Merged @UMB FR-S's post: same wheel w/ same spec

Hey @UMB FR-S what kind of tires are those?

I went with bfg rivals. After getting the new rim and tire set up I came fourth in my first autocross with them and won the last 3 events of the season with them very grippy!

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Hey all,

My 2015 BRZ should be coming in a few days and I was looking getting these wheels. I know a couple people in this thread have mentioned doing a 20mm drop but I haven't heard of anyone reporting on the results.

I was thinking of doing something similar to the following:

Kosei K4R 17x8 +36
Michelin Pilot SuperSport 225/45ZR17 (haven't decided on these yet)
Eiback Pro Kit Lowering Springs (~1inch drop)


I checked the numbers out on the fitment calculator and I'm thinking it should be fine with regards to clearances/rubbing, but I just wanted to check if anyone had any experience with a setup like this, particularly with the small drop.

Thanks!

--
EDIT:

Nevermind, looks like someone already did nearly this exact same thing with the OZ Ultraleggara's here:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65113

Did you do it? Got any pics? I'm thinking of doing the same.

Just installed these wheels (Kosei K4R 17x8 +36) wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 91Y 225/45/17 on my stock suspension FR-S. I really like the "flush" look that these wheels provide. I didn't want to get too wide of a tire to avoid poke, especially in the front as I want to keep stock suspension/camber for the moment.

Initial observations:

1. Ordered everything from TireRack and I really like how, in addition to mounting/balancing for you at no additional charge, they also include proper lug nuts as well as install hub/centering rings into the wheels for your car.
2. Printed on the wheels is "5x114.3". When I saw this I was scared thinking that TireRack messed up and sent me the wrong wheels. I quickly took off one of my stock wheels and put on one of these and found that it fit perfectly with the centering ring. :thumbup:
3. The offset is pretty insane. There is a crazy amount of clearance for BBKs (see pics below)
4. I don't know if this is in my head or not but I feel like there is a slight increase in body roll. This could be related to changed scrub radius or slightly taller tire sidewalls or both.
5. I was expecting a slight drop in weight compared to stock but when I weighed the wheels with tires I found an *increase* of 1 lb. Stock wheels and (bald) tires weighed in at 38 lbs and these wheels with brand new tires were 39 lbs. I guess its not that bad of a tradeoff considering these wheels and tires are wider than stock, in addition to being new with full tread.

Some pics (sorry for low quality, did this after work and it was getting dark):

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ek...=w1080-h608-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K3...w1012-h1799-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fh...w1012-h1799-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hT...=w1080-h608-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HP...w1012-h1799-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uB...=w1080-h608-no

Thanks,
--yamsta

TireRack has been pretty good to to me as well... I've bought quite a few sets of wheels over the years from them.


Regarding the offset and caliper space, this is a picture I took with the Essex AP Racing Sprint Brake Kit template in place...Lot's O ROOM!:

https://vracer111.smugmug.com/photos...-N5BmXmK-L.png

Since the car has a wider track with the wheels it's quite possible you are sensing more body roll since with the tires it will grip more and make the suspension work more with the wheels pushed out further. While I did enjoy the directness and planted feeling of the car with these wheels/offset on track, it was just too much for street. The Enkei Fujin's 17x7.5 with a 40mm offset kind of bridge the gap between filling out to the fender yet keeping the car more lively and responsive with the shorter track width. I still think the Kosei K4R is a great track wheel, but since I don't track much and really enjoyed the way Fujin's just sharpened up the handling with less than a 1lbm unsprung weight difference I sold the K4R's a while back. If I were to ever get new track wheels it would probably be the Kosei K8R's though...because I like the shorter track width which would be very close to what I'm running with the Enkei Fujin's and the mesh style.

215/45-17 tires would drop the mass noticeably...

^ This. Yeah, after driving around on the street the last few days I'm quickly realizing that even though overall grip (especially at the limit) has increased, the car lost a little bit of its charm and quirkiness that made it such an amazing car in stock form. I'm wondering though if thicker sway bars would help with the wider track. Then again I never wanted to go down this rabbit hole of suspension mods!

Love this thread, guys. Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts. It sounds like this is a great option, along with the 6UL and Apex wheel.

Yes, glad to see good lightweight options for this car. I'll say this though I really love the classic "JDM" look these wheels offer!

Yes...generally weight is my #1 concern for wheels followed by design and strength for the lowest cost point... with Kosei and Enkei being my preferred go-to brands. I did love the 949 Racing 6UL's I had on my Integra though.

Some last pictures of the K4R's on my car before I sold them (...for historical record):

https://vracer111.smugmug.com/photos...crZ8d54-XL.jpg

https://vracer111.smugmug.com/photos...8xV7dFs-XL.jpg

With the 17lb Enkei Fujin's I can live with the slight increase in weight over the Kosei K4R because I can fit 205/45-17 tires and get the weight down near equal with a precision of handling that is incredible and simply unmatched by any bigger tires. Plus the Fujin's make the K4R's look UGLY in comparison - they just have perfect design for the lines of the 86! But if I still tracked the car the K4R's would have been kept - they are a really great low cost and low weight wheel for the track.

Enkei Fujin wheels on FR-S

Enkei Fujin wheels on FR-S too

Not mine but they look amazing in this shot.I love this look, crisp and clean


Attachment 120051

Most def! The look of the Kosei just gives this classic Japanese car look. I love the fact that the wheel lugs are so deep making the spokes look like they are coming out of no where. Not to mention they koseis are actually made in Japan as well :party0030:

That's exactly what I think about this photo, I see modern day 2000GT