surefire debate/poll... i am crazy? the wiper system is coming out

[germanfan]

lightness is good.
during a cowl paint/windshield seal job i had the motor tranny assembly in my hands and remarked to my freind how heavy they were. i have driven two rainy days w/ rain-x. i can deal w/ it. i will report on the weight soon.

[mlfox]

Since you asked, yes, you are crazy. Rain-x can never replace the swipe of your wiper blade. Please reconsider for safety issues, and there may be legal issues as well.

Regards,
mlfox

[germanfan]

ok 1 for crazy
2, and a diet plan

[Quicksilver]

Not having wipers is illegal in all states. Florida has thundershowers that can make the water almost 1/4" deep on a picnic table. Leave the wipers on. Eat one less meal a week and save weight there...

[Bob Kontak]

Rain-X rocks. Just saying...........

[Porchcar guy]

Ditto on the rain-X but for safety sake..forgedaboutit

[Mitch Leland]

Sooner or later you'll get stop for some other issue, then you'll be written up for no wipers... I've driver my car for 5 years w/ no front license plate and just got a warning ticket a month ago. Beyond the legal issues, then there's the safety issues, then there's common sense...

[Tidybuoy]

I would definately keep my wipers and my washer system - but not why you think.

When I'm traveling down the freeway and somebody decides to tailgate me, I either move to the right lane or....if there's someone in front of me and the guy behind me is just being a jerk, I like to wash my windshield. Of course, the water blows over the car and onto the tailgaters car. I just love watching him back off and turn on his wipers - hopefully his car is dirty and his window is getting smeary. The beauty of it all, the guy doesn't know I did it on purpose

[germanfan]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I would definately keep my wipers and my washer system - but not why you think.

When I'm traveling down the freeway and somebody decides to tailgate me, I either move to the right lane or....if there's someone in front of me and the guy behind me is just being a jerk, I like to wash my windshield. Of course, the water blows over the car and onto the tailgaters car. I just love watching him back off and turn on his wipers - hopefully his car is dirty and his window is getting smeary. The beauty of it all, the guy doesn't know I did it on purpose

hummm.
good point about getting pulled overfor something else, and the nuisance thing....

[sc_rufctr]

Why not simplify your wiper system to one wiper and cut back the mechanism to the bare minimum to run that one wiper. (including washer nozzle)
Replace the motor with something lighter from a newer car and fill the unused holes if it makes you feel better.

You'd save about 300 grams. (just over 1/2 a pound)

[McLaren-TAG]

Is it a race car? If the answer is no, then leave the wipers. Yeah, I know they're not really important 95% of the time you're driving but when you need them, you NEED them.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Why not simplify your wiper system to one wiper and cut back the mechanism to the bare minimum to run that one wiper. (including washer nozzle)
Replace the motor with something lighter from a newer car and fill the unused holes if it makes you feel better.

You'd save about 300 grams. (just over 1/2 a pound)

Jim Calzia did this some years ago - he used a 944 unit, IIRC.

[germanfan]

i know, it does seem abit much, but i tell you there must be 15 pounds easy.
i think it would look good too, if i find the right plugs. its not a track car, but it is a sunny day car, targa, ac delete under the sunny day rational. it all adds up. i will wat for some really hard rains too see what thats like, but regular rain is no biggie.
anyone ever weigh the whole group of parts, and the 994 unit swap...i will check for a thread.
honestly...thought there would be more go for it responses

[Captain Ahab Jr]

I would say go for it as Rain-X is great stuff but where would you stand legally if you were involved in an accident and someone was injured?

I would go one wiper and one nozzle and a smaller water bottle. You will need a longer wiper blade, longer arm and probably use a new lightweight rear motor assy from a more modern car.

[germanfan]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

I would say go for it as Rain-X is great stuff but where would you stand legally if you were involved in an accident and someone was injured?

I would go one wiper and one nozzle and a smaller water bottle. You will need a longer wiper blade, longer arm and probably use a new lightweight rear motor assy from a more modern car.

now, that is why is wrote this post. the thing i hadnt thought of. bingo. liabilty.yep. gonna have to have those wipers on the car. maybe i can swiis cheese the assembly.
thank you.

[haycait911]

this winter I'm changing over to a driver's side only vacuum wiper motor. extremely light.


lightweight w/s wiper motor option

[Esel Mann]

Ah you beat me to it!!!!

I was going to ask the same thing. Folks have swiss-cheesed just about every other non-critical part on these cars.

The question is, how over designed are the actuator arms and brackets? Based upon that one should be able to determine how much and where the swiss cheesing is acceptable. Heck, I bet you could even go as far as hollowing out any bolts/screws and using thinner (are they called SAE?) nuts.

Any thoughts for the ME's out there?

With regards to the actuating motor, I think it's a toss-up as to which is lighter. It or a cinder block. If I had to guess, that motor was/is sized to move those arms under snow and slight wiper to windshield freezing conditions. So I can foresee a couple of options there:

- If you don't have to worry about freezing conditions or snow, a smaller brushed DC motor would work. Though I am sure there will be some machining to do to permit mating up.

- Swap out the motor for something of similar performance but smaller size. For example an AC or perm mag. brushless DC type. Like above, machining would likely be necessary. This will be costly though because such motors and their controllers are not always cheap.

[Tippy]

I remember fox body Mustangs, this was common not for weight but looks.

Of course, those cars were still fugly.

[Rotmilky]

I have my windshield motor out of my SWB and would probably guess that it is heavier than 10 pounds, but lighter than 30 pounds. Certainly a significant chunk of metal to move two wiper blades.

I wonder if you can't find a smaller motor available now. If you look at the starter, you can get a smaller and lighter version to replace the original. There should be something out there for a wiper motor. Sadly I have no suggestions.

[germanfan]

i love it! new weight to lose. where there is a will....btw. just bought a ratty pair of 1984 non sport, manual seats for 50$
they weigh 30lbs each. thats 28 lbs less than stock in carrera, and preserves the look....once i transfer my good skins over