How big is too Big?

[rideredorgohome]

Ok, so I'm thinking about putting rims and tires on my 3g and I was wondering if 16" wheels would be too big. Right now my car has the stinky 13"ers on it and my plan is to use these for winter rims only. What I was told by a few people is that to go up more than 2 sizes is really hard on your drivetrain, however I really like the look of 16" wheels on my car. I don't want to hurt my 3g. Please help!:confused:

[Scorpion88LX]

i think i has been desided that you can safely go to a 17 without to many probs. just make sure the offset is no less than 40mm

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by rideredorgohome
Ok, so I'm thinking about putting rims and tires on my 3g and I was wondering if 16" wheels would be too big. Right now my car has the stinky 13"ers on it and my plan is to use these for winter rims only. What I was told by a few people is that to go up more than 2 sizes is really hard on your drivetrain, however I really like the look of 16" wheels on my car. I don't want to hurt my 3g. Please help!:confused:

As long as you plus size BY THE BOOK where you select tires that have the same overall rolling diameter as the stock one's, you CANNOT make things ANY harder on your drivetrain. Besides the way honda did the clearances on your accord, you can't really fit tires that are all that much taller anyways. A bigger issue is the ride quality as you go up the plus sizing ladder. And then their's the issue of sapping performance if you go to far above the stock wheel and tire weights.

Here is a guideline to look at and see how you feel and then reply with your thoughts.

Rims will have to be 4X100mm bolt patter. Never get rims with less than 40mm offset (42mm, 43mm and 45mm* are great to. *The 45mm offset may be required to run 215mm widths). Try to select rims that are NOT more than 16-18lbs.

All the below sizes are the same height as the stock oem tires or very close. Size's listed will NEVER rub or EVER need rolling of rear fenders.

15"
195/55-15
205/50-15

16"
195/50-16
205/40-16 *not a proper plus size undersized
205/45-16
215/40-16 *requires 45mm offset rim *slightly undersized
215/45-16 *requires 45mm offset rim

17"
205/40-17
215/40-17 *requires 45mm offset **not a proper plus size will equal taller gearing, effect to slow car

18"
215/35-18 *requires 45mm offset (43mm said to work ok) **THIS SIZE IS NOT A PROPER PLUS SIZE, BUT THE CORRECT SIZE IN NOT MANUFACTUERED. IT IS SERIOUSLY TALLER THAN OEM AND WILL EFFECT PERFORMANCE BASED ON THAT ALONE, not to mention the fact that it's likely to be extreamly heavy.

[rideredorgohome]

thank you all very much for your answers i will keep them for future reference:super:

[Mike89Accordcom]

Well said Jim. I would go with 16's or 17's. Either will look great with your car lowered.

[GreenMachine]

If ya go 17's, I would specifically watch the wieght of the wheel. Just cause it can be a big difference in perfomance, I'm keepin my eye out for a light set of 16's

[dXsquared]

want light 16 inch wheels? ROTA slipstreams

Travis

[jigga225]

i know I definitely notice my car is slower with my blades on.
i dont care tho

[89accord_lxi_coupe]

when i got my new tires put on i had to stay with stock 14s, because i don't have the money for tires AND wheels. i've noticed an improvement in handling and better acceleration due to the better traction. if i go up any it will only be 15s due to handling and ride quality.

-Nolan

[Jareds 89 LX-i]

I wouldn't go any bigger than 16's on mine. They just seem like the perfect size for our cars...not too big, not too small. Just my opinion though ;)

[gregstoofast]

i'm goin with 15" by 7" axis maglilite i think i seen were they was on like 14 pounds or summin like that and the 17" by 7" was 18 ...i think i'm not sure but thats the rim i'm goin with

[GreenMachine]

want light 16 inch wheels? ROTA slipstreams

I checked those out, damn that would be sweet 13.5 pounds for 16's.:eek:

[crwa]

18'' look really nice, but like any low profile tire you feel every bump. If you do it right they won't rub or wear quickly. If you really wanted you could fit 215/35 -18's with no problem, but 18's are spendy, but they look so good rollin down the street

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by crwa
18'' look really nice, but like any low profile tire you feel every bump. If you do it right they won't rub or wear quickly. If you really wanted you could fit 215/35 -18's with no problem, but 18's are spendy, but they look so good rollin down the street

Any time you have less rubber between the road and the rims you will loose ride quality. So as you contunue to move up in size and have less tire height to absorb things you loose ride quality. You do not get to 16" and stop the physics. Often our problems are compounded by not watching the unsprung weight as we move up the in tire size and have heavier wheel's and tires. Higher unsprung weight does have a effect on ride quality to a degree.

[Swan]

I want to get some 16" from a 97 prelude....then lower it kinda close....

[88accordlxi]

this guy i know has an 86 lxi with 19's, no prob

[Jims 86LXI HB]

Originally posted by 88accordlxi
this guy i know has an 86 lxi with 19's, no prob

I've heard that one before, would love to know how and to see pics.

[BDaccordguy]

i have 16" rims for my car, and they look just right..like jared said, not too big, but not too small either

[88accord289]

yeah 16 is cool i have 16s they are teg rims with 205/55's looks pretty sweet

[luis1578]

hey jim,,,when I do my 18's I want to drop the car about 2 inches,do I still have to tuck the lip or will fit comftable????

[dXsquared]

umm.. if you have 205/55/16's... you got tooo much tire man!

it should be 205/45/16

Travis

[PoPimp]

I gots some 17's, Konig Zieges, theys look tizight. they give performance too, I noticed that i get much better control and handling after scrappin the stock 13 pieces of shiznit. So I'm happy, plus they make the car. I'll post pics o my whip soon. Look for dem.

[alanizgod]

I have 17" on my ride...it looks damn sexy. Besides the new paint I think that was the best overall exterior move I've done...had problems with the rubbing though but took a slugger to the fender and I haven't been happier. Yea yea it sounds ghetto but works like a charm....although I was insanely skeptical about it initially.

[Pico]

Wow you bumped a thread from 2003.
I agree with you 17's do look good when done right, I'm thinking about moving up to 17's next year

[alanizgod]

Oh wow my bad I think I did a search on the topic and found this thread lol well it's always nice to talk about wheels! 17's look great IMO...anything else would probably be either too small or too big.

[84Accord]

Wow you bumped a thread from 2003.
I agree with you 17's do look good when done right, I'm thinking about moving up to 17's next year

definitely by then i should have new rims so if i dont throw them on my civic and if you are still interested in my 17s we'll work somethin out.

[Demon1024]

wow there is some usefull info up there tho!
this should go with the "what other parts fit the 3g" page
it helped me no know my speedo is correct!

[89sei89dx]

my car with 2.5 drop and 205/40/16 http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp186/gettinthechewin/minee.jpg
and my other car at 3 ish drop same tires n wheels http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp186/gettinthechewin/carwithrims.jpg blurry resized pic