GR WRX STI Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

  • Updated

2008-2014 Subaru WRX STI models.

Models Covered in This Guide

2008-2014 Subaru WRX STI models. GR Generation WRX model owners click here. All of our GR Gen STI wheels clear the factory 4 pot Brembo brakes, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBK’s. See the full list under the brake clearance section at the bottom of the guide.  

 

Bolt Pattern
5x114.3mm

Center Bore
56.1mm

Lug Seat
60º Conical

 Thread Pitch
M12x1.25mm

 

Available Designs      
EC-7 Flow Formed
18-ec7-5120-rs-profile3_4.png
Order Here

 

 

Performance Street / Weekend Warrior

This 18” wheel fitment best suited for daily drivers and weekend warriors looking to maximize performance by reducing weight and supporting wider tire compounds.  A combination of wider wheel widths and perfected offsets provide enthusiasts with a more aggressive stance and a meaningful increase in performance over the stock STI configuration, without requiring a bunch of modifications to the car.

 

Wheels

  • Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET38
    • Popular Fitment

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: 265/35-18
    • Notable Availability
      • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
      • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
      • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW) 
      • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
  • Narrower Alternative: 255/35-18
    • Notable Availability
      • All-Season -  Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
      • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Direzza DZ102 (460TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
      • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)  
      • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Toyo Proxes R1R (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
  • Taller Alternative: 255/40-18
    • Notable Availability
      • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW)
      • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Direzza DZ102 (460TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
      • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)  
      • Extreme Performance Summer - Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Eagle F1 Supercar 3 (220TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
  • Narrowest Alternative: 245/40-18
    • Notable Availability
      • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
      • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Direzza DZ102 (460TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
      • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)
      • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Toyo Proxes R1R (200TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 (220TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S 1.5 (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)

 

 

Dedicated Track/Race Fitments

This 18” fitment is best suited for more hardcore weekend track warriors and competitive club racers looking to maximize grip and overall performance. While the 9.5" wheels aren't very difficult to fit under the front fenders, there are many different tire sizes and compounds that can be used, some of which will require negative camber and fender rolling to prevent rubbing the fenders under suspension compression. 

See high-level notes under each tire combination below, or contact one of our Subaru Product Experts by submitting a fitment request form to have a more detailed one-on-one conversation about your track/race car.

 

Wheels

  • Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET38
    • Popular Fitment 

Tires

  • APEX Staff Pick: 265/35-18
    • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity.
    • Notable Availability
      • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
      • R-compounds - Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R (60TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Toyo R888R (100TW). Nankang AR-1 (100TW) 
      • Slicks - Pirelli DH
  • Wider Alternative: 275/35-18
      • Negative camber is encouraged to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and to maximize performance and tire longevity. 
      • Fender rolling may be required. 
      • Notable Availability
        • Extreme Performance Summer - Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Goodyear Eagle Supercar 3 (220TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S 1.5 (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW) 
        • R-compounds - Toyo Proxes RA1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nitto NT01 (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
        • Semi-Slicks - BFGoodrich G-Force R1 S (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hoosier R7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)
        • Slicks - Pirelli DH 
  • Widest Alternative: Front & Rear: 285/30-18
    • Aggressive negative camber is required to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds, and recommended to maximize performance and tire longevity.
    • Fender rolling may be required
    • Notable Tire Availability:
      • Extreme Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW)
      • R-Compounds - Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW) 
      • Semi Slicks - BFGoodrich G-Force R1 S (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hoosier R7 (40TW)
      • Slicks - Pirelli DH

 

Big Brake Kit Clearances
Brake-Clearance.jpg

The following brake setups have been tested and confirmed to clear: 

  • Factory Fluorescent Yellow Brembos - Front 6 piston 340mm / Rear 2 piston 326mm
  • Factory Black Brembos - Front 4 piston 326mm / Rear 2 piston 316mm
  • Brembo 1B1.8048A GT/GTS/GTR Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Brembo 1N3.8011A GT/GTS/GTS Front 6 Pot // 350x34mm
  • Brembo 1M1.8034A GT/GTS/GTR Front 6 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Brembo 1B1.7008A GT/GTS/GTR Front 4 Pot // 332x32mm
  • Brembo 1H1.8006A GT/GTS/GTR Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Brembo 1N3.8012A GT/GTS/GTR Front 6 Pot // 350x34mm
  • Brembo 1M1.8039A Monoblock Front 6 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Brembo 3K2.8046A Race Systems Front 6 Pot // 355x35x54a
  • Brembo 3K2.8037A Race Systems Front 4 Pot // 350x34mm
  • Brembo 2P1.8020A GT/GTS/GTR Rear 4 Pot // 345x28mm
  • Brembo 2P1.8042A GT/GTS/GTR Rear 4 Pot / 345x28mm 
  • AP Racing Essex 13.01.10067 Front CP9660 6 Pot // 355x32mm
  • AP Racing Essex 13.01.10000 Front CP8350 4 Pot // 325x32mm
  • AP Racing Essex 13.01.10126 Front CP9668 6 Pot // 372x34mm
  • AP Racing Essex 13.01.10125 Front CP9660 6 Pot // 372x34mm
  • AP Essex 13.01.10020 Front CP8350 4 Pot // 325x32mm
  • AP Essex 13.01.10127 Rear CP9451 4 Pot // 340x28mm
  • Stoptech 83.842.4700.XX ST-40 Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Stoptech 83.842.6700.XX ST-60 Front 6 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Stoptech 83.843.4700.XX ST-40 Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
  • Stoptech 83.842.002G.XX ST-22 Rear 2 Pot // 345x28mm
  • Stoptech 83.843.002G.XX ST-22 Rear 2 Pot // 345x28mm
  • Wilwood 140-12875 Narrow Superlite 6R Front 6 Pot // 356x32mm
  • Wilwood 140-12876 AERO6 Front 6 Pot // 356x32mm
  • Wilwood 140-12874 Narrow Superlite 6R Front 6 Pot // 332x32mm
  • Wilwood 140-9193 Dynapro Radial Front 4 Pot // 305x28mm

 

Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form
Call us: 925-245-0773
Email us: support@apexraceparts.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles