Installed some 2014-2015 IS350 Wheels
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Installed some 2014-2015 IS350 Wheels
So I was in the search for a set of wheels for snow tires and came across these IS350 wheels on Facebook marketplace. They were cheap enough to take a gamble on, even though I've got a UCF20 with the front 4 pistons. Looks like they came from a newer model 2014+ Lexus IS. They're a staggered fitment: 18x8 +45 Front and 18x8.5 +50 Rear. Weird thing is, before I mounted up the tires, I test fit the driver side front wheel and the clearance was SUPER close, I mean you couldn't even fit a credit card between the wheel and the caliper. So I went ahead and got the tires mounted thinking everything was fine and would clear.
When I went to put the pass. side on, it rubbed, just barely. I have no idea why the Pass. side would rub when the Driver side clears. Reluctantly, I had to put my set of 15mm hubcentric spacers on. I might go back and skim the caliper a little bit where it was rubbing but have to be careful due to the piston being right there.
I think they look perfect, even better than the LS430 5spokes I was after for so long but couldn't find. Fitment on the other hand is very, very tight. The test fit picture is on the D/S without the 15mm spacer. All 4 on the car when on the ground is with 15mm spacers in front.
Anyway, here's some pics of them: Tires are some 245/45/18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM60s so they're a little chunky.
When I went to put the pass. side on, it rubbed, just barely. I have no idea why the Pass. side would rub when the Driver side clears. Reluctantly, I had to put my set of 15mm hubcentric spacers on. I might go back and skim the caliper a little bit where it was rubbing but have to be careful due to the piston being right there.
I think they look perfect, even better than the LS430 5spokes I was after for so long but couldn't find. Fitment on the other hand is very, very tight. The test fit picture is on the D/S without the 15mm spacer. All 4 on the car when on the ground is with 15mm spacers in front.
Anyway, here's some pics of them: Tires are some 245/45/18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM60s so they're a little chunky.
Last edited by Losiracer2; 08-09-17 at 06:22 PM.
#2
Driver School Candidate
Those wheels look fantastic!
Did you buy the tires new, and how do they ride?
Does the car corner any different?
I ask about the tires because I'm shopping for 245/45/18 tires for my 2005 LS430 and want to keep the ride as soft as possible but don't want to give up performance.
Did you buy the tires new, and how do they ride?
Does the car corner any different?
I ask about the tires because I'm shopping for 245/45/18 tires for my 2005 LS430 and want to keep the ride as soft as possible but don't want to give up performance.
#3
Wow, that is a good look! It could benefit visually from coming down a little if you wanted. In any case I think that's a nice way to get some larger wheels on there without straying too far from the OEM look.
#4
very nice, looks similar to my GS350 wheels
#5
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
did you fully bolt down the wheel on the pass side, to make sure it really did not clear? you're right they should be identical left to right. in my experience if you can pass a sheet of paper across the caliper and the wheel, you have enough clearance.
I ran a set of wheels that only cleared with 1 sheet of paper, where two would not! it was fine. if you're not comfortable with that, a 5mm spacer will remedy it, and stock lugs can be used!
I ran a set of wheels that only cleared with 1 sheet of paper, where two would not! it was fine. if you're not comfortable with that, a 5mm spacer will remedy it, and stock lugs can be used!
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
Those wheels look fantastic!
Did you buy the tires new, and how do they ride?
Does the car corner any different?
I ask about the tires because I'm shopping for 245/45/18 tires for my 2005 LS430 and want to keep the ride as soft as possible but don't want to give up performance.
Did you buy the tires new, and how do they ride?
Does the car corner any different?
I ask about the tires because I'm shopping for 245/45/18 tires for my 2005 LS430 and want to keep the ride as soft as possible but don't want to give up performance.
245/45 is the right size though to retain the speedometer reading almost exactly.
They do look very similar, I think mine are painted a darker silver and might have a bit more sculpting to them. When you look at these up close, you can really see how the wheel curves around the brake caliper.
did you fully bolt down the wheel on the pass side, to make sure it really did not clear? you're right they should be identical left to right. in my experience if you can pass a sheet of paper across the caliper and the wheel, you have enough clearance.
I ran a set of wheels that only cleared with 1 sheet of paper, where two would not! it was fine. if you're not comfortable with that, a 5mm spacer will remedy it, and stock lugs can be used!
I ran a set of wheels that only cleared with 1 sheet of paper, where two would not! it was fine. if you're not comfortable with that, a 5mm spacer will remedy it, and stock lugs can be used!
I'm definitely not giving up on the no spacer fitment though, as it looked incredible on the D/S being that close to the caliper, I was envisioning painting them a cool color to make it pop too. All I need to do is BARELY skim some material off the caliper, but does the wall clearance for the piston allow for some shaving room to do so? If so, I'll give it a shot. Last thing I want to do though is grind away and then have a leak in the caliper as living here in MI, I most likely won't find a set of JY calipers anywhere for this vintage LS.
Last edited by Losiracer2; 08-09-17 at 06:26 PM.
#7
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
I've seen these calipers shaved down so 1-2mm will not cause a problem on the caliper. Just shave enough to make room, don't go overboard.
btw, I see you still have your accord coupe! I do as well, my 92 coupe now with an H23 vtec as I spun the bearings on the H22. such different cars from the LS!
btw, I see you still have your accord coupe! I do as well, my 92 coupe now with an H23 vtec as I spun the bearings on the H22. such different cars from the LS!
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#9
Racer
Thread Starter
I've seen these calipers shaved down so 1-2mm will not cause a problem on the caliper. Just shave enough to make room, don't go overboard.
btw, I see you still have your accord coupe! I do as well, my 92 coupe now with an H23 vtec as I spun the bearings on the H22. such different cars from the LS!
btw, I see you still have your accord coupe! I do as well, my 92 coupe now with an H23 vtec as I spun the bearings on the H22. such different cars from the LS!
I'll probably keep my Accord forever. Just found some OZ F1 Cup wheels in Cali back in Feb and converted to 5lug too. I met another guy at work who's got a 2016 6-6 coupe that's making 290whp with a Flashpro tune and some RV6 exhaust and precat deletes, so I drove it today to work to show it to him, and probably will tomorrow since its nice and in the 70s-low 80s here in MI now, perfect weather leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise in a week's time.
Last edited by Losiracer2; 08-10-17 at 11:46 PM.
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