Hey guys, so first post here. Awesome community/forum so far from what I've read. Okay so I need some help, I bought a set of wheels assuming they'd fit without doing too much research into the issue.

I own a '94 SW20 Bathurst, which I'm pretty sure a previous member (think it was 'Boof') here actually owned before me. I bought a set of Super Advan Racing Tri-Spokes.

Fronts are 17"/8" and rears are 17"/9".
I picked up some wheel nuts for it, threw the rears on and they felt like they fit perfect. Unfortunately the fronts didn't clear those front struts. I understand a lot of people need to run 205/215s on the front and maybe a select few get by with the right coilover set up with 225s. Wish I knew that first.

Anywho, the advice I need is;

Current set up is 17/8 235/40 +35 on the fronts
and 17/9 235/40 +38 on the rears

Can you slap on smaller tires (so maybe 215s) on the front wheels to get them to fit, or does it not work like that? This is my first car I've gotten into properly modding (apart from subs/speaker installs) so I'm pretty new to all this. Thanks again :)

You will probably need 215's up front with a spacer plate, that is if you have coilovers fitted.

I've only got stock suspension if that makes any difference.
The main thing I need to know is if I can fit 215 tires onto an 17/8j rim without it being ridiculously stretched or anything

You should be fine with 215's on an 8 inch rim. I had the same setup before i went to 16's.
215/40/17
235/40/17
Fits perfect on stock suspension 

215's fit well on an 8" rim....

That sounds pretty good. So you got the 215s to fit, what offset was your rim though? Cause you may have been lucky with it.

Asked on a FB page and someone replied saying the tire will be mildly stretched and it'll throw the speedo out. Didn't think it'd affect it on a front tire though

Offset is +38. Front Tyre size won't effect your speedo.

 
So based on this, will the new tires clear the front struts? Cause I know they barely clear using the OEM wheels

I'm running stock suspension, so i don't see how you'll have a problem. Running 215/40 front and 235/40 rear is pretty common...

Do the 215/40 fronts just tuck under the front struts? Cause I was trying to eye it out, and there's a little wiggle room. I took some photos which I'll upload soon to show my problem.