09TSXTech

As suggested by HD and SilverCU3, I installed Ichiba 15mm spacers in the front yesterday.

I was surprised by the change in handling with the 15mm change, the front definitely feel more stable with the wider track.

Here's some quick photos from work parking lot (sorry about the uncleaniness, no time to wash) :

defconskylude

how much were those spacers and where did you buy them?

09TSXTech

Bought it on ebay for $108 plus s/h ($15 for US and $32.75 for Canada).

ccarbajal08

Why didn't you put them in the back?

09TSXTech

^ Already installed 15mm spacers in the rear last month, wasn't sure about the front until discussion with HD and CU3.

So now both front and rear has the 15mm spacers installed.

ccarbajal08

Got it. Looks good!

SilverCU3

Nice!

From the pics it seems that 15mm makes an even bigger difference to the appearance on the front than it does the rear. What you have now is equivalent to ET40 wheels all round.

I know it's hard to describe how a car feels but, aside from feeling more stable, has it affected the turn-in or the straight runnning? Does it have a greater tendency to follow ridges and camber changes?

Biggest question I have is, has it improved the feel of the electric steering assist? Running stock wheels & tyres with spacers is a more valid comparison than larger wheels and tyres as nothing has altered other than the steering geometry.

Once the winter's gone, it will be interesting to know what difference the spacers make with the 19s fitted

09TSXTech

Thanks, I do think it looks better w/ ET40 all around.

The rear is more tucked in than the front in stock setup which was the main reason why I put the spacers in the rear first. My initial idea was to install 5 or 10 mm spacers in the front but changed my mind when I found out you needed to change the studs also.

I have only driven 50km to work this morning, so the observation on the feel of steering is brief. Will let you know in the new year how it responds in different situation. Overall, I am happy with the result.

HeavyDuty

I'll be interested to hear more about your feelings about the change, too. It sure makes the car look more aggressive, or correct to me.

With CU2's extensive suspension knowledge, stuff like this can benefit all of us with respect to pushing the boundaries beyond 'boiler plate fitments.'

My TL-S wheels with the stock TSX tires haven't given me any bump steer or weird transitional jitters, etc.

SilverCU3

We can keep on researching until TECH runs out of money

I'm not surprised you haven't noticed any difference with the TL-S wheels. They are still ET55 so all that's changed is an additional 1/2" rim width. This will have stretched the tyre a small amount and probably sharpened up the turn-in a little. But I think you'd be hard pushed to discern any real change. The advantage of fitting the wider rims is that you can fit bigger tyres when it comes to replacement time. Given that the Euro Type S already runs a half inch bigger tyre diameter, you could maybe replace the stock 225/50s with 235/50s? Again, that's only a small change so you probably wouldn't notice too much difference.

I'm keen to hear what TECH has to say once he's fully evaluated the effects of the 15mm spacers. If the improvements outweigh the disadvantages then that's a very cheap upgrade and it certainly makes the stock wheels look better.

I've discovered that OZ manufacture a 9x18" ET55 wheel which would sit nicely on the back with a 255 or 265/40x18 tyre. There's a matching 8x18" ET48 for the front which would take a 225 or 235/45x18 tyre. The 7mm differential between back and front, along with the wider rear tyre, would, I think, give a very balanced look and the near-stock offset shouldn't cause any handling/clearance issues.

http://www.ityre.com/en/disks/catalog/oz/4873/

But they're going to have to wait until the New Year!

09TSXTech

^ Haha SilverCU3, I think I'm done with mods for the next little while.

BTW, HD's TL-S wheels are ET 45 not ET55, couple with 1/2" wider rim, his wheel will be 16mm more tuck out than stock.

SilverCU3

Ah, I missed that ... thanks

From what you said about your steering with the spacers fitted, and what HD said about no difference with the bigger offset, it would seem that this model TSX/Accord isn't that sensitive to changes in steering geometry.

I'm looking forward to your full evaluation.

SinCityTLX

Well it has been sometime and still not evaluation. I would definately like to hear as this is a mod I am considering. 20mm spacers in the rear and 15mm up front with the stock wheels and rear sway bar. Cheap way to fix up a leased car.

SinCityTLX

I guess this isn't real active of a forum. Oh well.

09TSXTech

Please check the attitude at the door if you want people to respond to your inquiries.

I have already mentioned the handling aspect of the spacers in other threads and don't want to repeat myself again.

This is a forum for 2G owners, everyone is welcome. I welcome feedback and comments (good or bad), but I am not obliged to answer/respond to every single questions and/or comments.

SinCityTLX

sorry, didn't mean to get your panties in a bunch.

09TSXTech

^A simple apology would have been sufficed, but you have to add some lame comment

MrOtocinclus

Sense of entitlement + lack of research skills + laziness = passive aggressive behavior + still don't have the information you wanted in the first place.

SinCityTLX

Honestly shouldn't we all be constructive. Afterall this is a forum where we all come for help and reference.

I somewhat got my information, but I was looking for something more detailed. In any event I am satisfied.Can't we all just get along