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