TSW Wheel Advice

[blove9]

Hey Folks,
I am looking for a little advice on TSW wheels for fitment and looks on my 2012 white SI coupe. I went through the similar threads on this topic and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so here goes. I am just about to install Tein coil overs (Street Advance) and likely only take about 1.5" drop. The wheel I like is the TSW Tanaka:

I want to use 225/45/17 tires (already have a set from a previous car) and I have two wheel size choices: 17 x 9 - 40mm offset or 17 x 8 - 35mm offset. Given my planned drop and tire size, which wheel is my best bet without have to add a bunch of camber or roll fenders?

A friend of mine is trying to convince me to go with silver instead and plasti-dip them matte black if I really want that look, that way I have more color choices. I have never plasti-dipped wheels, what do you think?


Thanks

 

[Nix]

Nice looking wheel. One thing to consider is that the difference in wheel width may effect the overall look of the wheel significantly. One wheel to see as a good example of this is the enkei rpf-1. In a 9" it looks very different from an 8". See if you can find images of both sizes so you can see if there is a big difference in the look of the wheel.

I don't think you would have an issue fitting either wheel and the tire size should fit both just fine. I would recommend the 8" personally. I think both will sit about the same spot since the 9" is .25" wider on either side of the 8 but the 8 is 5mm towards the fender.


Example of the difference an inch can make in wheel style:

17x8 - notice the convex, bowed out appearance, of the spokes:

And 17x9 - notice the concave, inwards appearance, of the spokes and the more pronounced "lip"

 

[spazerboy]

I had the TSW Strip 17x8 +40 with 225/45 and was on Road Magnets, and fitment was great, no rubbing issues what so ever. I think with either wheel/tire setup you have in mind there wouldn't be any issues with your fenders or anything like that.

 

[Nix]

Nice info, thanks spazerboy

 

[blove9]

Thanks Guys,

Great information and comment on the look of the wheel given the different widths - never would have thought of that! I was looking for that slightly stretched look, do you think that the 8" wheel is going to provide that?

 

[Nix]

No. The 8 is a very safe fitment. The 9 will give the look you are after I believe. With the 9" and a 225 tire at 40 offset you may have to run a small spacer in the front to clear the strut. Like 3mm which is safe on stock studs. I think you will be pretty close to flush but shouldn't have any fender issues. Since you aren't going super low I think you can fit. More knowledgeable people might have more info... also check the wheel fitment chart.

closest match I can see is: The 17x8 volk te 37 that are 40 offset with a 1.3/1.5" drop on 235/45/17 tires with no rubbing and no spacers and no fender work.

Sounds pretty close and on a wider tire.

http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/wheel-fitment-charts.7620/#post-170962

 

[spazerboy]

You can get a slightly stretched look with an 8" wide rim. I'm running 17x8 +35 with 205/45 on the front. It ends up being a smaller tire than factory, but with the look I'm going for, that didn't bother me at all.

Edit: I'm also slammed with a good amount of camber set in the front currently.

 

[bigbossin]

View attachment 7709

17x8.25 5x114.3 +35 tires are 225/45/17 hope this helps you out a little

we planned on going with about that drop amount
just haven't got around to getting springs/coilovers

 

[blove9]

Thanks Bigbossin,
From the photo it looks like there is a fair amount of room to work with. I plan to order the wheels from a supporting vendor, so given that I am in Canada - its a one way trip for the wheels! Its a huge pain to return stuff to the US. That's why everyone's comments are so helpful.

 

[blove9]

If I do end up needing spacers, can anyone recommend a good source?

Thanks

 

[Nix]

If you're concerned about clearing the front struts you shouldn't need spacers with either one. Both sizes are moving the wheel closer to the fender from the stock size. Spacers would move the wheel further out.

 

[blove9]

Hi Nix,

Would that be the case with the 9" wide rim? Stock offset is 45mm and 7" wide and the offset on the 9" rim is 40mm. The new rim is 2" wider or 52mm. The net move closer to the front struts should be 21mm (52/2 - 5 = 21) over stock. I agree that the wheel definitely moves farther out, just not sure that it still provides enough clearance on the inside? I am probably making this way more complicated than necessary - its my day off work!

Cheers

 

[Nix]

Oh jeez I see. I read you wrong. Spacers.... if you go with the 9" wheel... I believe you can safely run a 3mm spacer on the stock studs. If you need more than that you will have to run either extended studs or purchase a spacer that has the studs built in and grind the stock studs flat against the face of the spacer. The ichiba V2 spacers have built in studs.

Most people clear the strut fine in front but rubbing on the outer fender is also a concern with a wide wheel, aggressive offset. Tire size can affect rubbing a lot as well. Running a 205/40 series or possibly a 215/40 stretched can clear pretty well.

I ran into this issue today. I have 18x8.75 +35 and a 225/40 tire that is rubbing on the outer fender. Im shaving the fender this weekend with an angle grinder to get clearance instead of running a lot of negative camber.

 

[blove9]

Hi Nix,

What kind of drop are you running to have clearance issues? I am leaning towards the 17 x 9 40mm wheels with the 225/45s.

 

[Nix]

Stock height.


It's an 8th gen sedan not a 9th. Rubbing is very slight and only in the rear. The outer edge of the sidewall just barely touches over dips and bumps.

 

[Nix]

I thought I would have no issue with fitment but to be honest, if you don't want any problems go with the 8" wheel

 

[blove9]

Thanks Nix,

Good advice, I really don't want to mess with fender work at this point. The 8" wheel it will be.