I am looking to lower my 96 Civic DX. I currently have 17" Motegi's wrapped with 205/40's. My questions are:

1. How low can I go?
2. What is the best method you use? Coilovers or springs?

I don't want the tires to rub when I hit a dip, so the ride comfort is not relevant in this case. If it rides like a skatebord, so be it.

Any information provided is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

What offset are your wheels?

IMO, every setup is different, so we can't provide a real answer to question 1. If you can't tolerate any rubbing (and you're sure you want to stick with your 17's), I'd get coilovers. That way you can experiment until you get the ride height as low as you can get it without rubbing.

Why on earth you have no regard for ride comfort or handling is beyond me, but to each his own, I guess. :thinking:

 

you can lower your car and not rub but you will have to get good shocks and springs. buddy lowered his car with kyb adjustables and tein springs. awesome ride with no rub and no bounce

 

Like white said it all depends on your offset 1st before you lower. You can drop the car 5" if you wanted to if you have the correct offset on your wheels. If you have the wrong one you could only drop 1/2".

 

Thanks guys for all of your input. I am very concerned about handling, but I just assumed that once the car is lowered, riding comfort is comprimized. I just don't want the tires to rub when a dip is hit. Depending on the dip, my tires currently rub even though the car still has stock suspension.

As far as the offset of the wheels, I wish I knew it. I bought the wheels from another Civic owner, so I assumed that the wheels would have the correct offset. They do not stick out beyond the fender wells.

 

Time to ditch those wheels, they're the wrong offset. If they rub now, you can't lower it without rubbing more There are a variety of offsets that will "fit," but aren't ideal for lowering. I'm sorry, but I've never had anything larger than 15" wheels, so I can't tell you what offset would be ideal for 17's. But for 15's, generally anything from 38-45mm is OK.

Unless you're set on the look of 17's, a lightweight 15" or 16" wheel will have plenty stiff enough sidewall (50-series tires or lower), and less weight, which will help your handling, braking, and acceleration.

 

Well, I do have my eye on a set of 15" Axis Wheels OG Style. Maybe I should invest in those.

 

It would help if you can find the offset of your wheel.

 

The Brand is Motegi Racing Performance Wheels
Product Line is Motegi MR7 Wheels
Rim Diameter is 17 in.
Part Number is ARE-20737716
The offset is +38.00mm.
Rim Width is 7.00 in.
Backspacing is 5.500 in.

I hope this helps.

 

With a low offset like that you would not be able to drop much unless you roll the fenders or sell those and get a better offset wheel. For a 7" wide wheel you need around 40-44mm offset. 38 is too low (pushing the wheels out further from the centerline of the car).