I have an Acura CL Type-S 2003. I'm going to get XLR8 coilovers with a 1" drop from OEM ride height. I also want to get larger wheels and tires that are lower profile. I'm thinking 18", 8.0-8.5" wheel width with 235/40/18 tires. I don't want the wheels to stick out from the fender anymore than they do now. According to 1010 Tires.com:
Stock 215/50/17 tire diameter is 25.5" and width is 8.5" and wheel width is 7"
Proposed 235/40/18 tire diameter is 25.4" and width is 9.3". This tire size seems able to fit on either a 8" wheel or an 8.5" wheel.
According to the offset calculator, to maintain position of the outside of the wheel at OEM spec, I would have to have an offset of 64mm, which gives me 38mm less inner clearance. Is this possible with a 1" drop? An 8" wheel would require an offset of 58mm, or 26mm less inner clearance. How much less inner clearance can I tolerate with a 1" drop? What's the widest tire I can get without the wheel noticeably protruding?

 

Sounds like you should go with 18x8 or 18x8.5. Offset of +45 would be good with 235/45/18. I wouldn't really go with higher offset than +45.

 

How noticeable would +45 with a 235 tire be?

 

And why 235/45 instead of 235/40?

 

You are right. 235/40 is way to go.

18x8 +45 18x8.5 +45 with 235 tires are most common setups used on this forum. There have to be pics you can look at. My setup is much more aggressive so can't post my pics.

 

Anyone out there with pics of the contemplated 18x8 or 18x8.5 235/40 out there that you can post? Would really be most appreciative.

 

Mine are 18x8 +35 with 235/40. Pics are in my thread in the photography section. You can also look at any CL with 3rd gen TL aspec rims. They're 18x8 +45 and some are 18x8.5.

 

So, you went with 18/8 +35 235/40. Question, why would you use an offset of +35. That gave you 3mm less inner clearance and 23mm more outer protrusion, compared to stock. Almost a full inch. Why did you choose that offset? And based on the silver acura in your album, it doesn't look like the tires protrude any more than stock, let alone almost an inch. Scratching my head. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong car?

 

My rims (RPF1) don't come in that many offset options. Also according to 1010tires offset calculator, going from stock 17x7 +55 to 18x8 +35 gives me 7mm more inner clearance and extends 33mm out. So it extends 1.3". I'm not sure what pics you're looking at but these sit pretty flush with the fenders. Stock rims and tires sit way into the car.

You need to decide on your actual rim choice first. Most don't have that many widths/offsets to choose from. I would as Brian said go 8-8.5 wide with a 45 or over offset. The wider the rim and lower the offset you'll have to get into rolling fenders, camber etc.

Also if you only want a 1" drop why get coilovers? The minimum drop on those might be more than 1". I'm not saying they're a bad product, just curious why not go with a lowering spring.

 

The reason I want coilovers is for adjustability. The XLR8's keep my options open....possibly go lower and ride firmness is highly adjustable. I don't want to spend a lot money only to find out the strut or the spring is too much that and or too little this. Coilovers are designed from the ground up to be well matched together, so they seem a logical choice. Plus, a lot of people, if not most people on this forum, recommend them over separates. But I'm new to this...is there a reason not to go coilover?

 

Also, I'm pretty sure that stock offset for the CL-S 17" 7.0" wheel is 45, is it not? That is what Wheel-Size.com indicates.

 

those coilovers will be great for you. Ride height and dampening adjustment is perfect. No the stock rims are 17x7 +55 offset.

 

I'm running 235/40/18 on 18x8 aspec wheels. Slight drop with H&R oe sport springs. Check my avatar, or go to my cosmetic restoration thread in the 2nd gen cl area for a picture

 

Gnuts, I didn't realize that stock was +55...I thought it was 45. So, you went from 17/7 +55 to 18/8 +45, which results in 3mm less inner clearance and 23mm more outer protrusion, according to 1010. That's interesting. Any idea just how large the offset can be on a 18"/8" wheel on 2003 CL-S with a 1-1.5" drop before inner clearance becomes an issue?

Also, XLR8 come in three flavors:
Street Comfort with a spring rate of 10F / 6R
Street Sport with a spring rate of 12F / 8R
Racing with a spring rate of 14F / 10R

I'm not getting the racing ones. I called XLR8 and they say the adjustability is such that the firmest setting on the Comfort model is about the same ride quality as the most relaxed setting on the Street model. These are for a daily driver, but I drive pretty aggressively and the OEM setup kind of sucks....I definitely want something more performance oriented. Having said that, I don't want an uncomfortable ride either. Any idea which might be the better choice?

Thanks for all your help.

 

Mine are+ 35, and I have rolled fenders and still rub. If i had coilovers with dampening adjustment it probably wouldn't rub as I could stiffen it up.

I've heard CL guys with 3rd generation TL rims which are 17x7 +45 had to do a small fender roll with a full size tire.

Don't be scared to roll your fenders, you'll gain a lot of clearance doing it. As for which springs on the coilovers, all I can say is my old tein basis rode like stock and were 7F, 4R spring rate.

 

3G TL wheels are 17" x 8" with a 45mm offset. What's even more crazy is the 03 TL wheels are 17" x 6.5" with a 55 offset! I don't even think the Honda fit goers that high and narrow, lol.