Make sure you check that the tires you're going to put on the wheels will be a good fit. I thought that for most 17" 225's (at least R compounds) you had to use a larger wheel width than 7"?
BTW - I run 17x8.5's (OEM's without any spacers) all the way around with Victoracers (225 front/255 rear) and haven't had any problems, but I only do autocrosses. It currently handles very neutral but I'm considering going to 245's up front next time I need tires. At the same time, you're not going to fry your PS pump doing autocrosses...
