New Member here, with big question

[JtownJimmyMac]

Alright everyone, I will start off by saying I am new here, and I didn't look around yet so if this is one of many of the same postings, I am very sorry but I do need some big help!! I am still learning about tire width's and sizes and offsets and everything else. Ok I am in the process of ordering new rims and tires, I am upgrading to 18's. There are a few different sizes I see now ranging from 18x7.5,18x8, and 18x9. The ones I had originally planned on getting were the 18x7.5, but now I am kind of looking at it and I want a lil wider rim. What size of rim does anyone suggest? I am looking for ideas.

So far I am going with the 18x7.5 with a 42 mm offset and I am going to have them wrapped in a BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW-2 225/40/18, I am on stock suspension right now but I am going to order springs/coilovers at the same time. If I order springs I figured maybe like a 1.5 drop because I do eventually want a body kit, but someone on scionlife said I could slam it hella low, but I didnt get to many answers, so im hoping that maybe someone here will be helpful to me. Thanks in advance

[CadenceScion]

Welcome to Club-tC. After reading your post I would like to start off by saying I would suggest going no bigger than an 18'' wheel. IMO a bigger wheel just doesn't look appropreiate on our cars. I am running a 18x7.5 w/o any issues. If you do want to run a 18x8.5 or 18x9.5 etc.. I would suggest buying wheel spacers to allow for proper clearence on the turning radius. A plus with a wheel spacer is you can achieve a wider stance, which may help with handling/cornering. Also when buying a wheel, you want to have the proper offest as well. If you do decide to slam it on the ground with lowering springs, coil overs, airbags etc... I would also suggest buying a camber kit. Not saying that a bigger wheel won't work, but in some cases there are other factors to keep in mind when doing this. Some vehicles may require having the fenders rolled/reshaped to allow for the bigger wheels to fit w/o rubbing, which can be a costly fabrication.

I am not big on coil overs, most people I have talked to say they ride horrible and have too much bounce. If you do buy a coil over, buy a fully adjustable coil over, but make sure that when you dial in your tC, make sure all 4 sides are the same height and stiffness, or the ride, handling and result your striving for will lead to more frustration. I feel you'd be better off buying an aftermarket strut and lowering spring. I don't feel that a coil over is suitable for an everyday driven car, if you were doing autocross or racing, then I would see this being more fit. I would also like to suggest if you do plan on going bigger than an 18'' wheel, buying a bigger brake kit. The bigger the wheel, the more mass your going to have to try to stop.

[navylife59]

This might help....http://www.club-tc.com/forums/suspen...tire-info.html

I am running a +35mm 18x8.5 with a 225/40/18 Nitto Invo tire with about a 2" drop. I ended up having to have the rear fenders shaved and the fronts bottom out just slightly on the plastic mud guards. After getting the right offset, you have to match the tire to the rim. Too big a tire and you might end up rubbing. This is why people run narrow rubberbands on their 19"+ wheels; for clearance.

[JtownJimmyMac]

Alright, so check it... I know its been almost a month, but after posting this before, I made a decision and stuck with it. So today I finally got them on and I got some quick pictures!

I ended up going with 18x7.5 42mm offset Enkei LF-10, Black with red inserts. For the tire I went with a 225/40/18 Nanking LSII, whole package ran me less than 1500 w/ a warranty(forget the exact years)

*NOTE* the pictures I took today were just quick ones. I didn't put the red inserts on or the center caps because I had to run to sears and spend $15 bucks for them to throw them on. Also, I didn't clean the tire yet so there is still the grease and stuff on it.... So without further adue, here you go! I hope I get better feedback/response from here as well, rather than what I got at Scion Life where I got bashed because I didn't spend 2g on one rim!

[CadenceScion]

Hey man, I like those wheels. They match the color of your car and look amazing. I had the same experience as you with ScionLife.com. For one, most of those guys are very cocky, rude, immature and down ride nasty. Some of them think their tC's and the mods they have are all that and a bag of chips. I wouldn't waste your time with people who can't be nice and treat you like a piece of sh*t. I got ragged on as well and of course I was a newbie. ScionLife has been known for poor advice giving, smack talking and putting others down, same goes for ClubSciontC.com. Your way better off sticking with us and not having to listen or put up with all that BS. Now that you have the wheels, are you interested in having another sick mod on your Scion tC? Go to SCIONPRO.COM | Official Website and checkout the limited edition hoods that are being made for the Scion tC's. There is also a forum here on Club-tC that I posted with pictures. Check it out! =)

[CadenceScion]

Furthermore, it doesn't make you a bada** to have spent 2G's on a rim. Hit one bad pot hole and say bye-bye to that expensive rim that cost an arm and a leg. Some people have more money than they do brains. I'd rather spend $2,000 on a turbo/supercharger or an awesome paint job, than some wheels. Where are very expensive wheels going to seriously get you?

[JtownJimmyMac]

hey I know what ya mean about bad advice. I ended up having sears put all 4 tires on for $15, only because I really did not know about hubcentric rings, and they came with the rims n tires. Well I ended up looking up hubcentric rings and someone said that you only use them on the front wheels, and also, I saw someone said you needed two for each wheel....well the guy at sears laughed when I told him that.

OMG, I checked out that site, which is now bookmarked and there is some sick stuff on there, I like the hoods, but if they are only limited, I do not think I will be able to get one...all my income tax money is used up lol!!!

Like I said, I will take better pics tomorrow, with the red inserts and center caps on and post them up! Right now I am going to bed

[JtownJimmyMac]

Furthermore, it doesn't make you a bada** to have spent 2G's on a rim. Hit one bad pot hole and say bye-bye to that expensive rim that cost an arm and a leg. Some people have more money than they do brains. I'd rather spend $2,000 on a turbo/supercharger or an awesome paint job, than some wheels. Where are very expensive wheels going to seriously get you?

Hey I hear ya, I am happy with my 1500 package, and like you said, I would love to have a turbo/supercharger or a paintjob and spend that 2g on, rather that the rims. I told them, I coulda had 20's that no one else would ever have if I wanted/could spend 2g on a rim lol...

[JtownJimmyMac]

alright so here are the pics with the red inserts..... o and watch it or you have to deal with HER!!! LOL

[CadenceScion]

James, the red inserts look awesome and gives a unique/personal touch. Don't think those wheels will be too hard to keep clean either. What other mods are you looking to do?

[JtownJimmyMac]

Well, I am probably going to drop it in the next few weeks, I donno if I want coils or springs. Then next year is going to be a body kit and a paint job. I gotta redo my interior and redo my system. In the future future, I would love to supercharge or turbo it, thinkin lambo doors w/ shaved door handles... there is just so much I would like to do...will it happen...I donno, have to wait and find out

[CadenceScion]

As I have said in past forums on here, I personally wouldn't waste my money on coil-overs and I know Navy would agree with me as well. Coil-overs are for show and also more for serious racing like auto-cross, ralley, road-course, not as a daily driver. Most people I have talked to have said they bought the coil-overs and found the ride to be more bouncy then they had liked. You'd be better off with a good, reliable after-market spring and strut. Navy had me make a post for new scion owners looking to mod out their tC's and the mods that are available, you may want to refer to that. Its under the new members section.

[navylife59]

Yes, good advice. Stick with springs. You still will have coilovers, just not adjustable.

The rims look good on your car and fit well. You should have no rubbing issues when you lower it. Just my personal preference, but I like it w/o the red inserts. Not bashing, it still looks good and if you like it, who cares what others think. Did Sears mount the tires or just mount the wheel assembly on your car? Did they scratch them at all? Everytime I have had my wheels touched by a professional shop, they send in their B Team that manages to scratch them.