1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Weight Removal

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Old 04-12-04, 06:02 PM
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Weight Removal

hey whats up is there a right up on what to remove and how much weight it will save that would be sweet to have as a stickey for new comers (if it is already im sorry)
Old 04-12-04, 06:14 PM
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Damn i had to stare at the sentence for a while to figure out what you were trying to say.....
Old 04-12-04, 06:16 PM
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i should probably write one, but i'm too lazy lol.

i've still got a few more things to do..like rewiring the harness to get rid of all my extra wires, as well as fabricating a new dash out of aluminum sheet with gauges.
Old 04-12-04, 06:26 PM
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So you're removing the extra wires in the harness to save weight...?

Can someone do a translation on this:

hey whats up is there a right up on what to remove and how much weight it will save that would be sweet to have as a stickey for new comers (if it is already im sorry)
Old 04-12-04, 06:49 PM
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emissions junk, interior pieces, spare tire+jack, passenger seat, relocate the battery to where the storage bin used to be...
Old 04-12-04, 07:32 PM
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you can also use a physically smaller battery. like one from a motorcycle.
Old 04-12-04, 08:35 PM
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sorry i had to leave fast.

I was looking to have some people do a write up on what to Remove to save weight and how to do some of the more difficult things.
Old 04-12-04, 08:57 PM
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if anything...the carpet and plastic panels are easy. as well as unbolting all the heat shields fromt he exhaust.

hard parts=pulling the dash, and removing the sound deadening material.

for the dash...i recommend removing the A/C and Heater components BEFORE pulling it. much easier to access screws.

the sound deadening is best with a chisel, easier with an air powered chisel, and even easier if the stuff is brittle (freeze it with dry ice or nitrous oxide or co2..anything cold)

i also trimmed out the bracing from under my hood, removed the old latching system and installed hood pins.

speakers are also pretty heavy, i only have 2
Old 04-12-04, 09:27 PM
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take out stereo...

replace seats with those from a miata (need to be mechanically inclined for this one)

remove rats nest, air pump,

move battery to back...replace door cars with FB or cardboard...

replace side glass and rear glass with lexan...remove pneumatic struts for holding up rear hatch

take out A/C and heater

use matal sunroof (if you have one)

remove interior carpet and palstic

remove steel frame for storage bins
Old 04-12-04, 09:38 PM
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Why do you need weight removal?? I couldn't drive without my stereo, the sound deadening, and I wouldn't even think of going anywhere without my jack and spare. I hope this is only a track car. Because that is the only place I can see removing weight being an improvement.
Old 04-12-04, 09:55 PM
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why not take the seats out and replace them with crates?
Old 04-12-04, 10:19 PM
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Originally posted by YapaKanichi
why not take the seats out and replace them with crates?
no side boulster support or lumbar

my car is completely gutted and i drive it on the street love when cops pull me over and look inside...

i can see the scenario:
"sir we are going to search your vehicle for narcotics*looks left...looks right*ok you're clean"
Old 04-12-04, 10:58 PM
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....twas a joke.....
Old 04-12-04, 11:17 PM
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the best way to reduce weight is go on an atkins diet and ditch the fat bitch girlfriend for a smaller package
Old 04-13-04, 12:19 AM
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hey hey hey talking to a 220lb guy here ok
Old 04-13-04, 12:21 AM
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You could take out that heavy chunk of metal with all that **** attached to it under the hood. It would make the car alot quiter.
Old 04-13-04, 12:57 AM
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not everyone wants to drive a car which sounds like a shitty N'Sink concert guys....some of us like the idea of a super light street car...is that so hard to accept...

porsche has sold thousands of light wieght cars (550 spyder, 2.7 carrera RS, 3.0 carrera RS, 964 CS, 964 RS, 993 RS, 996 GT3 RS, 924 Carrera GT) and thay are among the most sought after, expensive cars on the market today...so people do wnat this sort of thing...and will pay good money for it...
Old 04-13-04, 01:09 AM
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There aren't a whole lot of cars lighter than the FB... I'd focus on getting full potential out of whats there. R&P steering, wider wheels, and power upgrades are probably the most effective for a car that is all ready so light.

Or take a hole saw to the body...
Old 04-14-04, 09:04 PM
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If you want to drive on the street and maintain some level of civility:

1. Aftermarket SS exhaust system. The stock one's heavy and a durable SS system can be made for less weight than a mild steel one.

2. Lexan or plexiglas rear hatch and quarter windows. The stock pieces are heavy and high -- both bad for performance.

3. Lightweight wheels -- these are a triple reduction bonus: rotational inertia, unsprung weight, total weight.

4. Lightweight flywheel -- like the wheels, the reduction in inertia on the driveline will be felt as a much greater than anticipated boost in performance.

5. Lightweight (aluminum or composite) driveshaft. If you're replacing U-joints or doing some sort of other work on the driveshaft anyway, you might consider going lighter. A side benefit of a ligher DS is that lighter ones are easier to balance.

6. Hollow front swaybar. The 3-piece speedway style pieces aren't cheap, but save a few pounds.

7. Carbon fiber or fiberglass hood & fenders. Carbon fiber sounds cooler, costs more, weighs slightly less.

8. If you have a GSL-SE: FC aluminum rear spare.

9. FC aluminum water pump

10. Remove bodyside moldings

11. Remove rear wiper (I don't miss mine)

12. Replace electric antenna with fixed mast style

13. Install racing seats (may be too aggressive for the street, but will save a lot of weight if they are the fixed-back true racing style)
Old 04-14-04, 09:27 PM
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make her sticky

also does removing the tar reduce body stiffness? ( i doubt it but u never know)


the reason i asked for weight removal tips is; because a lighter car handels better , accelerates better, and stops better. Why not? im not rich so a new engine with massive HP wont work that great but if i remove as much weight as possible then im good to go
Old 04-14-04, 09:31 PM
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Drive naked. Your clothes and shoes are good for a few pounds.
Old 04-14-04, 10:53 PM
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Originally posted by FBDrifter
no side boulster support or lumbar

my car is completely gutted and i drive it on the street love when cops pull me over and look inside...

i can see the scenario:
"sir we are going to search your vehicle for narcotics*looks left...looks right*ok you're clean"
hahah, that's funny because that actually happened to me. I had just stripped everything out of my car earlier that day, only things left are the dash, seats, and front carpet, nothing from the seats back. I was drifting around this corner and a cop pulled me over. I wasn't speeding so he really didn't have anything on me, he thought I was drunk so he asked if he could search the car. Came back like 3 seconds later and told me to leave.

But you can take tons of **** out. AC, air pump, plastic interior pieces, giant sound deadning insulations in back, cabinets behind the seats along with the giant sheet metal casing, door panels( trust me, those things weigh a good 20lbs each), and go with a smaller battery

With all that **** removed, you won't hardly notice anything's gone, I mean how often do you look in the back? The car's not that much louder without the insulation anyway, so don't worry about it. Obviously if you're not into making your car as fast as possible this thread's not for you.
Old 04-14-04, 11:08 PM
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stupid double posting on accident
Old 04-15-04, 01:49 AM
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I want my car to go fast and have the comfort of a streetable vehicle. Passenger seat, trunk. Thats why I'm contemplating on going turbo or super, maybe throw some nitrous in the rear compartment.......lol strap 'er to the roll bar. lol
Old 04-15-04, 07:21 PM
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run on fumes

16 gallons gas (an rx tankful) I think weighs 100lbs., try running on a few gallons through some twistys and see how she feels, also plenty of weight to be saved in and around the bumpers. Aloha
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