What’s good? First of all I am new to this form, but I do know how to use the search function. I have a question that I really haven’t seen an answer to, maybe you guys can help:
I just bought a 98 Civic EX Coupe, Green, 5 speed, love the thing. I want to put some rims on it, the stock 14’s are just too small. I don’t really care about filling the wheel wells as there is only about a 3 finger gap stock. I want 16’s (our roads here are like mine fields) but from what I see there are way more 17” wheels on the market than 16”, so I guess I have to go with 17’s
My question is: if I put 17’s on the stock suspension and use plus 3 sizing (205/40R-17 tires) they should not raise ride height or create more “gap” should they? Using plus 3 sizing the diameter of the 17’s w/tires is the same as the stock 14’s w/tires, so I should not be raising ride height, right?
However, it seems when I see a picture of someone else’s car with bigger wheels, and no drop, it always looks like it’s higher off the ground or has more wheel gap, which looks stupid. Could it be that bigger rims just give a “taller” appearance, or are these people doing something wrong? I really don’t want to drop the car because I live in Rochester NY and we get over 100” of snow per winter. So what’s the deal, am I going to give my car a raise by adding 17’s?
I think it's the "wagon wheel" effect; an optical illusion.
Even though the tire/ wheel combo are close to or
exactly the same diameter, the mind generally sees
the wheel, not the tire. I'd go with 15's if you're not
going to drop it. This'll give you extra sidewall, also,
to absorb the bumps and make the ride more
comfortable than 16/17's.
16's at most, but even those look strange, IMO, without lowering.
I just got my rims Sat. from edgeracing.com, I got the Flik Fuel in silver, beautiful rims. They are 17's.
So I tried them on, but first I measured the gap with my stock 15's, then when I tried the new 17's on I measured the gap again. The same exact gap, and same exact ride height, but it looks stupid!!! It is purely optical!!
Therefore Sat. eve. I ordered some H&R Sport Springs, and KYB AGX's. I'll be putting everything on in early Apr. after all the snow's gone.
Does anyone know, if I need to buy new strut mounts and boots also? My Civic has 75,000mi. I am going to get everything installed for me as I'll mess it all up myself.
I just got my rims Sat. from edgeracing.com, I got the Flik Fuel in silver, beautiful rims. They are 17's.
So I tried them on, but first I measured the gap with my stock 15's, then when I tried the new 17's on I measured the gap again. The same exact gap, and same exact ride height, but it looks stupid!!! It is purely optical!!
Therefore Sat. eve. I ordered some H&R Sport Springs, and KYB AGX's. I'll be putting everything on in early Apr. after all the snow's gone.
Does anyone know, if I need to buy new strut mounts and boots also? My Civic has 75,000mi. I am going to get everything installed for me as I'll mess it all up myself.
I think you've got everything you need; if not, the shop'll
provide it, and charge you .
I think the larger wheels and less tires makes it look weird cuz the wheel does not compress like a 15 inch tire sidewall. U see more wheel, less tire. The car is higher off the gournd and looks like a 4x4. when u replace the suspension, u reuse all the stock parts.
I think you've got everything you need; if not, the shop'll
provide it, and charge you .
That's what I am afraid of :eek
By the way if anyone knows of a good shop in Rochester, NY to have this type of work done let me know. This is not very common up here, and every shop keeps saying "liability" these damn lawyers in this state, taking all the fun out of everything.
Also, mulletov, when I tried on my 17's I measured not only wheel gap, but height of the car off the ground. It was exactly the same with the 17's and the stock 14's, so it is purely optical.
And greensleeper, I see you are running, the Kuhmo 711's that's what I got. Now I don't expect much out of them, I got them for $48/ea. but do you like them?? I am worried b/c I have heard stories of them falling apart at higher speeds. Prolly suck for autoxing huh?
my 17's were about a half inch taller well circumfrence wise.. they did raise that height about a half inch... low pro tires are expensive and suck ass.. get some 15's and get some side walls on them tires... 15's look way better on civics IMO
What’s good? First of all I am new to this form, but I do know how to use the search function. I have a question that I really haven’t seen an answer to, maybe you guys can help:
I just bought a 98 Civic EX Coupe, Green, 5 speed, love the thing. I want to put some rims on it, the stock 14’s are just too small. I don’t really care about filling the wheel wells as there is only about a 3 finger gap stock. I want 16’s (our roads here are like mine fields) but from what I see there are way more 17” wheels on the market than 16”, so I guess I have to go with 17’s
If the roads are bad then I would suggest 15s. A 17 will require a low profile tire that could lead to a harsh ride, and 15" tires are much cheaper than 17" tires. A 16 would be better for ride comfort, but as you have already found, the selection in wheels/tires in 16 is limited.
Quote:
My question is: if I put 17’s on the stock suspension and use plus 3 sizing (205/40R-17 tires) they should not raise ride height or create more “gap” should they? Using plus 3 sizing the diameter of the 17’s w/tires is the same as the stock 14’s w/tires, so I should not be raising ride height, right?
Those the correct tires, and they will not create any more gap. However since it is such a low profile tire and the wheels will most likely be open spoke, it creates kind of an optical illusion and it may *look* like there is a bigger gap.
Quote:
However, it seems when I see a picture of someone else’s car with bigger wheels, and no drop, it always looks like it’s higher off the ground or has more wheel gap, which looks stupid. Could it be that bigger rims just give a “taller” appearance, or are these people doing something wrong? I really don’t want to drop the car because I live in Rochester NY and we get over 100” of snow per winter. So what’s the deal, am I going to give my car a raise by adding 17’s?
That is the optical illusion that I just referred to.
Yeah since our roads are so bad, I am only using the 17's for the summers, the paving they do smooths the roads out for about 5 months, thats when my 17's will be on.
I am going to use my stock 14's for winter tires, I have Blizzaks on them now, those are awesome.
But like everyone says 17's give a crap ride, why dont they start making more 16" styles!!!?!?!
I have a 6th gen civic as well. First off, I really like the stock stance, so I'd leave it as is. Second, I really wouldn't go with a 17" rim. I'd go with a 15" or 16". You should be able to get any rim you'd like in at least a 16". When you mount your tires, go to a place that knows what they're talking about, it really sucks to get tires that are too thick! And, just some advice. I'd get some better rotors if you're going to upgrade wheels. The stock ones just aren't made for the weight.
I have a 6th gen civic as well. First off, I really like the stock stance, so I'd leave it as is. Second, I really wouldn't go with a 17" rim. I'd go with a 15" or 16". You should be able to get any rim you'd like in at least a 16".
wheel selection is very limited for anything smaller than 17".
wheel selection is very limited for anything smaller than 17".
I guess I didn't notice, I've never looked for anything as ridiculously huge as a 17" rim... When I was looking, I found quite a few nice 15" and 16" rims, I guess that's because that's all I was looking for.
What about some HX rims, or some 96 GSR rims, or some 99-00 Si Rims? Nothing wrong with OEM!
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