85rotarypower

First off, I did search, but not too hard. I didn't find too many threads about removing weight from a 1st gen. My plan here is to make a truthful thread that explains what is involved in removing weight from an FB. An explaination of what you did along with an accurate estimate on how much weight was removed. Also, you should also mention if the removed parts will affect daily drivability in any way. I'm not looking for ways to move weight around such as battery relocation, but an archive of ways one could remove weight from an RX-7.

I'll be first to start. I've done many weight removal procedures, and probably put weight back on when I used metal twice as thick as stock to replace my floors and wheel wells, but thats besides the point. I just finished with one of my weight removals today, and I think it turned out well.

Anyway, what I did was remove the inner bracing from the hood. Many are going to think that this will make the hood too weak and too flexible, but that only happens if you remove too much. Granted, it does flex much more than stock, but I ended cutting off about 1/3 of the weight from the hood. Stock weight is about 35lb. After removing the inner bracing, the hood weighed in at 25lb. Its not much, but add up 10lb here and 10lb there, and you end up with a larger weight savings than you thought.

This isn't for everyone though. The hood becomes flexible enough that you should use hood pins to keep it from flapping around in the upper corners. Some people may not want to do this as its probably the hardest part of the whole process. Cutting out the bracing took 30min with a cutting wheel on an angle grinder, and that was taking my time to get it right. Its pretty much free too, just the cost of a can of spray paint in the colour of your car along with some primer. In the end, it was worth it. I'll post pics as soon as I get them resized.

BlastinSideways12A

Relocating necessary weight (like the battery) to a location where it is lower and closer to the center of the car is many times more effective then just tossing weight off of the car, especially if the weight being removed is on the lighter corner of the car thus making the car handle worse. Also, relocating the battery has NO drawbacks except for the loss of the storage space in the passenger side storage bin. It is the first thing that I would do along with power steering (if you have it) and AC if you don't need it and emmisions equipment if it is not required. Then exhaust. At this point the car becomes nicely balanced.

O ya, if you want to get really elaborate, have a pair of 83-85 rotors lightened along with the eccentric shaft. Get a light flywheel. Also use an FC waterpump housing (aluminum and needs welded to work but is light). Also, the stock carb, intake, and all the BS on it is HEAVY. The Weber DCOE 48 and the intake manifold for it that I used to have was LIGHT, probably 10-15 pounds for it all. The stock carb and intake manifold with all the extra crap and the rats nest is probably 50 pounds. If your wallet is really deep go for the Racing Beat aluminum side housings for a weight savings of about 50 pounds. If you have alot of time on your hands you can chip out the 20 pounds or so of sound insulation under the carpet. If you like flush mount headlights fab up some. Or just remove the motors and just keep the lights up all the time. Also, if your car has tons of grease and dirt under it caked all over everything, clean that off. Get rid of rust. Go on a diet.

Tons of opportunities for weight savings. And YES it makes a difference, especially when the weight is evenly distributed throughout the car. *HINT* the front left corner is the heaviest one, especially with that battery there.

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

Everything you remove makes the car have better performance. From A/C to sound deadening tar to lighter rims.

Power is divided by weight so every once counts and makes the faster to accelerate, less stress on braking system and easier to change direction due to lower momentum.

remove everything you can, then corner weigh the car with coilovers to balance it properly.

85rotarypower

I understand all of what was said there, but I would like to keep this to weight savings that the average person could do. This is supposed to be a thread a newbie can come to to find out how to take weight off their car. I guess relocation of various things can be added too, but I would like a detailed explaination of any performed weight reduction that works well without seriously affecting drivability.

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

A/C removal is easy, saves about 40lbs off the front end, where its needed most.

Interior trim removal, just undo each piece and remove down to shell, replace seats with lightweight race seats.

use dry ice to freeze then crack the sound deadener off the floor with a chisel, easy 25lbs.

use hole saw to remove extrea metal from internal doubled up panels.

light weight rims is very good saving in unsprung weight, below suspension is most valuable savings.

Dash removal, headlight conversion, lightweight fiberglass or CF panels, this list can go on and on