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View Full Version : Anyone know the offset on a 1980 Accord?



gso021
07-12-2006, 11:48 AM
Hi,

I've followed this forum for a while.
I have an Accord 1980 model (European) with the 1602cc engine.

I've found KYB gas shocks here: http://www.autocarparts.com/cars/Honda/ALL/KYB/

and I've built an 2.5" exhaust. (Have to muffle it some more.. hehe).

The next step is to fit some rims. I have a supplier, but I don't know the offset and I don't want to measure it myself (because I'll just screw it up), so please somebody help me!

white ricer
07-12-2006, 07:44 PM
factory honda backspacing is 5", someone correct me if im wrong..


i had awesome luck with kyb gr2 struts with skunk2 coils

2ndGenGuy
07-13-2006, 06:47 AM
I dunno if its the same for 1geez. I would go measure my 81 for you, but I have no idea how to do it. Your best bet would be to call a dealer probably. They could probably look it up for you.
From what I've read, offset is the distance from the center of the rim to the mounting surface on the hub. So if you know know the backspacing, and the witdh of the rim, you should be able to figure it out.
O = 0.5W - B
I think that this is the forumula.
Offset is half the width minus the backspacing. If the backspacing is more than half the width you get a negative offset. This is what I believe most FWD cars are.
So the offset on your new wheels is going to be totally dependant on how wide you want them. As far as the factory wheels, I dont think they've got a 5 inch backspace, I dont think the wheels are even 5 inches wide.
But yeah, I think only the dealer would know the offset of the factory rims.

smufguy
07-13-2006, 07:42 AM
the stock rims should have the offset stamped on it.

2ndGenGuy
07-13-2006, 08:54 AM
the stock rims should have the offset stamped on it.

lol ok well thats easier than the crazy formulas. I'll look at mine when I get home. Prolly on the inside of the rim?

smufguy
07-13-2006, 10:30 AM
lol ok well thats easier than the crazy formulas. I'll look at mine when I get home. Prolly on the inside of the rim?

ususally its either on the lip or near the center caps. it shows the rim dia and width also.

gso021
07-13-2006, 01:40 PM
Ok thanks for the input, I'll try to measure my rims. I think they're stock, but there's no markings enywhere... The rim in my wheel well is in perfect condition, but there's no markings that I can find. I think the offset on 2nd gen is 45. I think 1st gen are either 40 or 45. I got some Compomotive rims last year, but they were only 20 offset and stuck out an inch from the wheel arch.
I got through the EU control (every two years in Europe) yesterday.
That felt sooo good. Hehe. When I drove in to the garage all the mechanics turned around and looked at my car while the 2.5" exhaust were tearing the walls down. They said that I had to rebuild it, but they let me go because they reckoned I would get tired of the sound inside the car :)
Haven't found any lowering springs yet. I think it's a lost cause. Going to buy new OEM's and cut them.
I'm gonna build a front like the grey car on the picture. The front bumper is HUGE and I think it ruins the lines of the car.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/357/12110515363zv.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12110515363zv.jpg)
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6434/13517c4lo.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=13517c4lo.jpg)

MessyHonda
07-13-2006, 08:43 PM
your car is going to look good...keep us posted on how it turns out

2ndGenGuy
07-14-2006, 10:28 AM
I coudln't find any offset on the rims on my car either... sorry...

Have fun on your build! Car will look pretty cool. Never seen one without the front bumper... interesting.

smufguy
07-15-2006, 04:51 AM
Look more into shock height and dampening fork adapter. If you get stock springs and cut them, you will have to run non-stock (aftermarket) shocks. Its better that you do a bit more research on adapting different shocks onto your car. There should be some available. See how close the 2nd gen is tot he 3rd gen in the suspension dept.

gso021
07-18-2006, 07:57 AM
2ndGenGuy: That's OK. Yeah I'm probably going to have the most styled 1st gen in Norway at least! Hehe. There are probably fewer than 30 1st gen accord in the whole country and much fewer still running.

smufguy: It's possible that i can find similar shocks, but I haven't got all the time in the world to find it out. I think KYB GR-2's are going to be good. They're supposed to be pretty stiff. I can get custom springs that are stiffer, but they cost about 800 dollars for 4 springs.

Hazwan
07-18-2006, 08:06 AM
post more pics of your car :)

BTW I would help finding the offset, but too lazy to get out :D

smufguy
07-18-2006, 09:20 AM
the KYBs are normally around 14% stiffer. Its what it is for the 3g and it was the same case for the 1st gen DSMs.

gso021
07-18-2006, 11:34 AM
14%... right. That should help some. Now the car feels like I'm driving the Titanic through an English canal = very dangerous at high speeds.
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/4880/0307061847op2.th.jpg (http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0307061847op2.jpg)
http://img327.imageshack.us/img327/413/0307061845is1.th.jpg (http://img327.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0307061845is1.jpg)
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3070/1806061731ey5.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1806061731ey5.jpg)
My computer crashed earlier this year so I lost all the fotos of my car before someone walked over the roof and jumped down on the hood one saturday night. Had to buy a hood at the scrapyard and that was in worse shape than my original one. I'm thinking of painting the car black, so we tried a black base from Honda + blue metallic and violet sparkle (if that's what you call it in English) on the hood to feel it out. It turned out a bit too blue, so I'm not taking any chances the next time. Going for the Black Civic Sport color or pure black base color from Honda.
The car is starting to rust a bit at the wheel arches now, so it's about time to sand it down and repaint it before it turns in to a rustbucket
this winter.

MessyHonda
07-18-2006, 03:28 PM
yeah that is what sucks...thats why i got a extra hard drive to back up all my important stuff like photo, music and videos. but yeah your car is hella sweet.

81 accord
08-04-2006, 05:50 AM
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/BGS281008.htm

they should fit an 80' i've heard it's more like a 2" drop