Ive got 17" rims with 205\40\17 tires. The car is a 97 civic LX. Is there a possibility of a minor drop without rubbage, I was thinking enkeis or teins. Maybe a 1.5" drop MAX. Would this rub?

 

I have an integra with 17's, running 215/40/17's. I have a 1.75 drop with Tokico Illumina shocks/springs on the front and 1.5 in the back, and it rubs when I hit bumps. Actually, it scrapes pretty hard when I hit some mild bumps. The ride is ok but I think the spring rate isn't high enough in the front (it's 250lb/in). Personally I wouldn't get Tokico's though, they seem to wear out quick. I bet you'd be ok with 205's and 1.5 drop. I think Tien H-tech is 1.4" and the S-tech is 1.7" (front). Those might work for you, but I can't remember the spring rate, i was thinking it was kinda soft. Might get sport springs so it doesn't rub. Next time I get springs I'm gonna look for one with a spring rate of around 300 in the front.

I used to have a 4" drop, and um...yes it rubbed.

 

You should be fine with a 1.5" drop. The thing is that it really depends on your wheel offset, and your specific tire. Each tire has a differnt profile, so it will interact differently with your fender.

I'm lowered 3", and I used to barely rub with a 205/40/16 BFG tire. Then I switched to a dunlop of the same size, and I don't rub anymore. The shoulder designs are different on each tire...