17" or 18" wheels/Lowering on 97 GSX

[BlackTurboGSX]

Sorry if this has been beaten to death around here. But I am a new GSX owner, and I need to get some new rims due to the stock ones being thrashed and are actually off by 2 degrees. During hard excelleration and speeds above 55 it shakes the front wheel. I took it to the local tires stores (Beggs and Les Schwab) and they each said that I could fit 18"s in there no problem, but since it's a performance car, I'd be better off going with the lighter 17"s. If you've ever driven in Oregon you know theres two seasons, the rainy season and road work season, so needless to say, the potholes are really bad up here, which is another reason they said to go with the less bendable 17"s.

I am a poor college student working my butt off at UPS to pay for school and my car and I barely have $200 to spend each month on fun stuff, however, I'm commited to fixing up this car and getting it factory or better performance levels. So, a great deal would be very much appreciated. I picked up a Modifiers Magazine and have been looking at some of the combos there, and need some recommendations. I really don't want to spend more than $800 on tires/wheels shipped to me (which pretty much cuts out local stores).

Also, to reduce some of the fender gap on my GSX I am thinking about doing a mild lowering 1"-1.5". I really don't want to deal with the whole camber issue and stuff like that, so I'm just thinking about getting some springs. Is this a bad idea in an all wheel drive car?

P.S.
I'd get the more expensive wheels, etc... but I'm already forking over my tax refund this month to get my factory ground effects fixed and painted (with OEM) and get my leather seats repaired.

Thanks for you help guys!

 

[wannaspoolRS]

I would go 17s they look great especially if you are going to lower the car. I say the 17" Motegi MR7s(I have 'em so does everyone else but i have a silver car and they are an exact color match...i get soo many compliments of how the rims complement my car), $1050 @ discount tire and thats with tires i accually got to choose--little pricey, but free balancing, rotation, and replacement. My buddy bought a set out of a mag and got some shit tires, they werent balanced and the lug nuts that came with it were recalled.

 

[ClevSilverEclip]

I'm in Ohio - we've got the snowy season (winter and spring - when the roads are torn-up by potholes, not all of which are adressed right-away) and the road-repair season (summer and fall - when things are much better). I, too, chose to ride 17s with a decent amount of sidewall (225/45 aspect-ratio) in order to better protect my rims.

Many in the performance-car circle are very afraid of wheel damage, however, most factory and aftermarket wheels are actually decently strong, and they will take quite a bump before they bend or are otherwise damaged. Combine this with decent sidewall height, and you're usually more OK than you'd imagine. Being careful never hurts, though .

If you're watching your budget, think about perhaps going with tires that are slightly less performance-oriented - trading off for longer treadwear and better "all-season" performance instead (thus eliminating the need for a set of dedicated winter tires, too). Just don't exceed the speed rating, and you should be fine.

Both the Falken 512 and Cooper Zeon can usually be had for quite a bit less than $400 for a set of 4 and are both decent all-season tires as well as come in a 225/45/17 fitment. Shop around for a bit, and I'm sure you could net some nice rims with them, too.

Best of luck!

-A

/

 

[BlackTurboGSX]

Now what about possibly upgrading the width of the wheels to say, 8" so you could fit a bit wider tire on it and have it come all the way out to the edge of the car? Would this be good?

Also, say you buy rims from a shop or a mag, how do you know which ones are quality and lightweight?

 

[604CruisinCroat]

2G's need the biggest wheels possible, because they have huge wheel wells. I'd get 18X9.

 

[wret]

2G's need the biggest wheels possible, because they have huge wheel wells. I'd get 18X9.

You either have no idea what you are talking about or are intentionally trying to mislead.

An 8 inch wheel is about the widest that will fit entirely under the fenders of a 2g. 8.5 protrudes very slightly. A nine inch wheel would protrude about ¼ to ½ inches.

 

[BlackTurboGSX]

You either have no idea what you are talking about or are intentionally trying to mislead.

An 8 inch wheel is about the widest that will fit entirely under the fenders of a 2g. 8.5 protrudes very slightly. A nine inch wheel would protrude about ¼ to ½ inches.

No protrusions please! Plus, I have decided to keep 17" diameter wheels to keep the weight down.

 

[BacknBlack92ESi]

I have 18x7.5 Speedy Lite-7 on my 2G AWD. Tire size is 225/40/18's. Honestly I like them alot. As I do not know the actual weight of this rim. I really do not know if it is holding me back any. I am on stock suspension as of right now.

It all depends on what your tastes are and what you plan on doing with your car. Just like wret stated. A 18x9 will not fit our cars. A slightly wider rim such as a 18x8 might fit but could have to notch away the rear sway bar links if I remember right.

I would just stick with anything under a 18x7. It is totally pointless to go any wider. It will not help at all and will look awefull.

Any 17" rim and less than a 1.5" Drop around is perfect. 18x7 rim and a 1"-1.2" drop is all you ever need.

 

[604CruisinCroat]

Ok maybe I went a little too wide, but 18X8.5 would be perfect. 18's are a must. My good friend has a 1998 Eclipse and 17's still don't look right...

 

[BlackTurboGSX]

I have 18x7.5 Speedy Lite-7 on my 2G AWD. Tire size is 225/40/18's. Honestly I like them alot. As I do not know the actual weight of this rim. I really do not know if it is holding me back any. I am on stock suspension as of right now.

It all depends on what your tastes are and what you plan on doing with your car. Just like wret stated. A 18x9 will not fit our cars. A slightly wider rim such as a 18x8 might fit but could have to notch away the rear sway bar links if I remember right.

I would just stick with anything under a 18x7. It is totally pointless to go any wider. It will not help at all and will look awefull.

Any 17" rim and less than a 1.5" Drop around is perfect. 18x7 rim and a 1"-1.2" drop is all you ever need.

Yeah, I'm thinking a 17" set of Centerlines (Probably the Vikings or Storms) and a 1.5" drop via springs would be the best bet for up here in the Pac-NW. I like the slammed look, but I'm also a realist. Plus, performance is top priority for me over looks.

 

[Spool'n Spyder]

I have 17's on my Spyder with eibach pro kit and tokico struts and I love 'em. The car sits just right with the 17's. I have a set of 18's in the shop and wont put them on cause it makes my car look like a 4wd.

Just my .02

 

[n0c7]

I've got 18" rims with 225/40's with a 2" drop. There is still a gap, and with camber kits installed all around it brought it up even more. I would like to drop the car more but my kit rides half an inch off the ground in some places already. Thats another thing to consider - if you are going to put a kit on the car most of them are already low.

 

[wret]

Just like wret stated. A 18x9 will not fit our cars. A slightly wider rim such as a 18x8 might fit but could have to notch away the rear sway bar links if I remember right.

I didn't say they wouldn't fit. I said they wouldn't fit under. And never notch the steering knuckle, if that's what you were trying to remember.

 

[WhtEclipse705]

Yup, i am now the proud owner of a set of 17" Motegi MR7s in white. i love them.. i would go with 17's considering you have a gsx.. make good use of that power...