How to fit 5x114.3 2011 STi Wheels on your 5x100 Forester (don't try this at home)

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 09:46 AM

Disclaimer: Any modification done to wheels is potentially dangerous. If you do not know what you are doing then please do not
attempt. I have had no issues with the strength of my wheels but your results may vary. I am not responsible for anything that may happen to your
wheels or your car if you attempt this same modification. Don't try this at home!

Ok, so I was looking for wheels to put on my forester for this summer. I definitely wanted something wider than 7" and wanted something that had a
nice and clean OEM look. I really liked the look of the 2011 STi wheels made by Enkei. The problem was that they were 5x114.3 and also they were +55
offset which would most likely have some fitment issues with rubbing the struts. Thats when I went to look around and see what the thinnest adapter
I could have made would be.

I found a shop (motorsport-tech.com) that would custom make me 5x100 to 5x114.3 adapters down to 15mm. Using these adapters it would set the
wheel up to basically be a +40 18x8.5 which after some research looked to be quite optimal.I did a lot of measuring to see if the wheels would clear
the 5x100 studs. I also found some pictures of the 2011 STi wheel mating surface. This showed that it had large and deep pockets between the stud
holes. I had hope that I could pull it off!

Here are the adapters I had made, they are both hub centric and wheel centric:

I went ahead and bought the wheels and gave them a test fit. Unfortunately I still had some clearance problems! The lug nuts on the 5x100 studs hit the
sides of the pockets in the wheels:

Before:

After:

After all the measuring I did I knew this might be a problem so I already had Plan "B" ready to go. I got out an air grinder and a spherical burr bit. I was
going to CNC the pockets but that would have taken a lot of time to mount the wheels and indicate them in. So I just carefully enlarged the pockets by
hand. I chose the spherical burr bit to reduce stress risers as it makes a really nice inside radius on the pockets:

The factory lug nuts are definitely too short to use with the extended studs the spacers came with but luckily I had thought about that and had a new
set of McGard two-piece spline drive lug nuts ready to go on!

Final specs:
2011 STi Enkei Wheels
18x8.5 +40
245/40-18 Dunlop SP Sport 600

Pic showing what the offset looks like compared to the fenders:

Here are some pics of the wheels on the car:

soundsofsnow · 03-26-2012, 10:22 AM

A-Mazing!

I really think this looks good.

And has me thinking about converting spacers.

Can't shaving out parts of the wheel throw off balance?

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundsofsnow

A-Mazing!

I really think this looks good.

And has me thinking about converting spacers.

Can't shaving out parts of the wheel throw off balance?

Yes, technically but not really an issue. I did it very evenly, but also the closer the weight is to the center of the wheel the less it effects the balance. They put the weights all the way out towards the edge to maximize their effectiveness. Even if I did change the balance ever so slightly it is probably under the minimum weight increments due to how close to the center it is.

If I did feel there was a balance issue it would also be really easy to fix with one trip to a tire shop.

Snoshado · 03-26-2012, 10:27 AM

This is so awesome dude...

I might be sending you some PMs asking for details if that's alright? I don't want to do a 6-speed swap but I've always wanted that bolt pattern.. <3 Great job! You car looks sweet!

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoshado

This is so awesome dude...

I might be sending you some PMs asking for details if that's alright? I don't want to do a 6-speed swap but I've always wanted that bolt pattern.. <3 Great job! You car looks sweet!

Yeah go for it, I will gladly share anything I can to help with.

flyer27 · 03-26-2012, 10:41 AM

Wheels look awesome! (so does that rest of the foz) nice work!

Eggs · 03-26-2012, 11:22 AM

do you think a 17mm adapter would fix the issue as well?
it seems like its so close

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eggs

do you think a 17mm adapter would fix the issue as well?
it seems like its so close

I would say it would be more like an 18 or 19mm adapter. If you call Motorsport-Tech they will tell you exactly what will clear and what won't. I highly recommend talking to them if you are thinking about doing this, they really seem to be on the ball, their main business is custom adapters.

On my car even an 18mm adapter would be too big, 15mm was pushing the limits of what I wanted to run and how I wanted it to look.

max6spd · 03-26-2012, 11:39 AM

Ooohh...I want to do this. So all you really need to do is have enough clearance to clear the lugnut, right?

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max6spd

Ooohh...I want to do this. So all you really need to do is have enough clearance to clear the lugnut, right?

Well yes and enough depth to clear the studs. The pockets on the back of the 2011 STi Enkei wheels were deep enough to clear the studs just not wide enough to clear the lug nuts.

Snoshado · 03-26-2012, 11:48 AM

Do you think if I called up Motorsport-Tech and asked them for exactly what you bought, they could set me up? And do you remember how much you paid for this?

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoshado

Do you think if I called up Motorsport-Tech and asked them for exactly what you bought, they could set me up? And do you remember how much you paid for this?

Yeah, just call them up and tell them what you are doing, they have all the specs. They knew what the hub and wheel center diameters were and everything. They make it real easy. They won't be able to tell you if the wheels will clear the 5x100 studs/nuts though because every manufacturer and style of wheel is very different.

I paid $285 shipped, that was $240 for the spacers, $20 for lug nuts to go on the 5x100 studs and $20 shipping.

They will make you cheaper spacers that are are not wheel centric but I wanted it to be right.

fourortwowheels · 03-26-2012, 03:08 PM

What are your thoughts on a beefier 245/45 tire?

FXTSPORTS08 · 03-26-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourortwowheels

What are your thoughts on a beefier 245/45 tire?

That is actually what I would prefer to have on my car right now, the 245/40 is just what came on the wheels. The wheels I got had 500 total miles on them and the OEM tire, the price was right!

Eggs · 03-27-2012, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FXTSPORTS08

Well yes and enough depth to clear the studs. The pockets on the back of the 2011 STi Enkei wheels were deep enough to clear the studs just not wide enough to clear the lug nuts.

what if the lugs were recessed like this?

make a difference?

03-26-2012, 09:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
FXTSPORTS08 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,297 Location: Pittsburgh Car Year: 2008 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 12 reviews	How to fit 5x114.3 2011 STi Wheels on your 5x100 Forester (don't try this at home) Disclaimer: Any modification done to wheels is potentially dangerous. If you do not know what you are doing then please do not attempt. I have had no issues with the strength of my wheels but your results may vary. I am not responsible for anything that may happen to your wheels or your car if you attempt this same modification. Don't try this at home! Ok, so I was looking for wheels to put on my forester for this summer. I definitely wanted something wider than 7" and wanted something that had a nice and clean OEM look. I really liked the look of the 2011 STi wheels made by Enkei. The problem was that they were 5x114.3 and also they were +55 offset which would most likely have some fitment issues with rubbing the struts. Thats when I went to look around and see what the thinnest adapter I could have made would be. I found a shop (motorsport-tech.com) that would custom make me 5x100 to 5x114.3 adapters down to 15mm. Using these adapters it would set the wheel up to basically be a +40 18x8.5 which after some research looked to be quite optimal.I did a lot of measuring to see if the wheels would clear the 5x100 studs. I also found some pictures of the 2011 STi wheel mating surface. This showed that it had large and deep pockets between the stud holes. I had hope that I could pull it off! Here are the adapters I had made, they are both hub centric and wheel centric: I went ahead and bought the wheels and gave them a test fit. Unfortunately I still had some clearance problems! The lug nuts on the 5x100 studs hit the sides of the pockets in the wheels: Before: After: After all the measuring I did I knew this might be a problem so I already had Plan "B" ready to go. I got out an air grinder and a spherical burr bit. I was going to CNC the pockets but that would have taken a lot of time to mount the wheels and indicate them in. So I just carefully enlarged the pockets by hand. I chose the spherical burr bit to reduce stress risers as it makes a really nice inside radius on the pockets: The factory lug nuts are definitely too short to use with the extended studs the spacers came with but luckily I had thought about that and had a new set of McGard two-piece spline drive lug nuts ready to go on! Final specs: 2011 STi Enkei Wheels 18x8.5 +40 245/40-18 Dunlop SP Sport 600 Pic showing what the offset looks like compared to the fenders: Here are some pics of the wheels on the car: __________________ DGM '08 XT Sports 5MT Check out my Journal! Last edited by FXTSPORTS08; 03-26-2012 at 09:56 AM.

03-26-2012, 10:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Snoshado Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,391 Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA Car Year: 0408 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Transmission: 5MT Gallery: 8 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	This is so awesome dude... I might be sending you some PMs asking for details if that's alright? I don't want to do a 6-speed swap but I've always wanted that bolt pattern.. <3 Great job! You car looks sweet! __________________ '04 Forester XT @ 21psi (click me for Journal-status!) Front End for Sale! *Subaru Power Bro!*

03-26-2012, 11:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
max6spd Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,487 Location: NY, NY Car Year: 2009 Car Model: Forester X Transmission: 5MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 34 reviews	Ooohh...I want to do this. So all you really need to do is have enough clearance to clear the lugnut, right? __________________ max6spd's Egg

03-26-2012, 11:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
Snoshado Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,391 Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA Car Year: 0408 Car Model: Forester XT Sports Transmission: 5MT Gallery: 8 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Do you think if I called up Motorsport-Tech and asked them for exactly what you bought, they could set me up? And do you remember how much you paid for this? __________________ '04 Forester XT @ 21psi (click me for Journal-status!) Front End for Sale! *Subaru Power Bro!*

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03-26-2012, 10:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
soundsofsnow Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 36 Location: utah Car Year: 04 Car Model: xt Transmission: old Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	A-Mazing! I really think this looks good. And has me thinking about converting spacers. Can't shaving out parts of the wheel throw off balance?

03-26-2012, 10:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
flyer27 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 121 Location: Roch. NY Car Year: 2006 Car Model: XT Transmission: 5MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Wheels look awesome! (so does that rest of the foz) nice work!

03-26-2012, 11:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Eggs Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 936 Location: nyc Car Year: 05 Car Model: forester xt 5mt Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	do you think a 17mm adapter would fix the issue as well? it seems like its so close

03-26-2012, 03:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
fourortwowheels Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,129 Location: Long Island, NY Car Year: 2008 Car Model: FSXT Transmission: M/T Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 13 reviews	What are your thoughts on a beefier 245/45 tire?

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