Lightest tire to use

[TankII]

Trying to reduce my rotational mass.
Currently running BFG KDW 225/55-16 ZR tires.
They weigh in at 29 lbs. Speedo still reads slower than actual speed - about 3MPH low at 75.

Looking at All Seasons and moving the KDW tires to my steel rims for racing only.
Looking at 215/55-16.
Tire Rack specs:

Traction T/A HR - 25 lbs.
Traction T/A TR - 23 lbs. Wife has them on her Stratus ES, and they work great!
Avon Tach M500 VR - 24 Lbs.
Pirelli P6 HR - 20 Lbs. Mixed reviews on TireRack.
Michelin Energy MXV4 - 21 Lbs (Lousy in snow, I know! OEM on Stratus ES)
CompT/A Sport VR - 25Lbs. (Not All-season)

I'm trying to improve my gas mileage as the SHO is going to become a daily driver again. My '89 used to turn 32, and my '91 with Michelin XGT tires (no rating!) used to get 35 when I was driving highway only every day. Now I'm commuting downtown, and reducing rotational mass is my goal.
Please note I have modified stock brakes, so my alternative is a set of 15" rims (I can get a set of basketweeves from a '90) running 215/60-15 tires, which saves 1 lb per tire and I believe three lbs per rim.

I also want to correct my speedometer as well, hence the size choices. I am also thinking of 205/60-16, same as the Stratus. Also 1 lb lighter, skinnier for better highway mileage, and cornering will be reduced only slightly over stock (sidewall should be stiffer as rim/secion width are better matched). A friend tried 205/55-16's and found them extremely lacking - His '92 wiht stock sway-bars wouldn't turn - but since my car can be swung around a bit, I think it will be OK for casual street jaunts. I might even gain some top-end with the skinnier tires! I was hitting 110 on the main straight at Lime-Rock with the 225's, in either third or fourth.

What do ya'll think? My '89 was always much quicker off the line than my '91, and I think rim/tire weight has something to do with it. I can't afford new rims, just tires.

TankII

 

[drivinhard]

See if you can get PS2's in your size, it's about as light as you'll find

 

[K-Dawg]

If you aren't stuck on all-seasons, the Toyo Proxes T1r and BFG G-Force Sport both weigh 24lbs in that size. The Goodyear F1 GS-D3 and Kumho SPT both weigh 25lbs. All of those will be comparable or much better than your KDWs.

 

[zak]

MXV4 is supposed to be a high fuel mileage tire, I know Honda puts them on the Accord Hybrid. I bought a set for the minivan, did not effect in town mpg noticeably (e.g. 1 mpg or greater). The PS2 is a very nice tire . . .

 

[jedhead]

When I replaced the MXV4 on the Honda, I lost about 1.5mpg over the Kumho ASX. Kumho stick much better and has better turn in.

Bob

 

[1993MTXSHO]

yeah if you want some toyo proxes t1r's the 225/50/16's weigh only 21lbs

 

[TankII]

Thanks for the Input.

I'm looking at 215/55-16 or 205/60-16's to reduce the section width (better for Areodynamics) but not lose too much in cornering over stock. Plus, these sizes should correct my speedometer.
The big plus is the reduced weight if I pick the right tire.
I'd like to stick with BFG as I've had good luck with them and they are an American SCCA sponsor.

TankII

 

[1993MTXSHO]

iv noticed the more money you spend on a tire, aka toyo proxes the lighter the tire is, i haven't found a tire lighter then the t1r's as far as each size goes. the 225/55/16's in other brands weigh 2 or 3 lbs more just to give an example.