First, I know this is a wheel/tire thread, but I'm talking about the SI specifically, so I think its relevant here since its the time of year for people to buy wheels. I've finally found some nice wheels that I want, and I'll be buying them friday. They are 18" x 8.5, and I know they will fit with a 225/40/18 tire, and this set up even works with the Eibach Sport drop (1.4"). The following guy over on 8th is running this combo:

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums...8x8.5

Now if you look carefully at the pics, the rim sticks out past the tire. The wheels I'm getting are time attacks, and since the lip is colored, any lip damage will be very visible. Therefore, I want to run a 235/40/18 setup to hopefully protect the wheel better. My car has no suspension modifications (yet), so this setup *should* work correct?

Additionally, do you think I would be able to perform the same Eibach Sport drop with a 235 tire? If not, then I'm guessing I should at least be able to do either a Eibach Pro, Tein H-Tech, Comptech or HFP drop since they are all modest drops (in the 1" range). Sounds okay?

Edit: The offset is also +45, in case anyone was wondering.

 

235 is too wide.
8.5 is not recommended and http://gruppe-s.com/ has them cheaper then z1

Honestly get a proper width 8.5 is too wide

Having to Roll your fenders or possibly slicing through your tire from rubbing at high speed = not worth looking good

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonebone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah I had already spoken to Gary at gruppe-s.com, thats where I was going to get the rims. You really don't think 8.5 will work? 235 = "too wide" meaning that it can't be dropped or it can't even be done at stock height??

Trust me, I only wanted to go as high as 18 x 8, but at the prices gruppe-s is offering, the 18 x 8.5 is almost too good of a deal to pass up! Those wheels have high resale value, are light weight, and would do me better than buying a cheap wheel in the same price range. </TD></TR></TABLE>


There is no high resale value on them. They bought over 100,000k in the overstock from mackin (or some figure like that) and the market is slowly being flooded with them.

The "TIME ATTACK" versions aren't even genuine time attack if you research them you'll see that gruppe s actually has them done by an independent company due to having so many of that model.

 

Yeah I kinda figured that when he said that he could get Takata Green Time Attack for someone for $1399...

Well they should still have "high resale" value when compared to some of the average brands I was also considering, like G-Racing, Kosei, or Tenzo-R. (My price range is limited)

Another question about the tires. Is the 225 so small on a 8.5 rim that you get the "rubber band" feeling, or would it just be slightly more snug to the wheel than the 235?

I also tried playing with this thing:

http://www.bigcustomwheels.com/info_specs.jsp

According to that, the upgrade from 17 to 18 (when using a 225/40/18 tire) is only increasing the total tire height from 24.6" to 25.1", and the total width from 8.5" to 8.9". That seems like it shouldn't cause any issues...

But I'd like to hear feedback from all of you wheel guys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonebone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah I kinda figured that when he said that he could get Takata Green Time Attack for someone for $1399...

Well they should still have "high resale" value when compared to some of the average brands I was also considering, like G-Racing, Kosei, or Tenzo-R. (My price range is limited)

Another question about the tires. Is the 225 so small on a 8.5 rim that you get the "rubber band" feeling, or would it just be slightly more snug to the wheel than the 235?

I also tried playing with this thing:

http://www.bigcustomwheels.com/info_specs.jsp

According to that, the upgrade from 17 to 18 (when using a 225/40/18 tire) is only increasing the total tire height from 24.6" to 25.1", and the total width from 8.5" to 8.9". That seems like it shouldn't cause any issues...

But I'd like to hear feedback from all of you wheel guys.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are correct. Moving from 215/45/17 to 225/40/18 is ok on 18x7 or 18x7.5 rim. The increases you show above are correct. But you mentioned going to a 235 on a 8.5 rim. I think the 235 would fit on the 8.5 rim better, but like Mike stated (as did my mechanics), 235 wheel will probably rub when you hit bumps and make high speed turns.

I also wanted a wider tire as well. I was looking for 18x7.5 or 18x8 with a 235, but was told that was too wide with my current drop. My mechanics (and TRE) recommended not exceeding a 225. It is all very confusing to me and I did not want to take any chances. I went with 18x7 with 225/40/18. Since this is a option from the manufacturer, I know I am save.

 

would the 225 fit fine on the stock rims?? any idea?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hellzcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You are correct. Moving from 215/45/17 to 225/40/18 is ok on 18x7 or 18x7.5 rim. The increases you show above are correct. But you mentioned going to a 235 on a 8.5 rim. I think the 235 would fit on the 8.5 rim better, but like Mike stated (as did my mechanics), 235 wheel will probably rub when you hit bumps and make high speed turns.

I also wanted a wider tire as well. I was looking for 18x7.5 or 18x8 with a 235, but was told that was too wide with my current drop. My mechanics (and TRE) recommended not exceeding a 225. It is all very confusing to me and I did not want to take any chances. I went with 18x7 with 225/40/18. Since this is a option from the manufacturer, I know I am save.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

To summarize, don't get a 235 tire, and running a 225 tire on a 8.5 rim won't work? What would be the disadvantages of "cheating" and running a 225/40/18 tire on a 18 x 8.5 rim? Too bumpy of a ride? Too easy to curb the rims? Treadwear faster than normal?

I'm just guessing here, I'm new to upgrading wheels if you can't tell. I'd like to confirm some of these things before spending that much money on a set of wheels...


Edit: Thought of a couple more things.

Hellz, when you are talking about people telling you to not exceed 225, they were telling you this knowing that you are lowered correct? On stock ride height, don't you think there would be no rubbing at all?

And what about going to 235/35/18 and reducing the sidewall by 5 down to 35 from 40? Is that a possibility?

I was just set on these rims and ready to order, and now I'm having second thoughts. I figured it wouldn't hurt to educate myself before making my purchase.


Modified by jonebone at 5:54 PM 3/22/2007

 

Bump, to see if I can get an answer about using 235/35/18 instead of 235/40/18. Whats the advantages/disadvantages of reducing the sizewall? And do you think that would have any impact on reducing the likeliness that these wheels would rub?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonebone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bump, to see if I can get an answer about using 235/35/18 instead of 235/40/18. Whats the advantages/disadvantages of reducing the sizewall? And do you think that would have any impact on reducing the likeliness that these wheels would rub?</TD></TR></TABLE>

What else would you like us to say....?
We've already told you that its not a good setup for the car

we've told you that the 235's will rub..

As the guy in the FS sticky selling the 235's that rubbed on his fiji blue civic si
and is now trying to sell the tires.

 

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums...31645

if you're looking for "protection" don't get an 18 x8.5 wheel

this now makes about 4 people who have answered your questions.. and you continue to post numbers/ charts/links etc....

Do you have ADHD? ADD? OCD?

 

No I actually don't have ADD/OCD/ADHD, I'm just at work doing the same exact thing as you, making several posts on Civic forums.

I'm just concerned about my wheel purchase thats all. I haven't bought 27 sets of wheels since 1997 like yourself, so I'm learning as I go.
I'm looking for a work around for this wheel thats all. It seems this is the best quality wheel (in terms of brand, and weight) that I can currently afford. I'll probably wind up running a 225 and then selling the wheels in the fall when the wintry weather approaches.

Close or lock the thread if its really bothering you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonebone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No I actually don't have ADD/OCD/ADHD, I'm just at work doing the same exact thing as you, making several posts on Civic forums.

I'm just concerned about my wheel purchase thats all. I haven't bought 27 sets of wheels since 1997 like yourself, so I'm learning as I go.
I'm looking for a work around for this wheel thats all. It seems this is the best quality wheel (in terms of brand, and weight) that I can currently afford. I'll probably wind up running a 225 and then selling the wheels in the fall when the wintry weather approaches.

Close or lock the thread if its really bothering you.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is a reason that this particular model (OFFERED IN ONLY THIS SIZE FOR THE PROMOTION) is on special.. probably due to the width issues and it only being for certain cars.

If your on a budget... thats fine. Look into a used set of wheels
theres a post on H-T that is 50+ pages long of JUST 5x114 wheels for sale.


BTW did you order the comptech springs from Nate?

 

1. I have been looking for used wheels for about 2 months now. I definitely would prefer to buy used due to my budget. I've looked at the 5x114 on hondamarketplace and dont see anything I like. I've resorted to clubrsx as well, and thats where I came across this offer. Actually, I was supposed to by some black G-Racing Sekis (18.6 lbs each), but the guy backed out on me because his new rims wont be in for 2 months.

All I know is that I'm set on 18" wheels, and either black or gold. I'm indifferent about the lip.

2. No I haven't, after looking at these 18 x 8.5 wheels, I figured it would make more sense to get wheels first, THEN drop my car. I also though the Comptech's were a more agressive drop, because your car looked LOW with them. Yet bluerockets looks amazingly similar to the HFP drop. After looking through several suspension threads, I think the Eibach Sportline drop might suit my tastes better.

Btw - I can't justify spending $222 for comptech springs when I've seen Tein S-Techs for $182 (not the fake ebay ones), and Eibach Sports for $190.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonebone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1. I have been looking for used wheels for about 2 months now. I definitely would prefer to buy used due to my budget. I've looked at the 5x114 on hondamarketplace and dont see anything I like. I've resorted to clubrsx as well, and thats where I came across this offer. Actually, I was supposed to by some black G-Racing Sekis (18.6 lbs each), but the guy backed out on me because his new rims wont be in for 2 months.

All I know is that I'm set on 18" wheels, and either black or gold. I'm indifferent about the lip.

2. No I haven't, after looking at these 18 x 8.5 wheels, I figured it would make more sense to get wheels first, THEN drop my car. I also though the Comptech's were a more agressive drop, because your car looked LOW with them. Yet bluerockets looks amazingly similar to the HFP drop. After looking through several suspension threads, I think the Eibach Sportline drop might suit my tastes better.

Btw - I can't justify spending $222 for comptech springs when I've seen Tein S-Techs for $182 (not the fake ebay ones), and Eibach Sports for $190. </TD></TR></TABLE>


1. Xrims.com , wheelchoice.com, memoryfab.com,
2. if you've never had rims or a drop 18x8.5 is a bad way to start.