Does anyone know what is the biggest size tires I can put on my factory 17" wheels.
Currently I have:
225/50 front
235/50 rear
The wheel size is:
7.5" front
8" rear
I would appreciate some help
Thanks

 

235/45/17fr and 245/40/17rr will fit, just barely. 03Pole Postions are listed in those sizes. You will have bulging sidewalls, though. Shouldn't be too bad.

 

Boomer
Thanks for your input. Is there a safety issue there when you say just barely and bulging sidewalls?

 

I'm running 235/45/17/ f and 275/40/17 r. Firestone Firehawks and have used them for 2 driving schools and they work great.

 

Thanks for the feedback Clyde. Do you have the factory 17"rims that comes on the Z Entusiast model? That's seems wide for the size of the rims.

 

Your wheel widths are the determining factor, IMO. Your front is 7.5", a check of the recommended range of tire sizes says 235s need at least a 7.5" wheel for best fit. Your rear wheels are 8", the same check says 245s need at least an 8" wheel for best fit.

Some people consider tires that don't fit flush with the wheels as ugly. I don't, but thats completely subjective and personal taste. As an example, I owned a 97 Accord EX/5spd with handsome, but narrow 5.5" wheels. I had no intention of buying new wheels for my nice commuter car, but I was sick of the lousy touring tires in 195/60/15s, so I bought a set of 205/55/17 Nitto 450s. The handling improved just as I had hoped, but 205s were deemed the largest tire I could put on the small width wheels for best fit. All wheel widths have a recommended range of the size tires which can be considered. I went to www.tirerack.com and quoted you their specs. Why don't you check them out? Or tire.com, both sites have a ton of info. Good luck.

 

I have the enthusiast. It works great, most people don't believe it and predicted I would have major problems, however I keep them inflated between 35 and 37 on all 4 corners and I'm very happy with the setup.

 

Any special reason you're using two different profile tires from front to back. And though the difference is small, does it throw off your speedometer. I like the 17" wheels on the Enthusiast but don't like the tall profile on the wheels. I'd like to get a set of 45's or 40's next time I change out the tires. Thanks

 

..

 

If your look at tire size calculators and plug in the orig sizes and compare overall height you'll see that the size I've selected is close to the orig. configuration. Why this is important is to allow the Antilock sensors to correctely read changes in the cars profile under emergency braking and opperate properly.

 

Clyde
Thanks for sharing. Do you have a pic of your wheel set up? Really would like to see before I make a decision.

 

Clyde
I went into Tire Rack and checked on the 275/40 17 you refered to and the minimum recommended size of rim is 9-11" and the ideal is 9". The OEM rims on the Enthusiast model are 8" in the rear. Are you sure about the tire size? Are your rims the same as mine?
Thanks

 

call Discount Tire Direct (1 800 589 6789) They will tell you that this size will fit the 17" rims. It maynot be the prefered size but it will fit. I'v got 5200 miles on mine.

 

A 275/40 on a 17x8" rim will have sidewall buldge. Mustang guys run this a lot for best hookup at the quarter track, but you have to watch uneven tread wear because the tread won't want to sit flat at the appropriate air pressure. 275s will fit, I can't argue that. Heck, on my jeep I run a 10.5" wide tire on a 7" rim, but there is significant sidewall buldge.

Check the tire manufacturer recommendations, most recommend the following max widths for the stock enthusiast setup:

Front 245/45r17 replaces 225/50r17
and
Rear 255/45r17 replaces 235/50r17

There are a few makers than offer tires in those sizes, check around. That's the size I'm running, and they look just right, I think.

Good luck!

 

PistolPete
Thanks for your input. I was thinking 235/45/17 up front thinking that the 245s would rub. I assume you don't have that issue.
Send me a pic of your car, wheels and tires if you can.

 

You can see my original thread with a couple of pics here:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=11767

 

Thanks PistolPete.

 

GOOD DEAL!!!