G4Tyrant

Ok im looking at new wheels again for my 2001/2002 Impreza but im really confused over this whole PCD and ET situation ?? I kinda understand that PCD is the stud pattern and gap between the holes etc and that the ET is the distance from the hub ?

But in short whats the PCD and ET (Maximum/Minimum) that i need for my car ????

Any help would be appreciated ?!!

ta

the G-Man.

silent running

Any alloy wheel place should have a look-up book with them (sorry I don't know the numbers off the top of my head). If you've got your head round how ET (offset) works then that's half the battle won already.

With PCD (pitch circle diameter) there's nothing to it - just get your new rims in whatever the standard 5 stud Subaru pattern is. With offset (ET) you don't necessarily want the same offset as your factory rims were, because you may be going to a wider or taller rim and different rubber. Basic rule is that you don't want your rims to be sticking out of the wheelarches so if you go to a wider wheel and tyre, you tend to need more offset which brings the whole wheel inwards e.g. if it's ET-20 at the moment and your rims are an inch wider, you may need to go to an ET-30 to partly compensate. Then you have the problem of rubbing on the inner wings or suspension when turning so you don't want to go TOO far on the offset.

Find your own offset by taking a wheel off and checking what's stamped on it. It should say the ET somewhere on it, and if it shows the actual size as well (e.g. 7x17) even better.

richiewong

Nearly all Subaru's come with a PCD of 5x100 expect 05 STi> which is about 5x114.

Offsets are usually 53~55 but although a wheel may have this offset the spoke design may not clear the calipers.

Examples of this include Speedline ST wheels not clearing 4 pots(therefore made the ST2 wheel to clear) and newage WRX wheels will not clear Brembo's of STi's.

Most aftermarket wheel specialists will have Subaru specific wheels to fit and clear. Look at the usual people Revolution, Scoobyworld etc

I'm running 8x18 Speedline Turini's with 225/40/18 tyres, these have an offset of ET48 and will also fit STi's before 05

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Graham,

On your car, your PCD is 5x100 and the standard wheel has an offset of ET53.

I assume you are looking at aftermarket options so you should look for wheels between ET48-53. You can go a little bit more either way (ET45 to ET55), but it will increase the chances of the tyre catching either the damper or the wheel arch.

Basically, the wheel with an offset of ET48 is 5mm closer to the wheel arch compared to a wheel with an offset of ET53. The lower the number, the closer it will be to the wheel arch.

If you are still running the standard brakes on your WRX, you shouldn't have some of the clearence issues that some STI/standard Brembo brake owners have.

HTH