Would it be ok if I run

17X7 front 215/50/17
17X8 rear 235/45/17

the front tires will be slightly bigger (0.2 inch in diameter) than the rear

or is it better for me to go with

17X7 front 205/50/17
17X8 rear 235/45/17

the front tires will be slightly smaller (0.2 inch in diameter) than the rear

Which on is better?

Thanks
Lok

 

the second is going to be closer to stock, so I would go with that

 

Why don't you just run OEM sizing?

 

I was thinking of using less than 245 as my 01 have less torque?
Also, I would be happy to keep it at 225 but most 17 is onlhy 7 inches wide as compare to my OEM 16X7.5....so the next best thing is 17X8

 

It has been shown that both AP1 and AP2 are very similar in performance. Your "lessor" torque is not a big deal when you consider that you make up for it at the top end with 1000 more rpm.
However, if you must obsess over this, I would suggest you go with this combination:

215/45/17 up front and 245/40/17 in the back. This will have 2 advantages that will appeal to you. The first and foremost will be that you will have 1" smaller diameter tires (than stock) in the back. This will give you the slightly better "gearing" that you originally wanted. Next, it will maintain the same tire diameter front and rear, so no adverse affects on ABS. Then, you would continue to maintain the same tire contact patches that will give you the same handling balance that the OEM sizing gives.
The only bad thing I see is that now, you would have 1" smaller tires and this might make the car look odd.
A 245 will fit OK on a 8" rim.

 

OEM tire sizes of AP1 is 24.9" for both 205/55R16 and 225/50R16. AP2 OEM front is 215/45R17 and its diameter is 24.6", rear is 245/40R17 and its diameter is 24.7". It is only 0.2" smaller than stock on the rear and 0.3" smaller on the front.

 

You are right. I should have put down my suggestion as being:

215/40/17 front and 245/35/17 rear for the 1" difference. Unfortunately, only one tire is available in these sizes front and rear - Goodyear Eagle F1.

 

thanks!!

But I think I might go with the
17X7 front 205/50/17
17X8 rear 235/45/17

as this setting will give me whatever closes to AP1 original seeting