The Acura Integra Type S (DE5 ITS, 2023+) resurrects a legendary nameplate by combining Honda’s proven K20C1 turbocharged powertrain with a grand touring-focused chassis. While it shares the Global Honda Architecture and mechanical specifications with the FL5 Honda Civic Type R, the DE5 ITS prioritizes acoustic refinement, ride compliance, and premium appointments over outright lap times. The result is a performance sedan that delivers exceptional capability wrapped in a more livable, luxurious package suitable for daily commuting, long-distance touring, and spirited canyon driving. While the factory 19x9.5” +60 wheels paired with 265/30R19 tires deliver sharp steering response and excellent grip, many Integra Type S owners pursue downsizing to 18” wheels for improved ride quality, reduced unsprung weight, and enhanced pothole resistance on public roads. This guide provides comprehensive technical information for wheel fitment on the DE5 ITS.
For quick-reference wheel and tire combinations, consult the DE5 ITS Wheel and Tire Combo Cheatsheet.
OEM / Stock Wheel Specifications
All DE5 ITS models share identical wheel specifications across all markets and trim levels.
| Bolt Pattern | 5x120 |
| Centerbore | 64.1mm |
| Thread Pitch | M14x1.5 |
| Lug Nut Torque | 95 ft-lbs |
Factory Wheel Configuration
| Model / Year | Diameter x Width | Offset | Weight | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE5 ITS | 19x9.5” | +60 | ~26 lbs | 265/30R19 |
The factory 19x9.5” +60 wheels weigh approximately 26 lbs each and came from the factory wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The high +60 offset tucks the wheel deep into the well to minimize scrub radius and torque steer.
Cross-Platform
The DE5 ITS utilizes a 5x120mm bolt pattern with a 64.1mm center bore, identical to the FL5 Honda Civic Type R and the previous generation FK8 (2017-2021). This means wheels are mechanically interchangeable across all three generations, though fitment characteristics differ due to fender geometry. The 5x120 pattern is also shared with many late model BMWs, opening access to a wide aftermarket selection.
Aftermarket Considerations
The Case for Downsizing to 18-Inch Wheels
The DE5 ITS’s grand touring mission makes 18” downsizing particularly compelling. The softer Adaptive Damper System calibration already prioritizes compliance over track sharpness. Pairing this with the additional sidewall of 18” tires creates a genuinely comfortable performance car for daily use and long-distance touring.
Sidewall Protection and Durability: The OEM 265/30R19 has a relatively low sidewall height, transmitting sharp impacts directly to the wheel barrel. Potholes, expansion joints, and road debris all pose risk of wheel damage. Switching to 18” wheels with 265/35R18 tires increases sidewall height by approximately 13mm, providing critical deflection to absorb impacts and protect the rim.
Unsprung Mass Reduction: The OEM 19x9.5” wheels weigh approximately 26 lbs each. High-quality aftermarket forged 18” wheels like the Titan 7 T-S5 or Apex VS-5RS weigh 18-20 lbs, reducing unsprung weight by 6-8 lbs per corner (24-32 lbs total). This reduction improves suspension response, allowing the Adaptive Damper System to react more quickly to road surface changes, and reduces the energy required for acceleration and braking.
Tire Selection and Cost: The 18” diameter offers a wider tire selection across all performance categories. Additionally, 18” tire costs are typically 15-25% lower than their 19” equivalents.
Reverse Staggered vs. Square
For dedicated track enthusiasts, reverse staggered setups (wider fronts than rears) represent an advanced tuning strategy to maximize front grip on the DE5 ITS’s front-wheel-drive platform. A common configuration is 18x10” +45 front with 18x9.5” +45 rear, paired with 275/35R18 and 265/35R18 tires respectively. This arrangement places maximum contact patch where power is delivered, helping combat understeer. However, the trade-offs are significant: accelerated front tire wear, impossible tire rotation, and increased setup complexity.
For the vast majority of DE5 ITS owners, including those who regularly track their cars, a square setup (same width all around) is the recommended configuration. Square setups simplify tire rotation, maintain the balanced chassis dynamics Honda engineered into the platform, and reduce tire costs. Reserve reverse staggered setups for Time Attack builds where lap times justify the increased complexity.
Brake Clearance
The DE5 ITS is equipped with 4-piston Brembo monoblock calipers and 350mm x 32mm two-piece rotors. Wheel fitment is not solely determined by offset and width—spoke profile and inner barrel shape are critical. A wheel with “appropriate” offset may still fail to clear the caliper face if the spokes lack adequate concavity or clearance depth. When purchasing wheels without community validation, always verify brake clearance specifications with the manufacturer. Many reputable wheel manufacturers maintain specific fitment guides for the DE5 ITS’s Brembo brakes.
Popular wheels verified for DE5 ITS Brembo clearance include BBS RI-A (18x9.5” +50), Titan 7 T-S5/T-D6 (18x9.5” +45, +40), RAYS Volk Racing TE37 Saga (18x9.5” +45, +38), Apex VS-5RS (18x9.5” +45), Enkei TS-5 (18x9.5” +45), Gram Lights 57DR/57CR (18x9.5” +38), and many others.
Front Fender Liner Tab
The DE5 ITS has a small plastic tab in the front fender liner that may require bending or trimming for particularly aggressive setups. This is a simple finger-bend modification taking only minutes per side and is typically needed for offsets of +40 and lower, especially when paired with 265-width tires or lowered suspension.
Fender Rolling
With 265 treadwidth tires on +40 offset (when lowered or with wider tires) or +35 and lower offsets, fender rolling may be necessary to prevent contact during hard cornering or over bumps. Professional fender rolling services fold the inner fender lip upward to provide additional clearance. The DE5 ITS’s fender design tolerates rolling well without visible exterior deformation.
Camber Adjustments
Adding negative camber (typically -1.5° to -2.5° or more) helps tuck the top of the tire inward, reducing the likelihood of fender contact. Camber also improves cornering performance on track by maximizing tire contact patch during lateral load. Factory camber adjustment is limited. Aftermarket camber bolts or adjustable suspension components are recommended for aggressive alignments.
Weight and Handling Impact
The DE5 ITS’s refined suspension geometry was designed to provide exceptional handling while maintaining grand touring livability. Reducing unsprung weight through lighter wheels is one of the most effective modifications you can make. A lightweight 18” forged wheel like the Titan 7 T-S5 weighs under 19 lbs, while a cheap cast replica of similar size can weigh 25-28 lbs. That translates to 24-36 lbs of unsprung weight, a substantial difference you can feel at the limits of handling.
Wheel Load Rating
The DE5 ITS has a curb weight of approximately 3,219 lbs with a front-heavy weight distribution (62% front / 38% rear). The gross axle weight ratings are approximately 2,227 lbs front and 1,764 lbs rear, meaning each wheel must support at minimum 1,114 lbs static load. Accounting for dynamic loads during hard cornering and braking, a minimum load rating of 1,200 lbs per wheel is recommended.
Most quality aftermarket wheels designed for the DE5 ITS’s 5x120 bolt pattern offer load ratings between 1,200 and 1,800 lbs per wheel. Forged wheels generally offer the highest load ratings relative to weight. Always verify load rating data before purchase.
Hub Centric Rings
Many aftermarket 5x120 wheels are designed for BMW applications with a 72.56mm center bore. The DE5 ITS requires 64.1mm hub centering. To adapt these wheels, use hub centric rings (72.56mm OD → 64.1mm ID). Aluminum rings are strongly recommended for track use. The Brembo brake system generates substantial heat that can deform plastic rings, leading to wheel vibration and difficulty during removal. Aluminum rings maintain dimensional stability under thermal cycling.
TPMS
The DE5 ITS employs an indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System that infers pressure loss by comparing relative wheel speeds, rather than using physical sensors mounted in each wheel. This means you do not need to transfer sensors or purchase additional TPMS units when installing aftermarket wheels.
Whenever wheel size or tire pressure is adjusted, recalibrate the system via the infotainment menu: Settings > Vehicle > TPMS Calibration. This initiates a learning phase where the onboard computer maps the new rolling radius. Drive for 10-20 minutes to complete the calibration cycle.
Wheel Recommendations
Below are recommendations based on wheel mathematics, common aftermarket sizes, and real-world experience from the DE5 Integra Type S community. These are general recommendations focused on wheel dimensions and offset ranges. Wheels with different spoke designs and barrel profiles may fit differently. Always verify fitment for your specific setup before purchasing. For winter setups see our companion section in the DE5 ITS Tire Guide.
OEM+ Recommendations
Conservative sizes that maintain or slightly improve upon factory specifications without requiring body modifications. These sizes work well for daily drivers, winter setups, or owners prioritizing reliability over aggressive aesthetics.
| Wheel Dimensions | Offset Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18x9 | +45 to +50 | Conservative 18” width for winter tires, accommodates 245/40R18 or 255/35R18 |
| 18x9.5 | +50 to +60 | Same width as OEM but with reduced diameter for improved ride quality. +53 is the limit for SCCA Street Autocross classes |
| 19x9 | +45 to +50 | Conservative 19” width for those preferring factory diameter in a winter setup |
| 19x9.5 | +50 to +60 | Factory specification - maintains stock scrub radius and handling characteristics |
These conservative sizes provide maximum pothole protection, require no fender modifications, and maintain the DE5 ITS’s factory handling balance. Focus should be on weight reduction through forged or flow-formed construction. The 9J width is ideal for dedicated winter duties.
Street Recommendations
The optimal balance of performance, durability, and fitment ease. These sizes represent the sweet spot for DE5 ITS owners seeking improved aesthetics and track width without extensive modifications.
| Wheel Dimensions | Offset Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18x9.5 | +45 | Primary recommendation - Direct bolt-on, no modifications, accommodates 265/35R18, strong resale market given shared FL5 CTR fitment |
| 18x9.5 | +40 | Aggressive street fitment, minimum -1.5° camber recommended, may require fender rolling with lowering or 265 tread width |
| 18x9.5 | +35 | Maximum flush street fitment, minimum -2.0° camber required, fender rolling required for wide tires |
| 19x9.5 | +45 | Direct fit in 19”, pairs with 265/30R19, excellent cross-generation compatibility |
| 19x9.5 | +40 | Aggressive 19” street fitment, minimum -1.5° camber, may require fender rolling with lowering or 265 tread width |
| 19x9.5 | +35 | Maximum flush 19” street fitment, minimum -2.0° camber required, fender rolling required for wide tires |
The 18x9.5” +45 is the consensus recommendation for downsizing from the OEM wheels. It provides a 15mm track width increase per side compared to the stock +60 offset, dramatically improving handling characteristics while requiring zero body modifications. This size works perfectly with 265/35R18 tires, which offer near-perfect diameter match to the factory 265/30R19 (-0.2% variance). The combination of 18-inch sidewall compliance and the DE5 ITS’s softer Adaptive Damper calibration creates exceptional ride quality without sacrificing performance capability.
The 19x9.5” +45 maintains the factory diameter while improving track width and is ideal for owners who prefer 19” aesthetics.
The +40 offset configurations provide a more aggressive flush appearance with increased concavity. Most owners report minimal issues with 255-width tires, but 265-width tires may require front fender liner tab bending and possibly fender rolling, especially when lowered.
The +35 offset represents maximum flush street fitment and requires -2.0° camber minimum along with fender rolling for clearance.
Track / Competition Recommendations
Maximum grip configurations for dedicated track use. These sizes push the limits of fitment and typically require suspension modifications, aggressive alignment settings, and careful tire selection.
| Wheel Dimensions | Offset Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18x10 | +38 to +45 | Accommodates 275/35R18, requires -2.0° to -2.5° camber, may need fender work |
| 18x10.5 | +45 to +47 | Fits 275/35R18 or 285/30R18, requires camber modifications (-3.0°+) |
| 18x11 | +45 | Extreme width, fits 285/30R18, requires camber modifications (-3.5°+) and fender work |
Aside from the 18x10” width being used in an aggressive square setup it is also used in reverse staggered configurations (wider fronts than rears) for dedicated track builds seeking maximum front grip. A common reverse stagger setup is 18x10” +40 to +45 front with 18x9.5” +40 to +45 rear. This maximizes front contact patch but eliminates tire rotation capability and accelerates front tire wear. The +45 offset may require fender work with wider tires, while +38 to +40 offsets will require fender rolling.
The 18x10.5” width represents the limit of practical fitment and is reserved for Track Rat and Time Attack builds where lap times justify the complexity. This width fits 275/35R18 or 285/30R18 tires and requires negative camber in excess of -3.0°, along with fender rolling and may still exhibit occasional rubbing during aggressive track sections.
The 18x11” width is for competition-focused builds, requiring -3.5°+ camber, aggressive fender work, and precise setup. This is reserved for dedicated track cars where every tenth counts.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
The DE5 ITS shares its fundamental hub architecture (5x120mm PCD, 64.1mm center bore) with both the FL5 Civic Type R (2023+) and the FK8 Civic Type R (2017-2021). However, physical differences in fender geometry create distinct fitment characteristics.
DE5 ITS vs. FK8 Differences
Fender Width: The DE5 ITS features wider fenders compared to the FK8, providing additional clearance for aggressive offsets. The FK8 requires more conservative offset selection or more extensive fender modifications for the same wheel width.
OEM Wheel Size: The FK8 used 20x8.5” +60 wheels, while the DE5 ITS uses 19x9.5” +60. This means FK8 owners upgrading to DE5 ITS-spec wheels gain both diameter and width advantages.
Compatibility: DE5 ITS OEM wheels (+60 offset) will fit the FK8 but may appear slightly too conservative given the FK8’s narrower fenders. FK8 aftermarket setups (18x9.5” +45, +38) are more aggressive on the FK8 chassis and will fit the DE5 ITS with room to spare.
DE5 ITS vs. FL5 Differences
Fender Construction: The FL5 features bespoke stamped metal fenders integrated into the steel monocoque with smoothly blended arches. The DE5 ITS uses add-on plastic fender flares over the standard Integra body shell. Despite the different construction methods, both vehicles share identical wheel well dimensions and for most applications accommodate the same wheel fitment specifications.
Suspension Tuning: The DE5 ITS’s softer Adaptive Damper System calibration may result in slightly higher ride height under load, potentially affecting fender clearance on aggressive setups. The FL5’s stiffer calibration provides less suspension travel and compliance.
Practical Impact: For street use, FL5 and DE5 ITS wheel fitment is effectively identical. For track use with lowered suspension, the FL5’s stiffer damping may tolerate aggressive rolling and lower offsets slightly better than the DE5 ITS.
Additional Resources
- Quick Reference: DE5 ITS Wheel and Tire Cheatsheet for validated wheel and tire pairings
- Tire Compatibility: See the DE5 ITS Tire Guide for tire size recommendations and load ratings
- Where to Buy: Tire Rack for tires with nationwide network of recommended installers
Remember: Actual fitment varies based on wheel design (spoke profile, barrel shape), tire selection, suspension setup, ride height, camber, and fender condition. Always verify fitment for your specific combination before purchasing. When in doubt, consult a professional installer.