I did a few searches and looked in the stickies but couldn't find aything about this...

I'm getting new rims and even though I probably don't need to get spacers, it would probably be better if I did since I'm planning to drop the car as well. So here's my question: If I get 5mm spacers will I need longer bolts for the wheels too?

 

First off 5mm will be hardly noticeable, that size is usually reserved for caliper clearence...

More than likely you would be fine with just 5mm with no studs, but its a risk I wouldn't take...

 

It's not for the look of the car as much as it would be to resolve potential clearance issues. The rims I'm looking at have a high offset (+45) but are only 7" wide. Anyway, once I'm lowered on Eibachs I'm worried about clearance on the inside. By getting the new rims without spacers, each wheel moves in 4mm and I have 16mm less clearance to the strut housing. Maybe I shouldn't be concerned, but I figured I'd better check here first.

So thanks for your help, but what do you think would be the best option? Forgetting the spacers, getting spacers, or getting both spacers and new studs? (where to get all that would be my next question)

 

You should be fine on the inside since the wheels are so narrow, personally I would get wider wheels with a lower offset, but thats another story....

I am lowered on Tokico springs (similar drop) with 18 x 9.5 +35 all around and 245/40s...no rubbing...

7 +45 would give you 22mm MORE clearence than me inside

 

The minimum id go for is 17x7.5, anything else and your stuck with a 225 width tire. Atleast with a 18x7.5 you can go for 235/40/18 or 235/45/17..i wouldnt go with anything less then an 8" wide rim. Even then 17x8-18x8 with a ~ +30ish offset sits nice.

 

Yeah, I'd rather have a wider rim too, but I won't go bigger than 17" (18s are too heavy and just don't look right on a 3rd gen IMO) Anyway, the rims I'm looking at don't come in another width for our bolt pattern. Besides that, they're only 15.7 lbs, and I wouldn't think there would be that big a difference going from 225 to a 235 tire (the tire itself probably has a bigger impact). It seems like it would be more for bragging rights than for actual performance, but hey, I could be wrong.

 

Its not a small car, I will never go with anything less than 245/40s ever again...

Look into Enkei RPF1s if you want light, wide on the cheap...the 17s are around 16 pounds and they come in up to 10 inches wide I can help you with sizes if needed. They are around 2-250 each...

 

I'm on 18x7.5" +45 wheel with 245/45 tires. It rubs only when the wheels are at full turn. But thats on the inner fender lining and it's because of the 45 series tire on an 18 inch wheel. (got a good deal and I needed tires fast)

You will hate yourself for going with a 7" wide wheel. There are plenty of light weight wheels that are wider than 7". My wheel combo with my huge meaty tires are about the same weight as my stock combo. The next wheels I go with wont be smaller than 8.5" wide.

 

Well, I can already rule out anything wider than 8" since they won't fit a 3rd gen, and I know 8" wide wheels need a +35 offset, but thanks for the offer of help, Fast1one.

I was looking at a wheel similar to the RPF1s (Kosei K1-TS) which I think look better, come in identical width/weight/offset, and are quite a bit cheaper after Enkei's center caps, but I'm unsure about Kosei as a brand name. I've never even seen them outside of TireRack. Anyone have experience with that brand?

But anyway, to bring this back to the original question: Do I need longer bolts for the wheels if I end up getting 5mm spacers (regardless of what rims I end up with)?

 

Those Koseis are used by a good number of auto-xers because of their weight and strength. If I didn't get such a good deal on my 18s, I'd have seriously considered those and the RPF1s.

Anyway, just something to think about - 5 mm spacers should be fine for most applications, BUT I do think the rims matter. My stock 17s left plenty of lug for the lug nuts, but with my Tracks, the lug nuts are in contact with less lug than the stockers. No hard evidence, but I did check and I'm pretty sure I'm correct. This should not have anything to do with offset, just the way the rim is. I'd honestly even hesitate putting 5 mm spacers on there without longer studs, but maybe I'm playing it too safe.

That being said, the general rule of anything 10 mm or less does not require spacers may or may not hold, depending on how safe you want to be and depending on the rims you have.

Just my uneducated two cents, so feel free to correct me if I'm off base. Thanks.

 

You summed it up pretty well...

To the OP, sorry I assumed you had a 4th or 5th gen...

Either way, 8.5-9 inches will fit, but people on this board aren't brave enough to do it, which is why you never see it

 

I have 8.5s... but only in the rear....

 

8.5s +17 in the front, 10s +22 in the rear all looks for mee. I would have gone 9's in the front but they didnt have that size = lamesauce.
...still waiting on these wheels to come in...

 

Thanks to everyone for their input, except now you've all pointed me toward different rims, making my original question a moot point.. At least now the noobs have something else NOT to search for... But seriously, thanks for all your help.

 

I used to be against staggering, but if I get a sudden influx of money I will probably stagger...probably 9.5 front and 10.5 rear

 

I've rocked +45 / 7" wide on my 4th gen Works fine if your brakes are stock.

 

4th gens have way more room than 3rd gens...