I've done some searches and it seems like most people are running fairly large wheels on the EP3's. I'm actually surprised that there are not more posts about wheel sizing, and kind of feel like a member of the class of 04 asking this. I know they come with 16 inch wheels stock, but most of the threads concerning wheels discuss moving up in size. I have always run 15" or smaller, which seems to be the popular size for enthusiasts, and I'm wondering why everyone is going 17 or 18 inch. Maybe I missed something.

 

you didn't...i'd stick with 15" or smaller with any civics

 

New civics come with larger tires then previous generations. My '02 Si came with 195/60/15 stock, which looked like balloons. Very few people stick with 15" and the ones that do, usually run 225/50/15 tires. I say 16" is the best size for the street but you limit your choice of tires. 17" has the best selection of tires and you still have a decent sidewall to absorb potholes. IMO 18" is just retarded because they're heavy and expensive.

 

Don't really have an exact answer for "everyone else", rather, what seems makes sense to me i guess.

For one, the car is taller, bigger, & heavier.

2nd, it has more torque, & torque creates wheel spin coming out of turns & corners. larger wheels and good rubber will reduce the wheelspin.

i read somewhere about the Mac strut system & the size of the car not performing very favorably to smaller diameter wheels & tires in a racing enviroment.

and due to the size of the vehicle, the larger wheels just look way better.

15" wheels on an EP, when lowered, looks like a matchbox or something.

i dunno really what everyone elses reasons, cant speak for them.

 

I had 18's and they were plain stupid..I am now running 16 rota c10's with Azenis sport 205/55 and could not be happier..In my book function kills form

 

Agreed! Halo is absolutely right. just look at all my signatures!
the JDM type R runs 17" so I'm gonna run that as soon as I get new tires on my Volks. I wouldn't have any other 17' wheel. If it was another type of wheel, it would have to be 16".
to buy my old tires, go here:
https://honda-tech.com/zero...33493


Modified by Mavtais at 3:16 PM 11/11/2004

 

Had 17's on ep3.
Now i run 205/45/16 and can't be happier.
Going to run 225/45/16 on my next sets of tire.

 

My next wheels are going to be 16x8, 5x114, 48 offset with 225/45 tires....my friend runs this and it kicks ***

 

i run 15x7.5" wheels.

i had 16" but went back to 15"

a few reasons: selection of tires and wheels, cost, performance, day-to-day driveability.

people goto plus sizes (putting on the flame suit) for the bling factor. call it aesthetics, whatever. it's a personal preference.

larger wheels DON'T reduce wheel spin coming out of corners because, ideally, a plus sized-wheel is paired to a lower profile tire to match overall stock diameter. wheelspin coming out of a corner is due to a ham-fisted driver with abrupt throttle inputs. also, macpherson struts + smaller wheels don't have anything to do with poor performance in a racing environment. besides, who here uses their cars strictly in a racing environment? ricers looking for the next stoplight race on the streets?

anyways, another reason for 15 & 16" sizes is a more comfortable ridr in day to day driving. crashing over frost heaves or pot holes really leaves a lot to be desired if you're using very low profile tires and big, cast wheels. something's gotta give and that usually results in a bent or split wheel.

i like the 225-50-15 on a 15x7.5 wheel. the car reminds me of a club racer and has a subtle enhanced appearance. i think a larger wheel tends to overshadow a wide tire proportionally. finally, my 15" wheels are very light and the tire's profile is substantial enough to protect it, yet together they offer a bit more responsive feel. just my $.02.

 

well written kung fu

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dchu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">17" has the best selection of tires and you still have a decent sidewall to absorb potholes. IMO 18" is just retarded because they're heavy and expensive.</TD></TR></TABLE>

agree. whats up man? lol. i'm too lazy to install the injen. waiting till winter's over.

i know of a handful of ep bubbas running 17's on road races. they can vouch, and after their performance i can vouch as well. 18's are just a trully "bling" factor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kung fu grip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i run 15x7.5" wheels.


a few reasons: selection of tires and wheels, cost, performance, day-to-day driveability.
larger wheels DON'T reduce wheel spin coming out of corners </TD></TR></TABLE>



It seems pretty common that the more time you spend on the track, the more you appreciate the 15" wheels. Wearing out two sets of R comps per year in 16" is a lot more expensive!

 

These guys pretty much covered it all. It's better to go 15's or 16's for weight savings, costs savings, better tire selection, and overall strive to keep to stock aspect.

I've ran a gamut of wheels on our EP, 17's, 16's and now 15's.

17x7 Rev model II w/ 215/45/17 tire = heavier feeling, noticeable weight during heavy braking.
http://www.we-todd-did-racing....DE%3D

16x7 Rota C8's w/ 205/40/16 = too small of a tire for the car, no noticeable weight gains. Good size but tires are pricey.
http://www.we-todd-did-racing....DE%3D

15x6.5 Raze R-20 w/ 205/50/16 Azenis = lightweight wheels, better than stock, tons of tire selection.
http://www.we-todd-did-racing....D.jpg

It really depends on your budget, I like to buy inexpensive wheels and spend more money on good tires. Good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NuG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I like to buy inexpensive wheels and spend more money on good tires. </TD></TR></TABLE> As do I. I would much rather have R3so3's on cheap 15" rotas than Kuhmos on a set of Fikse's.

Thanks for the confirmation everyone.

 

oh yes.

i miss the days of running on BFG R1s.

15" race rubber is so much easier to buy and maintain.

here's my shameless 15"/car pic: my SSRs from my miata

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kung fu grip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">oh yes.

i miss the days of running on BFG R1s.

15" race rubber is so much easier to buy and maintain.

here's my shameless 15"/car pic: my SSRs from my miata </TD></TR></TABLE> Yea I had a friend, who wanted to out do all the A032R people who ran R1's on his daily. Good times.

I would hardly call SSR's cheap but nice for a 15.

 

When my car isn't at the track, I like 18" wheels on the EP b/c I think anything smaller looks funny on the car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1fstEP3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When my car isn't at the track, I like 18" wheels on the EP b/c I think anything smaller looks funny on the car. </TD></TR></TABLE>
you just said it... LOOKS.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PhucNguyen57 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> As do I. I would much rather have R3so3's on cheap 15" rotas than Kuhmos on a set of Fikse's.

Thanks for the confirmation everyone. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup, that's why I love my S03's!