1st gen. rx7 wieght???

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 8, 2016 | 02:01 AM

#26

7th Cavalry

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 41

Likes: 0

From: Idaho Falls, ID

I got an 84 SE, no a/c , spare/jack. About 30 lbs of audio. 2460 lbs. Almost empty on fuel. Weighed on a semi scale, so who knows? I was not in it.

Apr 8, 2016 | 09:31 AM

#27

hcaulfield57

Senior Member

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 420

Likes: 1

From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by j9fd3s

its negligible, its less than 25lbs, and it is in the back where you want it.

we've learned from racing that it is better to have good weight distribution than it is to have less weight, although it might depend on what you're doing.

our example is a spec E30 BMW, which is an 80's 3 series with a cage and modest suspension, its a fun class because the cars are easy to build and the competition is close.

the minimum weight for the class when we ran one, was 2750lbs with driver. the weight distribution of these things is like 60/40 because the BMW engine is easily 1000lbs.

our car weighed in at 2550lbs, with driver, so for the actual race we put #200lbs of weight in the trunk.

you'd think adding 200# would make the car much slower, but it was actually the same, because the improvement in weight distribution more than offset any penalty in a straight line...

Thanks for the response, that's an interesting anecdote and explains a lot. The SA/FB RX-7 was one of the lightest sports cars on the market when it came out (I think only the Fiat X1/9 was lighter), and it's featherlight for today's standards, but still not the lightest car by any means, especially when you consider low volume niche sports cars in the mix. I think what contributed to the RX-7s handling prowess was the location of the weight, especially considering the low placement of the engine.

As a comparison, the AE86 weighs ~100lbs less but I've read the handling is considerably worse in stock form due to body roll, and again where the weight is placed. But don't quote me I have no idea what I'm talking about I'm just hypothesizing about my new hobby

TL;DR: I think I'll ditch the A/C but keep the spare.

Apr 8, 2016 | 06:25 PM

#28

Qingdao

HeyHeyHey..Its the Goose

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 3,056

Likes: 214

From: Charleston

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcaulfield57

I may be overthinking it, but what is the consensus on removing the spare? Does this make the car front heavy or really have any discernible effect?

I wouldn't but I bought the car without a spare. In fact I bought a second gen spare wheel and tire*, a while back, to put in my current car.

*I have the same 4 lug second gen bolt pattern.

Apr 8, 2016 | 08:35 PM

#29

hcaulfield57

Senior Member

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 420

Likes: 1

From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qingdao

I wouldn't but I bought the car without a spare. In fact I bought a second gen spare wheel and tire*, a while back, to put in my current car.

*I have the same 4 lug second gen bolt pattern.

For the weight distribution, or in case of a flat tire?