Hey Everyone!!

I am absolutely new to this forum and I've been checking out some people's rides and damn, some good stuff out there.

I have also been using the SEARCH engine and varifying DATES on postings to make sure they aren't too old

Anyway I am very excited that summer is coming up and I want to put rims/tires on my car, as well as lower the suspension if it will look ridiculous on my car.

I just bought this Honda back in October 2010.

2005 Honda Civic Special Edition (Grey)
4 Door Sedan
1.7L
5 Speed manual transmission.
123 000 km

** I am thinking of buying 17'' gunmetal or gloss black, 5 spolk rims with a thin red trim around the lip (I think that would look mint on a Grey car.)
I appologize but I couldnt find the answer I was looking for on the forum so my question is:

---Whats the best tire SIZE to fit my 17'' rim? 205/45?, 205/40? Would either rub turning a corner or hitting a bump?
---What should the offset be for the rim?
---Can i lower my vehicle using adjustible suspension coils and will it sustain rims/struts from 'banging'?

Unfortunately this car doesn't have as much pep as i wish it had but it's extremely reliable and I wanna give it some horsepower too by doing some basic 'under the hood' work too for starters.

I love this car and I want it to look good and have some beef.

I'd say 215/45s just because it messes with the speedometer the least.

With offset, I think you can fit anything with an et 35-44 or something like that.. I'm rockin 42's on my 02 ex

and I don't get what you mean by the adjustable coilovers and banging.. if you mean rubbing, then you should be fine, depending on how low/stiff you go.
A good failsafe suspension setup that'll give you a nice little drop is tein s-techs with tokico blues (HP) shocks. That'll give you ~33-36mm drop (1.3 inch/1.4 inch front/rear is what the specs are).

I had ZERO rubbing problems with 17x7 et42 rims with a 215/45-17 tire with that suspension setup. Only difference is I drive a coupe, so your sedan may sit a little lower in the rear end (if I remember correctly, that is)

Hey RiceBoy,

yes, by banging i meant if I were to hit a bump, would the struts bang or cause the rims to rub.

So a 215/45/R17 with 17''x7'' and 40mm offset would be perfect...i love it!

However, will I be riding with a big gap between my rim and wheel wall?
How much are the strut/coil priced out to be? Can i pick them up from ebay or does anyone recommend a website?

Can I use my original struts and have aftermarket coils or will that just kill my stock struts?

I can tell you've been doing some searching

The price range for struts and springs/coilovers run from $175 for Chinese junk to $12000 for Moton coilovers, the key is to spend your money on quality parts that suit your needs. How low do you want to go?

Hey MindBomber,

Im glad im getting so much support from such great people in this forum.

I dont want to go ridiculously low because winters where I cam from are VERY harsh; meaning we get a good snow fall.

I just want to go low enough to not make my Honda look like a rice bag but something people can look at and admire which is why I am asking with the set up I will be putting on - 215/45/R17 with 17''x7'' and 40mm offset.

How ugly will my gap between my wheel wall and tire look?
What is a reasonable length to lower it to make it look hot and noticably lower?
(Lets not forget the winters where I am from suck a*s and will be switching to winter tires/steelies between seasons)

Thanks everyone for your help! Keep it comin'!

If your budget supports it and you don't mind a stiff ride then you could go with a koni insert and ground control sleeve set-up, then you could ride as low as you want in the summer and raise your car up even higher than stock during the winter.

If your budget conscious however, Tokico Hp struts with Tein, Eibach or H&R lowering springs would provide a noticeable drop without creating to much of a snow plow in the winter.

Ahhhh, so i do need aftermarket struts also then? Using stock struts would eventually get worn out, dont fit or is that just in general a bad no no??

Stock struts will work, they just won't work well.

Generally lowering on stock struts results in a very poor quality ride and they do blow out fairly quickly, you might get 20-30k miles out of brand new struts with lowering springs before they start leaking. If your struts are older already then I'd suggest saving for struts and doing it all at once, that way you save on install time and a second alignment when they inevitably start to leak oil.

Wow so much new information I've learned from you guys. - Thanks so much.

I thought if I bought those Tokimo's they would last longer than only 20-30k miles but I guess it would make sence with the stress they would go through.

I will see what happens I guess and I will get back to everyone on the forum with current and after pics of my ride with the lil mods I do for starters

Thanks everyone!!

205/45/17 is closest to stock. you will rub with 215 is ur drop low enough (most 17x7 rims)

I have a feeling he's talking about OEM struts right there and not the Tokicos. I'm not sure but I think he means if you are planning on getting new OEM struts to go with your lowering springs - then they might blow after 20-30k.

Tokico HPs (Blues) should last a LOT longer than 20-30k as long as your drop isn't past 1.5"

2001 Civic EX Sedan here, I've got 18" wheels right now, but am planning on going to 17" in the future.

FWIW, I'm working on getting Eibach Pro Kit (1" drop all around, since I'm still sporting 18"s) and Tokico HPs (Blues). I hear this is a pretty decent set-up and I DOUBT the Tokicos will blow within 20-30k (At least I really hope not, LOL).

EDIT: Once I go to 17" I'll be switching to the Eibach Sport (1.4" drop all around)

actually i guess they could handle up to 1.7", so they are OK. otherwise, all else is correct. from average reviews, they should live a long life with that drop.
I would dare say you could just get the sport springs?

I was just trying to clarify because when I read the post the OP was referring to it seemed like he took the 20-30k thing out of context. That's a nice reaffirmation for me, though, I was afraid of losing faith in the Tokicos, Lol.

The sport springs comment, was that for me or the OP? I think you talked me into getting them before, but when I started thinking about how I weight 280lbs and all the potholes that are tough to avoid in my daily routes...

that was for you
Not to worry, you retained the info very well!
post that way, potholes and all, i guess you might be right...

Please tell me that I will be okay with 215/45/R17 tires without a drop....
EDIT: Reading first comment of RiceBoys tells me its okay lol. I forgot last nights convo :P

Are you guys saying that I cant get struts/springs unless i go less than a 1.4inch drop or else it will rub? and depending on which strut too?

215/45R17 will be fine without a drop.

You can lower your car and not rub, you'll only rub with a very wide rim, crazy off-set or wheel spacers.

I was referring to OEM struts blowing out earlier, Tokcio struts have a lifetime replacement warranty on any drop less than 1.7

CJAGZ, read Max's comments here
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...-they-fit.html
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...s-too-big.html

Thanks for everything guys!

I just got my tracking numbers for my new rims, tires, drilled/slotted disc brakes, and calipurs. I am gunna wait on the struts/springs for a little while and see how this all rides before re-doing the suspension.

Im so damn excited to put all this on When I get it however, I am gunna wait a little while until the rest of the snow melts and city cleans up the roads of residue salt and dirt....


I will post pics asap when I get everything on, in this page and the members rides page

Once again, thanks again guys - def best helpful forum ive ever been on!

You won't get any benefit from drilled and slotted rotors, they may actually harm braking performance. What brand did you get, the cheap ones are prone to cracking?

I need new rotors anyway cause I think mine are slightly warped. I want the drilled/slotted just due to the fact I feel it will make the car look sharper.

Does anyone know how much torque each lug nut is supposed to be for both a stock steely/tire and aftermarcket rims/tires??

80ft-lbs for both stock and after-market rims.