged Magnesium (not allowed in WRC) wheel I can't see that it's possible to get significantly lighter without compromising the integrity of the wheel. We have tried many wheels in the past of varying designs and manufacturing process and have found all too often that the lightest designs such as 2 or 3 piece can't cope with the loadings encountered on the Impreza. The best is still forged Magnesium but at around £900 for each wheel to us we didn't think there would be too much of a market! You can see why it was banned from the WRC.

I personally have been testing the wheels over the last couple of months and can categorically state that the valeter thinks they are very easy to clean as well!

Regards

Mike

Pete Croney

Thanks Mike, I hate being drip fed info

Flow-forming is very clever and I think Speedline use this for all their latest wheels.

You might need to do something about that tyre price though.

Big Goon

Hmm, I just ordered the P-WRC1 (10spoke) for my new STi7...

Now I'm thinking about these sexy 7 spoke jobbys.

Price and availability for these new wheels ?

V5-APS

iTrader: (1)

Has that Prodrive STi been lowered

Dave T-S

Pete, Mike, stop it you two and put your handbags away.......

Pete, yes of course you are correct - 17" vs 18" tyre, same tread width, same diameter almost, 12.7mm lower sidewall all the way round the 18 so its lighter. Sorry, momentary brain fade, I was trying to work/post/answer email and you on the bloody phone all together

Big Goon - prices above - £275 each wheel, £450 with tyre - P Zero nero - (both inc vat).

V5-APS - yes it is lowered, and no the springs aren't in production yet

Dave T-S

Ok, here's a pic of the 10 spoke Prodrive wheel. Oh look, it's on the same car




BTW Mike, you must be losing your grip - it must be the only photo you have ever sent me that doesn't have the Prodrive sign prominently in the background - a collectors item





[Edited by Dave T-S - 6/20/2002 9:53:44 PM]

Big Goon

My cars gonna look exactly like that one....

Do I drive it or just look at it ?

Doing 45,000 miles a year in that black is gonna hurt I think

Hows yours looking after a few months DTS ? scratches/swirl marks everywhere ?

Dave T-S

No scratches, no swirls, no stonechips......

Clean it properly, and don't tailgate - stones can't levitate on their own