Rim/Wheel ideas

[McLaren]

June 28th, '08.

Looking for rims.
Post #40
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3070576&postcount=40

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I've been pondering this decision for a while, and I'd like some opinions on it. The pictures below are a Si Sedan wearing the factory-supported ground effects parts, the sport muffler, and the 18" HFP-R7 Alloy wheels.

These modifications are the only ones I'm considering right now as the car is still semi-new and I'd love to keep the warranty going before doing any major modifications to it. The whole package is around $3,000 due to the wheels costing $2,068 (will be a little more should I buy the performance tires as well). These would also be the only exterior modifications I'd be doing. I would do more with the engine, but Honda does not offer any other performance options. So, doing anything else would cause the warranty to be void.

Note, that my car is Nighthawk Black Pearl, not Galaxy Gray Metallic like the car shown. So, if a photo shop expert wants to make it black, go for it as it might change the whole look.
BTW, it sort of looks like it, but the aero kit would not make the car appear 2-tone.

 

[Joey D]

You can mod the engine all you want and they can not void the warranty unless the part itself caused the problem, it's some law that was passed back in the 70's. My Blazer had all sorts of crap on it and GM did all sorts of warranty work with it. I believe it's the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Here is an article concerning it:
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Keeping-Your-Mod-s-Warranty-Intact.id-2669.html

With that said I think that aero kit looks rather meh, sort of why bother. The Civic looks fine without it and doesn't really need anything else to make it look good. You also can find much better, and lighter, rims.

 

[Keef]

Personally, I'm a fan of FAs and FGs with only the HFP front air dam. I think the chunkier side skirts and rear lip make the car look thicker and heavier. Plus, they're not designed to have any function, whereas the front air damn really is a bit lower than the stock bumper. Also, I'm lucky enough to be driving my girl's FA with the 18 inch HFP rims and, my god, the ride is RUBBISH. It's not as effected by pot holes and whatnot as much, but all the little vibrations in the road come through much more. But then again, I would decide on wheels based on their weight. Ask the dealer or somebody who knows which wheel is lighter--the 17 or 18. I'd go with the lighter option because it'll benefit everything from gas mileage to the suspension's action.

Oh, and don't get the HFP springs without getting stiffer aftermarket shocks. The HFP springs, suprisingly, aren't matched to the stock shocks at all, resulting is unwanted bouncing. And they double the tank-ness when combined with the 18s. However, the HFP muffler sounds fantastic. Quiet when you want it, and loud when you stomp it.

EDIT:

With that said I think that aero kit looks rather meh, sort of why bother. The Civic looks fine without it and doesn't really need anything else to make it look good. You also can find much better, and lighter, rims.

And that, too. You can probably find much lighter wheels from Enkei--and maybe even Gram Lights--for the same price as the HFPs. And remember, if you get 17 inchers it'll be much cheaper than the 18 inch version of a given wheel. Also, lighter.

 

[buickgnx88]

Now see why can't they make the hybrid look like that? Maybe it would sell more units.

 

[Keef]

Once again, I must plug my favorite wheel, the Enkei RPF1, but this time I'm simply going to use it as a benchmark for price and weight.

The 17x7 version is the same width and height as the stock Si wheel, but weighs 5.5 pounds less--14.5 instead of 20. Since that's about as light as you'll get without spending huge cash, you should look for something below 20 (why get heavier?)

Also, it's $229 on Tire Rack. That's not bad at all, when some of the others in the selection are well over 300 and into the 400s (Gram Lights, which aren't as light) and some between 550 and 700 (Volk). The Enkei is popular, but in a good way.

So, now that I found out how much the stock 17s weigh (20 pounds) you can look for wheels that are a better deal than the HFPs and also lighter than stock. Post up some ideas, McLaren.

 

[Jim Prower]

The aero kit? Nah.

The stock kit looks more or less the same, and cleaner. I can see on some cars where a bodykit would look better, but not here.

I'd advise leaving aerodynamics stock on most cars, only really getting crazy if you're building something for racetracks. And THEN you want a wing and spats.

EDIT: Do they sell the Mugen bodykit? That one, at least, is a bit cleaner, and more purposeful...

 

[McLaren]

You can mod the engine all you want and they can not void the warranty unless the part itself caused the problem, it's some law that was passed back in the 70's. My Blazer had all sorts of crap on it and GM did all sorts of warranty work with it. I believe it's the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Here is an article concerning it:
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Keeping-Your-Mod-s-Warranty-Intact.id-2669.html

With that said I think that aero kit looks rather meh, sort of why bother. The Civic looks fine without it and doesn't really need anything else to make it look good. You also can find much better, and lighter, rims.

I've seen that, and while it's a very useful tip, I still have certain fears about working with the engine before any track time is seen. I don't particularly want to end up damaging something on the track, only to have the dealer told me they can't fix it because it was related to something I added. At least with nothing done, I still have a better chance of having it fixed without losing the warranty. I can't exactly put this into the context I want to, so it may be confusing.

Once again, I must plug my favorite wheel, the Enkei RPF1, but this time I'm simply going to use it as a benchmark for price and weight.

The 17x7 version is the same width and height as the stock Si wheel, but weighs 5.5 pounds less--14.5 instead of 20. Since that's about as light as you'll get without spending huge cash, you should look for something below 20 (why get heavier?)

Also, it's $229 on Tire Rack. That's not bad at all, when some of the others in the selection are well over 300 and into the 400s (Gram Lights, which aren't as light) and some between 550 and 700 (Volk). The Enkei is popular, but in a good way.

So, now that I found out how much the stock 17s weigh (20 pounds) you can look for wheels that are a better deal than the HFPs and also lighter than stock. Post up some ideas, McLaren.

I really need to think about any other wheels before the factory ones.

My uncle had countless problems with his GS300 when he put aftermarket rims on (Konig wheels that were actually supported by the dealer). The car's tires were always out of balance, and the dealer could never fully balance them. Never had the problem with the stock rims before then, so I really need to avoid what he went through, especially since Rusty Wallis does not support any other wheel brand.

I'm not sure what ideas you want me to post, though. The only idea I have with the car is to start tracking it hard after I can really push it with what it's got now.

The aero kit? Nah.

The stock kit looks more or less the same, and cleaner. I can see on some cars where a bodykit would look better, but not here.

I'd advise leaving aerodynamics stock on most cars, only really getting crazy if you're building something for racetracks. And THEN you want a wing and spats.

EDIT: Do they sell the Mugen bodykit? That one, at least, is a bit cleaner, and more purposeful...

They don't, but there's a shop outside of Plano whose trying to offer something similar to the Mugen RR's setup for newer Civics.

 

[Spec M]

The poll is kind of vague in detail. I don't mind functional aero parts.
I wouldn't really care for a kit or parts thats non-functional or abstructs the original clean cut bodylines of the car.

As far as the SI goes.., I love it. Its a straight, fully functioning, no bull approach that I would expect from Honda.
It has an increased performance oriented look from front to back, and personally I would leave the exterior as is,
with the exception of lighter wheels and stickier rubber for track days and/or auto x. I say go for it Bro!

 

[McLaren]

The poll is kind of vague in detail.
I don't mind functional aero parts, I wouldn't really care for a kit or parts thats non-functional or abstructs the original clean cut bodylines of the car.

It's a simple question. Do you , or do you not, like the aero accessories on the car I posted?

I'm not sure how much more detail you'd be looking for.

 

[Spec M]

Well to some it may all depend on rather the part is functional, in oppose to, not being functional (cosmetic).

So my answer was yes and no. Yes to functionality, and no to cosmetic or unecessary add-ons.

 

[Keef]

Which means no, he doesn't like anything but the front air dam.

Also, McLaren, if you want a front air dam that actually is functional and unique, you can look up something like this, which is a *ahem* copy of the JDM FA Type-R's front lip. It's just plain black plastic, and it would look great on on the front of your black Si, especially unpainted.

Ah, and for the track you can compliment your Type R-style front lip with a Mugen (read: expensive) adjustable rear wing!

 

[YSSMAN]

Meh. I think they look best stock, no need to strap on stuff that will only add weight and likely change the overall dynamics of the car very little...

 

[Keef]

Meh. I think they look best stock, no need to strap on stuff that will only add weight and likely change the overall dynamics of the car very little...

Pah! A rear wing or spoiler would very noticably improve the car's high speed stability on a race track, or even on the highway, and if the car understeers in high speed corners because of that you can slap a bigger rear sway bar on to help negate that side effect. An added bonus would be extra rotation in tight, slow corners so you could run through and win all the races like the SPEED World Challenge TSXs do.

But we're talking about simple stuff; I forgot. Simple Stuff:

Volk CE28 Time Attack Honda Edition. It comes in Type Rs' staple color Championship White with a Red Lip of Sex around the edge.

And it looks like this:

Or you could paint them green (but not the Honda Edition)...

McLaren, do you realize how hot Takata Green looks on a black car?

Welp...I couldn't find any black cars but you get the idea.

 

[Perfect Balance]

My uncle had countless problems with his GS300 when he put aftermarket rims on (Konig wheels that were actually supported by the dealer). The car's tires were always out of balance, and the dealer could never fully balance them. Never had the problem with the stock rims before then, so I really need to avoid what he went through, especially since Rusty Wallis does not support any other wheel brand.

Konig isn't exactly a great wheel company, but the majority of wheel "off-balance-ness" comes from the tires. Another thing, if you mean "always out of balance" as in the car's steering wheel shaking and stuff even after balancing, the car probably needed hubcentric rings for the wheel to get them to sit perfectly in the center of the hub. Other than the wheels themselves being bent or damaged, there's no reason why they couldn't be balanced completely.

As for the aero "accessories," the name leads me to believe they aren't very functional, so unless they are, I would just spend the money elsewhere.

They don't look too bad though, but the front of the car looks a bit bland and empty. I wish the front bumper had more things going on up there.

EDIT: I agree with keef.

On a black car:

 

[Tornado]

The front dam squares everything off in a not so smooth way (perhaps to the point where it looks like it is from a different car); and regardless of whether it is more or less stock, the rear spoiler is a bit over the top (mainly the silly bits on each end) and also looks like it is from a different car.

I like the wheels, though.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

In the upper-left picture it looks pretty bad, especially at the corners. But the bottom-right picture actually looks OK.

 

[Joey D]

Those green wheels look awful.

 

[niky]

RE: hubcentric spacers... if it's a Honda, you're virtually guaranteed to need one.

---

While generally, most cosmetic aero-kits aren't that useful, it's your car, and whatever looks pretty to you. A dash of style never hurt anyone.

 

[Keef]

RE: hubcentric spacers... if it's a Honda, you're virtually guaranteed to need one.

Tire Rack includes all that jive when wheels need them. Otherwise you'll have to find your own (I've got a nifty link to a wide selection) or else just not use them. With a five-lug hub the bolts should center the wheel just dandy.

 

[ExigeEvan]

That has to be the lamest looking from dam in history. The rest I think is fine on a mostly cosmetic scale, but that front...

 

[homeforsummer]

The Si in the OP looks okay I reckon, though if you could get bits to make it look more like the Japanese Type R *then* you'd be onto something...

As far as aero kits in general go, I mostly prefer functional ones to styling kits, but I do like certain cars with proper kits on.Generally as long as someone's modified and painted the car professionally, and the stance is right, then even a more "outgoing" aero kit can look good.

I've voted "yay"

 

[Joey D]

The Japanese one looks great until you get to those oversized and ugly looking tail lamps. They just don't fit the car.

 

[McLaren]

Which means no, he doesn't like anything but the front air dam.

Also, McLaren, if you want a front air dam that actually is functional and unique, you can look up something like this, which is a *ahem* copy of the JDM FA Type-R's front lip. It's just plain black plastic, and it would look great on on the front of your black Si, especially unpainted.

Ah, and for the track you can compliment your Type R-style front lip with a Mugen (read: expensive) adjustable rear wing!

The Type R stuff would be great, but I'm trying to avoid Type R products. I'd prefer people to not think I was some kind poser trying to turn a Si into a JDM Type R.

Pah! A rear wing or spoiler would very noticably improve the car's high speed stability on a race track, or even on the highway, and if the car understeers in high speed corners because of that you can slap a bigger rear sway bar on to help negate that side effect. An added bonus would be extra rotation in tight, slow corners so you could run through and win all the races like the SPEED World Challenge TSXs do.

But we're talking about simple stuff; I forgot. Simple Stuff:

Volk CE28 Time Attack Honda Edition. It comes in Type Rs' staple color Championship White with a Red Lip of Sex around the edge.

Welp...I couldn't find any black cars but you get the idea.

Some of those look pretty badass. I'd definitely have to give them some thought though. I'll bet they're anything but cheap, and they'd be rims I'd be stuck with.

The front dam squares everything off in a not so smooth way (perhaps to the point where it looks like it is from a different car); and regardless of whether it is more or less stock, the rear spoiler is a bit over the top (mainly the silly bits on each end) and also looks like it is from a different car.

I like the wheels, though.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the car I posted or not, but the spoiler in my original post is stock, and comes with the car.

The Si in the OP looks okay I reckon, though if you could get bits to make it look more like the Japanese Type R *then* you'd be onto something...

That would be something, but as I told Keef, I'd prefer people to not get the impression that I'm trying to make a Si something it's not.

But the only way I'd really be interested in something similar to the Type R, is if the shop in Dallas can acquire the RR parts including the components for an extra 40Bhp as well as the revised suspension & new brakes.

 

[ExigeEvan]

What? No triangular exhausts on the back? You guys got cheated.

 

[Keef]

What? No triangular exhausts on the back? You guys got cheated.

I'll trade triangular exhaust tips for a decent suspension any day.

McLaren, I was half joking about the Volks, even though they'd be badass. The reason I posted the Enkei RPF1 was to show how inexpensive they are and how good they are, because they're lighter and about one-third the price of the CE28s. The other point is that there's a tremendous amount of "proper" performance wheels out there besides the oh-so-normal HFP wheels. Yes, i know, when you're not quite sure what you're looking for it can be overwhelming if you're a shopper like me.

Also, the Type R aero parts really are functional, but it's hardly anything you'd notice on a track. You probably would only notice more straight-line, high speed stability with parts like that.

Maybe you should try and decide if you want function and/or good looks. There's a lot of parts out there.

 

[Eric.]

I do like those wheels that Honda offers, but I don't like their bodykit (or nearly any other factory aero kits for that matter). There was a black Si coupe in town with those 18"s that looked very nice.

 

[homeforsummer]

The Japanese one looks great until you get to those oversized and ugly looking tail lamps. They just don't fit the car.

I've only just realised that they're different to the ones on the normal Civic sedan. And comparing them both side by side I much prefer the Type R ones, they give the car some presence and agression at the back.

 

[Jim Prower]

The Japanese-market Civic IS different from the one we get. However, if you're Canadian, You can get it as the Acura CSX.

Which they won't sell here, since a Railroad holds that copyright.

 

[niky]

The Japanese one looks great until you get to those oversized and ugly looking tail lamps. They just don't fit the car.

You're telling me. We get the Japanese-look Civic, and I'm sick of looking at those vaguely amorphous, double-egg-yolk things... it's as strange a design decision as the 996 911 headlights.

It's a continuance of a trend started with the previous generation Integra (DC5), but I didn't like the rear lights on that, either.

What? No triangular exhausts on the back? You guys got cheated.

I'll trade triangular exhaust tips for a decent suspension any day.

If the tip ain't round, it's rice. (I know, a lot of manufacturers are going for slot-shaped, ovoid, triangular, etcetera... but if you want maximum flow, for minimum surface area, round is still it)

----

As for mods... coilovers? Engine warranty, you might want to keep, but suspension warranty, unless the Civic has fragile bushings like a Mazda does, you just don't need to bother. Granted, coilovers are a bit extreme, but it's a double-whammy... cosmetic lowering, better handling, and adjustability for an optimum balance of road comfort and track performance. Oh, and a rear anti-roll bar to increase rear end snap. I've always felt that the weakest area of the stock FD was the shock absorbers... but then, I've never driven an Si, and you may have a much better suspension than regular Civics.

 

[opendriver]

Get some upgraded suspension and put a but into the motor. Making your car
look fast is one thing. Making it fast is the best result.