So I have a heavy assed convertible RX-7. It needs to loose some weight. Anyone that has done this to theirs, convertible or not, tell me what you have lost and how much weight went down with it. Tired of being beaten by a certain 88 GXL. Thanks a lot in advance.

 

Get a GXL, especially the series four. They are very light and they have a LSD.

Just kidding Ben

haha

craig

 

I thought about doing this, but then I took the easy way out - I bought a Miata.

My thoughts on lightening a 'vert -

Possible, but some $$$
- Replace the power windows & locks with manuals.
- Replace the seats with racing seats.
- Full (single) exhaust - the stock one is way too heavy/bulky.
- Replace the lower front chassis brace with one cut from aluminum.
- Lighter battery
- Remove the AC
- Replace steering wheel with a non-airbag unit

Possible, but a LOT of $$$
- Ditch the whole top assembly for a custom aluminum frame top that lowers manually

Also, along with a header, I'd get an upgraded ECU, It made a world of difference on my 'vert. Do a search on MD Racing or ECU.

Good luck!

 

Try the spare tire mod! Get yourself a can of fix-a-flat instead of your spare, those things are heavy!

 

Thanks, but there are some really bad neighborhoods here that I would not want to leave my car in if I had a flat that I couldn't fix a flat with!
Anyone else have some ideas?

 

ditch the power steering, take the hood padding off.
take the insulation out from under the carpet, lose the heater, get rid of all the unneeded brackets. get lighter wheels, go on a diet, replace the windows with lexan, remove the emission controls, use a 2L bottle for a gas tank, take the fender liners off, drive around with no hood....

mike

 

and where exactly would you go with a 2L tank ? Not very far I suppose...you wouldnt even make it to the next gas station 2 blocks down....

 

The Convertible wheels are probably the lightest wheels made for any model FC - 12-13lbs.

 

No, I don't think thats what he meant. I removed my spare tire and jack and replaced it with one of those pressurized canisters. They fill flat tires with foam to plug the leak and then reinflate the tire. They cost around $20 Cdn and weigh like 2 lbs, tops. I think this is what he was thinking.
Sean Cathcart

 

remove the roof motors. about 20 pounds and it's alot quicker to raise and lower the roof IMO.

 

That is what I mean. If I had a serious blow out that would not fix it. Sure a punture or something small would be ok, but I don't want to take the chance. Living in the city does that to one!!

 

If you pull up the carpet you'll see that there is an aspahlt liner stuck to the metal, you can remove that for about 35 lbs.

All the carpet and carpet insulation. I personally lik ethe carpet, but you could replace it with very basic carpet the type used for subwoofer boxes pretty easy.

Just replacing the factory insulation is worth about 30 lbs as the factory didn't use the lightest stuff in the world. I just replaced all mine with a better grade insulation and was quite surprised how much lighter the better grade was. Maybe 15 lbs lighter than the factory stuff.

Lighter seats. The 'vert seats like the GXL are very heavy.

Air conditioning (although that will drop the re-sale when you go to sell it)

Make sure you have the aluminum hood. Its easy to check, as the hood brackets and latch are riveted in rather than welded.

 

Are the vert wheels really only 12-13 pds... Can someone show me a pic of one.

 

They are just the BBS mesh ones. They look really sharp if you powdercoat them white. I am currently looking for a set.

 

I just happen to have a set of vert wheels for sale. $350 you pay shipping.

All 4 wheels
all 4 caps
the tool for the caps
4 yokahoma avid h4 205/60-15 tires with 75% tread.

The wheels are in good shape for there age but not perfect. There is one with a curb mark and they all have a few nicks and scratches but nothing major. They are deffinitely light as hell, and look damn good to.