Wheel Directory: Mach V Wicked Awesome 18x9.5 +42
 

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At the beginning of the year we announced our 18x9.5 "Wicked Awesome" wheel, which was intended for the most part to fit the widebody 2008+ STI and 2011+ WRX. I'd been thinking that that size wheel could fit nicely on the back of the 86 twins. Then someone asked if it would fit on the front. We test-fit it, and it DID clear the front perch and spring, but barely.

I ordered up some 265/35R18 tires (again, intended for a WRX) and mounted them on the wheels. But hey, we have the wheels, tires, and a BRZ car, so why not -- I bolted them to the BRZ.

The verdict: The back fits, pretty much. The front doesn't. Specifically, the tire was touching the front spring perch. We MIGHT be able to shave the perch to clear the tire, but I'm not sure. With a 5mm spacer, the front fit (by mere millimeters!) without touching the perch, but the tire sticks out pretty far. Some of you hellaflush types might like it, but to me it's not going to be something you can live with in the real world. A 255 or 245 width tire would fit better, and the 245 I think would clear the spring perch without a spacer, but I'd rather not put a 245 on a 9.5" wheel. (Again, I know plenty of you would...I've seen the photos...)

Anyway, here's a few of the pics from today's test fit:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...heels/0912.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...heels/0891.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...heels/0943.jpg
Sorry, kind of a wonky place to park -- the ground is not level.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...heels/0963.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...heels/0958.jpg

Obviously the front has a lot less room than the back. That got me thinking that we do make an equivalent wheel in a 17x9, and I run those with 255's all around...I could do a 17/18 staggered arrangement. But another time...

--Dan
Mach V

As an SCCA-type... Looks great to me!

Thinking hard abt this wheel for my streetie setup.

Thx for posting.

Massive credit to and respect a vendor who posted up a product pointing out it doesn't fit and making sensible tyre recommendations. I'm a long way away, but that's the kind of person I like to deal with.

Do you have more close up and side on pictures of rear that DOES appear to fit?

+1 for a bit more info on the rear fitment

Nice wheels

It's too bad you don't sell 18 x 8.5 for the front.. Those look amazing in 18"!

Thanks.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...heels/0909.jpg

We just popped the Blizzaks back on, so we'll have to wait a bit for more pics.

--Dan
Mach V

Looks pretty good from that angle. So that's 18x9.5 +42 with 265/35? If it's not too much ask, what is the rear camber?

Sorry for all the questions. That's what you get when you established yourself as a vendor who doesn't bullshit.

Correct.

Offhand I don't remember. -1 degrees? There's no extra camber hardware (like adjustable control arms) on the back, so I think we just aligned it to near-factory spec given the lowering. It's on Mach V springs.

I'm happy to answer questions. I'm also glad to tell the truth as I see it, based as much on real-world observations and experience as possible.

--Dan
Mach V

ok why not just go 18x9 ...
or is 9.5 somethin that other crowd wants?

That's some serious meat on there !! :confused0068:

The 18x9.5 was designed with the late-model WRX and STI in mind. It happens to bolt up to the BRZ, so we tried it out.

--Dan
Mach V

His camber in the rear is probably somewhere in the 1.5-2.2 range.

When I lowered my FR-S the camber went to 1.5 driver, 2.0 passenger.

Definitely interested in the 17X9 Suggestion....:w00t: