Optimal tire size for 17 x 7 wheel Options

[OOBE]

Hey guys. I'm at a loss here. I'm not too adept in wheelology, lol, so I'm don't have a lot of knowledge on wheels and tires. I come seeking your knowledge since I know we have autocrossers, rally drivers, etc. I'm buying Hankook Ventus RS-3s as daily tires (I know ) for my Drag DR-13s. I'll be pushing around 380-400 WHP on pump for low boost setting, so I need the stickiness. I was thinking 225/40/17. Will it be fine? I know this tire works best on 8" or higher, but these will be my pothole-skipping wheels so I am willing to compromise until I purchase proper track wheels.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...um=245WR7Z222XL

[mak5603]

I have 205/40/17 on my 17x7's.

[SwissFerdi]

Perfectly fine, I actually did not know that size existed. I'm running 225/45, no rubbing issues, but unfortunately it's quite a tall package (giggity). A 40 series will do you just fine.

[whatthe]

is the awd or fwd?

Your going to need something like 255!

This post has been edited by whatthe: Oct 1, 2011 - 10:34 PM

[808celica]

215/45/17 are cheaper LOL you can burn through them and not break the bank 225/45/17 might sound a little better

[OOBE]

45? That tall? I have 205/50/17 up front and they rub when I turn. Rear ones are 225/45/17. Random tires I bought used to move the car, lol.

[trdproven]

215/40 for low profile look
215/45 for the more practical but not as low profile as a 40 series

Keep in mind tire sizes do not account for thread heights, some will look bigger overall. I slammed through 17" tires long before i got my celica, tried many different brands and sizes.

[BonzaiCelica]

with that much power going to the wheels on a fwd platform, with 225/40R17 or 225/45R17 either way you can't loose. I'd definitely choose the 225/40R17 if it was an option.

[trdproven]

For some reason 225/40 is no longer a size being sold. Thats the size i have now with Nittos on but i cannot seem to find for example on tirerack anymore.

[SwissFerdi]

How does that size ride? I feel like 225 is too wide for me, too much rubber for the power level I'm at. Next I might try 215/40 or even 205/40, if 40 series doesn't kill...granted, I'm only on stiffer springs, the struts are barely different than OEM.

[HectortheRican]

How does that size ride? I feel like 225 is too wide for me, too much rubber for the power level I'm at. Next I might try 215/40 or even 205/40, if 40 series doesn't kill...granted, I'm only on stiffer springs, the struts are barely different than OEM.

I've got 17" wheels and I'm at 215/40. You'll be fine Ferdi. There's still plenty of rubber to not be murdered by potholes.

[injection]

as of now im runnin 215/45/17, on Ventus HRII, i did the 3s swap with the 5s tranny, full front wheel power, runnin around 280hp/244 torque, if i lay her down in 1st, the tires will cut loose, when in 2nd, they are on the verge of cutting loose......with your type of HP your running, I think a 225, maybe even one size up, I think you can get a 245/40/17, that would be fairly pricey, I dont know if that would fit on our cars though...deffinetly would have to take spacers off, if you get something that wide, of course...

[OOBE]

Thanks for the insight, guys. I am limiting myself to spend $400 max per tire so I can play around with different brands and sizes. I don't care for the low profile look. If the tires look too tall, so be it. People think the car is a Supra anyway. They won't have time to look at the tall tires, haha. Plus the road craters here are unreal. I'll check out fine, hehe.

[trdproven]

How does that size ride? I feel like 225 is too wide for me, too much rubber for the power level I'm at. Next I might try 215/40 or even 205/40, if 40 series doesn't kill...granted, I'm only on stiffer springs, the struts are barely different than OEM.

it actually looks like a 215/45 tire, that ride is smooth, i get compliments every time.

[presure2]

i've been running 225/45's on the car for a few years now...ill never buy a smaller tire.
with the crappy roads around here, i popped multiple 205 and 215/40's over the years.
i have yet to damage a 225/45.
i actually like the fact that they have a bit more sidewall.

[Promasta]

as trd said, 225/40/17s no longer exist except in a Hoosier slick, so you will have to go with 225/45/17s. and the link you gave is for 225/45/17s, not 225/40/17s.

[stephen_lee]

so a 7.5 inch wheel would 235/40/17 work?

[trdproven]

^ wow that would be a meaty tire on that size wheel spec.

for a 7.5 wheel I'd personally 215/45 or 225/40 (if you could find this in stores). Again manny has his road reasons for his 225/45 size and preference.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Oct 13, 2011 - 7:35 PM

[SwissFerdi]

Doesn't seem too meaty to me [called it, no more], I'm running my 225 series on 7"...

[stephen_lee]

i had 17*7 rims with 215/40s on them.. so i dont think an extra 2cm of tire is too much for an extra 1/2 in of wheel..


235/40/17
Compared to stock size...

0.8% slow
when speedo says 60, u are going 60.5

[Culpable04]

it would work, but it would s*ck for handling.

I had 17x8 wheels with 225 / 45 / 17, and they looked just like 215/45/17 would look on a 17x7 wheel. if the rim is not wide enough for the tire, you'll have a lot of curved sidewall, which will deforme under cornering, that's why on time attack cars they have the tires " slightly " stretch, so there is less sidewall deformation that can hurt handling. note I said slightly, and not that 185 tire on a 9 inch wide wheel toilet flushed POS trick.

for a 17x7 the best suited tire is 215/45/17 it has enough meat to be daily driven on crappy roads and will handle decent, for extra grip, just get stickier tires, not wider ones.

[SwissFerdi]

^ That's what I've learned now from my experience with these tires, steering feel is actually reduced slightly. Makes for better tracking though, coincidentally...

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Oct 14, 2011 - 1:22 PM

[trdproven]

really 235 is meaty, its not meaty for someone that likes the thick style or for bumpy roads, but its meaty even for my 225. its really your choice but that was an uncommon tire size thrown out for that wheel width.

[stephen_lee]

I was just thinking the 235 would be a better choice for my V6 with its TORQUE than 215s. 225s cant really be found unless i get a thick sidewall..

[trdproven]

another option, its been overlooked by many. but tires actually have thread heights. I've gone through so many tire brands that I've noticed it, that even same tire sizes look lower profile or way thicker. Why don't you look for one with more thread height onto it? that would be a better option, your v6 won't require that oversized tire.

[Promasta]

best option is 17x8s with 235/40/17s. great looks, great traction and great handling

[stephen_lee]

another option, its been overlooked by many. but tires actually have thread heights. I've gone through so many tire brands that I've noticed it, that even same tire sizes look lower profile or way thicker. Why don't you look for one with more thread height onto it? that would be a better option, your v6 won't require that oversized tire.

LOL. ou must under estimate the effects of instant torque.

even in the lexus, 2nd gear at 2500 i could romp on it & break loose on the 205s it had stock

[OOBE]

Do the Ventus RS-3s come in that 215/45 size?

[trdproven]

another option, its been overlooked by many. but tires actually have thread heights. I've gone through so many tire brands that I've noticed it, that even same tire sizes look lower profile or way thicker. Why don't you look for one with more thread height onto it? that would be a better option, your v6 won't require that oversized tire.

LOL. ou must under estimate the effects of instant torque.

even in the lexus, 2nd gear at 2500 i could romp on it & break loose on the 205s it had stock

BTW, i've owned 2 straight 6 supras. you cant really ask the forum and start acting like that, its really all about listening to what others have to say from experience and make a decision on yourself reallly....its preference between look, feel, performance, etc. its your decision not ours. take our opinions as ideas not that were stupid. we all have our own experience and opinions and preferences.

the celica is the 1st weakest car and 4cyl 2 door ive owned.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Oct 17, 2011 - 12:19 AM

[stephen_lee]

well you know ur stuff, i stand corrected

and yeah totally agree the celica is the weakest 4cyl car ive driven lol

[trdproven]

damn man, you own how many celicas?

BTW, we are in the same field of work.

[stephen_lee]

Currently? I own 3: my daily, 7a auto; the parts car; and my v6 swap.

I had one other 7a manual.

You're an IT guy, too?

[trdproven]

yup i run the IT department for a federal government agency. everything IT in the day, cars at night. my two passions, technology and automotive.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Oct 18, 2011 - 11:28 AM

[stephen_lee]

yup i run the IT department for a federal government agency. everything IT in the day, cars at night. my two passions, technology and automotive.

Same here man. I work for a local company though. Cars, IT, welding are my favorite things.

More on topic.. I believe this tire would work well for me..

[SwissFerdi]

^ That's the tire I was dead set on before I found these Super Sports...I still would like to try those tires.

[trdproven]

yea i noticed those tires when I was researching.

[SwissFerdi]

NVM.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Oct 18, 2011 - 8:33 PM