what offsets should i use??

[chixSI]

I drive a '99 honda civic SI and i'm looking to get the SSR Competition rims and i'm deciding on either 16" or 17" rims. Can someone list me the pros and cons on 16" and 17" so i can make my decision.

Also i'd like to know what offsets i should use for the front and rear to have the rims fit flush!

[unusualcivic]

get 16"s for a civic, they lack the extraodrinary blingerness of the 17's but they'll give you better grip and less rotational mass.

[BullShifter]

Yes, go with 16's. 17's are usually too heavy for civic's & the tire sidewall is too thin. Thin sidewall = poor ride & bent rims!

What do you mean by flush?
www.tirerack.com
www.whalentire.com

[SilverY2KCivic]

Typically wheels like that come in only one specific offset size per wheel size. Like my 15x6.5 size Rotas ("15) come with an offset of +38 That's pretty standard for "15's "16's are usually +40 +42 offset size. Only when you start getting into deepdish type wheels (they have a wide lip to them) will you see offsets like +4 or some rediculously small number. Also if it's a real wide wheel like a 9J or 10.

For you wheels, make sure they are no wider than 7J if you go "17 or 7.5 width if you go "16 as you can't stick any wider than 215 width tires on Civics, and even then you may have some minor inner fender tire rub. If the wheels you get don't happen to be as flush as you'd like, your option there is getting wheel spacers. They came in various sizes. If you get wide enough spacers, you may need to replace your hub wheel studs with longer ones so that the lug nut will be able to be tightened on correctly. Hope that helps you out some Jennie.

EDIT: Ok I just looked up specs on the SSR Comps... Here's what to get depeding on the size you decide to go with: "16's get the 16x7 and if you go "17 then 17x7.5 size. Personally esp. on your Si, I'd go with the "16's. Yes lighter for one, but I like the look of "16 wheels like the Comps better than if "17 Also of note, I dunno how well the wider width of the "17's would be on tire/fender rub, and if you'd be able to full lock turn your steering wheel being they are wider AND bigger round. What colors do you have in mind? I'd go with the black or gunmetal with a polished lip. Eitherway, if you get Comps I'll be jealous as those are wheels I wanted to get, except they are outta my budget right now.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

Yes, go with 16's. 17's are usually too heavy for civic's & the tire sidewall is too thin. Thin sidewall = poor ride & bent rims!

What do you mean by flush?
www.tirerack.com
www.whalentire.com

Just an FYI, SSR comp wheels are fairly light no metter the weight, I believe they are 13lbs. in "17 form. I could be wrong though.... :o

As for flush, she means like how far the stick out, being fluch has when you look at the side of the car from an extreme angle, the tires stick out as far as the flair of the fenders stick out filling them out better width wise. Also gives a car a wider wheel track stance if pushed out some. This can put added stress on the hubs though having them out too much.

[BullShifter]

13lbs sounds nice but I couldn't deal with the poor ride.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

13lbs sounds nice but I couldn't deal with the poor ride.

That's why "16 is a good way to go. You get thicker tires, but still a bigger than "15 look.

[chixSI]

Hey thanks SilverY2KCivic for all your help

Yeah i was going to get them in gunmetal. oh it's going to look so hot! i'm ordering them this friday since it's pay day at work, but when i'm all finished with my car, i'll make sure to post some pix. but thanks again for all your help, i now understand take it easy!

[chixSI]

oh yeah one more thing about them...they are pretty light, the 16" are only 11.5 lbs. and they are also pretty expensive too...i'm paying $305 each without tires for the 16". but hey they are worth it.

[CivicSiRacer]

I'm getting a set of 15s hopefully this year for autocrossing. 9lbs BLING!

But between 16s and 17s I would also go with 16s since they would ride better, not throw off your odometer and speedo as much and tires would be cheaper AND less rotational mass.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by chixSI

Hey thanks SilverY2KCivic for all your help

Yeah i was going to get them in gunmetal. oh it's going to look so hot! i'm ordering them this friday since it's pay day at work, but when i'm all finished with my car, i'll make sure to post some pix. but thanks again for all your help, i now understand take it easy!

Your welcome, anytime! I'm going to be getting myself some new wheels soon too, The set I have on my car right now will be my race only wheels, and then I'm planning to get a set of the same wheels I have now, but with a black face and polished lip.

[sfenton311]

Im getting ready to order some SSR comps too. But was wondering about width on the 16s, is wider better? I can get a 16 x 7.5. Should I? What is the pros/cons.

Thanks.

[CivicSiRacer]

I ran 16x7.5" Kosei K1s and depending on which year Civic you have your inner wheel lip may hit the rear upper control arms. At least mine did until I filed some of it down. I had a 45mm offset.

I would play it safe and get 16x7" with 42-44mm offset.

[sfenton311]

Here's the facts on the wheel:
Size Selected: 16x7
Recommended Tire Size: 205/45-16
Wheel Offset: +42mm

Can I bump up the sidewall to 50? or should I stay at 45? What is the pros/cons? I would assume a smoother ride with a 50...