Scion FR-S Wheel Fitment Guide (2013-2016)

FT86, or Future Toyota 86, was internally developed under the code 086A and was a spiritual successor to Toyota’s RWD sports compact AE86 of the mid 1980s. The concept and project was led by Toyota who took on the exterior and interior design. The company also lent it’s D-4S fuel injection technology to Subaru’s FA20 flat-four “boxer engine”. Subaru took on engineering for the chassis, developed the drivetrain, and manufactured the actual vehicle.The result was an excellent handling affordable driver’s car.

The first generation ZN6 2013-2016 Scion FR-S was Toyota’s version of the FT86 2+2 sports coupe. The first-generation was known as the Toyota GT86 in Europe, the 86 GT in Asia, and the FT86 in a smaller number of markets while the Subaru twin bore the BRZ moniker. With its lightweight chassis, perfectly balanced 53/47 weight distribution, low center of gravity, and rear-wheel-drive layout, the FR-S offers an engaging driving experience that punches well above its price point. Though the Scion brand no longer exists, the FR-S remains a beloved platform within the enthusiast community and continues to be actively modified and tracked.

One of the first modifications many FR-S owners pursue is a set of aftermarket wheels. Whether you’re looking to shed unsprung weight for better handling, achieve a more aggressive stance, or simply want a fresh look, the right wheel setup can transform the aesthetics and performance of your car. This guide covers fitment for the Scion FR-S (2013-2016), which shares near identical wheel specifications with the Subaru BRZ (2013-2020) and the Toyota 86 (2017-2020) which succeeded it when the Scion brand was folded back in to the main Toyota brand. For the 2022+ second-generation ZN8/ZD8 platform see the ZN8 GR86 wheel guide or ZD8 BRZ wheel guide.

OEM / Stock Wheel Specifications

All first generation FR-S, BRZ, and 86 models share the same fundamental wheel specifications regardless of manufacturer or trim level.

The cars came from the factory with different wheel sizes depending on the year and trim level:

There was one standout during the FR-S’s run from 2013 to 2016: the Scion FR-S Pro/Celebrity Racecar released in 2013 to replace the Celica’s that were staples in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach support race. These “spec racing” editions purpose built for the race came equipped with the TRD 18x7.5” +48 wheels wrapped in Bridgestone RE11 tires.

If you’re a North American-based enthusiast you might be surprised that the international base model of the 86 and a stripped track version of the BRZ received 16” wheels which might be a perfect choice for those looking to downsize for winter tires. This also means that brake clearance is generally not something you really need to worry about when choosing wheels unless you are running a Big Brake Kit. The vast majority of the Toyobaru twins came with 17x7” +48 wheels from the factory with the exception of some special “Performance” editions that were offered towards the end of the first generation’s run. Note that if you are looking to put the OEM Subaru BRZ Performance Package wheels on your FR-S this will require a spacer in the front to clear the brake caliper. The Performance Package wheels came with very tight clearances with the factory Brembos.

Tires are an important consideration when upgrading your wheels but outside the scope of this article. For more information on tire selection check out our FT86 Tire Guide.

Aftermarket Considerations

The FR-S / 86 platform is one of the most tuner-friendly platforms with an enormous amount of aftermarket support. There are several key factors for you to personally consider when upgrading to aftermarket wheels.

Weight and Handling Impact

The Toyobaru “twins” are all about momentum and handling precision. One of the car’s greatest strengths is its relatively low curb weight. 2,800 lbs in this day and age is practically a miracle. Reducing unsprung weight through lighter wheels is one of the most effective modifications you can make to improve handling, acceleration, and braking performance.

A vehicle’s weight can be divided into sprung and unsprung weight. Sprung weight is the weight being “suspended” by the vehicle’s suspension, while unsprung weight is the weight attached to the suspension which moves as the vehicle travels down the road. Reducing unsprung weight allows the suspension to control these movements more effectively and requires less energy to accelerate or brake.

The basic categories of wheel construction are cast, flow formed, and forged. The details of these processes are outside the scope of this guide, but as listed are from weakest to strongest, heaviest to lightest, and least to most expensive. Pay special attention to wheel weight when shopping. A lightweight 17” flow-formed wheel like the 17x9” Enkei RPF1 weighs in under 16 lbs, while a cheap cast replica of similar size can weigh 25 lbs. That 7-10 lb difference per corner translates to 28-40 lbs of unsprung weight. This is a substantial difference you can feel at the limits of handling.

Furthermore, the stock FR-S wheels are approximately 20.5 lbs each for the 17x7” size and you certainly would not want to be downgrading to heavier wheels. For a car built around handling and driver engagement, choose the lightest wheels your budget allows.

Load Rating

The FR-S is a relatively lightweight sports car, so load ratings are less of a concern compared to heavier vehicles like electric sedans or trucks. Most quality aftermarket wheels designed for the 5x100 bolt pattern will have adequate load ratings for this platform.

As a reference point, the gross axle weight ratings for these cars are approximately 876 kg (1,931 lbs) in front and 943 kg (2,079 lbs) in rear. This means a minimum load rating of around 475 kg (1,047 lbs) per wheel would be sufficient. Most reputable wheel manufacturers offer load ratings well above this threshold.

That said, if you are buying wheels from a manufacturer that cannot provide load rating information, it’s best to look elsewhere. Any quality wheel manufacturer will publish this data.

TPMS

The first generation FR-S use a direct TPMS system with sensors mounted in the wheel. When you switch to aftermarket wheels, you have two options:

1. Reuse your factory TPMS sensors - The factory sensors can be transferred to your new wheels during mounting. Make sure your tire shop is careful during the transfer as these sensors can be fragile.

2. Purchase aftermarket TPMS sensors - Your dealer will want to charge you approximately $100 per sensor for the OEM sensors. The FR-S uses run of the mill 315 MHz TPMS which are available on Amazon for around $30 to $50 for all 4. This is the better option if you plan to keep both sets of wheels (street and track, for example).

Suspension and Inner Clearance

The FR-S has excellent inner clearance compared to many modern sports cars, but there are still a few potential contact points to be aware of:

Front suspension clearance: On cars equipped with Performance Package Sachs dampers or aftermarket coilovers, the front strut body can make contact with the inner barrel of the wheel, particularly with wider tires in the 245-255mm range. This typically requires a minimum of 5mm spacers or choosing wheels with additional inner barrel clearance.

Most aftermarket wheels designed specifically for this chassis (like many track-focused options at 17x9” +35 to +40) account for this by providing 5-7mm of additional inner clearance compared to aggressive street wheels.

Fender liner contact: With aggressive wheel widths (9.5” and wider) combined with lower offsets and lowered suspension, the inner edge of the tire can contact the plastic fender liner at full steering lock. This is most common with wheel setups like 18x9.5” +40 and wider tires. The solution is typically running a small spacer (3-5mm), running slightly narrower tires, or raising the ride height slightly.

Rear inner clearance: The rear suspension has generous inner clearance, but with very aggressive setups (18x9.5” +35 or lower offset), the inner barrel can come close to the rear inner fender well. Most common street setups will not have issues here.

Fender and Body Clearance

The Toyobaru has relatively narrow fenders and relatively skinny tires from the factory. This creates some limitations for aggressive fitment without modifications:

Without fender modifications (rolling or pulling), a 245mm tire width is generally the maximum that will fit without rubbing, assuming appropriate offset and reasonable ride height. Going wider than 245mm may require fender rolling.

Lowered cars increase the likelihood of rubbing, as the suspension travel brings the tire closer to the fender lip during compression (hitting bumps, cornering). If you plan to lower your car on coilovers or lowering springs, be conservative with wheel width and tire size, or plan for fender work.

There are steering rack limiters available to help mitigate fender and fender liner contact, though there is a trade off in decreasing your steering radius.

Wheel Size Recommendations

Below are sizing recommendations based on general wheel calculations, common aftermarket sizes, and real-world fitment experience from the 86 community. These are general recommendations and may not apply to all wheel and tire combinations. Wheels can have different inner profiles, spoke designs, and brake clearances that may affect fitment. Always verify fitment for your specific setup, especially if you have a Big Brake Kit. Remember, you are looking for 5x100 PCD with at least a 56.1mm hub bore.

OEM+ Recommendations

If you are looking to upgrade the appearance and reduce weight without changing the fitment characteristics of your car, consider staying close to OEM sizes with a high-quality lightweight wheel. Some of these sizes were even available as factory options and will not require any fender modifications.

These conservative sizes work well for daily driving, allow you to reuse factory tires if desired, and make excellent winter wheel setups. The focus here should be on weight reduction and fitting 215mm or 225mm tires. Many run the stock 215/45R17 size or will move to slightly wider 225/45R17 tires. 215/40R18 is the most popular 18” street fitment. These wheel specs will result in a nice balance of grip, comfort, and fuel economy.

Street Recommendations

If you want a more aggressive look that is flush with the fender, increased track width, and the ability to run wider performance tires, these sizes are the sweet spot for street-focused builds. These sizes typically do not require fender rolling on stock-height or moderately lowered cars.

The 17x9” +35 to +42 is arguably the most popular aftermarket wheel size for this platform. It provides excellent tire clearance, fills out the fenders nicely, and allows you to run proper 245/40R17 performance tires.

Track / Aggressive Recommendations

For maximum grip and the most aggressive look, these sizes push the limits of what fits without extensive fender work. Most of these setups will require camber plates, benefit from or require fender rolling, and some may need minor fender pulling depending on ride height and tire choice.

At this level of preparation you are likely running aftermarket coilovers and camber plates so you should assume this is a requirement for the most aggressive fitments. The 17x9.5” wheel allows you to run the widest tires practical for the stock fenders, a 255/40R17 or 265, or even a 275 if you dare with the right camber (more than 3 degrees negative camber). This maximizes mechanical grip for time attack, road racing, or serious track day use. However, these widths come with tradeoffs: increased weight (wider wheels and tires are heavier), reduced fuel economy, potential tramlining on grooved roads, and the near-certainty of the occasional rub.

For the most daring, 17x10” or 18x10” wheels can also be fitted. You will need rear spacers to dial in the correct offset, steering rack limiters, and negative camber in excess of 3.5 degrees. These setups are best suited for dedicated track cars that have the power modifications to necessitate this level of traction and where maximum grip is the priority.

For pure track work where lap times matter more than street manners, a 17x9.5” or 18x9.5” setup with 255-265mm tires is hard to beat. For a car that sees both street and track duty, the 17x9” or 18x9” sizes may offer you a better balance. For a car that was designed with 225mm treadwidth OEM tires for lively handling, there is zero shame in sticking with a less aggressive setup.

Final Thoughts

The first generation FR-S is one of the most modification-friendly platforms for wheel fitment. The 5x100 bolt pattern, ample community support, and relatively forgiving fender clearances make it easy to find the perfect setup for your needs. The key is matching your wheel choice to your priorities. Want better handling while still having a comfortable daily driver? Go lightweight and narrow. Chasing lap times? Max out the width and tire contact patch. Building a show car? Play with offsets for that perfect stance.

Whatever direction you choose, this platform rewards thoughtful wheel selection with improved handling, better looks, and an even more engaging driving experience. And check out our tire guide for the FT86 platform to help you select the perfect sized rubber to match your new wheels.