Ok, so this is what happened...
I have the stock wheels for my 1993 del sol si, except one wheel got cracked somehow and I was given a good deal on a set of white 17" Motegi R7's (they look great on against my blue si.) Problem is the tires are worn pretty bad. I know the traditional tire size for 17" rims is 195/45R17 or 205/40R17. I want to have the smoothest ride possible, can I somehow get at least a sidewall measuring the 50? Perhaps fit 205/50R17? My del sol is stock and not lowered or anything. Has anyone tried this? I would appreciate it if you might have any more suggestions on how to get me a cushiony ride with 17" rims.

 

reason for getting 205/40 is because 17 are large diameter. you want to keep the diameter of the wheel plus tire close to stock so the speedo reads the same. but im pretty sure you can fit the 50

 

I am ok with the speedo being off. I have a Jeep Wrangler with bigger tires and the speedo is off my 5 miles per hour...I will just have to compensate for that. I am pretty sure that the diameter should fit...it definitely looks like there is space there.

 

those 205/50/17s will definatly fit, I have 215/45/17 and my sol is lowered 2". They just rub a little when I crank the steering wheel all the way.

and if your speedo is off you can readjust it so it reads right.

 

I'd like to know how you'd accomplish this as the speedometer reads from an electronic vehicle speed sensor. I don't see any way possible to recalibrate an OEM Del Sol speedometer, but if you can tell me how I'd be grateful.



OP:

205/50/17 will likely make your Del Sol look more like your Jeep. Personally I'd be going no larger than 205/45/17. If the tires were already brand new in that 50 series sidewall I'd say rock them, then replace them with 40 or 45 series. Since the 50 series are worn I'd use the opportunity to buy 40 or 45 series.

Also have you looked into pricing?

I used Kumho and The Tire rack to price three sizes, and the cheapest ones in each size were:

205/40/17 - $67.00
205/45/17 - $80.00
205/50/15 - $104.00

Looks like a no brainer to me. I'd choose the size closest to the overall diameter for OE wheels/tires for your Del Sol (likely the 40 series) which also happen to be the cheapest ones too.

 

take the speedo needle off and drive next to a friend whose going exactly 60mph. then put your needle back on pointing at 60mph while your still driving. you just have to drive with your cluster apart for a bit.

I have 17" rims and my speed is the same as the road side scanners

 

Wow. Just wow.

You must not understand that the value of speed is off exponentially, meaning the error at 5mph is not the same as the error at 55mph. So you just want it correct at 60mph only? You assume your pal driving beside you has a correct speedo? You assume the roadside radar is accurate?

Also assuming that your theory makes sense - the error is a fixed value, then why not simply drive 10mph and take the needle off and replace it whilst matching "10mph" next to a buddy?

Also how do you insure that the guage itself doesn't shoot up once you rip the needle off, causing less resistance against where the needle actually sits?

I shouldn't even have to get into much more detail about how driving at ANY speed whilst trying to remove/replace the speedo needle is careless and stupid. Even suggesting such a procedure would make me question whether or not you care if someone is seriously injured/killed trying to follow your (wrong) procedure.

Thanks for attempting to tell me how something impossible is done. My question was actually rhetorical (meaning no need for an answer) but with your reply I know how much your input counts for in the future.

 

yea yea I know I read this thread and jumped the gun a little bit and didnt think it through.

I know it can be done somehow. My speedomoter IS correct with an electronic VSS and larger tires. It reads the same as my brothers completely stock car when I drive next to him. I should have asked the previous owner how he did it.