Hello from Florida! I've got some questions!

[Mkid]

Hey guys, I've been on here for a little while just lurkin so I decided I'd introduce myself. My name Is Michael and I have myself an 09 Graphite Gray Lancer Ralliart. I live on the west coast of Florida near Tampa.

My car is totally stock aside from some dealer added goodies which I kind of wish weren't even on the car... check the pics and you'll know what I'm talking about.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs061.ash2/36418_399682099354_508514354_4415779_658898_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs041.snc4/34391_440681359354_508514354_5331009_2084335_n.jpg
(the Civic next to it was my old car :P)

I've been looking at some wheels to buy which brings me to my first question.

It seems to get any decent, but safe fitment, I'd have to use 5mm or 10mm wheel spacers in the rear. What is your opinion on this? I've never bought wheels for a car and I'm kind of concerned about throwing off the balance of the car resulting in vibration or a crappy ride quality.

If it helps at all, I was thinking of going with 18X8.5 +48

I was also wondering, if I was to get a wheel with a more aggressive offset (18X8 +35) that would have the wheels rubbing a bit even at stock ride height... would this have any negative impact if I ever decided to lower? I know people roll their fenders... but I'm not sure how much space that really gives.



Sorry if these are noobish questions. I'm really a noob in general when it comes to car modding. I didn't mod my previous car. Instead, I saved up my money to buy a car that I felt was worth modding and I want to do it right!

If this isn't the appropriate place to ask questions, sorry! Let me know and I'll post them in the appropriate subtopics.

Thanks for reading :)

[MTZL]

Welcome to the CLUB! :)

[ChaseRalli]

We love questions.

And welcome!!!!

I'm semi new here also...and I have no problem asking these kind folk anything.

[wutangmo15]

Welcome.

It's good to ask questions. I'm new to modding too and the forums are a great place to learn. This is a pretty friendly forum unlike some other ones.

I am currently running 18x8 with a 45 offset and lowered. I have rolled fenders but probably didn't need to for the wheels I have. 18x8.5 +35 may require rolling depending on what size tires you have.

[Mkid]

The Ralliart fitment thread at evolutionm has been a great help. People have stated in there that 18X8 +35 WILL rub on bigger bumps. I could roll my fenders, but my question is, would that cause any additional problems if I lower my car later.

[wutangmo15]

Shouldn't cause any problems.

[Mkid]

Okay, well I guess the question now is... should I go with 18X8 +35 or 18X8.5 +48?

I'm thinking the 18X8 +35 will have a more concave look which I really like, I like it enough that I'm willing to sacrifice the extra half inch off the width for that look... But I'll have to roll my fenders... and I have no idea how to do it safely or how much it costs to get done.

the 18X8.5 +48 will be pretty much flat faced, but will be wider and I'll have to use spacers in the rear which I'm afraid will negatively effect ride quality.

I've PMed a couple of guys I saw that had 18X8.5 +48 asking if they had any complaints... but neither has responded.

as for the 18X8 +35... no one active on any forum I have seen has that setup... everything I've seen about it has been from second hand reports. People talking about a friend of a friend kind of thing.

Any insight?

[SnipeRA]

Find any wheels you like yet? I have a GG 09 and live just south of tampa. I have been searching and cant decide either.

[Mkid]

Yeah, the wheels I want to get are Rota Torques in Hyper Black.

This pic gave me the idea:

http://dudesphotography.smugmug.com/Cars/Torque-on-Detail-Addicts-EVO-X/IMG0111/779736061_fzvxd-X2.jpg

Sadly, we can never get that kind of concave on our cars, so I'm trying the best I can to find out what would be the most concave look I can get while still having a nice fitment.

Where do you live? I live in Clearwater.

Edit: Nevermind, just looked to the right of your name :P

[SnipeRA]

Yeah definitely the only RA in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. Its lonely down here haha.

[SnipeRA]

Foudn this thread over at EVOM it might help you:
http://forums.evolutionm.net/09-ralliart-brakes-wheels-suspension/521749-wheel-spacers.html

[Mkid]

Thanks!

According to that thread... this is 18X8 +37:

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7179/img1008nz.jpg

I think +35 would poke a bit... and I'm not a fan of the poke. lol.

Our cars really do not like concave wheels do they?

I guess I'll go with the 8.5" +48 then, anything else available is already flat looking so I mind as well go for a flush fitment.

So... according to that thread... more then 5mm spacers require longer studs... but 8.5 +48 wheels need 10mm spacers to be max flush according to the fitment thread. What is involved in changing out your studs? I'm sure there are some more measurements involved for everything to fit right... These measurements are going to be the death of me.