Apex for Subaru Applications

Design

Fit Matters

A design fit to win

An optimized car setup begins with the perfect wheel and tire fitment. The 17x9.0” ET42 ARC-8 configuration was built with feedback from very well know industry leaders to meet the needs of the hardcore performance enthusiast. That means the right fit and the most grip possible, for the flexibility to work for street enthusiasts and racers alike.

The ARC-8 is a direct bolt on that accommodates many different brake configurations. (Read more below) It was specifically designed for ideal suspension and fender clearance — even when using the widest, meaty performance tires! Offset was very purposefully chosen to allow for direct bolt-on fitment, or the use of camber bolts, clearing the factory fenders and struts. The spokes naturally have more caliper clearance versus a deeply concave, or lip-style wheel. Many of these small choices add up to maximized flexibility and performance for the end user.

The EC-7 wheel includes details specifically implemented to enhance the WRX/STI owners' track day and street performance experience. An optimized car setup begins with the right wheel and tire fitment, and without model-specific attention, maximum performance is compromised. These wheels were developed exclusively for the WRX/STI chassis in a square configuration which promotes a neutral handling experience while allowing drivers to efficiently rotate wheels and tires on all four corners of the car. This dramatically reduces the cost of tires over time. Simply put, our wheel was designed for long-term durability without sacrificing performance and fit, while also adhering to APEX’s mission of maximizing value. Corner carving & track enthusiasts: this is your wheel.

Please note, small spacers may be needed up front for proper strut clearance depending on suspension type, vehicle ride height and tire size and brand.

Spokes

More than just a pretty face

The spokes of the ARC-8 were designed to be robust where they need to be, and extra lightweight where they should be. In each iteration of our ARC-8 design, the split spokes are carefully evaluated to ensure light weight and remarkable strength. The lack of a deep front lip, and implementing spokes that connect directly to the barrel’s lip create a rigid wheel, with very even load distribution. These features help reduce one of the most common concerns with aftermarket wheels — bending.

Style and function meet with this extremely popular and timeless design.

Lug Recess

Get in, get out, and get on with your business

To simply be lightweight is only a start, our wheels need to meet our high standards of functionality in a real high performance environment.

Unlike the narrow lug recesses of many other wheels, the ARC-8 wheel boasts a completely wide-open wheel hardware recess that easily fits race lug-nuts and the beefy adapters or impact sockets used to fit them. This allows for quick and easy wheel changes at the track, or just as a bonus; prevents chips and scratches from tools upon install or removal.

Brake Clearance - Spokes

Spokes that work for you

APEX wheels properly clear all OEM brake calipers including many bolt-on BBKs. Our wheels are targeted at the serious performance-minded owner knowing many will elect to upgrade the basic OE caliper and disc setup as they get more serious with mods. If you do go with a big brake kit (BBK), most big brake kits that clear 17” wheels will fit behind our low profile spokes without spacers, although some applications may need a thin spacer due to the added width of aftermarket calipers.

Confirmed BBK clearance on our 17x9.0” ET42 ARC-8 wheel include: Stoptech ST40 328mm, Essex-AP Sprint & Endurance, AP Racing 330mm, Wilwood's kits, RacingBrake 4045, STi 4 Piston, 300ZX 4 Piston, Alcon 334mm, Sparta 355mm kit (3mm spacer is recommended), Tarox B32-6 326mm kit, RR Racing Stage I through IV Competition kits. If you have any questions, you can contact us to confirm brake clearances for your specific application.

Brake Clearance - Barrel

A lot of room in a tight space

Spoke clearance is only half the problem. The barrel opening on a wheel also needs to be large enough to clear the sides of your caliper. Many wheels on the market make aesthetic compromises to their design that have a major negative impact on barrel clearance. Those wheels may work with stock brakes and smaller diameter big brake kits (BBKs), but larger brake kits can pose major clearance problems. Our barrel opens up wider and earlier than most aftermarket wheels. This creates the largest possible inside diameter to accommodate a wide range of BBKs.

The APEX Standard

Flow Forming

Benefits of forging without the pain in the wallet

All APEX wheels, including the ARC-8 wheel, are produced using the Flow-Forming technique. Often called Flow-Forging or Roll Forging, this process significantly reduces weight in the barrel which has the greatest impact on rotational mass. During the manufacturing process, rollers apply high pressure to the inner barrel, compressing the aluminum into it’s final shape. This effectively eliminates porosity and aligns the grain structure of the metal which increases tensile strength. The end result of the Flow-Forming process is a light-weight and extremely strong barrel that equals that of a traditional fully forged wheel at a fraction of the cost.

18x9.5" ET38

17x9" ET42