lightweight 14" for a 1990 wagon?

[A-A Ron]

I've been working on my own cars for a couple of years but have never messed with wheels as I typically like to keep things looking stock but researching rotational mass has me thinking a lighter weight wheel would do me good on my 1990 L wagon. I don't totally understand the parameters I should be looking for. I see I need 5x100 bolt pattern but how about offset? Rim width? My preference would be to find vintage rims from the era.


thanks for all the help,
Aaron

[jefferson]

I'm pretty sure the stock offset is 55, and yes lighter wheels do make a difference. You might check out the stock wheels that came on the ss, but they are 15 inch instead of 14 and that would probably add some weight. I'm also not sure how the weight compares between steelies and the aluminum wheels. I just replaced the stock wheels on my Tribeca with forged sti wheels and saved about 8 lbs per wheel. The stockers are horribly heavy. It made a very nice improvement.

[mike-tracy]

I had some 14's that were stock on my 1996 Legacy L, they were pretty light.
These are the ones:

https://www.newcartestdrive.com/reviews ... -legacy-2/

[A-A Ron]

I'm pretty sure the stock offset is 55, and yes lighter wheels do make a difference. You might check out the stock wheels that came on the ss, but they are 15 inch instead of 14 and that would probably add some weight. I'm also not sure how the weight compares between steelies and the aluminum wheels. I just replaced the stock wheels on my Tribeca with forged sti wheels and saved about 8 lbs per wheel. The stockers are horribly heavy. It made a very nice improvement.

Looking around I have been able to find a set of 15" from a 95 with 55 offset all around, the 90's had 50 upfront and 55 in the back. Can I get away with this difference? It seems like the 15" won't be too big of a deal. Pretty cool wheels " https://www.ebay.com/itm/263986232990?ul_noapp=true

[A-A Ron]

any help here?

[mike-tracy]

I hate to say it, but people who frequent forums have mostly moved on to Facebook.

[A-A Ron]

right. I'm actually very active on facebook, so active that I broke some unwritten rule and was thrown in fb jail for oversharing! Anyway, I guess I'll post there when I'm allowed to post again.

[wtdash]

HI,
The offset of the wheels will not be different front to back for your model - this is incorrect: "the 90's had 50 upfront and 55 in the back". Unless someone put mis-matched wheels on your car.

The 15" wheels will fit, if they're a stock '95 Subaru 5x100 bolt pattern - but the tire size is also a concern (I'd encourage an online search to read-up on wheel and tire parameters.)

I like to use this site to compare tire sizes: https://tiresize.com/comparison/
The tire size will also affect your speedo. If you go taller, you risk getting a ticket as your actual speed will be faster than what is shown.

Tangent: There is more room under the strut spring perch on the front, which is separate from the wheels. This would only cause issues if you were putting a much taller/larger-diameter tire on your stock wheels. Some peeps like to off-road their Subarus and a taller tire gives them more ground clearance.

Or if you were putting a high-performance wheel and tire combo on it that included a much w-i-d-e-r tire.