Hey guys just bought some newish wheels for my 1990 n/a just wondering what size tyres should I get for the front with a stock suspension setup rim size is 17/7 with a + 35 offset if i'm not mistaken,  i have a set of four wheels with 225/45 tyres which are fine in the back but the suspension sits on the tyres... what do you guys recommend and I don't want to go too low profile that I have a bad ride.

Honestly, i would look at getting a lower profile if you have 225's.  Not much, just 40 instead of 45.  This will bring you closer to the same diameter of the stock rims/tyres.  At the moment the 45 profile are making your wheels too large a diameter.
 
I've found out a good overall size for 17's are 17x8 +35 215/40 (f) and 17x9 +35-40 235/40 (r)
Have a look at this.  It will show you what size wheels with tyres will look
http://mr2.gordaen.com/wt_calc.php
 

215/40 on the front and 225/40 on the rears.
 
Has the added bonus of still being legal.

205/40/17   84 min rating with 17x7 35 offset 
235/40/17   91 min rating with 17x8 35 offset  
 
Just make sure the tires have the rating , PS not that many tires are available.
Those sizes are totally legal and can be verified by the tire plaque, which you should have on your door jam.
Dont give a Cop the chance to question the tires you have and they will leave you alone

MRVirgin

215/40 on the front and 225/40 on the rears.

Has the added bonus of still being legal.

 
225/40 Which tire is that ?BTW i highly doubt that it is legal because its too small to have a rating of 91 . Making it illegal

Ok load ratings aside it is legal.
 
it should read 235 not 225

215/40 and 235/40 is what I plan on running when I get tyres for my 17s, although I believe technically that is only legal on a Rev2 placard.
There is a slight difference between the rolling diameters of the 14s and 15s, and that actually has an impact on what you can run strictly according to the +-15mm.
Can't check right now, but I believe the Rev1 had a lower load rating in the rear, so if you do switch to the later placard you'd need tyres to meet the higher rating.

hey guys i've already got the tyres changed over for the front too 205/40's but i kept the rear tyres the same just because i have about 2-3 months till i get my car on the road, next week I have big plans to start getting the engine out and putting in one that hasn't got a rooted diff in it. So maybe when i get it close to roadworthy i might have to change the rear size.

14's i think had a higher aspect ratio which will give you the 91 rating.
 
Cops might look at it IF you a) piss them off or b) they know what they are doing.
Ild be more concerned about an insurance company refusing to pay. Great way to decline the insurance especially if the tyres were some how implicated with the cause of the accident.
 
In the great old days many of us had the OEM wheels in the garage, but times have changed and everyone has a mobile phone ( camera )

when I ran 17s I ran 215/40 and 255/40
 
Just liked the fat rear tyre look.