Originally Posted by maxtierney

Thanks sdaidoji.

Stock Height/Small Drop (one/two finger gap):

You shouldn't have problems other than your speedo will be a little off. Your tires are almost 1/2" taller than the stock 185/65-14s for an EX. 205/35-18s might be a better choice, but I know the 215s are way more common. Good luck on finding a cheap set of 205s, too. There is a 205/30-18 tire, but only one company makes it. You better have some perfect roads in your neighborhood to rock these.

No issues with wheel fitment, rims are 45 offset with a 73mm bore. Just get some 73 to 56.1 centric rings, or you'll get some high speed wobble.

Dropped (flush/tuck):

You have a crazy amount of camber to play with (the joys of double-wishbone fronts/multi-link rears). Depending on how far you are dropped, you'll need to adjust camber, as required. You'll probably have to roll your fenders (fronts, I am almost certain). You're gonna rub.

I know this may sound a little funny coming from a guy rolling on 19s, but I just dont see that many with 96-00 Civics on 18s (not since the first couple of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker movies, anyways). And when I do, they're usually at/near stock height.

Most with drops I see nowadays are on 15/16s, with the occasional 14s and 17s in the mix.

Anyways, good luck to you!

Originally Posted by maxtierney

Running 19x7.5 Forged Traklites with 215/35/19s. 17.5lbs. Dropped 2" on Tein Flex Coilovers, 0857 Raised Steering Bracket, J's Racing Tie Rods and RCAs. Rolled Fenders. -2 degrees front / - 1.5 degrees rear camber. 8+ years with no issues, no rub.

People don't realize that they're 19s until they ask (most common remark is that they look like 17s). I guess the flat black color doesn't make them look so oversized. My gunmetal set are another story. They look huge. I guess color does make difference.

Try to go forged if you can. Cast 19s will push you well into the mid-20lb range. For reference, steelies are about 18 lbs. You think your Civic is slow now... I can still chirp in second gear with the forged, sometimes third.

Originally Posted by maxtierney

I guess I should try to answer your question a little better.

Stock Height - No Mods Required

When I was running Neuspeed Sports / Tokico D-Specs (About 1.25" Drop) - I had to mildly roll the rear fenders. Started out at -1.5 degrees rear camber. Increasing about - .2 degrees/year, due to sag. I think I was well over -2 degrees with almost a 2" drop. Fronts were never an issue until...

I dropped about 2.25" Front and 1.75" Rear (settled to about 2") w/ front camber at -2 and rear at about -1.5 or so. Had to roll fronts and remove the fender liners.

You are limited to a handful of tire manufacturer choices. Not too many 215/35-19 players out there. A bit pricier too. Straight line performance takes a little hit. More so, with the cast wheels. Zigzags - no compromises. Stiffer sidewalls are plus for handling, but get ready to rattle some teeth. Women always complained about the ride hurting their *****. I got a kick out of it though. Haha.

I enjoy the look, that's why I did it. If that's what you want. Go for it, who cares about everyone else. It's your car, do what makes you happy.

Your front brakes will looks TINY. The rear drums will look even more ridiculous. I swear I could see all the way to China, looking through the wheels from the side profile. However, cleaning the suspension and brakes are a piece of cake, through the spokes

Gas milage does take a bit of a hit. On steelies I averaged about 400-420 miles per tank. With 19s, I averaged about 380-400 (even with relatively light 17.5lbs wheels). After the 12" Wilwood BBK, 350-370 per tank. Inertia, rotational mass and unsprung weight are killers. Typically, you can go one of two routes: Smaller and lighter for speed/efficiency or Bling for the opposite.

With that said, my next purchase will be a set of 16" Regas or SW388s (12 lbs or so). I just found out they'll clear my calipers and rotors. Better MPGs, Cheaper Tires, a couple tenths shaved and some Russian/JDM Eye Candy, to boot. WIN/WIN

I'll still rock the 19s in the summer.