truk Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Hey, ya'll. I tried to search for an answer already, but no such luck on specifics... I have a friend with an extra set of WRX wheels and I'm thinking of mounting them on my 96 OBW. Right now I'm running 215/70s, which are slightly taller (almost an inch for these particular Winstons) and wider than stock. Stick my hand back around the tire and I have about a finger's width clearance between rubber and the spring/strut guard. Tight, but it works and the tires look sweet, filling out the wheel well perfectly. 40k with good performance and no issues. So, the 2002 WRX wheels are a little wider (6.5 vs. 6.0 as I've read) but the same offset at 55mm. Say I put on 215/65 on them, and reason would suggest that I'll be 1/4 closer to the spring/strut guard on the inside but about the same height. Looking for anyone who might have done this wheel upgrade with the same outback tire size or slightly larger. I want the widest and tallest that will fit. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamal Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 So, the 2002 WRX wheels are a little wider (6.5 vs. 6.0 as I've read) but the same offset at 55mm. Say I put on 215/65 on them, and reason would suggest that I'll be 1/4 closer to the spring/strut guard on the inside but about the same height. Offset is the distance from the mounting surface to the center of the rim. So with the same offset the center of the wheel will be in the same position relative to the hub regardless of width. So a tire with the same outer dimensions will fit just the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I installed on a set on my 91 Legacy about a month ago. Your search should have turned up this: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=82679&highlight=wrx+wheels+legacy They look good and you should go with obtaining them, made the car handle so much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truk Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Certainly true that a 215 tread width is just that on a 6.5 inch rim versus 6.0. Perhaps I'm thinking in the slightest of degrees. The edge of the rim at 6.5 inches wide with the same offset of 55mm would be 1/4 inch closer to the strut. Does it make sense to think that the tire would be that much wider at the bead and then bend up and around to the 215 tread width? So, I'm a little worried about rubbing along the sidewall, but it would probably be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamal Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 hmmm. Well, I don't think the wheel width will make a difference. there should be plenty of room between the strut tube and sidewall anyway. If it's that close I'd be more worried about the new tires having a wider actual tread. Two tires with the same size written on the side are definitely not always the same dimensions. My 225 Bridgestone RE750s were noticeably wider than the 225 Falken 912s I have now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truk Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Perhaps the only option, then, is to break out the tape measure and head to the tire store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamal Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Actually go to tirerack.com. They list all the actual dimensions of tires. Although not on all the 215/65-16s, which is a pretty un-common size. Go down to 215-60 or 225-60 and there are more options and also more clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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