I got in to something troublesome with these Work Wheels...

"E30Joe drives a Subaru" (325joe)
09/26/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: None

If you didn't know, I recently bought some Works, 18x10 +18 XD9's. They are wide and have a very low offset, especially for a Subaru.

Now, I figured with some moderate tweaks and some clever alignment I could cram these in, and I probably could! Only problem would be I would have too much negative camber for my taste. So... to make this happen, I'm going to need to make some very clever tweaks to my Forester that will be a much larger process than previously expected, but the fact that you physically can not run these wheels without doing what I am about to explain makes me want them even more, so no one else's car (save one person) will be like mine.

This fitment is completely possible, all I need to do is physically shorten the track width of my Forester by getting shorter axles, control arms, and lateral links (or adjustable lateral links, pretty sure those will work fine). Now that's going to give me quite a bit of positive camber if I just slap some shorter axles and control arms in, hence the lateral links and the camber plates F&R that I will need (was planning on it anyways). This will allow me to run no more than 3 degrees of negative camber and still safely clear a 245/40 tire. Now a logical person would just say, "Why don't you just sell the wheels and get something that will fit without shortening the wheelbase?" My answer to that is because fuck you I'm doing it my way. That would make TWO Foresters in all of the world running a setup like this and I like that.

Well, let the project begin!

DISCUSSION (31)

JGrabowMSt > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 10:14

You can either make the integral suspension bits smaller, spending a metric boatload of money in the process, or you can just flare the fenders. Grab a sawzall, flare it, and make it look badass.

anothermiatafanboy > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 10:15

You won't be shortening the wheelbase. Just the front and rear track, right?

E30Joe drives a Subaru > anothermiatafanboy
09/26/2014 at 10:20

Yes just F/R track, I mixed them up interchangeably a few times I imagine.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > JGrabowMSt
09/26/2014 at 10:22

I can use all OEM subaru parts or aftermarket to do this, so it wont cost a metric boatload, just a regular boatload. But think of this, after I do this I'll probably want even wider wheels and then I can have decreased track width and fender flares so I can tuck 12's.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 10:25

Very nice! XD9s are some sweet wheels, and I imagine they'll look great on a Forester. I expect pictures, and lots of them once this is complete.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
09/26/2014 at 10:28

What I'm thinking is just doing this all over the winter along with an STI 6MT swap since I'll be taking apart the car anyway, might as well throw the shorter parts in.

This is in a very early stage right now and I am still gathering info, also in contact with the owner of the other Forester with this setup asking about how he did it.

JGrabowMSt > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 10:36

Yeah, but can a subie even put down enough power to spin a 305 tire?

/sarcasm

SPNKiX > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 10:40

Looks fuggen awesome. I think I know the other car you're talking about. Can't wait you see yours all fitted out. PIX NOW. FINISH IT.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > SPNKiX
09/26/2014 at 10:47

I am working diligently haha! Slow and steady wins the race.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > JGrabowMSt
09/26/2014 at 10:48

Haha... No :)

Burrito de EJ25 > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 10:49

I am very, very excited to see the finished product.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Burrito de EJ25
09/26/2014 at 11:05

I'll keep everyone up to date with it.

Louros > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 11:20

So, you're going to completely fuck up your suspension geometry just to "fit" a set of wheels.

Where do you think are you going to find shorter axles?

Raphmoe > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 11:22

This is so awesome, you are an inspiring jalop.

What is your budget for this kind of project?

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Raphmoe
09/26/2014 at 11:37

No idea yet, but I'm looking forward to doing it.

Manny05x > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 11:37

More pics of your forester please.

Raphmoe > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 11:38

that is the best way to do a project; if you want it, make it happen.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Louros
09/26/2014 at 11:38

Yep, and there isn't a god damn thing your negative attitude can do about it.

Also Impreza axles.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Raphmoe
09/26/2014 at 11:39

I fell in love after I saw this

Kinja'd!!!

I'm dead set now.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Manny05x
09/26/2014 at 11:40

Kinja'd!!!

Raphmoe > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 11:40

Is that forester running the set up you are trying to achieve? Maybe contact Jesse to find out the best practices for the swap.

Manny05x > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 11:43

Wow thats really nice.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Manny05x
09/26/2014 at 11:43

Thank you!

Louros > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 12:05

Good luck and godspeed

SPNKiX > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 12:37

2 slow 2 FURIOUS.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > SPNKiX
09/26/2014 at 12:42

Still want 300ish AWHP too though!!

SPNKiX > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 13:47

GET THAT. NOW!

Mine is awaiting mods, but my plan is to only use stock wheels. I want to keep it as much of a sleeper as I can.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > SPNKiX
09/26/2014 at 13:55

bad timing for me since winter is coming up! Collecting parts for this little project as well as a 6MT swap

SPNKiX > E30Joe drives a Subaru
09/26/2014 at 14:16

I want some 6mts! Automatics suck. 6 years I've been driving this slushy thing.

LS1RX7-owen > E30Joe drives a Subaru
10/05/2014 at 19:46

Damn dude that is a LOT of shit to swap out to fit those wheels, are you sure you have room to fit them in there without them hitting the shocks/struts/spring perches/etc.? Sometimes that's a problem too when you shove so much wheel inwards instead of rolling/pulling the fenders out just a little bit, they are flexible a bit you know.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > LS1RX7-owen
10/06/2014 at 00:10

Yep already checked the clearances, everything checks out A-ok.