Transform your Civic FK8 with these 2 simple steps!
Believe it or not, the Honda Civic Type R FK8 is approaching nearly a decade old! If you own one of these cars then you’ll know that they’re such a weapon out of the box but there’s one area where we think Honda really dropped the ball and that’s the wheel fitment. It’s easily one of the most disappointing factory setups out there but don’t worry, we’re going to show you how to rectify that with just two simple upgrades.
The FK8 rolled off the production line sporting 20×8.5J ET60 wheels which were wrapped in 245/30/18 tyres. On paper, 20 inch wheels sound like they’re going to be aggressive, but in reality, it was the total opposite.
Firstly, the diameter is too large for the car but the real issue is that the sky-high offset of ET60 pushes the standard rim so far into the arch that they practically disappear. For a car that looks as in your face as the FK8 does, having wheels that look lost is pretty unacceptable in our opinion.
Secondly, there’s the 30 profile tyres. These ultra low-profile tyres do absolutely nothing for ride quality and look like your tyres are equipped with elastic bands. What you’re left with is a harsh ride that compromises both handling and everyday comfort.
The solution is to ditch the OEM wheels and invest in a proper aftermarket setup from the likes of Apex, Enkei or WedsSport. Our recommendation is an 18×9.5 ET45 wheel, which will provide a night and day difference over stock. To keep things JDM, we chose Enkei T6R wheels in Matte Bronze to complement the Crystal Black Pearl paint.
By choosing a wider 9.5J wheel, this will enable you to run a much meatier tyre, in our case, 265/35/18 Continental Sport Contact 7’s. A wider contact patch with the road means better grip, improved handling and a much more planted feel in the corners. The increased sidewall profile also dramatically improves ride quality, especially on British roads!
The secret sauce is here, is the ET45 offset. It pushes the face of the wheels out just enough to fill the arches perfectly and eliminates the need for wheel spacers. It’s a simple bolt-on affair and you don’t have to worry about rubbing or catching.
If you’re not a fan of the T6R style, then head over to our sister website, Alloy Wheel Shop and use the filters to narrow down FK8 specific fitments, as we have already done when you click this link. There are 63 different wheel options available in this sizing so you’re spoilt for choice.
If you’re planning on doing track days, we’d highly recommend the WedsSport TC105X. These wheels are track proven and offer the perfect blend of strength and weight saving at a fantastic price point.
Now that you’ve addressed the wheel fitment, you’ll probably notice quite a bit of arch gap between the tyre and the body of the car. We’re going to address that with lowering springs to retain everyday comfort, but if you really want to dial it in or maximise performance then you’d be better off looking at a set of coilovers from the likes of YSR or Tein.
We recommend either Eibach or H&R lowering springs with both brands offering FK8 specific products that strike the perfect balance of aesthetic and functionality. What you’ll get is a noticeable drop that fills out the arches whilst maintain everyday comfort and usability. There’s no need to sacrifice your spine or dentures for the sake of looking good!
This is a win-win modification as not only does it improve form but it reduces the cars centre of gravity, which translates directly into less body roll and sharper handling through the corners.
With just these two modifications, your Civic FK8 will now have a much more purposeful stance and a presence that it deserves. The best bit is that these aren’t radical modifications that compromise daily usability. You can still enjoy your FK8 as a daily driver whilst having it looking as aggressive as it now performs.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out our range of suspension and wheel upgrades at Tegiwa.com and join the FK8 owners who have unlocked their Civic’s true potential.
