What is the effect of the offset on handling? I am looking at 15in wheels with 45 offset on a 91 civic. I believe the stock offset is somewhere around 40.

Any input?

 

lower number for offset means wheels will stick out further thus giving you "WIDER" track.....it helps....but i don't think it would help you or ME rather i don't think you or i would notice....we aren't good enough....

i have run a 35 offset on my civic with no problems

 

IIRC:

One thing you will notice, is as the offset changes, so does the scrub radius (I think thats what its called.) Basically, How far the center of the tire is from the center point of the rotation when you turn the steering wheel (imagine a line from the top ball joint to the bottom.) The scrub radius has an effect on steering forces: a higher offset will cause the wheels to track back to center more, like when you let go of the steering wheel... a lower offset will cause the car to continue pulling in the direction the wheel is turned when you let it go.

I've also read that when the scrub radius is pretty much zero'ed out, that you get a car that feels like it wanders, without much feedback at all.

 

scrub radius is changed correct

 

88-91 Civics and CRXs have a factory offset of 45mm. The 84-87s have a 40mm backspace.

 

GRM had a tirerack column that explained difference in offset pretty well in a recent issue. might wanna check that.