Fitment advice on 18x9 for 1st gen 3 hatch

[PeZZo]

Hello, everyone!

This is my first ever stance influenced project, so I need some advice from the gurus around here.

My new set of wheels are 18x8 ET45 18x9 ET49 Manaray MS-5, they are 3 piece jdm rims with kinda old school design.


I've had no problem fittind the fronts, but the rears just didn't fit because of the rim almost touching the strut - 1 cm clearance. More to it, they just sunk behind the fenders because of the offset!



I am planning to give them more flushness by installing 20mm spacers. Will I have to do any modifications apart from rolling my fenders whith 18x9 ET29 in the rear?
I'm not sure if I want camber, because I'd have to buy the arms. Plus the car is 100% daily!

Thanks in advance!

[4N MUSCLE]

I would say to put just a 10mm spacer on them and that should give you enough clearance and also allow you to fit better with the fender. Wheels look great!

[Dave_The_BMXER]

What offset are they now? 48?

[bigblazer87]

+49 offset... if you want to get it flush, camber arms are going to be an inevitable purchase, so might as well buy them now. What are you lowered on? You're gonna need at least a 10mm spacer to clear the strut, more depending on how much camber you run. And you will definitely need to roll the fenders regardless. I'd also recommend spacers up front, and what tire sizes do you have in mind? I'd run like a 205/40 all around.

[PeZZo]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

The offset is +49 now...
I'm lowered on eibach pro kit springs now, but I'm going to run coilovers with these wheels.
As to the fenders, I do plan to roll them anyways, at least in the rear.
As to the tyres I was planning to run 215/40 all around, probably 205/40 in the front and definitely 215/40 in the rear. Yes, I like fat tyre lol ))
As to the spacers I can't make up my mind... If I go with 10 mm, will that be enough to get some nice fitment and clear the strut at the same time?
Or if I go with 20 mm will that require camber?

I would also like to know what is better - change the studs for the long ones or buy spacers which have their own studs.

[dnick454]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

The offset is +49 now...
I'm lowered on eibach pro kit springs now, but I'm going to run coilovers with these wheels.
As to the fenders, I do plan to roll them anyways, at least in the rear.
As to the tyres I was planning to run 215/40 all around, probably 205/40 in the front and definitely 215/40 in the rear. Yes, I like fat tyre lol ))
As to the spacers I can't make up my mind... If I go with 10 mm, will that be enough to get some nice fitment and clear the strut at the same time?
Or if I go with 20 mm will that require camber?

I would also like to know what is better - change the studs for the long ones or buy spacers which have their own studs.

That'll be a little tricky...

You have a few options. The spacers that have the studs in them can have a few problems. One problem being the smallest spacer that is made with the studs in them is 15mm I believe. The other problem is with the 15mm, you end up with about 10mm of your old studs sticking through past the mounting surface. Unless your wheels have little "pockets" in the back of the wheel in between the holes, then you wont be able to mount the wheel onto the hub. A 25mm spacer is needed to completely clear the old studs and mount a wheel that does NOT have those little pockets.

The other option would be a 3mm or a 5mm spacer that simply slips over the stock studs as both of those can safely be used without the need to install extended ones. You could also use an 8mm spacer and grab some ET (extended thread) style lugnuts which have this threaded portion that goes inside the wheel beyond the actual seating surface to give you extra "turns" on the lugs when using spacers.

A 10mm spacer would require extended studs because you can only get the slip on type in that size.

I'd go with the 215 tire all around, an 8mm up front and a 15mm out back if your wheels have those recesses in the back of the mounting pad. If not, maybe a 5mm up front and an 8mm out back to even it out.

[PeZZo]

That'll be a little tricky...

You have a few options. The spacers that have the studs in them can have a few problems. One problem being the smallest spacer that is made with the studs in them is 15mm I believe. The other problem is with the 15mm, you end up with about 10mm of your old studs sticking through past the mounting surface. Unless your wheels have little "pockets" in the back of the wheel in between the holes, then you wont be able to mount the wheel onto the hub. A 25mm spacer is needed to completely clear the old studs and mount a wheel that does NOT have those little pockets.

The other option would be a 3mm or a 5mm spacer that simply slips over the stock studs as both of those can safely be used without the need to install extended ones. You could also use an 8mm spacer and grab some ET (extended thread) style lugnuts which have this threaded portion that goes inside the wheel beyond the actual seating surface to give you extra "turns" on the lugs when using spacers.

A 10mm spacer would require extended studs because you can only get the slip on type in that size.

I'd go with the 215 tire all around, an 8mm up front and a 15mm out back if your wheels have those recesses in the back of the mounting pad. If not, maybe a 5mm up front and an 8mm out back to even it out.

Well, the wheels do NOT have those "pockets" on the back, but I believe I can simply drill them to be able to use a 20mm spacer. The problem is I am afraid that ET29 will be too much and will require extra negative camber. Am I right?

And as to extended studs with 10mm spacer I actually can't decide if this option is safer than installing a thick spacer with its own studs... What do you think?