Where can I find the recommended and maximum size tire for rim sizes: 17x7, 17x7.5, 17x8? These will be road racing application only.
Thanks.

 

You kind of need to do your search in reverse order. Go to Tire Racks web site or one of the tire makers sites and check the specs for the tires you want. They should tell you the "measuring rim width" for a given tire size. That is an "Industry measuring Standard" for a given tire size and the width many wrongly consider the best. The specs should also show you the recommended rim width range. For a tire to handle well you should be no more than 1" narrower than the max rim with. What you need for the best handling though is the widest wheel that will fit the tire and the widest tire that will fit the car.

A 215/45/17 will usually (depends on tire maker) have a range of 7"-8" with 7.5" being the "measuring rim width" if I remember right.

An 8" rim can be a tough fit and I would not give up 2+ lbs. for a 1/2" wider rim when there are many good light 17x7.5's out there.

Get the BEST TIRE that will fit the car, then figure out what wheels to get for them.