Honda Civic Type R EP3 – Wheel Fitment Guide
The Honda Civic Type R EP3 (2001-2005) remains one of the most beloved hot hatches of all time, and upgrading the wheels is often one of the first modifications owners consider. With its iconic naturally aspirated K20A engine and aggressive styling, the EP3 deserves a set of wheels that complement its performance-focused nature. Getting the fitment right is pretty simple, you just need to check out this guide that we’ve put together in collaboration with Alloy Wheel Shop to help you get your perfect setup!
If you’d like to visualise how different sized wheels will fit on your EP3, you can use the Alloy Wheel Shop offset calculator to see the differences before you buy.
OEM Wheels
The standard alloy wheels on the EP3 Type R are relatively conservative by today’s standards, but they were well-suited to the car’s performance capabilities. The factory specification is:
- Size: 17″
- Width: 7J
- Offset: ET45
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Tyre Size: 205/45/17
- Weight: 9.1 KG (Approx)
- Center Bore / Hub Bore: 64.1mm
- Thread Size: M12 x 1.5
The EP3 uses a square setup with identical wheel specifications front and rear. While the 17×7 ET45 setup works well for daily driving and spirited road use, there’s significant room for improvement in terms of width, weight, and overall aesthetics.
Optimal Fitment Parameters
For the EP3, the sweet spot for aftermarket wheels generally falls within these parameters: 17×7.5-8.5J ET35-45
We have already pre-selected the filters from Alloy Wheel Shop but feel free to customise them to suit.
Going wider than 8.5J will likely require arch modifications or more negative camber to avoid rubbing. The lowest offset you can generally get away with for a bolt-on fitment is ET40 on a 8J wheel – lower than this and you may require your arches to be rolled or to run negative camber to avoid clearance issues.
Remember that lowering the offset effectively increases the track width – for example, moving from ET45 to ET35 has the same effect as adding a 10mm spacer to each side.
Type R Trophy and Civic Cup Specifications
For those involved in competitive motorsport or track day events, it’s worth noting the wheel specifications commonly used in the 750MC Type R Trophy and Civic Cup. These series have helped establish proven setups that work exceptionally well on track.
Rota Force – The Motorsport Choice
The Rota Force has become the go-to wheel option for Type R Trophy and Civic Cup competitors. Its popularity stems from being the perfect size that doesn’t require any additional hardware like wheel spacers, while being readily available off the shelf:
- Size: 17″
- Width: 8J
- Offset: ET35
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Recommended Tyre Size: 215/45/17
- Rubbing: None
- Colours: White, Black, Gunmetal, Bronze
This specification offers several advantages for competitive use:
- The 8J provides a slightly wider track than standard, improving stability and grip
- 215/45/17 maintains excellent tyre choice for both road and track rubber
- Arch rolling will be required to prevent rubbing
- Proven reliability in high-stress racing conditions
The Rota Force’s robust construction and affordable price point make it ideal for motorsport applications where wheels may take a beating. Many racers choose this setup as it offers race-proven performance without the premium price tag of more exotic options.
17″ Wheel Options
Sticking with 17″ wheels offers several advantages for the EP3: better ride quality, lower cost tyres, and reduced risk of wheel damage from potholes. Here are our top recommendations:
Enkei RPF1
The legendary Enkei RPF1 in 17×8 ET45 is perhaps the perfect wheel for the EP3. Weighing just 7.28kg, they’re nearly 2kg lighter than stock per corner. The RPF1’s motorsport heritage and split-spoke design complement the EP3’s aggressive styling perfectly. They are also available in ET35 but this may require some slight modification to prevent rubbing.
- Size: 17″
- Width: 8J
- Offset: ET45/ET35
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Recommended Tyre Size: 215/45/17
- Rubbing: None (arch rolling required for ET35)
- Weight: 7.28 KG
- Colours: Silver, Gold, Black, Shadow Chrome
Featured here is Olly Ross’s Civic EP3 on Enkei RPF1 wheels. Olly uses a 17×8 ET45 fitment with a 5mm front spacer to clear his Brembo calipers and a 3mm rear spacer to clear the rear trailing arm.
Please note that this colour is a custom aftermarket finish.
WedsSport TC-105X
The WedsSport TC-105X is one of our absolute favourite wheel options at Tegiwa for the EP3 Type R. This Japanese-made wheel represents the evolution of WedsSport’s flagship TC-105N model and has been developed through extensive testing in Japan’s Super GT racing series. These are also our wheel of choice on our very own Honda NSX too!
The TC-105X features 10 slim spokes and is distinguished by its featherweight construction, utilising AMF (Advanced Metal Forming) manufacturing process – a perfect compromise between casting and forging in terms of lightness and strength. Key technical features include machined cut-outs in the inner wall and spoke sides to maximise weight reduction without affecting strength, plus the distinctive “N-FRAME” spoke reinforcement that creates greater rigidity and impact dispersion.
- Size: 17″
- Width: 7.5-8.5J
- Offset: ET32-ET49
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Recommended Tyre Size: 215/45/17-235/45/17
- Rubbing: None (depending on chosen fitment)
- Weight: 6.8-7.32 KG
- Colours: Anthracite
Team Dynamics Pro Race LT
If you’re looking for a like-for-like fitment that uses the same specification as OE, the Team Dynamics Pro Race LT in 17×7 ET45 is a British-made wheel that’s got a massive motorsport pedigree. Their simple spoke design and excellent strength make them ideal for track use.
- Size: 17″
- Width: 7J
- Offset: ET45
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Recommended Tyre Size: 205/45/17
- Rubbing: None
- Weight: 7.5 KG
- Colours: Black, Gunmetal
2Forge ZF1/ZF8
What makes 2Forge wheels such a great option is that you can customise your offset all the way as low as ET10. This is perfect for anybody that is running a wide body kit or custom wings or wants to dial in their fitment to be millimetre perfect.
- Size: 17″
- Width: 7.5J/8J
- Offset: ET10-ET58
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Recommended Tyre Size: 215/45/17
- Rubbing: None (depending on chosen fitment)
- Weight: 7.5 KG
- Colours: White, Black, Gunmetal, Bronze
If you’re looking for superior strength then check out the ZF8-R. These are the forged version of the ZF8 and are available in up to a 8.5J wheel.
Going Wild – Maximum Grip Setup
For those wanting to push the boundaries and maximise grip potential, there’s always the option to go beyond conventional fitments. This approach requires serious commitment and modifications, but the results can be spectacular for high-powered builds.
Mugen MF10 – The Ultimate OEM+ Choice
If you’re looking to keep it JDM and OEM+ this is the wheel for you. The Mugen MF10 represents the pinnacle of Honda tuning heritage and is available in 17×8 ET45 fitment – the same offset as the standard EP3 wheel but an inch wider. This means you get the benefits of increased width for better handling while maintaining the exact same wheel center line position as the factory setup, requiring no modifications whatsoever. As Honda’s official tuning partner, Mugen wheels carry genuine motorsport DNA with forged construction that’s significantly lighter than standard wheels yet strong enough for serious track use. The clean, sophisticated design perfectly complements the EP3’s aesthetic and appears as if it could have come from Honda’s factory.
- Size: 17″
- Width: 8J
- Offset: ET45
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Recommended Tyre Size: 215/45/17
- Rubbing: None
If the MF10 is out of budget then consider the Mugen MC10 which is the cast version, offering the same authentic Mugen styling and perfect fitment at a more accessible price point.
Featured here is David Gornall’s Civic EP3 on Mugen MF10 wheels. David uses a 17×8 ET45 fitment with a 5mm front spacer to clear his Mugen shocks due to clearance issues. An aggressive camber setup means he runs a 2mm rear spacer to clear the rear trailing arms. He also has J’s Racing 25mm wider front wings too.
Steve’s Ultimate Grip Build
Our warehouse manager Steve has taken this approach to the extreme with his EP3 project. Having swapped the K20 for a K24 engine producing 275bhp thanks to extensive modifications, he needed a wheel and tyre setup that could put all that power down effectively.
Steve’s Front Axle Specification:
- Size: 17″
- Width: 9J
- Offset: ET25
- PCD: 5×114.3
- Tyre Size: 255/40/17 Nankang NS-2R
- Rubbing: None
- Weight: 9.22 KG
- Colours: Matte Black, Matte Grey, Bronze, Metallic Carbon with Machined Lip
- Modifications Required: Aftermarket wide front wings
The Konig Hypergram offers several advantages for this extreme application:
- Lightweight construction despite the 9J width
- Aggressive styling that suits the wider body aesthetic
- Proven strength for high-power applications
- Excellent value compared to premium alternatives
The Nankang NS-2R tyres are a popular choice among track day enthusiasts, offering near-slick levels of grip while remaining road legal. The 255 width provides a massive contact patch for transferring power to the tarmac.
Is It Worth It?
For serious track enthusiasts with high-power builds like Steve’s 275bhp K24, the investment in wider wheels and bodywork can transform the car’s ability to put power down. However, for most EP3 owners, the conventional 8-8.5J setups we’ve covered earlier will provide the perfect balance of performance and practicality.
Tyre Recommendations
17″ Tyre Sizes
- 205/45/17 – Works with 7 and 7.5J wheels, same as OEM size
- 215/45/17 – Ideal for 8J wheels, maintains the same overall diameter to stock
- 235/40/17 – For 8.5J wheels, provides maximum grip but may require arch work
Popular tyre choices for the EP3 include:
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5 – Excellent all-round performance
- Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 – High performance road tyre
- Nankang NS-2R – The perfect do it all tyre for the road and track
- Yokohama A052 – For those wanting all out performance on the track
- MRF ZTR – The control tyre in for the Type R Trophy
Spacers and Adapters
If you want to improve the EP3’s stance without changing wheels, spacers are an option:
If you have a YSR 6 pot big brake kit, which is a hugely popular upgrade for the Civic EP3, and still run the standard wheels, then you will need a 15mm front spacer to provide enough clearance.
Always use hub-centric spacers with the correct 64.1mm centre bore and ensure you use appropriate extended bolts.
Installation Tips
When fitting new wheels to your EP3:
- Check clearances thoroughly – Test fit with full lock and suspension compression
- Use proper torque specifications – Honda specifies 110 Nm (80 lb-ft) for wheel bolts
- Consider alignment – New wheels may require tracking adjustment
Wheel Bolts
Upgrade to Muteki SR48 wheel bolts for better strength and appearance. These cold-forged steel bolts are lighter and stronger than OEM.
Final Recommendations
The EP3 Type R is a special car that deserves a thoughtful wheel upgrade. Whether you prioritise weight saving, aesthetics, or value, there’s an option that will transform your driving experience while maintaining the car’s exceptional character.
Remember, the best wheel is one that suits your driving style, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Take time to research and consider all options before making your decision. If you need any help choosing the perfect setup for your EP3, don’t hesitate to get in touch!