If I get 17" or 18" rims, what is a good offset to go with that would allow me to lower the car in the future (not a crazy drop, I'm thinking Eibachs or something similar) without having any issues with rubbing? Also, what widths are the best for front vs. rear?
Last, what tire dimensions would best combo with these wheels?

Thanks!!

 

Based on successes and failures from many S2000 owners, we can use an offset calculator to figure out what other offsets and tires will work. These are minimum recommended offsets. You can use a higher offset if you want, and you will get additional fender clearance.

For the front:
205 tires: +43 offset minimum (6.5

 

8" front, 9" rear ~+55 with 225/255 tires.

 

Howdy!

Well, you'll get a ton of people telling you to read to the sticky/FAQ and search, and while there is a bunch of info on here if you read through it all, here's some stuff to get you started.

Your stock setup is:

Front 17" x 7.0" +55 offset

Rear 17" x 8.5" +65 offset

The stock setup will let you really tuck it down as low as you want to go. If you use that as reference point, you can stick with exactly the same spec, or as you increase the width (and/or decrease the offset) you can sort of project the clearance.

Also using an offset calculator like this: http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp is handy for seeing how much more/less clearance you'll have front and backside on any potential wheel candidates. Since there's plenty of made for the S fitments, there's really not any problem finding something aftermarket.

Good luck, have fun and welcome!

 

Thanks for all the info so far!

So when reading the following wheel dimensions, would I assume that the offset is 40?
18X8 5-114.3 40GBL (from discount tire direct.com)

if so, then is there no way they can fit without rubbing? If that's true, it's hard to believe that the website recommends them as fitting for my stock S2000

 

[QUOTE=Dressed2Kill,May 19 2009, 08:21 AM] Based on successes and failures from many S2000 owners, we can use an offset calculator to figure out what other offsets and tires will work. These are minimum recommended offsets. You can use a higher offset if you want, and you will get additional fender clearance.

For the front:
205 tires: +43 offset minimum (6.5

 

[QUOTE=jeffbrig,May 19 2009, 02:55 PM] I've never liked this table from the FAQ. Giving a single offset for a range of wheels widths makes no sense to me. For example, take this row in the table:

245 tires: +45 offset minimum (7.5

 

I'm looking at rims which are 18x7.5 w/ 50 offset and 225 tires up front and 18x8.5 w/ 55 offset and 255 tires in the rear, does that sound about right?

 

My fronts are identical to yours, but in 17s. My rears are 17x9 +63 with a 255 tire. This setup has never rubbed for me.

Your narrower rear rim would gain you ~6mm of clerance, but you give up 8mm in offset, so a net difference of 2mm compared to mine. Unless 17 vs. 18 sizes make a big difference in the edge profile shape of the tire, I don't see this being a problem.

My car is lowered about an inch on Bilstein pss9 coilovers. Spring rates are 345/285, IIRC. Not sure how that compares to Eibachs (stiffer spring = less suspension travel).

Hope that helps...

 

Using that offset calc I get vs. stock:

11mm more extended (front) and 10mm more extended in the rear (10mm further to the inside as well).

That's a pretty minimal difference in the wheel portion, however the larger tire fitment (and even within a given width, different manufacturers vary quite a bit) will bring it pretty tight to the fender lip.