Left front fender stuff=removal? help handling?

michael pagano · 05-08-2011, 04:13 PM

So as I was finishing up my car and getting it ready for alignment and noticed my, i guess, washer tank and another tank in the left front fender well. The windshield squirters havnt worked in years, is there a usaul problem that is easy to fix this or should I just rip it out? Also what is the other tank, on top of the bigger washer tank? I dont drive in he rain much and dont mind carrying around a rag/bottle of windex so this must just be added weight. Any people rip out these items and regret it?

Also how much weight do you think i would be saving, and is it even worth it, along with removing the spare, to take weight out of the front? Seems it might hurt the handling since the most weight is in the rear and this stuff helps balance it out, but what do I know.

Thanks in advance for all the advice and opinions

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Keep them all in.

Spare is an integral part of the crush zone.

For the squirties you probably have to replace the motor near the battery and the one way check valves near the nozzles. Kind of tedious on the one way check valves but it is a safety issue not to have the squirties.

The other tank is your fuel vapor recovery expansion tank. Get that system up and running if it is not functioning.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Spare being crumple zone....not convinced based on my reasearch.......

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

OK - I'll bite - what was your research?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Jut my opinion based on the crap I see here on the board......the tank would rupture and burn my ass before the stoopid spare would save me......

I looked for a crumple report that included a spare tire for an SC.....78-83 and found nothing on the TTSC federal BBS.....so......prove me right or wrong....

Since i'm old, divorced and not likely to have more than .5 passengers at any one time.....I don't car........

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

The washer tank weighs a few ounces. The tank above it is a chamber for catching fuel vapor. It weighs even less. Not worth the bother of removing. If you want to save weight, don't put any washer fluid in.

Also, you're right that this isn't the end you want to remove weight from. If it were me, I'd take the entire back bumper, shocks and shock reinforcement metal off the car first and just use a one piece fiberglass rear bumper. You can do the same in the front. You will feel the difference.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Here is post I just found by with a google search. Looks like the topic has been beaten to death and there is no absolute certainty the spare is a crush zone mandatory item - So I bow down to the dancing banana. :-)

Front Crumple Zone in 911

doublestuff · doublestuff's Garage

I recently had my windshield washer reservoir out of the car and it was a huge PITA to get back in. As far as weight is concerned, it depends on if it's full of washer fluid or not. It holds a surprising amount of fluid, but empty it doesn't weigh much at all. My washers don't work well, but I put the tank back in because I would like to have working windshield washers if I ever get around to unplugging the nozzles.

Just my .02.

Jason

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I have had to R&R the original washer bottle a couple of times in my SC and finally decided to get rid of it. I bought an aftermarket bottle with built in pump and built a mounting bracket out of aluminum stock. I mounted it in the trunk right on the center of the firewall. It is easy to fill and now I have room for a second oil cooler if I need it. Here is a picture:

michael pagano · 07:31 PM

Ok thanks for all the info regarding the washer tank. Ill eave it in and get into fixing that at another time.
As for the spare, im sure you wont want it in for track events and autox, so the car should be balanced without it right? Or will it actually help with it on because of the front weight?

One of my next projects for the future are taking care of the bumpers, any appealing ones that dont look too racy for a narrow body 911s?

Thanks again guys, saved me a bunch of time ripping it out...

edit-decided on stock appearing rennspeed fiberglass stock appearing front and rear bumpers, repainting my front valance, adding the front rubber splitter, and using euro fender "shocks without the shock parts? dont know what to call those lol...projects just keep appearing, and i thought i was close to done!