Pounds are made of ounces...a question about weight reduction

Dueller · 11:25 AM

Just out of curiosity, what are the weight saving advantages of removing the following items from an '87 Carrerra?

A/c condenser and related fans/controls

Heater boxes/stock muffler/heater fans & controls and switching to headers and shorty mufflers

power window motors

stock power seats to 15 lb race seats

rear seat assemblies

power sunroof motor

stock bumpers to fiberglass replicas

Eleminating the carrerra tail and replacing with a no wing trunk lid

Weighed my car with full tank but spare tire, tool kit, jack etc removed and it was a porkish 2810#s...just how do you NASA guys get one down to 2450#s or so?

bkreigsr · 01-04-2006, 11:23 AM

4-way power sport seats (RSA) are 47 lb ea, don't know about the 6-way

(4-way being up/down front of seat cushion, up/down rear of seat (also effects whole seat tilt)

6-way includes back/forward on tracks
Bill K

earlyapex · 01-04-2006, 11:28 AM

http://rennlight.com/

He's put together a nice web site.

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 11:29 AM

I'm in the process of doing just that. I will post the #s after I'm done. Off the top of my head...

Power seat, 55 lbs.
Sound deading under seat bottoms and backs, 29 lbs.
Rear seats & backs, 17 lbs.
Door panels, pockets & trim, 20 lbs.
Rear deck, 8 lbs.
AC. compressor & bolts, 17 lbs.
Rear (tail) condensor, short hose & bolts, 6 lbs.
Heater console, rear interior sides, 10 lbs
Radio, center console, ashtray, 7 lbs.
Passenger seat, sliders, height extension rails, 42 lbs.

This list is not complete. There is more I have taken out and will get to more this week/ weekend such as the window and sunroof motors, the rest of the AC system, etc.

Dueller · 01-04-2006, 11:36 AM

Thanks guys....

Hey Jeff...are you making it a track only car or do you paln to keep it legal and comfortable enough to also use as a weekend street car?

jimj

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 11:41 AM

Dueller, It will still be driven on the street for fun/ fun runs. No cross country trips in its future though. I started lightening it because I caught the track bug. I ordered the roll bar today so I will be putting some weight back in, in the form of safety.

So the answer is Yes.

Dueller · 01-04-2006, 11:50 AM

I'm at a crossroads myself, Jeff. I've acquired a 76 Carrerra w/a 3.0SC motor and two parts cars that I was thinking of making a dedicated track car...but my 87 is a much nicer base to start from as mechanically it is perfect with a completely fresh motor/transaxle. Having trailered a fullblown race car in the past, doing a weekend was like mounting a small military campaign. After a few track days driving my '87 to and from the event I realized that I had a lot more fun and it was much more economical....now if I can just figure out a bumper hitch to pull a small trailer for tires and tools, I'll be set

jim

jorian · 01-04-2006, 11:51 AM

When I was JW's swap meet last year I picked up a 911 door and was amazed at how much it weighed. A substantial amount could be lost with fibreglass bits but I'm sure the cost is substantial as well, not to mention a repaint if you want your panels to match.

johncarlos2003 · 01-04-2006, 12:05 PM

hate to hijack the post for a moment but carmine red? got any pics?

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 12:34 PM

Jim, I agree the 87 is a great track platform. I have seen people hide a reciever hitch behind their license plate. You could also use a roof rack for the track tires.

This is strange. I have an 87 I'm turning into as track car and a 76 with a 3.0 SC motor. What color are your cars? Were we seperated at birth? Hmmm?

Dueller · 01-04-2006, 12:39 PM

LOL...all are red.

And to REALLY freak you out, my daily driver is a 92 BMW 525 touring wagon...in black...

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 12:42 PM

You don't have a truck and a mini van too do you?

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

but an ounce removed from a given part of the car may or not have as much of an effect as an ounce removed elsewhere

leaving drive train rotating and recipricating weight out as well as wheel and tire weight. i.e stcking to chassis sprung weight only

an ounce removed from the very rear most end of the car working toward the rear axle as most to least effective

then starting at the very front most end and working toward the front axle is the next most effective again most to lest in this catagory

then starting at the roof and working down

finally working from both axles towards the CoM

Dueller · 12:52 PM

UH OH...there IS a parallel universe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No truck or minivan....although I just turned a minivan I rented for a new years eve party shuttle yesterday!!!!

So....what were your reasons for tracking the 87 rather than the 76?

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 12:51 PM

Shifting (G50) and I can fit wider tires under the 87. It also has larger torsion and sway bars stock.

jorian · 01-04-2006, 12:53 PM

Dueller · 01-04-2006, 12:56 PM

Yup...the G50 is one of my main attractions. I'm running 17's w/225 front and 255 rears....really does stick with that combo.

What roll bar did you order? Any plans for a full cage?

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 01:01 PM

I ordered an OG Racing. $579 and free shipping. I will add a cage if I start wheel to wheel. They said they sell a pre-bent kit (you weld) that mates to their roll bar to complete the cage. I think it can be made to have removable door bars.

Jeff · 01-04-2006, 01:46 PM

Jim, Just pulled another 16 lbs. Rear Bumperettes and black trim pieces.

Kmatts · 01-04-2006, 04:47 PM

may i interject for a moment?
the thing about light weight racing seats being a magic weight reduction is somewhat misleading.
the rails, sidemounts & adjustability can add up to BIG weight.
for example, i've got GT3 seats and the seats themselves are like feathers.....but after all the hardware gets on them...total pigs.
If you are really going for a diet, it pays not to go cheap on the hardware. using something like BK stuff can help.
just my random thoughts.
Cheers,
Kyle.