Lightening a 911

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 05:02 AM

Hi all,
I've recently removed my engine and am doing a bunch of work on my car. Some of this involves making it lighter. So, I have so far removed most of the AC as well as the cruise. I also took off the metal shield that sits under the catalytic converter. Was wondering what else to do?

My rear valence was all chewed up - so I took this off and got a new one from our host. The old one is fiberglass while the new one is metal. The old one had a heat shield - but I wasn't planning on replacing this. This should be ok?

Also, there's a heavy metal plate that fits under the front sway bars, etc. I have this off - but was contemplating not reinstalling it. Again - thoughts? The car isn''t a daily driver so I can afford to keep it out of any nasty weather. This being said - is this shield really necessary? Be interested in your thoughts.

Mike

Grady Clay · 05-28-2008, 05:18 AM

Mike,

Getting a 911 lighter is a real ‘art’. Porsche did this with the race 911s in the extreme. They used thinner glass, thinner sheetmetal, no window regulators, Titanium hardware and other components and much more.

Some we can reasonably apply to our ‘normal production’ cars.

You hit on some of the most significant; the A/C. Others include interior, window regulators, sound system (your engine provides plenty), seats and more.

I would reinstall the front pan. That is exactly where you want weight. The places to remove weight are at the rear of the car and up high.

Best,
Grady

Rot 911 · 05-28-2008, 05:22 AM

Be nice to know what year 911 you have. With a cat it a late model, but each year got a little heavier. You can easily remove the rear rubber bumper pads. They weigh around 7 lbs. each. Get rid of the spare and the jack and replace with a small compressor and get the plugs to fix a flat. The spare and the jack removal will save you around 40 lbs. Unless you are going on a long trip only keep 1/2 tank of gas. That will save you around 50 lbs. After that it starts getting hard.

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 05:25 AM

Hey Grady,
Great - thanks! I already started to remove the stereo - who needs that with our cars anyway - huh? Especially with a cab! I put in a pair of manual 911 sport seats. Sure they aren't the lightest - but they sure hold you in there well and they are lighter than the power ones. They are also somewhat period correct - and thats what I wanted. Now, removing the window regulators - I have power windows - and would love to go to manual. This would lighten it up some more I take it. Would this be hard to do????

Oh, I have an 84 911 cab.

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 05:52 AM

Hey Kurt,
I already did get rid of the spare and the jack. Hmmmmm, I will have to get a bit creative - going with Grady's advice and broad brush intent (good to know) - of leaving the weight center and low and lightening in the back and high.

Rot 911 · 05-28-2008, 05:55 AM

You can remove the blower for the front AC condensor that I assume you removed along with the rest of the AC system. Get rid of the stock battery and go with a lighter battery.

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 06:01 AM

Yep Yep Kurt,
Did the blower - but I have yet to put a lighter battery in the smuggler's box. Thats the plan - but with all the money I've spent - this will have to wait. Especially since Idont have everything back togeather yet.

IROC · IROC's Garage

In the vein of "weird things you never think of", I removed my windshield washer reservoir in the front fender. It's amazing how much water that thing holds and at 8 lbs per gallon or so, it adds up!

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 06:03 AM

Hi Mike,
Thanks! Those things have never worked anyway - and I doubt they have any liquid left in them. But its exra stuff - so its outta there! Great idea!

javadog · 05-28-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgbruno

Now, removing the window regulators - I have power windows - and would love to go to manual. This would lighten it up some more I take it. Would this be hard to do????

It would take a fair bit of work and only lose a few pounds. I'd do the bigger things first.

JR

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Thom has a list of weights on his site somewhere

http://www.vintagebus.com/

mack6820 · 05-28-2008, 07:01 AM

Ive realized this weekend at the track that you actually need the weight in your front. Your front tire is part of the crash safety and at higher speeds, the front will get light on you. You need to remove weight from the rear, not the front.

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 07:07 AM

Thanks all,
Thats kindof what I assumed about the window regulators. Concerning keeping the weight in the front - this is right in line with Grady's initial broad brush description - and it just makes sense you know. So, removing the weight from the center (high) as well as the rear is the way to go. Interesting. Makes sense - but before posting to the group - I was just removing unneccessary stuff wherever I saw that I could. I wonder, Mack, do you have a chin spoiler on your car - and if this would offset removing the jack and tire. I mean, weight does definately make a difference in performance - as I can definately notice the effect of anyone else in the car.

mack6820 · 05-28-2008, 07:11 AM

Well my car has a 993 body setup without the front spoiler. I know that would help alot. When I was running with a full tank of gas, I could feel a big difference in handling compared to less than a half tank.

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 07:14 AM

Ok, thats good to know. The spoiler thing that is. As I said, even with my kiddos in the car I can tell a difference in performance. Unfortunately, this is the condition right now! I can't wait to get everything back togeather again!!!

mack6820 · 05-28-2008, 07:16 AM

NICE! Junk in the trunk!

afterburn 549 · 05-28-2008, 07:20 AM

A wise man once told me "take care of the Onces and the pounds will take of them selfs "
We all focus too much on the chunks, there are several, but scrutinize anything you take off. Usually something can be ground dwn , bolts shortened , ruff edges smoothed up ETC.
Unless you have nothing but time and $$ you just make this a on going process

mgbruno · 05-28-2008, 07:25 AM

Laugh,
Yeah - I'm not that obsessed. I want it faster - at this point - and then the next thing is to upgrade the suspension. I regeared it - so we'll see what that does - but sine the engine's out, and I am waiting on parts - I figured I could lighten the car a bit. Nothing too radical though!

johncmng · 05-28-2008, 07:30 AM

I skipped lunch for a day and it save me about 5 to 7 pounds.

norcal relics · 05-28-2008, 07:38 AM

I'm sure they weren't robbed out of a 911R, but my '73 911T that was set up for track use years ago had all plexiglas windows put in besides the windshield. I'm sure this saved some weight, but must not have been cheap!

Maybe somebody here knows the car and can shed some light on the plexiglas mod? It was originally in Oregon, then in the SF bay area. Somebody really took care building this car, I'm honored to have it. License plate is 'BEEEAST' Sepia Brown.