Wheel Whores Unite! - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

sperry · 2005-07-07, 09:50 AM

Since 100deg weather + long trips + snow tires = no snow tires very quickly...

They're the MB Motorsports Weapons (aka A-Tech Erasors) from Discount Tire Direct. (17x8+42 5x114.3) The same wheels that JC and Dean have, just in SVX fitment and bronze instead of gunmetal.

The tires are Falken Azenis ST-115 in 255/40ZR17. Usually the minimum width for a 255 tire is 8.5", but these run pretty narrow, so they seem to fit just fine on the 8" wide rims. Plus, they're like $10/tire *cheaper* than the 245's.

Total price for the rims, tires, valve stems, lugs, wheel locks, mounting, balancing, tax, and shipping: $1026. Not bad... reminds me of the good old days when you could get rotas with tires for under $1200.

So far the wheels/tires seem like a really good match for the car. There's no balance issues, and they seem to have plenty of clearance, so no rubbing. Because the suspension and bushings on the SVX are so worn out, there are some wierd issues with the tires following the road... the car will sort of move left and right w/o any feedback in the steering. I noticed the same thing when I had the EVO rims on the car for a weekend. Also, I think the lower profile tires are bouncing the rims around a bit on rough road since the suspension isn't stiff enough... also something I've noticed before, but that was when I had 18's on the WRX's stock suspension. But both issues are really minor compared to the much better looks and handling of the car.

Now I just need to get the car lowered and it'll look sweet!

More pics here.

Nick Koan · 2005-07-07, 10:05 AM

Looking good man, looking good.

sybir · 2005-07-07, 10:23 AM

That looks dope, dude

Good work.

MikeK · 2005-07-07, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Now I just need to get the car lowered and it'll look sweet!

Before or after the wrx drivetrain swap?

sperry · 2005-07-07, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

Before or after the wrx drivetrain swap?

Suspension, exhaust and transmission should all go in at the same time... I just need to finish the motor swap on the WRX, then pay off the credit card first.

AtomicLabMonkey · 2005-07-07, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Because the suspension and bushings on the SVX are so worn out, there are some wierd issues with the tires following the road... the car will sort of move left and right w/o any feedback in the steering. I noticed the same thing when I had the EVO rims on the car for a weekend.

Is that wheel offset different than the stock wheel?

sperry · 2005-07-07, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

Is that wheel offset different than the stock wheel?

Stock SVX wheels are 16x7.5+55. EVO wheels are 17x8+38. The new ones are 17x8+42, so that pulls the outter lip of the new rims .4cm away from the fender compared to the EVO rims rubbed just the tinyest bit, so the MB's seem just right.

AtomicLabMonkey · 2005-07-07, 10:55 AM

The rut/bump wandering you're describing can be a side effect of changing wheel offset. Since the front-view tire CL has moved over 1/2" from the stock setup, the scrub radius has changed by that same amount - so the feedback & self-centering characteristics of the steering system has been changed.

sperry · 2005-07-07, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

The rut/bump wandering you're describing can be a side effect of changing wheel offset. Since the front-view tire CL has moved over 1/2" from the stock setup, the scrub radius has changed by that same amount - so the feedback & self-centering characteristics of the steering system has been changed.

The car wanders, but there is *zero* feedback in the wheel... it's like the wheels are following the road, but there's so much slop in the bushings that the car stays straight until the bushings load up enough to move the car just a tiny bit.

Also, it doesn't feel like it's wandering because the front tires are turing, it feels more like the entire car moves latterally about a quarter inch or so.

But yes, the offset is significantly different and has pushed the centerline of the tire away from the stock location. We'll see how the rear bearings do.

bruspeed · 2005-07-07, 11:06 AM

Excellent choice man!! I love bronze.

sonicsuby · 2005-07-07, 05:55 PM

I hate when you post pics in your driveway. At first glance, that looks exactly like my neighborhood

Wheels look good

JC · 2005-07-07, 06:07 PM

Honestly, I dunno if I like them. Maybe I will when I see them in person, but I think the SVX needs a stronger looking wheel with thicker spokes. The color looks hot though. Your SVX has come a long way.

ShawnS · 2005-07-07, 08:11 PM

Like I said last night, they look good.

PS- I went through the gallery and noticed you only censored your plates in one image, not the rest.

sperry · 2005-07-07, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShawnS

Like I said last night, they look good.

PS- I went through the gallery and noticed you only censored your plates in one image, not the rest.

I only sensored the plates on the pic I was posting on another site.

sybir · 2005-07-07, 10:32 PM

Since we're supposed to be uniting......

sperry · 2005-07-07, 11:18 PM

Wagon on 18's bitch! Nice.

sybir · 2005-07-08, 08:50 AM

I figured I had to take on all the specs of the original LagnWagn, so P1's work

sperry · 2005-07-08, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sybir

I figured I had to take on all the specs of the original LagnWagn, so P1's work

Well, it's on P1's, it's an automatic, it's slow... all you need is a ricey front lip and white paint!

(IBMattRemindsMeHeBeatMeAtOneAutocrossInThatWagon)

Dean · 2005-07-10, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

The car wanders, but there is *zero* feedback in the wheel... it's like the wheels are following the road, but there's so much slop in the bushings that the car stays straight until the bushings load up enough to move the car just a tiny bit.

Also, it doesn't feel like it's wandering because the front tires are turing, it feels more like the entire car moves latterally about a quarter inch or so.

But yes, the offset is significantly different and has pushed the centerline of the tire away from the stock location. We'll see how the rear bearings do.

Sticky wider tires with stiffer sidewalls are also a contributor. Want a nice smooth ride with no wander, get the crapiest M&S 175s you can, and they will fell great until you turn, brake, etc...

P.S. Nice wheels..... Copycat...

sperry · 2005-07-10, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Copycat...

Says the guy that bought them *second*... not to mention the fact that they're *replicas* to begin with.

Dean · 2005-07-10, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Says the guy that bought them *second*... not to mention the fact that they're *replicas* to begin with.

Huh? Who had them before me? Not JC... Who else has them?
Me 10/2004
JC 2/2005

sperry · 2005-07-10, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Huh? Who had them before me? Not JC... Who else has them?
Me 10/2004
JC 2/2005

I thought JC got his first since I saw them on his car before yours.

Either way, they're still rip-off's of Matt's Gram Lights (as well as several other similar wheels):

Dean · 2005-07-10, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

I thought JC got his first since I saw them on his car before yours.

Either way, they're still rip-off's of Matt's Gram Lights (as well as several other similar wheels):

Oh yeah, well, the gram Lights are cleary rip offs of Egyptian chariot wheels , so there...

MattR · 2005-07-10, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Oh yeah, well, the gram Lights are cleary rip offs of Egyptian chariot wheels , so there...

OMFG!!!!!!!! Hahahhaahhahaahaha! Best comeback of all time....I just died laughing....

Anyway, wheels are looking good everybody...

MattR · 2005-07-10, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

(IBMattRemindsMeHeBeatMeAtOneAutocrossInThatWagon)

haha, missed that the first time...consider yourself reminded.

2005-07-07, 09:50 AM	#1
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Wheel Whores Unite! Since 100deg weather + long trips + snow tires = no snow tires very quickly... They're the MB Motorsports Weapons (aka A-Tech Erasors) from Discount Tire Direct. (17x8+42 5x114.3) The same wheels that JC and Dean have, just in SVX fitment and bronze instead of gunmetal. The tires are Falken Azenis ST-115 in 255/40ZR17. Usually the minimum width for a 255 tire is 8.5", but these run pretty narrow, so they seem to fit just fine on the 8" wide rims. Plus, they're like $10/tire cheaper than the 245's. Total price for the rims, tires, valve stems, lugs, wheel locks, mounting, balancing, tax, and shipping: $1026. Not bad... reminds me of the good old days when you could get rotas with tires for under $1200. So far the wheels/tires seem like a really good match for the car. There's no balance issues, and they seem to have plenty of clearance, so no rubbing. Because the suspension and bushings on the SVX are so worn out, there are some wierd issues with the tires following the road... the car will sort of move left and right w/o any feedback in the steering. I noticed the same thing when I had the EVO rims on the car for a weekend. Also, I think the lower profile tires are bouncing the rims around a bit on rough road since the suspension isn't stiff enough... also something I've noticed before, but that was when I had 18's on the WRX's stock suspension. But both issues are really minor compared to the much better looks and handling of the car. Now I just need to get the car lowered and it'll look sweet! More pics here. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2005-07-07, 10:05 AM	#2
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Looking good man, looking good. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2005-07-07, 10:23 AM	#3
sybir The Don Real Name: Aaron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,097 Car: '97 Legacy / '05 FXT Class: low	That looks dope, dude Good work. __________________ Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

2005-07-07, 10:55 AM	#8
AtomicLabMonkey Nightwalker Real Name: Austin Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 4,063 Car: '13 WRX YGBSM	The rut/bump wandering you're describing can be a side effect of changing wheel offset. Since the front-view tire CL has moved over 1/2" from the stock setup, the scrub radius has changed by that same amount - so the feedback & self-centering characteristics of the steering system has been changed. __________________ "None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you.. you're locked in here with me."

2005-07-07, 11:06 AM	#10
bruspeed EJ251 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sparks Posts: 526 Car: 2005 2.5 rs cgm Class: TDSP	Excellent choice man!! I love bronze. __________________ Can anybody fly this thing?

2005-07-07, 05:55 PM	#11
sonicsuby Wagon Ho #2 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 657	I hate when you post pics in your driveway. At first glance, that looks exactly like my neighborhood Wheels look good

2005-07-07, 06:07 PM	#12
JC Ask me about dubs! Real Name: JC Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 2,895 Car: 2013 Triumph Speed Triple R	Honestly, I dunno if I like them. Maybe I will when I see them in person, but I think the SVX needs a stronger looking wheel with thicker spokes. The color looks hot though. Your SVX has come a long way. __________________ Actually, I am a rocket scientist.

2005-07-07, 08:11 PM	#13
ShawnS EJ251 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 540 Car: 1995 S14 Zenki	Like I said last night, they look good. PS- I went through the gallery and noticed you only censored your plates in one image, not the rest. __________________ Either this boy has a light bulb up his ass, or his colon has a bright idea.

2005-07-07, 10:32 PM	#15
sybir The Don Real Name: Aaron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,097 Car: '97 Legacy / '05 FXT Class: low	Since we're supposed to be uniting...... __________________ Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

2005-07-07, 11:18 PM	#16
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Wagon on 18's bitch! Nice. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2005-07-08, 08:50 AM	#17
sybir The Don Real Name: Aaron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,097 Car: '97 Legacy / '05 FXT Class: low	I figured I had to take on all the specs of the original LagnWagn, so P1's work __________________ Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic.

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