Sorry for the elementary inquiry but wouldn't putting 17" or 18" rims on an S2000 cause problems?

1) Will a larger rim fit in the trunk when you get a flat?

2) Will the stock donut be too small to use? (as it is meant to be used with 16" wheels)

3) Won't the ride be harsher? (as you would have less sidewall on the tire)

 

1)It should fit without a problem.
If you can't for some reason, you can take out the jack and tool kit underneath the trunk well and you will definitely have space to put it in. If not put it in the passenger seat, no problem.

2)I don't see a problem in this either. Unless you have flat in the rear then you need to move front wheel to the back and use the spare on the front. I am sure you know about that.
Total rolling diameter of the tires no matter which size wheel you use will end up pretty much the same. So whether you have 16 or 18 rims shouldn't cause any problem at all.

3)Undoubtably ride will be bit harsher. How much this effect the driver? It all depends on how sensitive the drivers are.
You may actually prefer lower side wall if you prefer to get better feel of the road espcially while turning.
I for one have 17 incher but honestly, I don't feel much difference compare to when I was in stock 16incher.
Effect maybe too subtle to notice.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 1Randyc
[B]1)It should fit without a problem.
If you can't for some reason, you can take out the jack and tool kit underneath the trunk well and you will definitely have space to put it in.

 

Hey Randy -

I've got the same rims as you do. I notice a clear tendency towards the car "tramlining" or following road irregularities now. Ride quality hasn't decreased much to speak of. Steering is a bit heavier now but I don't mind that at all. Haven't really pushed the car yet to see if the stagger I chose 215/45 255/40 maintains the great balance of the stock S2k...

I kept my stock rims/tires for auto-x and maybe track stuff...

lig

 

Jeff,

tire pressure will have a big effect on tramlining. Play around with it and see if you can tame it and find a better feeling.

215/255 sounds like it should be a good stagger.

Remind me to take a look at the new shoes tonight if I can drag myself to Tacos.

Ted

 

Thanks Ted!

Haven't really done much w/pressures yet. I've got them at 34/36 cold. Still so new that I can feel the tread blocks squirm... so I can't really say much else yet...

Prolly see you tonight!

Jeff

 

Tramlining has zero to do with rim size unless you've gone radically wider than stock. Wider rubber tends to tramline more than narrower BUT that being said I'll wager that 100% of your tramlining issues have to do with the choice of tires.

On my Prelude, when I went to different rubber, the car felt like a real piece of shit. It had never tramlined before and now it was really disturbing. Different rubber again made it go away. I intend to be very careful before I change "shoes" on the S since I don't want to go through that again.

 

Playing with pressures and getting some of the rubber burned off has the car behaving much better now. Maybe I'll have to go with the Toyo's ala Tedster for my next set of shoes!

Thanks for the input fellas.

lig

 

I have 17's and LOVE them. I guess I would be considered a "sensitive" daily driver but honestly I didn't feel much difference between the stock and this set up. I do think I "feel" the road more for the better now. Granted, the stock s2k is one of the sweetest rides period but adding the "right" 17s or even 18s seems to go a loonnngg way into making the car YOURS. My opinion.

 

Nice rims. how is the steering response?