steven7685

new to the forum and this is my first post.
I own a 2000 Civic LX and its bone stock, I don't plan on doing anything crazy to it as its just my commuter vehicle. bought it last year with 42k miles on it so I expect to have it for some years to come.

Anyway, I just don't like the way it handles on the back road that I drive to and from work on every day so my boss suggested I get some wheels and tires (I am a fabricator for a high end early model Ford Mustang Suspension shop, and my boss is basically the AutoX king on the west coast) he tells me the wheels and tires should be enough to make me happy for what I'm looking for.

I've done a bit of research and poking around now. I have an idea of what I want, but I wanted to have some experienced opinions of what will and wont work for a 6th gen sedan.

What I'm thinking of getting is some 16x7 wheels (haven't decided which ones yet) and running some 205/45/r16 tires on them (I like having more tire options, and would like to keep it close to the OEM tire diameter). I may ed up lowering the car, but nothing extreme. maybe 1-1.5" but for now i'm at stock height.

My questions are.
* Will I have any rubbing issues lock to lock turn with a 8.1" wide tire as opposed to the stock 7.3" tire?
* What offset should I be looking to get the Wheels in? (Keeping in mind I may slightly lower the car, and the new tire will be almost an inch wider + I don't want to do any body work or have camber issues)
* If you run the same set up, were you happy with the results?

there is too much body roll for this ride to be enjoyable taking sheer cliff side turns at more than 45mph, my last ride was a 1999 3 series BMW and it handles like a dream, although I'm not hoping to make my civic handle like a BMW id like to get more out of it than what it is. im currently on stock 14inch rims.

Thanks for taking a look
Steve

ezone

Got sway bars?

Colin42

this, and 16" is too big in my opinion for a 6th gen, I think 15"s look good.
I think the honda fit had factory 16"s that have the same bolt pattern. Otherwise 4 bolt integras and civics up to 2001 have lots of different 4 x 100 alloy rims

steven7685

I do have the oem (I'm assuming it's oem) front sway bar, but there isn't any sway bar in the rear.

why do you say the 16 is too big? Will it not work?
I like the idea of having a smaller sidewall than what the 15 offers (3.8" vs 4.3") wont a smaller side wall tire be more responsive, and have a less "springy/body roll" feel in the corners due to a stiffer side wall?

I don't want to go too small however I think the 3.2" sidewall a 17 inch wheel has to offer will create a much rougher ride. I also think a 17 would look goofy on my car.

any recommendations for a rear sway bar? And should I upgrade the front oem one?
honestly though, I can just make my own. I have made several hundred for early model mustangs that come into my shop.

Wankenstein

On my '95 EX coupe: Nitto 205/50/15. Rota rims

steven7685

those look pretty nice. are you lowered at all? because my car looks like there is much more room with the stock setup which is .4 inches taller than that

steven7685

this is what my car currently looks like. don't mind the mess, its hella dirty atm.

Wankenstein

Thanks. Yes, it's lowered.