About This Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1993 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1993 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Enkei TS-5 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 GSX builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Enkei TS-5 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Enkei TS-5 on the Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1993
I walked around this DSM last weekend and the Enkei TS-5 setup caught my eye immediately. Running an 18x8.5 square setup on all four corners transforms the GSX stance completely. The 38 offset pulls the wheels just enough to fill those boxy 90s fenders without pushing them into ridiculous poke territory.
Clearing the factory big brakes on a GSX can be a headache with aftermarket wheels. These TS-5s clear the calipers easily thanks to the intelligent spoke design. You get plenty of breathing room behind the spokes for heat dissipation during hard canyon runs.
The hub bore fits perfectly on the Mitsubishi platform, so we skipped the vibration headaches. I checked the back of the wheel and the clearance to the suspension struts is solid. You won't need to hunt for aggressive spacers just to get the wheels to spin freely.
With those lowering springs, the fender gap looks tighter than a drum. The 18-inch diameter keeps the proportions modern while honoring the classic lines of the first-gen Eclipse. It avoids that awkward balloon tire look that ruins so many clean builds.
We did notice the rear quarter panels are quite close to the tire edge under full compression. If you load up the trunk or hit a nasty pothole, you might hear a faint kiss of rubber on metal. A quick roll of the rear fenders handles that concern permanently.
The barrel lip depth on these wheels adds a nice visual weight to the car. They look substantial but don't add enough unsprung weight to kill your acceleration off the line. This is the definition of functional performance hardware.
The spokes reach all the way to the rim edge, making the wheels appear even larger than they are. It hides the smaller rotors slightly, but the trade-off in aggressive styling is worth every penny. This fitment is textbook for anyone trying to daily a legendary 4G63 machine.
What We Recommend for Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1993 Owners
When you shop for a 1G Eclipse, stay away from anything wider than 8.5 inches unless you plan to cut the car up. Keep the offset between 35 and 40 to avoid scrubbing the inner liners. We tested this range extensively and it keeps the steering geometry sharp.
Square setups are the only way to go on the GSX. Rotating your tires is essential when you have an AWD system that demands uniform rolling diameters. Staggered setups will just ruin your center differential over time.
Don't fall for the trap of running massive tires that cause constant rubbing. A 235 or 245 width tire is the sweet spot for an 8.5-inch wide wheel on this platform. Anything wider requires fender work that usually looks like a hack job.
If you want to run lowering springs like this build, check your alignment specs immediately after the install. Too much negative camber will chew through your tires before you even hit the first oil change. Get a professional alignment to save your tread.
Avoid cheap hub-centric rings made of plastic if you drive your GSX hard. They melt or crack under track stress, leading to a nasty vibration at highway speeds. Always spend the extra cash for aluminum rings to keep things locked down tight.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish on these TS-5s is a masterclass in subtlety. It sits in that perfect middle ground between dark silver and flat grey. When the sun hits the body panels, the wheels provide a grounded contrast that makes the car look meaner.
The five-spoke design is a classic choice for a 90s tuner. It mimics the heritage of rally-bred machines without looking like a dated relic. These wheels look like they belong in a period-correct magazine feature from twenty years ago.
I love how the wheels tuck right into the wheel wells with the lowering springs. It removes that floaty, high-riding stance that plagued stock GSXs from the factory. The car finally looks like it is hunting for the apex.
Proportions are everything in this game and this build nails them. The 18-inch wheels fill the arches just enough to modernize the look without losing the Eclipse's soul. It has a heavy, planted road presence that demands respect at every red light.
Compared to the usual gaudy, multi-piece wheels we see, this setup feels purposeful. It screams track day performance rather than just mall parking lot flexing. This is exactly how I would build a 1G to keep it clean and fast.
Why We Love This Build
Seeing this GSX roll down the street creates an instant hit of pure nostalgia for me. The way that Gunmetal finish catches the late afternoon light against the sharp body lines is nothing short of art. It reminds me of why we all fell in love with DSMs in the first place.
The wheels fill the arches with a confidence that most builds miss. It looks ready to rip through a mountain pass or dominate a local car meet. We stopped in our tracks the moment we saw it because it is just so damn right.
You need to get a set of these on your car immediately. Perfection is rare, but this build defines it.
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 GSX 1993
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Enkei TS-5
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 38 / 38
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Nitto Neo Gen 235/40 25.4″x9.3″ / 235/40 25.4″x9.3″
- Suspension: Lowering Springs
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels fit my Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX? 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 GSX owners run 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
