bambam

I know this topic probably belongs in the wheels/tires forum but for some reason it wouldn't let me post there...so...
anyways, i had some general questions about tires..
I wanted to know if it was worth sacrificing a little bit of grip for a lighter weight tire?
I mean, currently, I'm running falken azenis and they are supposedly 23-24 pounds per tire for the 195/50/15's.
I'm gonna purchase the konig heliums ($400) which are the lightest wheels you can get for under $500 (the slips are $450 and weigh a few ounces more).
I want to run a 195/50/15 set of tires on these.
here are some popular lightweight tires i found on the net:

Dunlop SP 9000: 18.1 lbs.
Toyo T1-S: 17.4 lbs.
kumho Ecsta 712: 18.2 lbs.

Now, is it worth getting anyone of these sets of tires over lets say, the Falken azenis (205/50/15) or the BFG T/A KD's which way upwards of 22-25 lbs? They are heavier but have the grip to back it up as well as stiff side walls...

So my ultimate question is, is it worth getting any of the aforementioned tires over the falken's or BFG's due to their weight?
My number one concern is performance...at what point does the lightweight tire start to affect the grip...


Modified by bambam at 10:42 AM 2/5/2005

JeffS

What are you using the car for?

If it's a street car then it probably doesn't matter either way.

dwnthehatch

iTrader: (1)

FYI - You can get the heliums for $385 shipped here: http://www.g-forceperformancea...s.htm

I bought mine from them along with 205/50/15 Azenis.

I thought they don't make 195/50/15 azenis yet. Are you sure they aren't 205/50/15?

skip.two

wow you must have money to spend if you chose the SP9000's or the T1-S'. they're like an extra $100 each compared to Azenis'. they perform nicely though.

just go with the 712's if you dont have the money. they're like $50. less dry grip than the Azenis, but better wet grip. better treadwear rating too, so it will last longer.

bambam

after doing more research...i've come down to two tires....
falken azenis and the toyo t1-s's.
The azenis are half the price but weigh almost 6 pounds heavier. That's almost 24 pounds of unsprung weight and that's almost 100 pounds using the theory that unsprung weight is equal to 4x the amount of weight elsewhere.

I am going to be using this vehicle for drag and street.
I want a decent drag tire that has good grip but doesn't sacrifice too much wet weather handling. Everyone says the toyo's have the far superior wet weather handling. But, is it worth the price for the better wet handling and lighter weight?

bambam

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dwnthehatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">FYI - You can get the heliums for $385 shipped here: http://www.g-forceperformancea...s.htm

I bought mine from them along with 205/50/15 Azenis.

I thought they don't make 195/50/15 azenis yet. Are you sure they aren't 205/50/15?</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's where i was gonna buy them...they say $100/each..
as for the azeni sizes...oops my mistake.

Will 205/50/15's fit on the 15x6.5 heliums with a 40mm offset on a crx lowered no more than 1.5 inches?

skip.two

i think the T1-S' perform better over the Azenis in dry and wet conditions. paying the extra $100 or so for T1-S is hard though.

i say, if you have the money to spend, go for it.

bambam

onlinetires.com is selling 195/50/15 toyo t1-s's for 59/ea. and the 205's for 90/ea. right now...is it worth it to go with the 205's over the 195's and will the 205's fit on my crx with the 15x6.5 with 40mm offset?

bambam

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bambam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">onlinetires.com is selling 195/50/15 toyo t1-s's for 59/ea. and the 205's for 90/ea. right now...is it worth it to go with the 205's over the 195's and will the 205's fit on my crx with the 15x6.5 with 40mm offset?</TD></TR></TABLE>


anyone?
Keep in mind that i can't "roll" my fenders because they are aftermarket fiberglass (i kno...i'm gonna change them).

Slopoke

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bambam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...is it worth it to go with the 205's over the 195's </TD></TR></TABLE>

For a street tire, I'd say no. If your concerned with weight, go with the 195s.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bambam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">will the 205's fit on my crx with the 15x6.5 with 40mm offset?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes they will fit.


My opinion is, since niether falken or toyo is really a drag tire, just get some cheap 195/50's with a good treadwear rating for driving around everyday. Then get a set of drag radials for racing.

SOKDO

iTrader: (3)

195's are a good choice...
if you want performance go with softer tire like 200 and if you want life on your tires... go above 300

bambam

i'm in the navy and have no bills...
the only bill i have is my crx..
i spend every dime into i've spent and i dont' mind replacing tires 2-3 times a year.
I had a set of pirelli's that only lasted me 5 months...
I haven't been to the track yet but i do plan on draggin it to see my times.
I run every friday, saturday, and sunday at the local strip during spring thru fall.
I would say i make about 5-7 runs every weekend...(i know street racing is bad but it's a closed off street where barely anyone ever goes...pretty safe.)
So, yes i will be runnin' these tires hard. They may see no more than 75 miles during the week of city/highway use...so there primary use is for racing...but i want a decent tire for cornering and the rain as well because we get alot of rain in CT.
I think im gonna go with the Toyo T1-S's because they are on sale for $59/each!
That's only $10 more for each tire than the azenis.
I guess i'll go with the 195's ....i just wasn't sure if it was worth the wider tired for the extra $120 for the four.

bambam

btw:
I'm only running about 150 whp/ 140 tq
so..i'm not ready for a full on drag tire yet...

dwnthehatch

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bambam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

that's where i was gonna buy them...they say $100/each..
as for the azeni sizes...oops my mistake.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Go to the specials page and scroll down. That's where the state they are $385 shipped. If you are willing to wait a few months, the new 195/55/15 azenis will be out. They will probably sell out fast so keep an eye otut for them. Keep in mind that the 205/50/15 azenis are a little wider than most 205's. They have a built in wheel lip protector. I will eventually have to roll my fenders on my sol if I go any lower than 1.5".

bambam

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dwnthehatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Go to the specials page and scroll down. That's where the state they are $385 shipped. If you are willing to wait a few months, the new 195/55/15 azenis will be out. They will probably sell out fast so keep an eye otut for them. Keep in mind that the 205/50/15 azenis are a little wider than most 205's. They have a built in wheel lip protector. I will eventually have to roll my fenders on my sol if I go any lower than 1.5".</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks!!!