GR ('08-'12) Impreza setup?

[dubya_rx]

Looking to start setting up the new STI for track work and hoping to mooch some info from folks who have spent some time setting up this version of the chassis.

I'm starting with tire setup. What has worked for other folks? The stock setup for the 2011 STI is 245/40R18 with 8.5" rim width, but I'm think of gong to a 17x9 wheel for reduced weight and cost for the track.

Looking at the Kosei K1 TS 17x9 +45 used (has NT01 255/40R17 on them now).

Worthwhile? Should I try to stuff something bigger under the car? Someone want to convince me otherwise?

Oh, and I would like to try to avoid fender rolling/pulling/etc.



Thanks everyone!

[JoeT]

Hey Walter,

I bought myself a set of XXR522's 17X9 42 offset for the STI, picked it up at CDI and the cost after duty was 450 ish total.

45 Offset works well and no fender rolling required. 42 offset works as well with no fender rolling, they're on my car (2011 STI) right now with snow tires on it. You can see them on the car this sunday at the AGM.

[dubya_rx]

Wow, that's cheap! How is the weight of the rim?

edit: looks like about 26.5 lbs per wheel. Cheapest I could find online was $650 with shipping.

[JoeT]

http://discounttires.com/detail_wheels.php?productTypeID=1418&finish_category=&style=

112 bucks / wheel plus they give you an additional discount of 10 bucks per wheel, and if you call them they'll give you more discount.

Weight of the wheel was actually 22 lbs / wheel on my bathroom scale.

[PaulH]

No.....not going to say anything. This is too easy so it must be a trap!

Welcome back,

Paul

[STeveD]

JoeT wrote:

Weight of the wheel was actually 22 lbs / wheel on my bathroom scale.

Colette let's you store wheels in the bathroom?? That's a considerate wife! Mine gives me a hard time about the basement!!

[JoeT]

More sales on these wheels: http://www.nlmotoring.com/XXR-522-Wheels-17x9-Gold-p/52279107.htm

[dubya_rx]

Thanks Joe,

So the question is, would I notice the 5-6lbs per corner vs the Kosei?

[Daniel]

dubya_rx wrote:
Thanks Joe,

So the question is, would I notice the 5-6lbs per corner vs the Kosei?

I would go lighter, for sure. Save the heavier ones for the winter.

I was very happy with just the very minor mods on my GR - seemed to work okay:

- 17x9 Kosei K1 TS and 255/40/17 R888's. Wanted to go 275's but like you, I wasn't willing to roll the fenders.
- 24mm rear sway bar
- Camber bolts to build-in a bit extra front end camber. Think I managed just over 2 degrees. 3 would have been nice though.
- Pads, fluid, ss lines
- I also had a set of RCE Blacks on the car (slightly stiffer springs with only a 5mm drop) - though I understand the later years now come from the factory with essentially the same springs.

That's it! Car pretty much drives itself otherwise. :)

Happy to help with any questions...

[SajBT36]

Not sure on the STi, but I found a huge benefit on the WRX when going from 24mm rear and stock front bar to 24mm rear and 25mm front. I ran full stiff rear and soft on front.

Partly was due to losing power out of the rear outside wheel. Not the same problem for you fancy STi pilots!

I expected more under steer would be the result compared to the stiff rear/ soft front, but it wasn't the case. Probably the sponge-o-matic WRX setup losing too much front camber to body roll with a soft front.

[dubya_rx]

Found out the stock BBS rims are 20lb each. Lighter than I thought they were. So now, maybe thinking of using 18" tires instead of 17" rims and tires. Should reduce the sidewall flex.

[LaszloT]

17 x 9 in is the way to go with 255 width for your track set.
Also if you have an '11, you've got better suspension than my '09 - more rigid rear trailing links, lower ride height (0.9 cm), stiffer spring rates and pillow ball joints.
It's a great platform for the track.