Subaru GR WRX STI Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

If you’re looking for fitment advice for your 2008 - 2014 Subaru GR WRX STI, you’ve come to the right place. Our GR WRX STI Fitment Guide contains tailored information for a wide range of wheel and tire setups specific to the WRX STI. Featuring popular fitments such as our 18x9.5” ET40, we’re certain that our GR WRX STI fitment guide has a solution for you. As enthusiasts ourselves, we’re mindful of the unique needs that each chassis presents when attempting to optimize wheel fitment and this vehicle is no exception. All of our Subaru WRX STI wheels are designed to clear the factory Brembo brakes as well as a variety of aftermarket big brake kits. Our Subaru GR WRX STI Fitment Guide goes into great detail on exactly what modifications are needed to achieve the exact fitment you’re looking for. We have a wide variety of strong, lightweight wheel designs to choose from. Interested in Forged Wheels? Our VS-5RS and SM-10RS are popular with street and track drivers alike! Our Flow Formed EC-7 is also a fan favorite. If you’re for fitment notes for a GR WRX, check out our Subaru GR WRX Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide!

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter.

*All of our STI wheels clear the factory 4-pot Brembo brakes, as well as a variety of aftermarket BBKs.

Whether you enjoy spirited street driving or you are a weekend track warrior chasing lap times, these wheel & tire configurations are ideal for Subaru GR WRX STI owners looking for a more dramatic improvement in performance and they are typically paired with performance oriented Summer tires or track oriented R-compounds.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET40
• • Available in SM-10RS, VS-5RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 265/35-18
• • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
  • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
  • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
• Narrower Alternative: 255/35-18
• • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
  • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Direzza DZ102 (460TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
  • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Toyo Proxes R1R (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET38
• • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 265/35-18
• • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
  • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
  • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
• Narrower Alternative: 255/35-18
• • All-Season - Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540TW), Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ (440TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS (500TW)
  • Ultra High Performance Summer - Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 (340TW), Falken Azenis FK510 (300TW), Kumho Ecsta PS31 (460TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 (340TW), Direzza DZ102 (460TW), Sumitomo HTR Z5 (320TW)
  • Max Performance Summer - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (300TW), Yokohama Advan Apex V601 (280TW), Continental Extremecontact Sport (340TW), Bridgestone S-04 PP (280TW), Hankook V12 Evo2 (320TW), Kumho Ecsta PS91 (260TW)
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Toyo Proxes R1R (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)

These wheel and tire configurations are best suited for hardcore track junkies and club racers competing for a spot on the podium. Everything from Extreme Summer tires to full Racing Slicks are commonly used depending on your experience behind the wheel, class rules, etc.

While the 9.5" wheels aren't very difficult to fit under the front fenders some tire sizes and compounds will require negative camber and fender rolling to prevent rubbing the fenders under suspension compression.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET40
• • Available in SM-10RS, VS-5RS
  • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 265/35-18
• • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
  • R-compounds - Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R (60TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Toyo R888R (100TW). Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
  • Slicks - Pirelli DH
• Wider Alternative: 275/35-18
• • Negative camber is recommended to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds
  • Fender rolling may be required.
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Goodyear Eagle Supercar 3 (220TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S 1.5 (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW)
  • R-compounds - Toyo Proxes RA1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nitto NT01 (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
  • Semi-Slicks - BFGoodrich G-Force R1 S (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hoosier R7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)
  • Slicks - Pirelli DH
• Widest Alternative: Front & Rear: 285/30-18
• • Aggressive negative camber is required to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds
  • Fender rolling may be required
  • Extreme Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW)
  • R-Compounds - Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW)
  • Semi Slicks - BFGoodrich G-Force R1 S (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hoosier R7 (40TW)
  • Slicks - Pirelli DH

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5” ET38
• • Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: 265/35-18
• • Typically a direct fit, but we encourage negative camber to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW), Nexen N Fera SUR4G (200TW), Yokohama Advan A052 (200TW)
  • R-compounds - Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R (60TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Toyo R888R (100TW). Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
  • Slicks - Pirelli DH
• Wider Alternative: 275/35-18
• • Negative camber is recommended to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds
  • Fender rolling may be required.
  • Extreme Performance Summer - Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Goodyear Eagle Supercar 3 (220TW), BFGoodrich G-Force Rival S 1.5 (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW)
  • R-compounds - Toyo Proxes RA1 (100TW), Toyo Proxes R888R (100TW), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW), Nitto NT01 (100TW), Nankang AR-1 (100TW)
  • Semi-Slicks - BFGoodrich G-Force R1 S (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hoosier R7 (40TW), Toyo Proxes RR (40TW)
  • Slicks - Pirelli DH
• Widest Alternative: Front & Rear: 285/30-18
• • Aggressive negative camber is required to prevent rubbing upon suspension compression with wider compounds
  • Fender rolling may be required
  • Extreme Summer - Yokohama Advan Neova AD08 R (200TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200TW), Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R (200TW), Falken Azenis RT660 (200TW), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect (240TW)
  • R-Compounds - Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R (100TW)
  • Semi Slicks - BFGoodrich G-Force R1 S (40TW), Hoosier A7 (40TW), Hoosier R7 (40TW)
  • Slicks - Pirelli DH

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter. The following brakes have been tested and confirmed to clear our wheels.

• Factory Fluorescent Yellow Brembos - Front 6 piston 340mm / Rear 2 piston 326mm
• Factory Black Brembos - Front 4 piston 326mm / Rear 2 piston 316mm
• Brembo 1B1.8048A GT/GTS/GTR Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
• Brembo 1N3.8011A GT/GTS/GTS Front 6 Pot // 350x34mm
• Brembo 1M1.8034A GT/GTS/GTR Front 6 Pot // 355x32mm
• Brembo 1B1.7008A GT/GTS/GTR Front 4 Pot // 332x32mm
• Brembo 1H1.8006A GT/GTS/GTR Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
• Brembo 1N3.8012A GT/GTS/GTR Front 6 Pot // 350x34mm
• Brembo 1M1.8039A Monoblock Front 6 Pot // 355x32mm
• Brembo 3K2.8046A Race Systems Front 6 Pot // 355x35x54a
• Brembo 3K2.8037A Race Systems Front 4 Pot // 350x34mm
• Brembo 2P1.8020A GT/GTS/GTR Rear 4 Pot // 345x28mm
• Brembo 2P1.8042A GT/GTS/GTR Rear 4 Pot / 345x28mm
• AP Racing Essex 13.01.10067 Front CP9660 6 Pot // 355x32mm
• AP Racing Essex 13.01.10000 Front CP8350 4 Pot // 325x32mm
• AP Racing Essex 13.01.10126 Front CP9668 6 Pot // 372x34mm
• AP Racing Essex 13.01.10125 Front CP9660 6 Pot // 372x34mm
• AP Essex 13.01.10020 Front CP8350 4 Pot // 325x32mm
• AP Essex 13.01.10127 Rear CP9451 4 Pot // 340x28mm
• Stoptech 83.842.4700.XX ST-40 Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
• Stoptech 83.842.6700.XX ST-60 Front 6 Pot // 355x32mm
• Stoptech 83.843.4700.XX ST-40 Front 4 Pot // 355x32mm
• Stoptech 83.842.002G.XX ST-22 Rear 2 Pot // 345x28mm
• Stoptech 83.843.002G.XX ST-22 Rear 2 Pot // 345x28mm
• Wilwood 140-12875 Narrow Superlite 6R Front 6 Pot // 356x32mm
• Wilwood 140-12876 AERO6 Front 6 Pot // 356x32mm
• Wilwood 140-12874 Narrow Superlite 6R Front 6 Pot // 332x32mm
• Wilwood 140-9193 Dynapro Radial Front 4 Pot // 305x28mm

Should I Dial in Negative Camber and How Much is Right for me?

Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hardcore racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations (when dialed in through the top hat / camber plate), it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article The Positives of Negative Camber.