Removing and "changing" the unnecessary "stuff"
 

Hi guys,

Been awhile since I've posted. I have a (what seems to be) never ending 911 project that I've been building since 2012 (and still likely a year or so to go).

It's a 79 SC Targa.

As I get ready to commence with the re-assembly of the car I thought to ask of your opinion on several items focused around 1. simplifying the car (even further) and, 2. reducing weight.

I plan on (or have already done) the following:
1. Removing the AC system (done, just have to pull the wiring for it).
2. removing all the "asphalt" sound deadening (done, just have to clean up a bit more and coat the floor pans with POR.
3. RS door panels with pull straps eliminating the pockets, etc. (done, just need to install)
4. Removed the center console w/ac controls, etc. Only leaving the shifter with the rubber boot. (done)
5. Backdating heat (in process, need help on figuring out what I do and don't need as I plan on running 993 heat exchangers on my built 3.0 w/a "happy crab" type of exhaust.
6. Losing the rear bumperettes or converting to the thinner, European ones.
7. Remove the spare wheel and utilize a can of fix-a-flat if need be :)

I am considering doing the following:
1. Removing the rear seats (although I had them freshly re-upholstered, etc. ready for re-install back into the car). What's the best "looking" method of doing this? I see some leaving the rear shelf and some not. I'd like to keep something in the back to house my speakers. I also have a new carpet kit and I got the rear panels redone. With that said - I assume I'll just pull the seat bottoms and backs.
2. Removing the rear seat belts.
3. Converting power windows to manual windows. I searched but couldn't find any conversion kits. I found several conversion kits for the 993. Does anyone have information on how this is done? One of the main reasons for this is I REALLY want to lose the wiring cluster that comes with the power windows.
4. Losing the bumper shocks --- is there an alternate of any kind to them?
5. Lose the power mirrors. Again, one of the main reasons is wiring. I don't want all this additional wiring in the car. The secondary reason is the look of the factory mirrors.

What I don't want to do:
1. Remove heat for defrost purposes
2. Remove the carpet
3. Remove the radio and speakers
4. Replace body panels (bumpers, hoods, etc.) I want to keep the stock look

Any other thoughts, guys? I did a good amount of searching and above is what I came up with for a street driven car. It is my hope that eventually this car may see a day or two at the track --- but, as of now; I mostly want to simplify it... get rid of unnecessary items and wiring, and lose some weight while at it.

Look forward to some opinions and thoughts!

Paul

Couple of thoughts (having done many of the same things to my '75 Targa):

- I sometimes regret pulling all the sound deadening. The car is just sometimes too loud on the freeway. The stuff I replaced it with isn't that effective. I agree that pulling the asphalt is a good idea to clean out from under it, but give some thought to lightweight and effective sound deadening.

- Rear-seat delete is the way to go in back.

- I did strip the rear bumperettes (they almost rotted off) but kept the bumper shocks. They're not that heavy and provide some crash protection.

You can use early crush tubes instead of the bumper shocks. Thats a common swap. After getting rear ended with no damage im keeping my shocks though.
I was wondering if anyone has hollowed out the rear bumperettes and perhaps the bumper aswell to thin it out. On my 914 i drilled out the gas tank mounts and that made them nice and light.

If you’re trying to get rid of weight and give yourself some options in the rear delete, get rid of the rear speakers; fairly heavy, up high and in the rear.

All the sound you need can come from front speakers, rears are meant for fill and in a car so small unnecessary.

Thanks for the pointer.

I do have a set of door speakers going in the front doors with two small tweeters (also being mounted in the doors). Perhaps I could lose the rear speakers. What do you guys do with that area where the "pad" goes? I want a nice transition between the carpet in the rear seat area and the rear dash pad. Do you guys just leave the area chassis metalwork showing?

Thanks,

Paul,

1. You could remove just the seat backs. These are heavy and will only need some small rubber or plastic plugs to cover the hinge points. That way you wouldn't have to change carpet. Leave the bottoms as I believe there will be glue and bare floor under them (there was on my car).

2. Definitely remove the rear seat belts.

3. Pretty big project to swap to manual windows. Not a significant weight savings, but a very high "cool" factor in my opinion.

4. Euro crush tubes, rennline sells them and they are 15% off today.

5. Lose the power mirrors. Keep the base to cover the holes and do the vitaloni top mount mod that is pretty popular and easy.

How about a pic?

Thanks for the feedback. The car is completely disassembled on the interior right now so I would have no issues losing the rear seats in their entirety. Now I am considering losing the rear speakers --- however, want to have a nice clean transition in back from carpet to the rear shelf or something else. Not sure how to tackle that.

Interesting on the manual windows. Looking from outside in really doesn't appear that crazy of a project? but, perhaps it is... I just want to lose as much unnecessary wiring as possible...

Thanks on the tip for the euro crush tubes. I am curious if there is any weight saving to them. Also, curious if the factory "shocks" cab be disassembled? I am doing a full pan off and these things appear like they've had several "oversprays" on them. I've powder coated just about everything that I didn't paint! and, with that said it would be good to perhaps just refinish the original ones if that's possible. Has anyone ever disassembled them?

Thanks on the mirror tip. Haven't heard of that. Will definitely take a look.

Keep the thoughts flowing, guys! Thanks a bunch!

Paul

I've seen lots of pictures where guys just carpet the whole rear area- gives a finished look and a bit of sound deadening too.

Appbiz will put together a rear seat delete carpet set for a Targa. Just give them a call.

I did have to do some leveling with closed cel foam since the shelf top and front are not smooth.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a DIY kind of guy, definitely not a accomplished mechanic. I want my car to be as light as possible and as simple as possible so hopefully I can do the repairs. Lets face it these cars are old and need to maintained so they don't break down on us. manual mirrors, windows & brakes. No factory radio, I'm on the fence about my heat/vent. Rear seat is long gone.


David

I vote for getting rid is the bumperetts asap. They are really heavy and ugly as sin.

I went the cheap route and just pulgged the holes with plastic hardware store plugs and colored then with a paint pen.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1540081110.jpg

Paul,

Just PM' d you

R//Thom

One bumper shock weighs the same as all four Euro crush tubes. We seem to be on a similar path. I:
- lost rear bumperettes
- backdated heat
- lost rear seat backs and belts
- pulled all AC
- pulled center console
- converted to crush tubes
- converted CIS to EFI
- switched out spare to Fix-a-flat and small compressor

Good luck and keep us posted and post pics.

On your heat backdate, you should be able to plumb right to defrost ducts (I did in my ‘82). No blowers and cozy cabin with defrost.

As Burger King says, have it your way! That being said... Radio? Speakers? At the very least, delete the rears and the head unit and run a small amp from your phone via Bluetooth. I don't do this, but I did delete radio & speakers. I occasionally use a standalone Bluetooth speaker for Spike's Car Radio podcast during road trips.

Another option to consider, if you need a sound system, is an under dash panel with a pair of small speakers.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545742456.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545742308.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545742308.jpg

I have had similar debates with myself for my 78 SC/930 slantnose conversion project.

it is stripped to the tub for a full glass out repaint. and my goal is to lighten as much as practical.

I just sold my 85 targa for the $$$ to finish building this widowmaker... :eek:

- I am planning to strip the tub to the metal outside, inside, and undercarriage, but will reinstall some sound deadening under the light weight RS carpeting. and doing sunroof delete.

- I will use a strap to raise/lower the door windows. have seen this done but dont have a pic. considering lexan windows but by that time I may be out of money...
- thinking 935 mirrors....
- RS door panels.
- full light weight RS carpet, just carpet the rear seat/back/shelf and side panels.
- no console.
- FG rear bumper and FG front valance.
- backdate heat as I have headers with heater boxes so must push some air through there. removing all HVAC other than the diverter flap boxes to direct what heat I get to windshield or floor.
- no sound system. I have a small speaker box I use in my track car when I occasionally drive in the street, connected to my ipod.

will need to finalize my plans soon.

I am having Timmy2 build a completely new wiring harness for the car. removing a lot of little things like you, also glove box and other courtesy lights, anything that does not relate to the purpose of the car ... driving it. and adding some engine monitoring stuff such as WBO2, AFR, etc gauges. after such extensive restoration, I do not want to be chasing elec gremilins due to 40 yr old wiring.

good luck on your project.

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.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1545750126.jpg

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.

Be careful
 

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... :D:D
Happened to me and my coupe.
I'm curious about your result.... Have fun

Don't know if I'd delete the spare tire. If I'm not mistaken it's part of the "crush zone" in a front end impact and keeps the gas tank from folding up. Worth looking into. Plus, the weight is where you want it (up front).

That’s a very good point re the spare. I pulled mine years ago and never considered it a safety issue. Makes perfect sense though.