I think I've been misled? (suspension / wheel related)

[3cyltrbo]

Long before I got my 2018 Coupe Si, I was reading this forum trying to make the best decisions on mods, largely based on input from other people.

One of my main concerns has been which suspension and wheels to use together. I wanted a decent lowering and a very conservative wheel setup to guarantee no rubbing.
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This may be a little bit of an exaggeration....., but I feel like ALOT of the Civic-Bros were posting something like:

-"I'm lowered 5 inches and I have 275/45/20's and zero rub"

-"I installed my 4" drop and 255/45/18's with 18x10 wheels and 25mm offset and I have zero rub"

-"yup, you'll be just fine with 19x12 wheels in 30mm offset and a 265wide tire, even with 2 feet of drop....."

etc....
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etc....

Well, I'm here to tell you that D2 lowering springs, and factory tires on an 18x8 wheel in 35mm offset ......RUBS LIKE CRAZY.

Literally my car (mostly the front), rubs when its parked / it rubs when it drives over a grain of sand / it rubs when I sit down in it (I'm only 150lbs btw) / it rubs when it starts / it rubs when its shut-down / it rubs when I open the sunroof.......basically the front end rubs ALL THE TIME, and the rear rubs occasionally.

This is the exact OPPOSITE of what I thought would happen based on the endless replies that I read from people with the exact setup (or more aggressive setups).

Cliffs Notes version = Despite what the CivicBros might say, D2 lowering springs and 18x8's (+35mm) with factory tires.(on a 2018 Coupe Si).....WILL HELLA RUB in the front !

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[Yonder]

That's a bummer man, but luckily it is an easy fix!
https://www.civicx.com/threads/tire-rub-on-side-marker-screws.23712/

After i did that no rubbing issues what so ever. Granted i do have an overall Diameter of 635mm (17x9 +40 - 255/40/17) and your setup is 645mm, but that marker is a pest! They actually removed it on the 2019 models.
Took about 10 mins each side so maybe an 30mins in total of work to bend it in? I used a hair dryer because i didnt have a heat gun lol. That should honestly do the trick because i see i have enough room to run 265/40/17's which would bump my overall diameter to 644mm. WORST CASE you'll need an extra bit of negative camber but i doubt it. You can do the guide pin removal for the front suspension and acheive that no problem. Here is the link just in case.
https://www.civicx.com/threads/how-to-adjust-front-camber-on-a-tenth-gen-civic.15715/

EDIT: It adds -1 camber

 

[amirza786]

Personally my advice is to leave the suspension setup the way it was setup by the factory. The way God intended it. Now there is no rubbing, no extra harsh ride, you don't have to mess with camber or toe or any of that shit. Just an opinion from someone who isn't suffering from tire rub

 

[250gtswb]

OT, but I was very impressed by the original poster's collection of rare and fascinating cars. Living in Canada, as 3cylturbo does, such a collection is a little less difficult to put together than it would be in the USA, where "forbidden fruit" JDM cars must be at least 25 years old before they can be imported (in Canada, I believe its only 15 years). One question: is the Suzuki Cappuccino as wonderful to drive as I recall it being? In the 1990s, I got to test drive one on a racetrack while traveling in Europe, and I loved it, even if only for a few laps.

 

[3cyltrbo]

OT, but I was very impressed by the original poster's collection of rare and fascinating cars. Living in Canada, as 3cylturbo does, such a collection is a little less difficult to put together than it would be in the USA, where "forbidden fruit" JDM cars must be at least 25 years old before they can be imported (in Canada, I believe its only 15 years). One question: is the Suzuki Cappuccino as wonderful to drive as I recall it being? In the 1990s, I got to test drive one on a racetrack while traveling in Europe, and I loved it, even if only for a few laps.

LOL, yes the Cappuccino is a great car to drive and honestly alot better than the AZ1 I have. And you're totally right that its alot easier to collect JDM goodness because our import law is only a 15year restriction (unlike the 25year restriction as you mentioned that USA has)

Cheers

 

[250gtswb]

LOL, yes the Cappuccino is a great car to drive and honestly alot better than the AZ1 I have.

The Autozam AZ1 is obviously a very cool-looking vehicle! I'm sure you stop traffic when you take that out for a ride, and even more so when you open the door to get in or out!

What, in your opinion, is the best-handling of all the Kei cars you have experienced?

 

[Yonder]

Personally my advice is to leave the suspension setup the way it was setup by the factory. The way God intended it. Now there is no rubbing, no extra harsh ride, you don't have to mess with camber or toe or any of that shit. Just an opinion from someone who isn't suffering from tire rub

But what about more grip for the TSP Stage 1 tune you got! haha jk But i feel you! TBH i blame my pops everyday for influencing me to fall in love with modding cars. i truly wish i could drive a Yaris and call it a day lol

 

[amirza786]

But what about more grip for the TSP Stage 1 tune you got! haha jk But i feel you! TBH i blame my pops everyday for influencing me to fall in love with modding cars. i truly wish i could drive a Yaris and call it a day lol

You know I get why people want to lower their Si, but I believe the current suspension setup is perfect from the factory and lowering springs can potentially damage the suspension if not done right. It also makes the ride a bit harsher, it can already be harsh on rough roads. Suspension is one thing I just would not mess with

 

[arpypat]

Personally my advice is to leave the suspension setup the way it was setup by the factory. The way God intended it. Now there is no rubbing, no extra harsh ride, you don't have to mess with camber or toe or any of that shit. Just an opinion from someone who isn't suffering from tire rub

The way *engineers* intended.

 

[Chief lazy leaf]

Fender tab mod is needed for any wide tire and lowering. I run swift springs and 18x9 on 255tires and only had to do the fender tab mod. Rub when I had spacers on the stock rims too. Just the front.

 

[amirza786]

The way *engineers* intended.

Sometimes engineers think they are God

 

[ONEPNT5.Si]

I run 18x9.5 +45 wheels with 255/40/18 tires, and I have zero rubbing. All I had to do was fold the tab.

 

[3cyltrbo]

The Autozam AZ1 is obviously a very cool-looking vehicle! I'm sure you stop traffic when you take that out for a ride, and even more so when you open the door to get in or out!

What, in your opinion, is the best-handling of all the Kei cars you have experienced?

My Daihatsu Mira is quite refreshing for what it is / I haven't driven I Honda Beat, so I can't comment on those, but I will say that the 4 wheel double wishbone on the Cappuccino absolutely crushes the 4wheel macpherson strut on the AZ1.

Kei cars in general are just so much fun to drive because they are so small and light, and generally speaking have ideal weight distribution and long-ish wheelbases (compared to their overall length)

 

[3cyltrbo]

Fender tab mod is needed for any wide tire and lowering. I run swift springs and 18x9 on 255tires and only had to do the fender tab mod. Rub when I had spacers on the stock rims too. Just the front.

This is what I'm referring to, I swear on my car if I had an 18x9 and 255's, my car almost wouldn't roll at all (judging by how bad the rub is with 18x8's and a 235)

 

[3cyltrbo]

I run 18x9.5 +45 wheels with 255/40/18 tires, and I have zero rubbing. All I had to do was fold the tab.

again, I just can't comprehend how this is possible based on my experience with a rim 1.5 inches narrower and a tire 20mm narrower (albeit on a 35mm instead of your +45mm) ...........................also I'm looking into this "tab" modification

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