Max Tire Size on 17x7 rims

[mmcdonald]

Hi,

I tried the search and couldn't come up with anything on this. I want to upgrade my tires since the stock goomers slip all over. I wanted to go to 225/55 17 since there are practically NO 215/55 17's out there. I know you can put on a 17x7.5 rim, so I figured 10mm wouldn't make a difference.

Has anyone done this or have knowledge of this upgrade? Any suggestions on tires? I wanted to get some Dunlop performance tires.

Thanks,
mmcdonald

[ICrazyChrisI]

I have 225/45/17s on my 2004 17s. Fronts are Toyos, rears are Pirellis.

[mmcdonald]

Is this an SE Sport? I saw where they might work on an SLE but not a Sport because of the springs.

Do you have any pics of this set up? Thanks for the reply.

[ICrazyChrisI]

I actually have a 99 SLE, I shoulda noted that from the beginning. Heres a pic if it helps. But if I were to buy a new set of tires, I would probably stick w/ 50 series tires, 45s leave alot of wheel gap.

[mmcdonald]

I would also like to use the TRD lowering springs with this tire change. I should have mentioned that too. Those 215s just don't hang on.

[Mole]

there are plenty 215/50 tires to choose from.

why dont you spend more money on grip-y-er tires?

an excellent brand would be bridgestone S-03 pole positions.

they're going to cost you though.

[mmcdonald]

How would a 50 effect the speedo? The stocks are 55's? So the 225's won't work?

Thanks.

[DocJohn]

How would a 50 effect the speedo? The stocks are 55's? So the 225's won't work?

Thanks.

To see the effect any tire size change would have on the speedo, check out this website.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

For example, going from 215/55 17's to 215/50 17's will give you a +3.2% error (faster) speedo error (when the speedo says you're going 60.0 you're actually doing 58.1 mph).

[mmcdonald]

Changing tire size this way would seem to throw off the trip computer as well then. But I guess going to 225/55/17 would do the same. I really would like to go to the 225's instead of dropping down to 50's.

Would offset shims resolve the potential rubbing issue on a lowered ride? Does anyone know of a tire installer in the Columbia/Baltimore area that is competent to do this? I think Hilmuth in Clarksville is good, but I don't know if they do this sort of thing.

Thanks.

[DocJohn]

Changing tire size this way would seem to throw off the trip computer as well then. But I guess going to 225/55/17 would do the same. I really would like to go to the 225's instead of dropping down to 50's.

Would offset shims resolve the potential rubbing issue on a lowered ride? Does anyone know of a tire installer in the Columbia/Baltimore area that is competent to do this? I think Hilmuth in Clarksville is good, but I don't know if they do this sort of thing.

Thanks.

If you go with a 235/50 17" that would give you only a negligible 0.2% speedo error. As you can see, I run a 235/45 18" on my car without ANY problems, but I don't have lowering springs, and can't say for sure if you would have enough clearance.

At least one person on this site is surely using AM tires & wheels with lowering springs. If you find out what tire size they have used successfully, then just check the dimensions of the tire at http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to see how they compare to the 17" tire size you want to use.

Sorry, I haven't lived in the Columbia/Baltimore area since 1991 so I can't help you with a good tire dealer.

[Astro]

I have 225/45/17s on my 2004 17s. Fronts are Toyos, rears are Pirellis.

I'll be getting the rims off the convertible soon. So I guess 225's on that rim is fine. I have to admit, I like the 5 spoke.

[mmcdonald]

What are "AM tires & wheels"?

[Guest]

What are "AM tires & wheels"?

AM = after market (not original equipment)

[mmcdonald]

This is the set up I am talking about...

1. 2004 Solara SE Sport V6 coupe
2. TRD Lowering Springs
3. TRD RSB
4. TRD FSB (okay, for looks)
5. STOCK 17x7 rims

I want to add 225 width tires to this set up. Does anyone have any experience with this? I know a lot of folks have the springs on stock tires (and have complained of them not sticking) and some have AM rims and tires (with AM offsets!).

Any help or perhaps a vendor that has the real skinny on this upgrade? Or am I the guinea pig? (oink oink) Would shims work if it rubs some (Bill Clinton says it does)?

Thanks all.

[ICrazyChrisI]

I have 225/45/17s on my 2004 17s. Fronts are Toyos, rears are Pirellis.

I'll be getting the rims off the convertible soon. So I guess 225's on that rim is fine. I have to admit, I like the 5 spoke.

Make sure you get spacers in the rear, the rim will rub the strut if you dont. I personally bought 15mm H&R hubcentric spacers(comes with extended wheel studs) for the rear