BRZ

[Evan]

that is tight, but if it clears, it clears right?  or do wheels have an acceptable amount of flex, along with the calipers under load?  i've never really gotten a clear answer on how much clearance is acceptable.

3mm is what the internet thinks,  but I don't think there is a shred of science to back that up.  

From a physics perspective,  the forces required to turn the car must go from the tires through the wheel to the hub to the suspension etc.    So the wheels are seeing the full load of the cornering forces and have to resist those forces without deflecting.

So the question is how much are the spokes engineered to flex under that load?  Probably not much,  given the amount of material in the spokes,  and the fact that any flex is going to compromise your suspension and alignment,  AND engineers have to build in extra strength for potholes, manufacturing variance, etc.   And given the leverage,  any flex would be towards the outer portion of the spokes anyway.

*Maybe* in an autocross on hoosiers on a grippy surface you could get noticeable deflection in the outer edge of the spokes.  Would be neat to mount a camera and see.


Something like this wheel,  where the clearance is 2mm very close to the wheel center where all that extra material is and where there is the least flex,  IMO is zero risk.