Safari Edition Build

[joshbe89]

Not your typical build. 2023 6MT with 17” Sparco All-Terrain Terra rims and 225/55R17 Falken WildPeak A/T Trail tires. It is definitely the largest diameter that’ll fit without having issues with rubbing, but there is space all around at full wheel lock from the suspension and fender wells and plenty of space at full articulation of the wheels. Lifted the car .65” so sitting with 5.75” of ground clearance. I was worried it wouldn’t work, but very happy it did. I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4 A/S on factory wheels, which are awesome and transformed the car, but they are no good for gravel and dirt roads, so got these just to swap out for that purpose when camping, hiking, etc. Also, deep snow, if ever need to drive in it. After going for a test drive I’m going to have a hard time switching them out. They make the car really smooth, soak up everything on the road, are extremely quiet (even more than the Michelins), and still handles great (I didn’t push them hard being brand new tires). The set up also shaved significant weight off, I didn’t weigh them, but from feel I’d say 8-10 lbs. lighter, all from the rims, as the tires are 5 lbs. heavier than the Michelins. The weight savings seems to overcome the aggressive tread and keeps or even enhances the performance. In person it looks pretty awesome, very aggressive. The additional height is noticeable, in a good way, at least to me. Only downside I can see is that the speedometer is going to be off, about .5 MPH every 10 MPH = 20 MPH = 21 MPH, 30 MPH = 31.5 MPH, 40 MPH = 42 MPH, etc.

edit: after doing some more driving and highway, the other downside is the gearing is taller, I found myself between 4-5th more than 5-6th. I don’t notice any difference going from a stop, other than maybe not accelerating quite as hard.

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[SeanIsElsewhere]

Not your typical build. 2023 6MT with 17” Sparco All-Terrain Terra rims and 225/55R17 Falken WildPeak A/T Trail tires. It is definitely the largest diameter that’ll fit without having issues with rubbing, but there is space all around at full wheel lock from the suspension and fender wells and plenty of space at full articulation of the wheels. Lifted the car .65” so sitting with 5.75” of ground clearance. I was worried it wouldn’t work, but very happy it did. I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4 A/S on factory wheels, which are awesome and transformed the car, but they are no good for gravel and dirt roads, so got these just to swap out for that purpose when camping, hiking, etc. Also, deep snow, if ever need to drive in it. After going for a test drive I’m going to have a hard time switching them out. They make the car really smooth, soak up everything on the road, are extremely quiet (even more than the Michelins), and still handles great (I didn’t push them hard being brand new tires). The set up also shaved significant weight off, I didn’t weigh them, but from feel I’d say 8-10 lbs. lighter, all from the rims, as the tires are 5 lbs. heavier than the Michelins. The weight savings seems to overcome the aggressive tread and keeps or even enhances the performance. In person it looks pretty awesome, very aggressive. The additional height is noticeable, in a good way, at least to me. Only downside I can see is that the speedometer is going to be off, about .5 MPH every 10 MPH = 20 MPH = 21 MPH, 30 MPH = 31.5 MPH, 40 MPH = 42 MPH, etc.

I dig it! I’ve pondered the idea of doing something similar for my winter wheel setup. Looks sick. You going to do any Hella lighting, bars or hitches etc as well?

 

[joshbe89]

I dig it! I’ve pondered the idea of doing something similar for my winter wheel setup. Looks sick. You going to do any Hella lighting, bars or hitches etc as well?

Nah, I do regularly use roof rack, but I take it off when not in use. I thought about a hitch, but hate taking off the rear bumper to install and needing to cut. Plus have that hanging down to hit on steep slopes. I regularly carry bike, kayak, and have a rooftop box too.

 

[SeanIsElsewhere]

Nah, I do regularly use roof rack, but I take it off when not in use. I thought about a hitch, but hate taking off the rear bumper to install and needing to cut. Plus have that hanging down to hit on steep slopes. I regularly carry bike, kayak, and have a rooftop box too.

Noice! Thanks for sharing. When you get the bikes atop your teg be sure to post pics! I’ve yet to see any racked up Integras actually hauling anything

 

[joshbe89]

Noice! Thanks for sharing. When you get the bikes atop your teg be sure to post pics! I’ve yet to see any racked up Integras actually hauling anything

 

[SeanIsElsewhere]

Right on

 

[joshbe89]

6" of ground clearance, 7.5" rocker, and 10" front overhang

 

[Integra23]

6" of ground clearance, 7.5" rocker, and 10" front overhang

Better be some mudding photos soon

 

[Harry Furgson]

Nice build !

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[integranator]

This is really unique, I like it a lot!

 

[acurax]

Not your typical build. 2023 6MT with 17” Sparco All-Terrain Terra rims and 225/55R17 Falken WildPeak A/T Trail tires. It is definitely the largest diameter that’ll fit without having issues with rubbing, but there is space all around at full wheel lock from the suspension and fender wells and plenty of space at full articulation of the wheels. Lifted the car .65” so sitting with 5.75” of ground clearance. I was worried it wouldn’t work, but very happy it did. I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4 A/S on factory wheels, which are awesome and transformed the car, but they are no good for gravel and dirt roads, so got these just to swap out for that purpose when camping, hiking, etc. Also, deep snow, if ever need to drive in it. After going for a test drive I’m going to have a hard time switching them out. They make the car really smooth, soak up everything on the road, are extremely quiet (even more than the Michelins), and still handles great (I didn’t push them hard being brand new tires). The set up also shaved significant weight off, I didn’t weigh them, but from feel I’d say 8-10 lbs. lighter, all from the rims, as the tires are 5 lbs. heavier than the Michelins. The weight savings seems to overcome the aggressive tread and keeps or even enhances the performance. In person it looks pretty awesome, very aggressive. The additional height is noticeable, in a good way, at least to me. Only downside I can see is that the speedometer is going to be off, about .5 MPH every 10 MPH = 20 MPH = 21 MPH, 30 MPH = 31.5 MPH, 40 MPH = 42 MPH, etc.

edit: after doing some more driving and highway, the other downside is the gearing is taller, I found myself between 4-5th more than 5-6th. I don’t notice any difference going from a stop, other than maybe not accelerating quite as hard.

Looks like you're in PA, correct? If so, whoever you take your car to for state inspections may fail you due to the change in tire diameter. Depends on how closely they follow the PA inspection rules. If that is the case and you still have a set of wheels/tires that are close to, if not exactly, the OEM diameter, I would just swap those in for the inspection.

 

[oren]

Great build! I had sort of a similar idea of a build; what did you use for the lift? Just some shims under the springs, or....? Do you have any idea what the articulation on the CVs are/how much the maximum you can safely lift it is?

 

[JohnV]

6" of ground clearance, 7.5" rocker, and 10" front overhang

I really like those Sparco wheels. My car is white, so I'm not sure that would look as good for me. But I expect 17" would greatly improve the ride, especially with highway tires.

Can I ask the rude question of how much you paid for the wheels? I've never bought a set of replacement wheels before.

 

[joshbe89]

I really like those Sparco wheels. My car is white, so I'm not sure that would look as good for me. But I expect 17" would greatly improve the ride, especially with highway tires.

Can I ask the rude question of how much you paid for the wheels? I've never bought a set of replacement wheels before.

I got them on tire rack as a package. No idea what I paid any more, but you can get a bunch of different colors. Had a I known the “Sparco” branding was just stickers I would’ve probably gone with bronze or black instead. I ended up selling the Wildpeaks and going to an approximately equivalent size to the OEM 18” set up with 17” Michelin CrossClimate 2. You are right, improves the ride substantially. I put the heavy 18” OEM wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport a/s on for summer and I’m finding myself wanting to put the 17” Michelin Cross Climates back on. The car rides better, is quieter, and is actually more fun, plus is safe in heavy rain (the Pilot Sports are a hydroplane disaster in heavy rain and I would never buy them again).

 

[joshbe89]

Great build! I had sort of a similar idea of a build; what did you use for the lift? Just some shims under the springs, or....? Do you have any idea what the articulation on the CVs are/how much the maximum you can safely lift it is?

no lift, just way upsized tires, so a tire lift. I ended up going to about OEM 18” size but with a lot more sidewall on 17’s with Michelin CrossClimate 2 and really love the setup. The Wildepeaks were a bit much for the car with it being so light and were definitely at the max size wise. I had it off road in snow while camping once and it didn’t do well with traction. The CrossClimates are incredible, I took it through some pretty deep snow drifts this winter and those tires did amazing. Ground clearance is the limiting factor.

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