Would like suggestions for wheel and tire size for a Stock 2001 - Honda Prelude Forum

PreludeNmphs · 03-15-2011, 09:02 PM

Ok guys. I apologize if you guys are tired (no pun intended) of requests for suggestions about wheels and tire sizes. I have read through and looked at the suggested sizes and widths but I guess I can't get the answer I am really looking for. Without making this a long request, this is what I am after.

What I want to do is "fill up" the wheel well with a nice wheel / tire combo and bring everything out even with the fender as much as I can and not have any rubbing issues. I do not plan to lower it at all. My 5th gen is white and at stock height. I prefer the satin polished look - like the stock wheels. another thing, I want some rubber between the wheel and the street, so I'm not looking for super low profile tires on super oversized wheels. The size of potholes around here could swallow a small truck so that would never work

Anybody blazed this trail and know exactly what I need to focus on for wheel size and the right size tire to make this happen? I did find a style of wheel I like - the VSR Victory.

Thanks in advance guys!!

Honda4Life · 03-15-2011, 09:22 PM

Sorry to say but you won't really be able to "fill up" the wheel well area with out atleast a slight drop IMOP.

Going with an 18 won't give you the tire side wall you want as you stated you want some tire between the rim and street.

I personally like my 215/45R17. It is the stock size for the 05-06 RSX-S and for the 8th gen Civic Si as well.

As for offset, mine are a 45 and sit just nicely inside the opening and I have no rubbing.

PreludeNmphs · 03-17-2011, 08:12 AM

@Honda4Life thanks for your reply. Your lude really does look sweet and exactly what I'm looking for - classy and clean. So I've heard about those wheels from the RSX type R. What width are they? How much have you dropped the car and what product did you use to drop it. You get any rubbing? I know nothing about suspension. I have always worried if I modified the suspension it would just make the ride more stiff.

indylude18 · 03-17-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda4Life

Sorry to say but you won't really be able to "fill up" the wheel well area with out atleast a slight drop IMOP.

x2

There are plenty of ways you can lower your car, but if you want to do it right that will include replacing the shocks and springs. You can either get lowering springs that are a set height, or use adjustable coilovers so you can set your ride height wherever you want it. If you put aftermarket wheels on a prelude without lowering it, it will look like a 4x4.

Honda4Life · 03-17-2011, 11:19 AM

The wheels are RSX type S not R. 17X7. I run a 215/45R17 tire. The suspension is function & form type I coilovers. It is really comfortable and been on the car for years now and I am actually gone lower now than those pics. It's not harsh or bouncy at all. Very nice really.

To drop the car is the only way your goingto fill up the wheel well area though.

PreludeNmphs · 03-17-2011, 02:02 PM

lol @indylude18 - I definitely don't want a 4 x 4 Prelude... tho I might blend in with some of the local's with 20 something rims

@Honda4Life thanks for your responses. This is good info for me. I needed pictures and examples and part names. I'll take your advice and begin my search. I would be thrilled if my wheels and tires look as good as yours do on your lude.

PreludeNmphs · 03-17-2011, 03:07 PM

@Honda4Life forgot to ask, did you have to use hubcentric ring thingajig on the RSX wheels?

Honda4Life · 03-17-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PreludeNmphs

@Honda4Life forgot to ask, did you have to use hubcentric ring thingajig on the RSX wheels?

No I didn't. They bolt right on using your stock lug nuts. Those rims are the 05-06 RSX-S rims and can be found on clubrsx at a rather decent price.

PreludeNmphs · 03-27-2011, 09:25 AM

@Honda4Life I've been looking on clubrsx and these wheels are in demand I can see. Do the Honda center caps fit these type s wheels too? I'm not sure what a reasonable price would be for a set of these either.

Masterbobo · 03-27-2011, 11:51 AM

I would personally suggest a 18x7.5 +45 or 42 w/ 225/40/18 tires.

Honda4Life · 03-27-2011, 05:59 PM

The center caps I used are the ones from the 8th gen Civic Si rims but are now used on many other rims as well like Accords. I actually have 3 of them to get rid of if your interested.

Rim prices for the 05-06 RSX-S rims I have seen as cheap as 300-800 depending on condition and if/condition of tires. Keep searching around as I know you'll find a set. I bought mine back in 06 and in 07 I bought a 5th one for a matching spare. I'll probably keep them long after the Lude is gone actually.

I wouldn't recommend any size of 18 like the guy above. Very heavy and they just don't look good on a Lude IMOP.

Honda4Life · 03-27-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PreludeNmphs

You get any rubbing?

Sorry I didn't answer this sooner.

1 time only. I whipped a left U turn at about 5-7mph with a 300 plus pound friend in the passenger seat. The right front rubbed. I said to him, "WTF", and he laughed then said, "when's the last time you did that with someone as bigas me sitting in the car?" I said "never". Honestly that's the only time I have rubbed.

As for it being more stiff, it is just a bit but not much at all. To run a 45 series tire gives a nicer ride than running a 40 series will. The size I run is the stock size for the 05-06 RSX-S and the 8th gen Civic Si. Running a 45 will also provide a bit more protection for the rim than a 40 will.

Also, with a coilover set up, you can adjust the ride height for what is perfect for you. With just a spring/shock/strut set up, your stuck at what they come out at.

Theway I am currently sitting, the tires are just inside the wheel well and there is NO gap at all. Also I didn't have to roll my fenders which I am happy about.

Masterbobo · 03-27-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda4Life

The center caps I used are the ones from the 8th gen Civic Si rims but are now used on many other rims as well like Accords. I actually have 3 of them to get rid of if your interested.

Rim prices for the 05-06 RSX-S rims I have seen as cheap as 300-800 depending on condition and if/condition of tires. Keep searching around as I know you'll find a set. I bought mine back in 06 and in 07 I bought a 5th one for a matching spare. I'll probably keep them long after the Lude is gone actually.

I wouldn't recommend any size of 18 like the guy above. Very heavy and they just don't look good on a Lude IMOP.

Very heavy? lol obviously each size you go up on wheels adds some weight. But I'd rather go max 18"s to minimize gap without droping more, thats why. Esspecially with some lightweight 18"s for sure.

Honda4Life · 03-27-2011, 06:28 PM

Every size you go up raises the car off the ground more. More distance from the hub.

Also, by moving the weight away from the hub, farther out, you reduce HP at the wheels. It's been proven.

18's IMOP don't look good on a 5th gen and many people agree with all statements I just made. Well the 1st 2 are facts plain and simple.

But to each their own.

PreludeNmphs · 03-28-2011, 05:45 AM

@Honda4Life Thanks for being so detailed with your suggestions and what you've done and the experiences you've had with everything. I'm still looking for the rims. I did find a set that has some curb rash and some nicks and stuff. I'm debating to get them and know I don't have long to make up my mind since they seem to move quickly.

@Masterbobo thanks too man. I do believe I will stick to the 17s for now. My Lude has been so virgin all these years, I don't want to scare her with such big changes at once

I just realized I have no idea what "rolling you fenders" means. Doesn't sound like something I want to do either! lol

Thanks again all!!

Masterbobo · 03-28-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda4Life

Every size you go up raises the car off the ground more. More distance from the hub.

Also, by moving the weight away from the hub, farther out, you reduce HP at the wheels. It's been proven.

18's IMOP don't look good on a 5th gen and many people agree with all statements I just made. Well the 1st 2 are facts plain and simple.

But to each their own.

Well witha slight drop and the right tire size, it should only be minimaly higher then the original height, cause the wider you go the taller it gets aswell. Sidewall ratio plays the biggest roll. The right tire size should prove same height or very close with less wheel gap and more rim diameter & width. But if your reffering to the fact that a bigger wheel = more rotating mass cause of bigger outer diameter weight rotation = less horsepower to the wheels that was an obvious one and we allready know that. The reason I like 18"s is cause they help fill up the wheel wells more. Most people don't track their cars, so imo 18"s look better on ludes than 17"s cause ludes tend to have a HUGE wheel gap stock. But what i do agree with is, to each their own of course.

Honda4Life · 03-28-2011, 12:45 PM

To run the size tire you said, 225/40R18 is an inch bigger in diameter and the circumference is over 3 inches bigger than stock. The radius is .5 bigger.

Where as the size I said, 215/45R17 is .5 bigger in diameter and the circumference is 1.7 inches bigger. The over all radius is .3 bigger.

From personal experience, the 215/45R17 has made my speedo right on for the 1st time ever. I have checked it with atleast 5 different GPS units of different make and it is finally right on.

I know running that 225/40R18 your going to be way off.

Stock size you get 838 revs per mile, 215/45R17 is 819 and 225/40R18 is 804.

Masterbobo · 03-28-2011, 01:02 PM

Right, its not going to be perfect, but its good enough for me. I just like 225's for more traction, 215/40/18 would probably be closer to stock if the speedo is a concern, hell Ive gone 245's before don't care about the speedo much i like tons of traction.. but Either way 17"s and 18"s look good op. Go for whatever tickles your fancy lol

PreludeNmphs · 04-15-2011, 12:47 PM

@Honda4Life Thanks again for your help securing the centercaps I needed. I added another positive itrader feedback for you

Update: I managed to find a near perfect set of those RSX rims that already had some 215/45 r17 tires on them at about 95% tread life remaining! I am pleased! I wanted to wait until I could afford to drop it before I swapped out my OEM wheels... but I couldn't wait. So now I am running those at stock height currently. They look as good or better than the stockies so I'm not ashamed to be riding around for a short while like this.

What I'd like to know now is what is involved with swapping over to the coilovers so I can adjust the height? You mentioned you have the Function and Form 1s and I like the drop you have in the photos you attached to this thread. Is this a DIY project? Do I need camber kits? Is there a thread you would recommend?

I thought I ask this question here in case someone else needs this info too.

Thanks man!!