Losing 70+ lbs in a couple weeks 1971 911S

[Fubawu]

Well with the holidays past its time to shed some weight. My 1971 911S was lean to begin with. Sitting at a fighting weight of 2052 lbs.

At first I could not really think of what to remove/change to really make a difference.
Before I knew it I was finding small changes that added up. It becomes a fun game
but at times expensive. I have realized over my years of racing that there is a $ cost per lbs. It is about $100 per pound so removing unneeded pieces is a big plus. That being said over the next couple weeks I have new parts coming to get to my goal of 1981 lbs. Some are free and some are expensive.

Here it is in action at Rennsport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAObQTokEtA&t=1600s

[Blamecanada]

Sweet ride. Get rid of the rear view. Just drive harder. Ha ha. Good luck with the weight losss.

Steve Mc

[Fubawu]

First up was a bit of a cosmetic upgrade that got me thinking of reducing more weight. I bought tea strainers for the Carbs and removed the Foam filters and base plates. as seen in the picture above.

2lbs saved! 69lbs to go!


Next I bought 911R door handles. I noticed these on the infamous Larousse 1970 Porsche 911 ST when I was racing against it at Rennsport. Being 1800lbs made it hard to beat....oh ya and Patrick Long driving doesn't hurt either

1.5 LBS saved 67.5 LBS to go!!

[Fubawu]

Well it was time to replace that old fire bottle. I've got to be able to save weight here!!
I was right. I bought the new Lifeline system and it weighs in a 9LBS vs the 15 LBS of the old system!
This was a $600 fire system and would you look at that it saved me 6lbs Proves my $100 per lbs
theory.

6lbs saved 61.5 lbs to go!

[Fubawu]

As much as I like big hips I knew I needed to reduce weight from the rear end.
On the shelf I had a pair of RSR Bilstein threaded rear shocks. I wanted to upgrade to these as they are a better match for the 31mm TB's on the car now. Also the Aluminum Bilstein body vs Steel Bilsteins on the car was surely going to save weight. Out they came and low and behold I saved 2 lbs total!

2lbs off 59.5 to go!

[Fubawu]

I had a 964 Relay plastic box in the engine bay. I'm not sure what it is actually called but it wasn't proper and annoyed me. I installed an original Fuse/relay panel
and was able to mount the two MSD coils to it. Switching to the original and removing the small aluminum MSD coil plate saved me just over 1lbs. Looks better and lighter!

1lbs down 58.5lbs to go!
This is the old box I was talking about



New set up

[wareaglescott]

Awesome thread!

[porsche930dude]

nice car! how about some 911R deck hinges

[Fubawu]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

nice car! how about some 911R deck hinges

Tempting...it's on my list of possible changes. That or Aluminum front and rear hinges.

[Fubawu]

Well the .5 weight number was bothering me so I had to find something to drop a half a pound. Time to drill out the pedal board. I thought this would be a 5 min job ....2 hours later it was finished 0.5 lbs saved

0.5 lbs saved now only 58lbs to go...lol

[Nux]

Lightweight baby!!

Exiting! what are your plans?

LiFePO4 battery (mine is 3lb!!!!) Light weight starter? Lexan windows? M&K muffler? R tail lights? Carbon fiber seats?

[Bill Douglas]

The doors are the heavy part.

[seafeye]

Just looking into the engine compartment. Do you need the fuse panel metal bracket? Can you just mount the coils to the side of the engine bay?
+1 on the “R” hinges. The strut and factory hinges seem to be excessive.
Now we are talking ounces here.
How about the bracket that the MSD ignition is mounted on? Can you just use rubber grommets and mount directly to the firewall?
How about using tie wraps instead of the metal/rubber hold down clamps?
Can you remove the rear brake lights and use just 1 lightweight LED light each side?
Remove the headlights and front turn signals?
911R rear quarter windows
Remove the door and rear side window trim bits.
Smaller alternator will increase HP.
I didn’t mention drilling holes in anything. It’s always an option. But I’d stick to doing things that wouldn’t permanently change the car.
You can drill the clamps that hold the coils.
Or anything that’s a type of bracket. Like the dead foot pedal. Might be lighter yet if you remove the bolts and just do a spot weld.
Engine mount can be an RSR design and drilled. Those factory engine bolts are heavy. Can you source titanium? $
How about the stud on top of the engine fan? File 13?
I think the factory at some point just used felt for the dash.

[Fubawu]

Originally Posted by seafeye

Just looking into the engine compartment. Do you need the fuse panel metal bracket? Can you just mount the coils to the side of the engine bay?
+1 on the “R” hinges. The strut and factory hinges seem to be excessive.
Now we are talking ounces here.
How about the bracket that the MSD ignition is mounted on? Can you just use rubber grommets and mount directly to the firewall?
How about using tie wraps instead of the metal/rubber hold down clamps?
Can you remove the rear brake lights and use just 1 lightweight LED light each side?
Remove the headlights and front turn signals?
911R rear quarter windows
Remove the door and rear side window trim bits.
Smaller alternator will increase HP.
I didn’t mention drilling holes in anything. It’s always an option. But I’d stick to doing things that wouldn’t permanently change the car.
You can drill the clamps that hold the coils.
Or anything that’s a type of bracket. Like the dead foot pedal. Might be lighter yet if you remove the bolts and just do a spot weld.
Engine mount can be an RSR design and drilled. Those factory engine bolts are heavy. Can you source titanium? $
How about the stud on top of the engine fan? File 13?
I think the factory at some point just used felt for the dash.

This is good advice and much of the things on the list above are included in my plan.
I do want to try and keep the car period correct , i.e Ti bolts etc weren't something used back in the day....that being said I do use a newer battery etc. This car has some earlier race history and a very interesting history. Look for a story on the car in an upcoming Excellence issue

Cosmetically I would like to keep it close original, which means chrome trim stays but lexan 911R windows are on the list. Also I would liketo avoid drilling
as it is time consuming with minimal gains. Again that being said it will and has happened on certain parts.

[Fubawu]

Originally Posted by Nux

Lightweight baby!!

Exiting! what are your plans?

LiFePO4 battery (mine is 3lb!!!!) Light weight starter? Lexan windows? M&K muffler? R tail lights? Carbon fiber seats?

I've got the lightweight starter and no muffler just MEGAPHONES.

Battery is a great idea and great minds think alike!

Original Odyssey battery 14.4 new Antigravity 480 Crank amps 3.3lbs!!

11lbs saved 47lbs to go! plus I'm goingto save a bit on the the way he battery is
mounted. I'll post more on that later

[chrisbalich]

this is my kind of thread!

what about:
-fiberglass rain hats for the carbs?
-early fan strap (one bolt) with or without holes
-cut off the superfluous rearmost third of the coil bracket and use two small rubber bumpers to keep the plate from rocking/wobbling
-drilling the stock decklid hinges netted me ~.5lbs savings from the pair
-drill the pedal pads
-titanium lug nuts (available on the board now for a bargain)

[Fubawu]

Originally Posted by chrisbalich

this is my kind of thread!

what about:
-fiberglass rain hats for the carbs?
-early fan strap (one bolt) with or without holes
-cut off the superfluous rearmost third of the coil bracket and use two small rubber bumpers to keep the plate from rocking/wobbling
-drilling the stock decklid hinges netted me ~.5lbs savings from the pair
-drill the pedal pads
-titanium lug nuts (available on the board now for a bargain)

.5 pounds on the hinges huh x2 if I do the front and that grabs me 1lbs. Its on the list!!!
-early fan strap is a good idea and I have it!!

[Fubawu]

Here's some eye candy from this years Rennsport , my competition along with my crew chief!
If you want more please follow Machine-Motorsports on facebook and Instagram

[Fubawu]

I started playing around in the front trunk and realized there were a few changes to be made. First off the Fuel filter.

removed the fuel filter bracket plate mounted it with tabs. saved 1bs

1bs down 46lbs to go




Then I thought I need to get rid of the steel hose adapters and upgrade to Aluminum
0.5 lbs saved.

0.5lbs saved 45.5lbs to go



Then as I was looking at the fuel filter I thought there has to be a lighter filter!
I was right! .05 lbs vs 2 lbs

1.5 lbs saved 44 lbs to go

Old

New

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by Fubawu

.5 pounds on the hinges huh x2 if I do the front and that grabs me 1lbs. Its on the list!!!
-early fan strap is a good idea!!

I drilled a lot of holes in those 8 bits of steel (pics in my thread somewhere). Only broke one drill bit and didn't use a press. However, I wholeheartedly advise using a press and saving yourself the gnarly blisters. *Mine failed the week before and I got impatient.

Also, your IG looks good at a quick glance. I'll look it over more closely later tonight for sure!