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?

Thanks in advance for the replies.
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if you want 17s without looking like a 4x4 civic

you will need to slam you civic if you dont want it high off the ground

i would recommend 16s with ground control so when in the winter you can adjust it back up

 

if it does raise the height it would only be minimal..however it will look as though you have more wheel gap. less side wall will give you the effect that you have more wheel gap. why dont you get some eibach springs..they should only drop it about 1.5 inches and with 17's it should look pretty good while maintaining ride quality and height for your winter driving

 

go with 15's or 16's I had 17's they SUCK. Look nice but suck. IMO

Welcome to honda-tech and i'd learn to search if I were you

 

i have to agree....im going with 15's...my hatch had 17's on it when i bought it....i rode on them for abour 3 days before they came off. the car rode like complete ***. now i got some 13" steelies from my 87 si hatch and the ride quality is oh so sweet (for a lowered car anyways)

 

I know that a Prokit with the Bilstein Sport Shocks is way I should go, but trust me, when there is 3 feet of snow on the ground a 1.5" drop makes a difference.

I think I am going to put the 17's on the stock set up, and if looks like *** I'll put the above set up on it.

I have Blizzaks on my stock rims now, and they're great, they should be fine again next winter even if I have to drop it.

Thanks!