Going from OEM 20's to 18's. Fender gap???

[cheesehead713]

I'd love to get some Volks on my 19 Type-R. Of course, I'd be going from 20 inch OEM rims to 18's and I'm worried about fender gap which would look shitty. I do not want to touch the suspension which feels perfect. So, lowering is not really something I want to do. What are your thoughts on going to 18 inch Volk and what the fender gap might look like. Does anyone have experience/pics with the downsizing the rims and having a fat fender gap, or does the extra rubber fill the space? Thanks!!

Sponsored

 

[kkroto]

255-40R18 is the way to go if you want to keep stock suspension

 

[J o n]

The OEM wheel tire specs are
245/30/20 (25.8" diameter)
20x8.5 +60

Use this tool to understand fitment with new setup your desire
https://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

I'm on stock suspension

Installed:
-Enkei TS-V 18x9.5 +40 Storm Grey wheels
-Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ 255/40/18 tires (26" diameter)

 

[Discount Tire]

Rubber fills the space, as long as you keep the rolling diameter the same as stock, as @J o n has shown. 255/40R-18 is a great suggestion as long as the wheel dimensions are correct.

On a side note, decreasing wheel diameter/increasing sidewall height may change the handling some due to more cushion/flex in the sidewall of the tire.

 

[cheesehead713]

The OEM wheel tire specs are
245/30/20 (25.8" diameter)
20x8.5 +60

Use this tool to understand fitment with new setup your desire
https://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

I'm on stock suspension

Installed:
-Enkei TS-V 18x9.5 +40 Storm Grey wheels
-Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ 255/40/18 tires (26" diameter)

Thanks man. Those look good!

 

[AdamD19DFK8]

I have 18x9.5 +45 wheels with 265/35 tires and there is a bit of a gap in the front. The rear looks pretty good. I might get some Swift springs down the road

Also with these 265/35s the diameter is a little bit smaller than stock at 25.3". Luckily the speedometer was easy to compensate with hondata

 

[fatherpain]

Hey there cheesehead713,

Here’s a bunch of pics to see how the gap looks. Volk TE37SLs 18 x 9.5 +45 @stock height. Non lowered. Tires are Bridgestone Potenza RE71R 265-35-18 as recommended by my buddy hpbyhermann, who has a similar setup lowered.

Very happy with this tire and wheel combo so far at stock height.

I'd love to get some Volks on my 19 Type-R. Of course, I'd be going from 20 inch OEM rims to 18's and I'm worried about fender gap which would look shitty. I do not want to touch the suspension which feels perfect. So, lowering is not really something I want to do. What are your thoughts on going to 18 inch Volk and what the fender gap might look like. Does anyone have experience/pics with the downsizing the rims and having a fat fender gap, or does the extra rubber fill the space? Thanks!!

 

[civicsi1211]

Just springs is a 1 inch drop and you still get the adjustable controls of the coils.
I’d say get the drop and do the 18’s

I personally don’t love a stock ride height with 18’s wheels but others do.

 

[fatherpain]

here is hpbyhermann’s 18’s lowered for comparison. Same wheel, just lighter color and tire set up. Love the look. Would also lower, but my car would scrape badly when driving down to the backyard to work on it.

 

[iLovePho]

Personally if I were to keep the stock suspension, I'd go with 19s. I installed my 18x9.5 Volk TE37s on 265/35/18 tires shortly before I lowered my car and IMO it looked like crap. If you like the feel of the stock suspension and want to use 18s, I suggest getting the Spoon springs, as they have similar feel to stock and the drop is just enough to eliminate the wheel gap. I have the Eibach Pro-kits and they offer similar drop as the Spoon springs, but they're noticeably stiffer and I personally hate the ride.

On Stock suspension:

On Eibach Pro-kit springs:

 

[CW20038TypeR]

Personally if I were to keep the stock suspension, I'd go with 19s. I installed my 18x9.5 Volk TE37s on 265/35/18 tires shortly before I lowered my car and IMO it looked like crap. If you like the feel of the stock suspension and want to use 18s, I suggest getting the Spoon springs, as they have similar feel to stock and the drop is just enough to eliminate the wheel gap. I have the Eibach Pro-kits and they offer similar drop as the Spoon springs, but they're noticeably stiffer and I personally hate the ride.

On Stock suspension:

On Eibach Pro-kit springs:

Hmm I don’t know about looking like crap, I actually like it

I do agree though 19’s look a bit better on stock suspension

 

[Petrolicious]

What is the spec for wheel and tire to have proper figment.

 

[aldksgo]

18s with 255/40 look fine on stock suspension.

 

[AdamD19DFK8]

What is the spec for wheel and tire to have proper figment.

What kind of fitment? The stock offset of +60 to me looks like dookie being recessed into the wheel well. +45 is perfect for being flush. +35 would be even more aggressive but you'd have to watch the tire width if you were to lower the car.

265/35/18 or 255/40/18 @ +45 would be the way to go IMO

 

[J o n]

What kind of fitment? The stock offset of +60 to me looks like dookie being recessed into the wheel well. +45 is perfect for being flush. +35 would be even more aggressive but you'd have to watch the tire width if you were to lower the car.

265/35/18 or 255/40/18 @ +45 would be the way to go IMO

Use this tool to understand whats going on with whatever specs are decided upon.

265/35 and 255/40 vary on height by decent amount

Use this tool to understand fitment with new setup your desire
https://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

Sponsored