what size of wheel spacers should i get????

[nateneon]

Im buying some wheel spacers for my neon for the front and rear wheels but idk if i should get 3mm, 5mm, or 10mm? they are on modernperformance.com by the way. what would give me better clearance for my srt4 rims and better handling? i have a 2002 neon ACR.

[BluSoul]

Hi everyone (my first post),

From the looks of it, after scrolling through several posts, I realize that I am a little older than most of you, and I am extremely new to this forum.

I own a 2003 SXT (blue, PBJ color code), and I have been considering the purchase of XXR 006 rims (with blue lip) from wheelfire.com. The staggered arrangement I want is thus (check the links to view the rims):

17x7 front (2) >>> http://www.wheelfire.com/scontent/Wheel ... CheckFit=1

19x8.5 rear (2) >>> http://www.wheelfire.com/scontent/Wheel ... on=SRT%2D4

Without even mentioning tire sizes (to maintain the context), I am leery that the 19x8.5 in the rear will give me problems in fitment. Offset is an important factor, but I am not sure about wheelfire's abbreviations for offset (see the links; offset abbrev as HPO/MED).

Therefore, without mentioning other suspension concerns (to maintain context), I also have a question about wheel spacers, and that is one of the reasons I joined the site. Please, please help me/us out. Depending on the spacer situation, I may stick with, or go with another choice of rim. I am just schizo in love about the blue lip, but if it requires a bunch of mods, I will have to come to my senses.

By the way, I will post pics of my neon soon (still working on the look). Thanks in advance.

[Pablodragon]

well... on the age thing... tell me if u got me beat... I was born the year Kennedy was shot...

...now... agree that they have a weird way of indicating the off-set... I would'nt buy anything there untill they give u the actual number.... optimal without spacers is between 38 and 40, I beleive

..now, most important... why in the heck would u want 17's in the front and 19's in the rear?... it's a front wheel drive car (!?!)

not only is it gonna look dumb, like yer pretending it's a rear wheel drive... but it also gonna affect handling... it's gonna drive like crap! no?

[Fuzzyneon]

get some wide ass 16's /end thread

[BluSoul]

most important... why in the heck would u want 17's in the front and 19's in the rear?... it's a front wheel drive car (!?!)

not only is it gonna look dumb, like yer pretending it's a rear wheel drive... but it also gonna affect handling... it's gonna drive like crap! no?

Thanks for not slamming me orgasmically on it; its much appreciated . The truth is, I recently bought my Neon; I am new to the car. This is why I joined this forum -- to find out how to make my Neon, which I have fallen for, a decently streetable car . I'm a former GM (Riviera) and Ford (T-bird) guy, and staggering is how the thinking goes with those cars...RWD that is.

Anyway, I am in total agreement with you, Pablo. Not only does staggering create issues with wheel rotations when its time for them to be rotated, but staggering as I described, is never idealistic for a FWD car, agreeing with what you pointed out. I'm sticking with the same rim, though, 18's all around (all 4 wheels). My tires of choice are Pirelli PZero Nero All Season, 235/50ZR18's (Here is the link >> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... s&place=19)


I am still not sure about Wheelfire's offset code, HPO/MED. Because of the height and width of this tire, I know I will have issues, so I have decided on some mods. I've determined my struts are okay (@84K+ miles), and I will have to go with 10mm spacers? with sufficiently long threaded studs (not completely sure, but that's what I'm told in another topic in this index). Hi perf springs compatible with this wheel, such as Swift, Tein S-techs, or Eibachs, or perhaps NEX coilovers, is what I'm not sure about. Without question, I want 18's, but I may have to go with 17's depending on the compatibility of the wheel and mods just mentioned.

That's why I'm here...anybody got 18's on an '03-'05 SXT? What size spacers did you use, and also mention struts, springs, and coils. Again, your honesty and integrity is much appreciated.

[Pablodragon]

hey that's cool, didn't mean to come on like a slam...

..another thing to keep in mind... assume yer going for looks with the 18's... most guys here, the norm max upgrade, is pretty much 17's... but I think there are some guys with 18's... hopefully one of these guys will post with the needed suspension mods...

My stock wheels on my 04 SE were 14's... and I went up to aftermarket 16's... I thought my car was pretty peppy in stock form, and i seem to lose some peppy-ness and excelleration going up 2 sizes... maybe in the V-8 world, upp-ing the size of the wheels isn't that noticible -power wise, but it doesn't take much to slow down/take the edge off the 2.0 L in a Neon

So like I said, hope yer going for looks and not performance with 18's...unless yer just living with it untill maybe a turbo swap is in the cards

[BluSoul]

Pablodragon says:

well... on the age thing... tell me if u got me beat... I was born the year Kennedy was shot...

Fuzzyneon says:

get some wide ass 16's /end thread

I was born about 28 days before MLK was shot...so, you got me by about a fender-length. Same decade, though. What a decade it was, too!

Depending on what I'm capable of doing with the 18's, I have considered dropping down to 17's, or as you and Pablo have mentioned, 16's. I really am going for the look, but I'm old school...performance is paramount! Stock neon is only about 130-140 hp, and being performance minded, of course I don't want hp to go down -- that is the reasoning behind selection for the larger wheel (more circumference and rubber on the road translates into better performance). There have been too many times, in just the month I've had my Neon, that guys in rice have looked over at me as if they wanted a challenge. Without even mentioning a 2.0-2.4L turbo swap (Chrysler PT turbo, or SRT-4), simply to maintain the context in this forum, I'll close by saying that if the 16's will give me more horses than the 18's, then I'll go with the so-called "wide ass" 16's! Hell, it will even save me some cash (lower cost for rims). This will leave dough for other mods.

If I get 16's, I might go with the 30mm spacers just so the "lips" on the XXR 006 wheels stick out (that is entirely a look thing; however, it serves a performance purpose as well). The added girth by the spacers, along with a hi perf "street" suspension (lowering springs/coilovers, stabilizers, etc), will prove solid in cornering and turns. Performance is ALWAYS an issue!!

Thanks for your input guys .

[03blackrt]

My tires of choice are Pirelli PZero Nero All Season, 235/50ZR18's (Here is the link >> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... s&place=19)

Just so you know, that tire ain't going to be fitting on a Neon. That's a 27.3" diameter tire. The Neon wheel wells are only about 28" in front/rear dimension. You'll have to do some serious body modifications to make them fit. A Neon tire should be around 24" diameter.

[BluSoul]

BluSoul Says:

If I get 16's, I might go with the 30mm spacers just so the "lips" on the XXR 006 wheels stick out

Crap...I just found out that the Blue Lips don't come in 16's, at least on wheelfire. Now, I have to find another rim, and tires, too, for that matter -- so I did! How's this for "wide-ass" 16's (16x10's, platinum claw...here is the link >> http://www.thewheelconnection.com/php/s ... ndsearch=1). These rims with 30mm spacers/threads will have a look!



03blackrt says:

....that tire ain't going to be fitting on a Neon. That's a 27.3" diameter tire. The Neon wheel wells are only about 28" in front/rear dimension. You'll have to do some serious body modifications to make them fit. A Neon tire should be around 24" diameter.

I'm not sure how you determined that; mind letting me in on it? How about this tire >> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... es&place=4 ??? Will the 16x10 platinum claw with this tire work??

[racer12306]

In order to fit on OEM non-SRT struts you are limited to about 24.5" of total height and a 225 width, depending on wheel offset.


16x8 with 225/45/16 = :drool:

[BluSoul]

BluSoul:

How's this for "wide-ass" 16's...16x10's, platinum claw

Damm....the platinum claw does not fit a neon. I'm f*&K'd.

[03blackrt]

I'm not sure how you determined that; mind letting me in on it?

I determined that by the tire size you posted, 235/50R18. The tires size describes the.. um... size of the tire. Plus you can click on the "specs" link on the page you linked to...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp? ... D35WR80NAS


You can view some tire sizing info on 2gn's FAQ section...

viewtopic.php?t=16337

[racer12306]

((235*.5)/25.4)*2+18 = 27.3"

((185*.6)/25.4)*2+15 = 23.7" (stock height)

[BluSoul]

Searching for 16" wheels that like has left me disappointed. Therefore, I'm sticking with my original plan: XXR 006 Blue Lip 17x7's (all 4) from wheelfire.com, with a 10mm spacer, and maybe some 215/45R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS tires ([b]http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes. ... sition[/b]).

I believe the above set up will work (205/40/17's are rubberbands, and I need all season tires -- all season tires generally don't come in this 205/40/17 size of tire).

I really want to go out wider (perhaps with a 30mm spacer), but there may be fender problems, and I don't want to mod the body too much right now. Not sure if the 30mm spacer idea will work until I try it. I'll buy the set up above, and estimate if it will work with the 30mm spacer, once I have the parts in place.

I'll return to this forum later after an initial attempt. Again, thanks for the input guys. Very much appreciated.

[racer12306]

why the spacers?

215/45/17 should work, i believe there are others running that size.

also check into 215/40/17 that is a dead match for tire height.

[BluSoul]

racer12306 says:

16x8 with 225/45/16 = :drool:

Would this be something like what you are talking about >> http://www.discounttirezone.com/FALKEN- ... 7-674.html

racer12306 says:

why the spacers?

215/45/17 should work, i believe there are others running that size.

also check into 215/40/17 that is a dead match for tire height.

Spacers for the look; gives some girth to the vehicle. That's it.
I ran across this tire, but the only problem is, I'm not sure if I like or trust this tire, although I do like the price >>> http://www.discounttirezone.com/FALKEN- ... -2177.html

[racer12306]

From what I hear the Falken 912 is a marginal at best all season tire.

make sure you have good thread engagement on the stud with that spacer.


and yes, i think that size tire on that size wheel makes for a mean setup, especially when the right tires are used

[03blackrt]

I've had several sets of Falken 912's (185-65R14) and I have liked them for all-season, daily driver tires. But they're not the best performance tire.


If you want 100% performance and "girth", then I recommend a 16"x7" or 15"x7" wheel with an offset of +35mm. Throw on some sticky 225/45R16 or 225/50R15 tires and you'll be golden.


Here's my R/T with 15"x7", +35mm offset wheels with 225-50R15 tires. It had plenty of "girth", about as much as you want on a Neon IMO.

[BluSoul]

03blackrt wrote:

If you want 100% performance and "girth", then I recommend a 16"x7" or 15"x7" wheel with an offset of +35mm. Throw on some sticky 225/45R16 or 225/50R15 tires and you'll be golden.


Here's my R/T with 15"x7", +35mm offset wheels with 225-50R15 tires. It had plenty of "girth", about as much as you want on a Neon.

Hells yeah, now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!
You have no spacers? Wait, it does look like you lowered it, though -- coilovers or lowering springs?

I actually searched for 16's first, but I could not find 16x7 that I liked, and I must say that I've become latched onto the XXR blue lips. By the way, I think I've figured out Wheelfire's offset code "HPO/MED." I think it means "high positive (HPO)" to "medium (MED)" offset, which according to this site, would be between +20 and +35mm >> http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com ... erence.cfm

From my understanding, anything less than +42mm offset is solid for the neon, so I think the 17" XXR's will have good clearance. Question is, will 225/50/17 tires work??

racer12306 wrote:

((235*.5)/25.4)*2+18 = 27.3"

According to racer12306's formula, [(225*.5/25.4)*2 + 17] = 25.9".
I'm adding 2" inches to stock height, but this is the tire I want. If I do not lower my car, nor add spacers, will this work?

[03blackrt]

Hells yeah, now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!
You have no spacers? Wait, it does look like you lowered it, though -- coilovers or lowering springs?

No wheel spacers. It's lowered 1.5" in the front and 1.4" in the rear using Kazera lowering springs on stock r/t struts.


The best way to find the offset of the XXR wheels is to email/call the distributer or manufacture.

http://www.xxrwheels.com/index.shtml

http://www.xxrwheels.com/contact_us.shtml



Here's a similar set of wheels to the ones you're looking at but in 16"x7". You can always paint the wheels/lips to your own choosing.

viewtopic.php?t=40844

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direc ... wd=16&rw=7

[BluSoul]

03blackrt stated:

It's lowered 1.5" in the front and 1.4" in the rear using Kazera lowering springs on stock r/t struts.

Hmmm, where did you find those Kazeras for an '03 Neon, exact year of my car?

Thanks for the links to the wheels, I've already started looking for places/techs who do this "lip coloring," be/c I actually want to keep everything as stock-looking as possible, for now that is. If I can find likable 16" rims where I can put some Peanut Butter and Jelly paint on them (Atlantic Blue), it may cost an extra penny, but I will do it in a heartbeat for the look. I can get PBJ paint & dyes for interior mods (instr panel, vents, PBJ dye for steering wheel leather wrap, stencil accents, etc.). If I cannot find those rims, however, I'm sticking with the 17" XXRs, and I may consider a plain 006 lip to be painted over with PBJ.

I'm starting to get it in my mind how this will look. What follows is some pics of my Neon SXT, "BluSoul" Edition (sorry for the crappy cam-phone photos; I will post digital one day, once I get a new one). All basic stock for now, but you are in the midst of my build of what I call a concept car -- my own concept of a Neon. Once all the lights and gagets are in place, before any major modifications, it will live up to its name "Neon," and "BluSoul" Edition. Check it out...



The very best wheel for my car, I think is the XXR 006 Blue Lips; the color and tints match the wheels!!









Oh, yeah...and ohhh, ohhhh would this platinum claw chrome (16x10's) look sweet on my car...they just don't make them for Neons, though



Well....tell me whattaya think?!!

[racer12306]

Also remember that any added height to the tire is going to change the effective gears and slow you down on acceleration.

225/50/17 won't fit.

if you want 17" wheels you pretty limited to a 40 or 45 series (depending on the section width) unless you get yourself a set of SRT struts, then you have more flexability. you can then put a 235/45/17 (i believe that is the size tire moxhair had on his) and thats a meaty sumbitch.

[03blackrt]

Hmmm, where did you find those Kazeras for an '03 Neon, exact year of my car?

Kazera springs are no longer made. You'll have to go with any of the other brands.

[BluSoul]

racer12306 says:

Also remember that any added height to the tire is going to change the effective gears and slow you down on acceleration.

225/50/17 won't fit.

Okay, you've nailed me on it enough...I am now totally convinced about what wheels will work. Although I haven't tried them for myself, I'm gonna say that I trust this forum. Again, I would even go with 16's as recommended in this topic...in fact, I began looking for them first! But, the heated 16" wheel search ended for me the moment I laid eyes on the 17" XXRs blue lips. At that moment, I knew it was the only wheel for my car. It was instant true...

But, racer, if you say the tire I want does not fit (the 225/50/17's), then you needn't wear me down on it any longer. Its cool....215/40/17's is the tire (unless I can find a decent 16" wheel, like platinum claw chrome). What irks me about this tire size, though, is that it usually does not come in all-season tires. When it comes to this tire size, I would go with Paradas. The paradas are nice, but I seriously don't think they can grip piss water at temperatures below 50 degrees. >>> https://www.bigbrandwheels.com/Product_1054.html

As for 16" rims, as I have said redundantly, the platinum claws would be good 16's for Neons, if only the 5x100 lug design could be changed. Anyone ever tried changing lug design to accomodate a wheel? Forget about it, but surely that must be a topic discussed somewhere in 2GN.org. Let's just maintain the context.

Okay, so its 215/40/17's for the XXR's, and no spacers, until something better, such as likeable 16's, comes along. But so far, for me, the blue lips cannot be beat; they mesh too excellently with the PBJ tone. I would even go so far as to say that, the XXR blue lips was made for my car....

[BluSoul]

03blkrt says:

Here's a similar set of wheels to the ones you're looking at but in 16"x7". You can always paint the wheels/lips to your own choosing.

viewtopic.php?t=40844

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direc ... wd=16&rw=7

The MB wheels look very similar and are cheaper ($90 per vs. $171 per, which is $360 vs $684), but there is less lip on the MBs. The offset at 38mm is probably a little higher than XXRs (I'm not completely sure, though, I haven't called them yet), but that MB price is attention-stealing. Throw in some black/PBJ paint from ExpressPaint.com (link: https://www.expresspaint.com/productcar ... ategory=22), and Rays extended anodized lugs (link: http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/merch ... ry_Code=L1), and I'd still have some cash left for other mods. The tires would be 225/45/16's. Incidently, ExpressPaint is where i plan to get the paint for my interior coloring job.

Hey....all this is not bad to consider. I could do the painting myself, but I've never painted rims and I don't want to screw it up. When it comes to that, I'd rather just pay the extra money.

[DoubtedNeon]

18s on mine, i just used washers (dont flame me, i have bills to pay)

not sure how deep they rae tho