17x9" ET42 APEX ARC-8 86/BRZ & WRX Wheel

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hub Centric
Direct fit, no compromises

Centering rings are never required for a direct fit with APEX wheels. For this application, a 56.1mm center bore is utilized. Rings might not sound so bad until one rolls away during a wheel change, or gets seized onto a wheel hub!

We have become known for a product with real world features and utility, and our wheels specifically have a shallow rear chamfer to allow the wheel to remain hub centric even if spacers are used. A wider chamfer could seem appealing, but can cause improper seating and wheel vibration on other wheels, this isn't a problem with APEX wheels.

Center Cap
Compatible with your OEM accessories

Some users like their aftermarket parts to blend in; for us that means details are not overlooked like compatibility with factory center caps. Our ARC-8 wheels are designed to accept factory or 49mm direct replacement OE style center caps from the FR-S, BRZ or GT86. That means you can pop in the Scion, Subaru, ‘86’, or TRD caps!

Each wheel ships with one of our gloss black APEX center caps.

Wheel Hardware
Original or Aftermarket, it all works

Go ahead and take your pick! The ARC-8 wheels can be used with all FR-S/ BRZ/ GT86 OEM and aftermarket mounting hardware with a 60° tapered seat (i.e Muteki, Project Kiks, etc). We’ve slightly tweaked the design of the lug nut seats to perfectly support the use of OEM hardware without compromising strength or safety.

Flow Forming
Benefits of forging, without the pain

These APEX wheels are produced using a manufacturing process known as flow forming. 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 its final shape. This effectively eliminates porosity and aligns the grain structure of the metal, which increases tensile strength. The end result is a lightweight and extremely strong barrel that equals that of a traditional forged wheel at a fraction of the cost.

Testing & Certifications
Verifiable 3rd party testing

Many companies promote their wheels as being certified by the VIA when they actually aren’t. That’s like using the USDA logo on food without permission. APEX wheels get officially tested and registered by the VIA in Japan, and we have the proof to back it up. Learn more about false VIA claims.

Japan’s JWL is a commonly followed standard for wheel load ratings. Our flow formed wheels meet, and most exceed, their load rating requirements. Most manufacturers only meet the minimum while some don’t even do that. Check and verify load ratings before you buy. Learn more about wheels that aren’t JWL.

Weight & Strength Optimization
It’s all in the details

Various design features were implemented to ensure that the ARC-8 wheel design was as light and durable as possible. We began with a strong one-piece design featuring an open hub center and reliefs in the mounting pad to remove weight between lug holes. The design was then run through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to further optimize the spoke and barrel design. The result is a light weight wheel with extra strength in all the right places, while keeping weight to a minimum.

Finishes
Because being faster is just not enough

The ARC-8 wheel is available in multiple finishes, in addition to exclusive finishes available only through select dealers. All APEX wheels are finished using a comprehensive multi-stage liquid paint system over a powder coated base coat. Standard finishes include gloss metallic finishes, and semi-gloss or matte finishes. Hyper finishes include an additional coating of a premium liquid-like metallic silver to create a uniquely bright finish that can only be achieved through misting liquid paint.

Often overlooked, painted or powder coated lug hole seats can cause hardware to loosen or begin the spread of chipping the paint to more visible sections. The ARC-8 wheel's coating process leaves lug holes, center bores and mounting pads unpainted, which ensures proper fit and torque values.

Lifetime Warranty
A wheel you can depend on

As of recent, all our wheels now come with a lifetime structural warranty and 1 year finish warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase. See here for full terms and conditions.