best tire size for stock gsx rims?

[Enki]

I'm going to be getting some new tires in the next week or two and I'm trying to figure out what size to get. I've read that 225/45/17s are the best size for handling/performance on the stock gsx rims, but on www.tire-rack.com, all the tires of that size have a rim width range of 7"-8.5". Aren't the 97-99 stock gsx rims 17x6.5?

Also, using this site: http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html shows that the overall height of the 225/45/17s will be 1/2 inch shorter than stock. Is this too much?

Thanks for the help.

 

[cait sith]

205 or 215 width max for street cars, IMO.

 

[BabyBlue_pimp]

205 or 215 width max for street cars, IMO.

Mines are 225... my friends mustang is running a crazy 275!

 

[Enki]

205 or 215 width max for street cars, IMO.

stock size is 215/50/17

Mines are 225...

Do they fit fine? On the site it says they need at least a 7" wide rim.


On a side note: Anyone used Pirelli PZero Nero M+S tires before? They're the highest ranked in the "Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires" category on www.tirerack.com. Scored 2.4 points higher than stock tires and their $13 cheaper

 

[onepimpclipse]

225's will fit, but that doesn't mean you should use them. 215 is the max I'd reccomend.


Of course you could consider new rims too since the GSX rims are prone to bend. A 17" wheel and tire package shouldn't be too much more than a set of tires mounted and balanced. Then you can get a 17x7" rim if you want to run 225's. Or a 17x8 even.

 

[jtmcinder]

I'm going to be getting some new tires in the next week or two and I'm trying to figure out what size to get.

Given the time of year, my suggestion is to get Blizzaks or Graspics for your stock rims (in the stock size) and save all winter for new wheels and tires. If you already have snows, then it comes down to what you do with the car. If it's just a street car, I'd stay with stock-sized tires on 6.5"-wide rims. If you autocross on these wheels and tires, I'd get 225/45/17 MXs. If you dragrace, then you may or may not want to drop down to 225/45/17s, depending on how your launch is vs whether you need the gearing to avoid an extra shift.

The general idea of avoiding 225/45/17s on stock rims I agree with. But there are some good reasons to ignore this idea and do it anyway. YMMV.

- Jtoby

 

[cait sith]

stock size is 215/50/17

Yes it is, and there's nothing wrong with going with a SLIGHYLY narrower tire on a wheel that is honestly way too narrow as is.

It took them (Mitsubishi) until the EVO8 in the states (which has 8" wide wheels) to get their rim size/tire size straight for the most part.

Then again, I hang out with guys who will put a 215 on a 9.5" wide wheel.