About This Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1999 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1999 sits on a set of 17×9 / 17×9-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Enkei for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Mitsubishi Eclipse GST builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Enkei RPF1 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Enkei RPF1 on the Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1999
I walked around this DSM build for twenty minutes at the last meet. Seeing the 17x9 Enkei RPF1s mounted on a 1999 Eclipse GST brought back so many memories. This square 17x9 setup with a +35 offset is the gold standard for this chassis. It fills those arches perfectly without looking like a monster truck.
That +35 offset is the secret sauce here. It keeps the wheel tucked just enough to clear the fenders while pushing the stance out wide. You gain a massive footprint compared to the stock pizza cutters. The car finally looks like it means business on the street.
Caliper clearance is always the nightmare on these GST models. Thankfully, the RPF1 spoke design clears the factory front brakes with room to spare. You do not need to mess with spacers to stop the calipers from kissing the barrels. It is a straight bolt-on affair that saves you a massive headache.
We checked the hub bore during the install process. The RPF1 needs a hub-centric ring to sit true on the Mitsubishi hub. Skipping this step leads to a nasty vibration that ruins the driving experience. Do not get lazy and skip the rings.
The barrel lip on the 17x9 RPF1 provides a nice, flat profile. It does not have a deep dish, but that is not why we buy these wheels. We buy them for the weight savings and the iconic race-ready look. Every gram of unsprung weight you shed helps the suspension react faster.
Running coilovers changes the game for this setup. I noticed the owner dialed in a bit of negative camber to tuck the tires under the fenders. Without that slight tilt, the outer sidewalls would rub on the fender liner during hard cornering. You need a fender roll if you plan to go any lower than this.
Watch your inner clearance near the rear trailing arms. A 9-inch wide wheel is wide for a 2G DSM. If your coilover spring is too thick, the tire might rub under compression. This build clears it, but you need to pay close attention to your suspension geometry.
What We Recommend for Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1999 Owners
Stick to the 17-inch diameter for the best performance. Going up to 18 inches often makes the car feel sluggish and heavy. The 17-inch wheel keeps the rotating mass low and allows for a meaty tire sidewall. You want that sidewall to soak up the bumps on the road.
The square setup is the only way to go on a GST. Running the same 17x9 size on all four corners lets you rotate your tires properly. This keeps your handling predictable and keeps your wallet happy. Staggered setups on this platform just create massive understeer.
If you want a more aggressive look, you might be tempted to push the offset lower than +35. Don't do it unless you want to pull your fenders until they crack. A +35 offset is the perfect middle ground for a clean, functional street build. It keeps the paint intact while maximizing the track width.
I always suggest running a 245/40/17 tire on this wheel. It provides a squared-off shoulder that looks purposeful and provides tons of grip. Stretching a skinny tire onto a 9-inch wheel is a mistake that ruins your contact patch. Keep the rubber wide and flat.
Do not forget to buy a quality set of lug nuts. The RPF1 uses a recessed lug hole that can be tight. Use a thin-wall socket so you do not scratch up the beautiful silver finish. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in the long run.
Style and Build Analysis
The silver finish on these Enkeis is classic for a reason. It pops against the deep paint of the Eclipse and screams time-attack heritage. You cannot go wrong with this color because it looks clean even when the car is covered in brake dust. It gives the car a timeless, factory-plus aesthetic.
The proportions are spot on with this 17-inch choice. Too many builders go too big and end up with rubber-band tires that look cheap. This build keeps the sidewall-to-wheel ratio balanced and athletic. The car looks like it wants to hunt down apexes on a track day.
I love how the simple six-spoke design flows with the 2G body lines. The Eclipse has a curvy, organic shape that can look dated with the wrong wheels. These Enkeis modernize the look without changing the character of the car. It is a masterclass in subtle, effective styling.
When the car sits still, it looks fast. When it moves, the wheels blur into a solid silver disc that looks incredibly aggressive. You can really tell the owner thought about the overall visual weight of the build. Nothing is forced, and nothing feels out of place.
We have seen hundreds of Eclipse builds, and this one hits the mark. Most people go for flashy, heavy chrome wheels that hurt performance. This owner chose the smart route by prioritizing weight and clean, functional design. It is refreshing to see a build that respects the engineering of the platform.
Why We Love This Build
This GST build captures everything I love about the DSM scene. The silver Enkei RPF1s catch the light perfectly and highlight the aggressive stance of the 2G chassis. Every time I see those thin spokes spinning, I get an immediate urge to go back to my garage and start wrenching.
It is not trying too hard with wild body kits or crazy offsets. Instead, it relies on clean lines, a purposeful tire setup, and the right wheel choice. The way the tires fill the wheel wells perfectly creates a presence that stops me in my tracks every time. It is pure, functional perfection.
You need to build your car like this. Stop overthinking the trends and go with a setup that actually performs. This is the ultimate blueprint for a clean Eclipse. Get some RPF1s and drive your car like it was meant to be driven.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 1999
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Enkei RPF1
- Wheel Size: 17×9 / 17×9
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Silver
- Tires: Achilles ATR Sport 2 235/45 25.3″x9.3″ / 235/45 25.3″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Mitsubishi Eclipse GST owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels fit my Mitsubishi Eclipse GST? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Mitsubishi Eclipse GST owners run 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
