Removing and "changing" the unnecessary "stuff"

[porsche930dude]

If you crash that hard I highly doubt having the spare in there is going to make any difference to your well being

[HaroldMHedge]

Here are a couple of threads on deleting the rockers.

Tips for rocker panel delete in a 911 3.2

Impact bumpers without rocker covers ?

[86 911 Targa]

pm sent.

Gerry

[RSBob]

Originally Posted by Rob T.

Reducing weight can be a very dangerous and expensive drug.
You start with the "want the original look with carpet etc." target and will find yourself in a car that is loud as hell, without heat or air conditioning a few years later.
And you also paid lots of money for that lack of comfort...
Happened to me and my coupe.
I'm curious about your result.... Have fun

A good point about noise.

Before buying current car, test drove a chipped 86 Carrera Street/track car stripped of all sound deadening, super lowered with a competition suspension, integrated roll bar, etc. After driving it for 5 mins the enjoyment of a fastish car was trumped by how noisy, stiff and generally uncomfortable it was. Passed on it immediately since am not a fan of ear plugs and back aches. What a wimp.

Removed my engine sound pad but left the rest.

[911tracker85]

^^^
that is why I also have a 928.

[Walt Fricke]

1) I think the "spare tire/crush zone" notion is an urban myth. At one point a lot of PCA regions required that the spare be in place for that ostensible reason, but it isn't going to deform. On a 356, due to its position, it might prevent some penetration, or spread deformation over a larger area. Not so in our 911s. My wife had a racing wreck (other driver's stupid mistake)which shoved the front right back so far that the wheel was jammed against the front door jamb, and the floor pan distorted like mad. The fuel tank was pulled from its mounts and moved backward, but not damaged, though. The tire just sat there.

2) I liked being able to adjust my outside mirrors while driving. I miss being able to do that, and needing someone to adjust for me before I go out on the track if the right side is wrong (left, for that matter, if strapped in with window net). Similarly, I wish I had power windows. To be sure, I race in a class where I need a bit of weight after much else has been removed. But it is nice to be able to raise and lower windows from the driver's seat. Yes, I hate the wiring, and have not figured out a connector system which allows removal of the mirror alone, or of the door, without a whole lot of wiring aggravation. But if that is solved, what's not to like about this sort of cockpit convenience?

[786]

Originally Posted by Nux

So I'm a bit radical here.....but, you can loose a LOT of weight on a Targa. Depending on how far you want to go. Mine is now around 2000Lb with full tank.



The absolute biggest weight savings are (rough numbers):

1. Front and rear bumper: about 30lb each compared to fiberglas.
2. Doors almost 80lb for both doors compared to fiberglas.
3. Frunk: 20lb compared to fiberglas.
4. Stock exhaust vs headers or M&K "SSI": about 20lb
5. Interior/exterior (incl engine compartment) sound deadening and carpet: about 70lb
6. Front seats: 30lb each compared to RS style or 40lb each compared to fiberglas shell (mine).
7. CIS about 15lb compared to ITB or carbs
8. Battery: 30lb compared to LiFePO4.
9. Fenders front: 15lb each compared to stock.
10. Rear seats removal: 30lb

I did them all and went a little further (polycarbonate rear window etc) and shredded some 500LB from a 1978 SC Targa.

Lovely build, is there a thread on it?

[QueWhy]

Originally Posted by 786

Lovely build, is there a thread on it?

I think there is. If this is the car I’m thinking of he did the backdate in his condo parking garage. I remember because I was in a similar living situation and found it difficult to change the oil or tires in a parking stall, I couldn’t imagine a whole backdate.

[Nux]

Originally Posted by QueWhy

I think there is. If this is the car I’m thinking of he did the backdate in his condo parking garage. I remember because I was in a similar living situation and found it difficult to change the oil or tires in a parking stall, I couldn’t imagine a whole backdate.

You are correct Sir

Removing weight is easy and adds power to weight ratio. Removing 8kg (17.5LB) corresponds to 1HP isch. So by removing 500lb it feels like you've gained 30HP. Car is incredibly light in the corners and needless to say also on the brakes.

So go for it. Just remember: It's easy to remove weight on a 911, but hard to make it look nice!

[QueWhy]

Originally Posted by Nux

You are correct Sir

Removing weight is easy and adds power to weight ratio. Removing 8kg (17.5LB) corresponds to 1HP isch. So by removing 500lb it feels like you've gained 30HP. Car is incredibly light in the corners and needless to say also on the brakes.

So go for it. Just remember: It's easy to remove weight on a 911, but hard to make it look nice!

I was right! Your build had me looking for cheap a mid-year for a light weight 911R style backdate, eventually I came to my senses and realized 3 cars and 1 parking spot was already stretching it enough.

Nothing beats removing weight for added performance. -8kg may equal 1hp but adding 1hp doesn’t offset 8kg. All the horsepower in the world can’t make a heavy car feel light.