Another S13 wheel offset issue

[ozzie7799]

I'm going to say this in advance. Sorry about posting another thread on which rim size and offset to get. I don't really post much because I try researching it like crazy, but I've been researching this for nearly a month and it's driving me insane. So here's my dilemma.

I have an S13 Hatchback and I currently have some 17x7 rims on the car with 215/50/17s, don't know what rims they are and don't know the offset for them either. I want to replace them and ever since I've been doing research, I have some concerns.

First, my S13 used to have to tokico blues/eibach springs from the previous owner and the tires never rubbed. When I did my suspension upgrade a year ago, I replaced them with Tein Type Flex coilovers. Now whenever I turn the wheels to full lock in either direction, the tire rubs against the coilovers. I'm sure it has to do with the offset of the rims, but since I'm not sure what offset they are, I have no reference.

Second, I decided on the Work Emotion CR Kai's. I like the way the rims look and Work wheels have a long history of great quality.

Here's a link with the PDF file for wheel specs: http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/wheels/27/80/WORK%20Emotion%20CR%20Kai%20Spec.pdf

I've been looking everywhere, but can't find the answer to what I want. I wanted to get 17x7 front / 17x8 rear. I've seen a lot of crazy things other owners have done, but that's not what I want to do...it's not my style. I plan on doing a full Z32 OEM brake swap (both front and rear) and 5 lug conversion, which I nearly have all the pieces I need already. I have concerns about which offset to get. I am also concerned if these wheels will clear the Z32 brakes (front and rear) and clear my Tein Type Flex coilovers. I am also concerned about rolling/tucking my fenders, which I don't really want to do (not my style). Also, would I need any spacers or extended wheels studs (I understand that OEM wheel studs are 40mm long and I have seen 50mm and 60mm upgrades).

This is my first time buying wheels and I just want to do it right. I have a few buddies of mine screw up when they bought wheels and I don't want to go through that dilemma. I want to make sure I have everything I need before swapping my Z32 brakes and converting to 5-lug.

I was also interested in 17x8 front / 17x9 rear if it would still look clean without modification. Experts weigh in please. Your help would be much appreciated.

[fliprayzin240sx]

There is nothing crazy about running 17x9 +12. If you decide to stick on 17x7 and 17x8, nothing on those sizing will look good on the car since they will be sunk as hell. Go ahead, sell the car and buy yourself a civic.

[Croustibat]

I'm going to say this in advance. Sorry about posting another thread on which rim size and offset to get. I don't really post much because I try researching it like crazy, but I've been researching this for nearly a month and it's driving me insane. So here's my dilemma.

I have an S13 Hatchback and I currently have some 17x7 rims on the car with 215/50/17s, don't know what rims they are and don't know the offset for them either. I want to replace them and ever since I've been doing research, I have some concerns.

First, my S13 used to have to tokico blues/eibach springs from the previous owner and the tires never rubbed. When I did my suspension upgrade a year ago, I replaced them with Tein Type Flex coilovers. Now whenever I turn the wheels to full lock in either direction, the tire rubs against the coilovers. I'm sure it has to do with the offset of the rims, but since I'm not sure what offset they are, I have no reference.

Second, I decided on the Work Emotion CR Kai's. I like the way the rims look and Work wheels have a long history of great quality.

Here's a link with the PDF file for wheel specs: http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/wheels/27/80/WORK%20Emotion%20CR%20Kai%20Spec.pdf

I've been looking everywhere, but can't find the answer to what I want. I wanted to get 17x7 front / 17x8 rear. I've seen a lot of crazy things other owners have done, but that's not what I want to do...it's not my style. I plan on doing a full Z32 OEM brake swap (both front and rear) and 5 lug conversion, which I nearly have all the pieces I need already. I have concerns about which offset to get. I am also concerned if these wheels will clear the Z32 brakes (front and rear) and clear my Tein Type Flex coilovers. I am also concerned about rolling/tucking my fenders, which I don't really want to do (not my style). Also, would I need any spacers or extended wheels studs (I understand that OEM wheel studs are 40mm long and I have seen 50mm and 60mm upgrades).

This is my first time buying wheels and I just want to do it right. I have a few buddies of mine screw up when they bought wheels and I don't want to go through that dilemma. I want to make sure I have everything I need before swapping my Z32 brakes and converting to 5-lug.

I was also interested in 17x8 front / 17x9 rear if it would still look clean without modification. Experts weigh in please. Your help would be much appreciated.

One of your problem comes from the 215/50/17 tyres. These are bigger diameter than standard.

Most of your problems come from you being lazy though. Remove your wheels and read the offset on them, then measure everything you need and do the maths ... if you dont know the offset nor the make of your wheels, how are WE supposed to know ?

17x7 / 17X8 will fit. Maybe people will laugh, but its your car, not their. Seeing 215 tyres on 10" wheels with -8° camber to fit under the arches and slammed car makes me laugh too (then it makes me cry as i cant see why a human being would sacrifice handling, money and comfort to do that). To each their own.

I got 17x8 / 17x9 on mine though. Ideal offset would be around 22 front if you want to fit a 235 tyre. I got ET35 and ET38 on mine, cant remember which is which, but i know i had to slot my front coilovers and run a 5mm spacer front to prevent the tyre from rubbing on the spring. Rear is no problem at all. I have adjustable LCAs and my car is high (because i care about handling) so cant comment on how it would rub. But it would rub if it was lower, tires are out of the car around 1" front and 1/2" rear.

[fliprayzin240sx]

^^^So its better to buy a new set of wheels, slot your suspension perch and run spacers when you could just buy some 17x9 +20 wheels, some 225/45-17s (which equals to the stock overall diameter) and you know they fit under the stock fenders?

But hey OP, go ahead and spend $1300-1400 on brand new CR-Kais, another $450-500 on tires, slot your suspension perch and run 5mm spacers up front so you have 3-4 threads to get your lug nuts on.

[N2HIFI]

Because why do it right when you can do it wrong

[fliprayzin240sx]

Because why do it right when you can do it wrong

No no no...you're retarded because 225/45-17 is stupid ricer stretch on 9" rims and its fucking unsafe!!! Plus its illegal according to the French Government... :rolleyes:

[mmmS13]

17x9 +17 with 235/40 on an S13 is so simple to do. Fit without spacers, didnt rub anywhere (even with coils maxed low) fenders would need to be rolled of course.

You said you wanted the to fit without modification but... It would look cleaner if you just rolled them a little, its not hard to do.

[cotbu]

I have 17x9+17's and run 235/40's you'll need a BFG for the frame rail. unless you never go full lock. i do have TEIN inner's and spacers

[Croustibat]

^^^So its better to buy a new set of wheels, slot your suspension perch and run spacers when you could just buy some 17x9 +20 wheels, some 225/45-17s (which equals to the stock overall diameter) and you know they fit under the stock fenders?

But hey OP, go ahead and spend $1300-1400 on brand new CR-Kais, another $450-500 on tires, slot your suspension perch and run 5mm spacers up front so you have 3-4 threads to get your lug nuts on.

1/I paid 250€ for the 4 wheels delivered. They are enkei wheels and weight 16lbs each. So yeah, why didn't i spend 1000$ + customs + shipping on a pair of heavy 17x9 that wont fit my brake setup ? I wonder.

2/ 225/45/17 is not equal to the stock overall diameter; 235/40/17 is. Believe me, i'd rather put 225/45 if they were legal here, as they cost around 20% less.

3/ 5mm spacers left me with more than 10 turns on the enkei lug nuts (yes, their wheels require their own lug nuts, which grabs far more thread than most nuts). I could have just slotted the coilovers more to remove the spacers, ( when i say "slotted", that is something like 2-3mm), but i did not want more SAI.

Shall i continue, or can you see how wrong you are ?

[fliprayzin240sx]

1/I paid 250€ for the 4 wheels delivered. They are enkei wheels and weight 16lbs each. So yeah, why didn't i spend 1000$ + customs + shipping on a pair of heavy 17x9 that wont fit my brake setup ? I wonder.

2/ 225/45/17 is not equal to the stock overall diameter; 235/40/17 is. Believe me, i'd rather put 225/45 if they were legal here, as they cost around 20% less.

3/ 5mm spacers left me with more than 10 turns on the enkei lug nuts (yes, their wheels require their own lug nuts, which grabs far more thread than most nuts). I could have just slotted the coilovers more to remove the spacers, ( when i say "slotted", that is something like 2-3mm), but i did not want more SAI.

Shall i continue, or can you see how wrong you are ?

Oh my bad, I was using stock S14 wheels for reference (205/55-16). You cant use your situation as a reference. He's talking about buying a brand spanking new set of Work CR-KAIs. Last I checked, with the shitty exchange rate, they're going for roughly $1200 out here. Why do all that work, sourcing spacers, special shank lug nuts, slot the perches when he can just buy wheels that is proven to fit under the fenders? 225/45-17 is barely a stretch on 9js considering 225 ~ to 8.85" wide, assuming its the tire isnt oversized for the rating. If anything 225s look square on 9js. Hell, worst case scenario, pick the +28 offset and have similar sizing as stock R33 GTR wheels (17x9 +30). But even then, he might still have to run 5mm spacers to clear his suspension.

[Croustibat]

I never said he should do like i did, i posted info so that he knows what he would need to do if he went with a similar setup. I clearly stated he should aim for around 20 offset or lower for a 235 tyre to fit without rubbing on the inside. I never said he was forced to run a 235 tyre on it either ...

As for tyre size, the OP wrote S13, not S14. Meaning yes, i can use my situation as a reference. The lug nuts are specific to enkei wheels, not specific to install spacers. He wont be able to use stock nuts on most wheels either. As for the spacers, i already had 2 pairs of them lying around, so didnt have to source them.

Happy now ?

[smoked240]

Not telling you how to build your car man, but flips right.. It will be so much cheaper and easier to just buy a set of rims with an offset that will work withough fucking around so much.

[Croustibat]

Yes it will be easier, but cheaper ? If he is set on these particular wheels, yes. If he just want wheels, It depends on what he find.

At first i did not know i would run in these issues tbh. But the fact is, now that i know, i would still do the same. The money that i didnt spend on wheels paid 4 1000cc injectors and an exhaust manifold. I paid 75% less than these work wheels. Which wont fit with a 235 tyre as they also have a weak offset.

I am an engineer at heart, function > form. I dont care if they dont look very good, as long as they are straight (please dont get this out of context :p)

They are enkei RS3 if memory serves. They come quite cheap. And they look much better when there are brakes in there :p

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/attachments/wheel-tire-upgrades/24620d1256745260-enkei-3-spoke-enkei-3-spoke.jpg


Not trying to say "get my setup", it was a pain to make it fit. Still, it was 75% cheaper. Best way to go would be to get lower offset for cheaper, but cheap + low offset + good looking wheels are hard to find.

[mmmS13]

MB Battles, are a cheap low offset good looking wheel. Apparently a million people rock them but on my last road trip from the east coast to the west, I only saw one S13 with them.