18x9.5+44 square vs 18x8.5-18x9.5+44

[djdnz]

Originally Posted by Beyer Subaru

I'm tryin to zero in on some wheels and am torn as to what to go with.

Hopin all you guys with these set-ups can chime in as to what you think, recommend, etc..

It seems as though most are going staggered.

Just saw this link:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44177

This might be an issue you might have in the rear, you would have the same specs as the OP of the linked thread (more or less). Haven't had any experience with this so I don't know. Just saw the thread and figured I'd give you a heads up. Either case it is an issue with the rear end, so in both cases it might present an issue.

As per your original question, I'd go square.

[switchlanez]

Others' perception of Function=Form will be different than yours so it depends on your own tastes. I voted staggered because I'm familiar with your build and intents.

Square setup is ideal for balance especially at this car's power level. But a staggered setup won't completely ruin the balance and make it terribly understeer, unless you drive at the limit regularly enough to always notice the difference. True, you won't be able to rotate your tires. But considering what you've put into your BRZ, I imagine being economical is not a priority.

Scion offers a staggered 19x8.5 +45/19x9.5 +45 dealer option so I imagine fitment shouldn't be an issue on stock struts (much less your coilovers) granted you don't go too wide on tires (dealers recommend slightly stretched tires on their 19s).

Some peculiarities: Though the rear fender bulges out more than the front (making staggered look better), it also has about a half inch lip which reduces clearance to the tire whereas the front is rolled from the factory. I imagine that's because the front wheels need extra clearance to turn. So you'd think a square setup would make front/rear fender clearance more even due to the rear fender lip offsetting the rear fender bulge. That may be true on stock height, but the more you lower your car, the more the rear wheels will negatively camber compared to the front. Accordingly, the OEM alignment spec allows for more negative camber in the rear than the front (stock components do not allow for rear camber adjustment). Wider rear wheels can aesthetically compensate for the increased rear negative camber, if the car is lowered (which yours is). Square will amplify the tuck caused by more negative camber in the rear due to lowering. If you do go square, you can equalize that tuck by adding negative camber to the front and still stay within alignment spec (which I've done with OEM camber bolts), but it's still apparent that the rear tucks ever so slightly more than the front (at least in my case) from looking at it. But if you reach under the fender and feel with your fingers, you'll notice the clearance of the front rolled fender is pretty even compared to the rear non-rolled fender.



I would go with a staggered 18x8.5/18x9.5 setup like what you're considering with offsets anywhere between +43 to +45, preferably with matching front/rear offsets. With more conservative offsets like these, you shouldn't have to worry about the rears clearing the non-rolled rear fender lip (granted your tires aren't too wide). JW: Any hints on your next wheels; maybe the brand? Or you gonna keep us all in suspense?

[djdnz]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

JW: Any hints on your next wheels; maybe the brand? Or you gonna keep us all in suspense?

+44 is not particularly common offset, only a few options at that size...

Rota loves the size, but given how much he spends on the rest of his car I doubt Rotas...

Enkei makes one or two in this size.

My money is on ProDrive though :P

[Ammonia]

I have a staggered, just because thats what I'm used to, and the wheels I picked out would have poked in the front, which I would not be able to stand.

There are merits to both, YMMV

[ajcacio]

I have square 255/35-18s on 18x9.5 +40s. The rears rub, the fronts are perfect. Car still rotates well. With a staggered setup, you're actively taking grip away from the front and giving the rear more grip, inducing understeer. I posit the difference is more noticeable than most are suggesting, based on my experience. I can post a picture of my setup if anyone is interested.

[hmong337]

As much as I want to do a staggered setup, I'm going to go for the tried and true square setup. The staggered setup looks better overall since this is a rwd car and matches beautifully. But the inconvenience of a staggered setup means you can't rotate all 4 tires accordingly and it's always a pain in the ass having to find matching sizes and sets.

I know this all too well with my 16x8 - 17x9 mr2 "double staggered" setup.

Plus the FRS is my DD and I want it to be as easy as possible to maintain and upkeep. Having a square setup makes perfect sense to me.

[Beyer Subaru]

Thanks guys! This is some great input and info. I'm not trying to hold out on anybody as far as the wheels go.

The brands I'm looking at in order of importance are as follows:
Prodrive - GC05N
StrassForged - 5 spoke design
VIP Modular - 5 spoke design

Right now the Prodrives are prolly going to be the winner. Working with Japan now to organize availability, shipping, price, etc..

[Beyer Subaru]

Ok, guys. With much thought put into this I've finally pulled the trigger. I've decided to go with a square 18x9.5 set-up. Now for the ridiculous wait-time as the rims are being produced, shipped, etc..

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

I have a staggered, just because thats what I'm used to, and the wheels I picked out would have poked in the front, which I would not be able to stand.

There are merits to both, YMMV

The only merits of staggered is looks. On this platform square is faster. Why would you want less grip in the front than you can have?

[Joakim3]

Essentially what everyone else said..... If this is gonna be you DD, go square setup. It's vastly more ergo as you save money (and weight) on tire size and can rotate them so they last a shit ton more.

So unless your planning on dropping an FI kit and putting down 300whp, staggered is purely for looks and nothing more in this case, lol

[Beyer Subaru]

Yes, Yes, help me feel better about this!! This is one of the many reasons that this is still the BEST FT86 Forum on the planet.

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

The only merits of staggered is looks. On this platform square is faster. Why would you want less grip in the front than you can have?

Because I like how it looks, and I don't autocross. Please respect my opinion, don't need to talk others down to justify your viewpoint.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

Because I like how it looks, and I don't autocross. Please respect my opinion, don't need to talk others down to justify your viewpoint.

I completely agree with you. It's merit is looks.

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

Always square!