The Hyperlogos

Here you will find information on which wheels fit the Subaru Impreza. Some of the information was taken from http://wac.addr.com/auto/obs/wheels.html which also has information (cobbled from forums) about what brands of wheel are available, and for how much. That page references http://www.wheelweights.net/ for more information - from a design standpoint it's an absolutely awful website, but it does have a lot of good information. Some other information comes from the NASIOC Forums.

Offset

Offset is the thing that you need to know after size in order to mount wheels on your car. The offset places the wheel in the proper location. The appropriate offset differs with the width of the wheel. Nearly all alloy wheels have their size and offset marked on them - note the nearly. The image you can see to the right is from a ~MY2003 Impreza WRX wheel (the 16x6.5 +55 type - click to enlarge) and you can clearly see the markings for both size and offset.

Source: NASIOC Forums, The Offset Information Thread

Just having the offset correct may not be enough. Some brands of tires are wider than others; Dunlop and Hoosier tires tend to be the wide ones. Sometimes you can cure rubbing by removing the plastic fender well inserts, although if you have not removed your air bags, if you do this you should wrap the air bag sensors (the yellow things revealed when you do this) loosely in plastic to prevent them from being damaged. Sometimes you can make more room by rolling your fenders, although this is likely to cause paint to crack and thus necessitate costly spot repairs.

Sizes

The Deviation number assumes that the 205/55R16 is used as the ideal tire, and so this shows deviation for the WRX. Revolutions/Mile numbers are taken from actual manufacturer data from popular performance tires.

Wheels that fit the Impreza

This is a list of stock wheels that are known to fit the Impreza. NOTE: MY05+ STi has a 5x114.3 bolt pattern instead of the 5x100 pattern that basically all other Subarus use. This was probably done to allow using a larger hub. These wheels will not interoperate with other Subarus, or vice versa. MY04- STi had the 5x100 like everyone else.1

Lug/Stud Info

Lug Pattern: 5 x 1002
Lug Thread: 12 x 1.25
Lug Torque: 67-70 ft/lbs

Subarus use the same lug nuts as Nissans: 12x1.25, meaning a stud with a 12mm major diameter (the outside of the threads, not in the groove) and a 1.25mm thread pitch, or distance between the tops or grooves of the threads. This is the least common thread pitch in use, so for example Kragen sells kits of lug nuts with a set of locks that will cover 5-lug vehicles, but the only size they don't carry (and apparently can't order) is that kit in a 12x1.25.

Using the wrong thread or torquing too high (or too low) can cause you to lose wheels at high speed. Not tightening the wheel in stages and in a pentagram pattern (the classic five-pointed star, the same way you drew it in kindergarten) can warp your wheel, your brake rotor, or both - permanently. Getting a wheel straightened usually runs you at least fifty bucks, and rotors just have to be replaced. Take note!

You should have at least eight threads engaged (eight full turns) before tightening down the lug nuts on a 12x1.25. Any less, and you can't be sure that the wheel is going to stay on.

Aftermarket

I'm not interested in updating a list of aftermarket wheels that fit the Impreza, but there's a forum entry on NASIOC about wheels that fit the STi.

Tire Rack

If you want to support NASIOC, then use the links on this page to connect to tire rack, or call 877-522-8473 ext. 362.

Wheel Studs and Spacers

8 turns at 1.25mm each is 10mm. You need at least 10mm of engagable thread after your spacers. Of course, if you had the right size wheels, you wouldn't need spacers - the offset would be correct. Still, some people want or need to use them for whatever reason. For every 1mm of spacer you need, you need 1mm longer studs. Simple, no? See http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885825 for considerably more detail.

• 1. http://www.cars101.com/subaru/tiresandwheels.html#impreza
• 2. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=216055