Jakemmarsh

I have a 2000 civic EX 4dr.. I'm on the look out for either SI rims or fat fives, both which are 15". I still have the stock 14" steelies. Will 15" rims fit without modification? Will they affect any part of my car negatively, like incorrect speedometer? Thanks.

93egSLEEPER

yes they will fit fine. you will just need to adjust the tire size in order to keep the speedo inline. the size i reccommend is 195/50-15

BlackDeuceCoupe

I run HX or Si alloys on my (ahem) HX/Si... depending on my mood.

The speedometer should be fine, unless you decide to use something other than the OEM tire size(s). Put another way, using OEM size tires on my (14") HX and (15") Si rims... the speedometer reads exactly the same - slightly slower than the actual speed (1 MPH) - as measured on those 'community' radar warning signs. I pass about 10 of those things a day!

As far as the physical fit goes...

You shouldn't have any problem(s) putting Si alloys on EX hubs. Just make sure to use the correct lug nuts, or they'll loosen up on you, while you're driving. 99.9% of aftermarket lug nuts will NOT work on Honda alloys!

Putting HX alloys on an EX (which you didn't ask about - but might do some day) is where you'll have (possible) rubbing.

Jakemmarsh

Okay cool, thanks for all the info.

I currently have Gorilla Acorn lug nuts on my steelies.. you're saying those may loosen up? I'm pretty sure what was on before was also aftermarket.

Pothole987

http://miata.net/garage/tirecalc

trustdestruction

For 15" rims you need a 195/55/15 tire to keep the speedo accurate. Si wheels should have that tire size on them when you get them if they come with tires. Not sure about the fat 5's.

ferio252

True^^ I put on Si's on mine w/ 195/50/R15 and it always is a little bit faster then what the speedo says. So go with 195/55/R15. It may look just a little 4by4ish and you may also want to go with a small drop if you haven't already.

93egSLEEPER

you could also run a 205/50-15 and the added width makes the sidewall almost the same height as a 195. thats if you dont want meats under there.

ferio252

Didn't think of that. I'll remember that when I need some new rubber in about 10K

Jakemmarsh

Haha sorry.. what do you mean by meats?

93egSLEEPER

thick sidewalls some people refer to as "meats" slicks can be called meats as well. just a term some people like to use.

ferio252

LoL. Just an aside, I had on 195/60/R15 once. Talk about meats!~

Jakemmarsh

Alright cool guys.. thanks for all the tips and answering my noob questions. Once I finally buy some SIs or fat fives I'll know what wheels to go with.

trustdestruction

205 is overkill unless you're taking it to the track and/or making mad power

Jakemmarsh

Ahh, disagreement. It'll be strictly street driving, it is a stock sedan after all. I just want it to be flush with the car, look stock, and not affect the speedometer. Is 205/50-15 not the best option, then?

trustdestruction

Well here's the thing... Wider tread, more traction. Wider tread, slightly less gas mileage, IIRC. For a daily driver not making a lot of power, you're not going to need 205mm of tread to keep traction, even with spirited driving. It's just overkill IMO. I know plenty of people who even do autocross with 195mm tread width just fine. Not to mention you are less restrained as far as lowering and turning goes with the 195 rather than the 205. 195 fits in the wheel well much easier. 205 might require you to roll your fenders to avoid rubbing them while turning, depending on how low you are. Also, 205 might rub the inside of the wheelwell during turning. I prefer 195 because you get to keep your turning radius, keep the tires in the fenders easier/less to worry about while lowered, and IMO they actually look better. There is such thing as too wide (205 isn't too wide functionally, but I mean as far as looks go)

BlackDeuceCoupe

You need BALL SEATS not ACORN/TAPERED SEATS (on Honda OEM alloys)!

Hope you don't mind a copy n' paste...

Nope!

Those look like the typical 'tapered lug nuts' that most ppl use by mistake...

LoL!

When their HX & Si alloys fall off... they *think* some lunatic is stalking them... loosening their wheels at night, yada, yada, yada.

Honda OEM alloy rims have 'round' a.k.a. 'radius' a.k.a. 'ball' seats and they take special lug nuts!





Like I said, the only place I've seen them is at Honda dealers...

That's NOT to say other ppl don't carry them - I've just never seen them in the wild myself!

Heh!

Don't believe me?!?!?

Here you go...

Muteki Super Tuner Lug Nuts

Read n' heed!

joelmatt89

Just get some aluminum ones and crank em down real good they'll end up round haha. But my lugs are aftermarket and are rounded like in those pics. You make a very good point though, I was wondering if there was a difference

Jakemmarsh

I'm actually considering some HXs for now.. Same size so I can keep my tires, and shouldn't affect my speedometer much, if at all (I think?). How could there be possible rubbing if its the same size as my steelies?

ScottF

I ahve 195/50/15s on my 1996 Honda Civic and for some reason when the speedo says I am doing 70, I am actually doing 62 mph. Is there something else wrong?

trustdestruction

Honda speedometers are known to read off by about that much.

Former User

The speedometer on both of my stock 6th gen Civics reads about 3 mph faster than true speed. I think you have a problem if your speedometer reads 8 mph faster than true speed.

trustdestruction

3 MPH off when you are at 70 MPH, or 3 MPH at any time? When a speedometer is off it should be a percentage of how much it is off by, not a fixed number.

Former User

Stock 97 and 00 Civics -- 3 mph higher at any speed. I verified this by comparing car speed from the speedometer versus an OBDII scan tool. Should and reality don't always agree. My wheel and tire sizes are as recommended by Honda. This indicates to me that the discrepancy is not due to improper tire size but instead to miscalibrated speedometers in these Civics.

trustdestruction

That makes sense, given that explanation.