wheel sizes

I'm looking at puttin gsome rims on my 94 civic 4d. I wanted to know if 17's would fit?

Yes 17's will fit. By increasing the rim size you decrease the tire side wall = Plus sizing. To learn more about "Plus Sizing" click www.tirerack.com or www.whalentire.com also recommendations for your application.
Personally I think 17's are too big for civics due to the underpowered engine along with thin sidewall. The sidewall(tire) is your first defense/absorber of road bumps. If the rim/tire weigh a lot more than stock, I highly suggest at least performance type brake pads along with upgraded suspension(after market struts at the least) Also with a thinner sidewall you run greater risks of bending rims. You could fit 18's or 19's if you really wanted to. Personally I say no more than 16" -- 14"-15" for prefer.
Taller diameter will increase top speed(something civic's dont have) Shorter diameter will increase acceleration which civics are in great need of.

So you would need a 17x7" wheel with 42-44mm offset and 205/40x17" tires.

I'd agree w/ everything Jack said, and add often times you CAN w/o any negative impacts, go with a larger net outside diameter wheel/tire combination (vs stock). All designs are a compromise and in the automotive world a compromise heavily favoring low cost (to the mfr). Which means crappy little tires and wheels, for one thing. They're marginally sized to do everything,' okay'. Every car I've ever owned benefitted from larger (overall diameter larger), wider tires over stock. Your speedo error will vary by the % difference in the circumference from original to upgrade, and you want to verify the allowable ABS (if equipped) tire size tolerance before you mess that up. I think in passenger vehicles its +/- 5%, or if you have 185-70R-13s now at a diameter of 23.2", you could probably go up to 195-60R-15s at 24.2" diameter (less than +5%). Thats exactly the swap I'm looking at right now in our 1992 Civic. Haven't got 'em yet. Another 'race' page (I think team SCR, Saturns) suggested don't go more than 1" larger than your stock tire diameter when upgrading the rubber.
Also:
a 60series tire of identical quality is about $20 cheaper per tire than a 55 or 50 series tire I am finding. The straight ahead 'ride' will be better. Balls to the wall cornering won't be quite as good with a 60 as a 50 or 55, but better than stock. A 195 is not much wider than stock so mileage (if you care) won't be spanked too badly. The 15" rims will be way cheaper too.
PEace,
Z

so technically i am screwed with my civic then.....i had 17's on my 2000 civic and the ride was a bit rough, i didnt mind. I was recently rear ended and the guy who hit me damged two of my wheels and i decided to up myself to 18's. they seem to fit smooth on my car, but i have yet to drive it since the crash. they came with 225/40 tires, and i assume i will have a rougher ride...correct? if so, is there anything you guys can suggest for me to have a smoother ride?? i know it wont be like new, but i would like to minimize the roughness if psosible.

so technically i am screwed with my civic then.....i had 17's on my 2000 civic and the ride was a bit rough, i didnt mind. I was recently rear ended and the guy who hit me damged two of my wheels and i decided to up myself to 18's. they seem to fit smooth on my car, but i have yet to drive it since the crash. they came with 225/40 tires, and i assume i will have a rougher ride...correct? if so, is there anything you guys can suggest for me to have a smoother ride?? i know it wont be like new, but i would like to minimize the roughness if psosible.
Screwed ? I dunno... I calculate you have a 25.09" OD with the rubber/wheel you describe. Thats bigger by a good bit than stock. Too big ? Dunno. I imagine it'll ride pretty rough though. I just installed the new set of 195-60R 15s x 40mm offset (24.2" OD overall) on the '92 Civic (stock suspension) and its a great look compared to the 13" skateboard wheels from before. The tires come out flush with the fender wells and in feeling around inside top dead center on the front wheels there is less than an 1" of clearance between tire rubber and suspension. So w/wider tire than 195 a tad more offset might be needed.
Z

I need to replace my tires, any suggestions? Right now i'm running 205/50/15 Nitto Extreme 450's on 2000 Si rims. I'm looking to just get the same nittos again or some Kumho Supra 712's. Also is it possible that 205/55's will rub? I'd rather go up on sidewalls cuz NYC streets suck.

I need to replace my tires, any suggestions? Right now i'm running 205/50/15 Nitto Extreme 450's on 2000 Si rims. I'm looking to just get the same nittos again or some Kumho Supra 712's. Also is it possible that 205/55's will rub? I'd rather go up on sidewalls cuz NYC streets suck.
I just put 195-60 15s on a stock 92 Civic and they don't rub anywhere. Thats a 24.2" OD (outside diameter) on a tire (195 vs 205) thats .394" wider than what I used. You're looking at a 23.9" OD on the 205-55-15's . You speedo will be a few percent in error also, but heck, they are all off one way or the other...You might also wanna look at Falken tires, or maybe Yokohamas, just a thought....
Z