The differences weight loss makes...

[ditch68]

I finally drove my car today a little hard since the mods I made. My impressions are just that, my impressions. But the differences are real. And pronounced in my opinion.

I dumped the factory power seats in favor of racing seats, removed all of the sound deadening and carpet, and replaced my front end with a much lighter fiberglass one. Center console entirely removed. Spare tire ( collapsible) is still there). Airbags and factory wheel replaced. All told, maybe 150-200 pounds? Maybe? But all at once, and so last time I drove it the weight was all there.

My "butt dyno" is no gauge for acceleration, though it "feels" stronger, but that is not the difference I experienced that made an impression - plus I never really put my foot in it driving in town, no full boost or anything like that. But I did have the opportunity to take several corners which I drive every day, and know well. And I know the car's feel very well, it is very predictable and precise and I completely know what to expect at a given corner at a given speed, throttle, braking, etc. It will of course unhook on throttle if you aren't far enough out of the turn when you get boost, but this felt like driving a go-kart, really.

What I noticed was a definitely increased tendency for oversteer. Mostly on no- throttle no brake mid segments of turns, just after braking and turning in. It felt light in the rear, and ever so gently feathered out in the rear (very much controlable with steering input) and not scary, just looser than normal by far. Not trail braking, either. Just a little more like my short wheelbase 911 behaved with trailing throttle oversteer. I actually didnt mind it. But I for sure am not used to it. This car just never did that before.

At first I figured it was a fluke, but by the third time I was convinced there was a difference.

Does this sound right? It just doesnt seem i.tuitive that such a slight weight reduction in what is really in the center of the car (and front) would make such a pronounced difference. The whole car feels more nimble and quick to respond.

Is ot my imagination? LOL I just didnt kNow weight loss could make such a difference on this smaller scale. 3/4 tank of gas in it.

Jeff

[redstrosekNic]

I'm sure the weight makes a difference, but I'd be willing to bet you're being more aggressive when driving now. I think the different feeling is a combo of weight reduction along with more aggressive driving.

Who cares where the difference comes from? It sure sounds like you're having fun; that's whats most important!

[ditch68]

That could very well be. The seats make it much more comfortable in corners, you feel more secure, and it has been a while I haven't driven it and was very anxious to do so,

Jeff

[9FF]

You are basically at stock US 944na body weight with those reductions...and that is why we like to drive them despite their lack of a turbo. Personally I get more enjoyment driving my 944na than either the 951 or 996.

If you really want to feel how the factory intended the 944na to be, drive a Euro "lux" 944na. Its saves another 200lb on the US na.

[p-talk]

Glad to hear ditch. I don't think it's your imagination - 200lbs is quite a bit of weight to loose on an already light (for today's standards) car.

[flash968]

weight has a direct relation to horsepower. figure the percentage of weight lost from the car, and it will correlate exactly to "effective" horsepower. you're not actually gaining power, but it feels like you are.

for example, a 200lb loss on a 2500lb car with a 150hp engine, means that you lost 8% of your weight, and gained an effective 8% in power (or 12hp). you should be able to feel that.

[ditch68]

The more I drive it, the more I notice it.

Hmmmm....do I really need A/C, power steering, popup lights, sunroof motor, and glass?

P-talk, we still need to meet up one of these days!

Jeff

[Gawernator]

Yes you do need those things. Lol

[ditch68]

Yeah, you are right! Arizona summer without A/C is pretty brutal...my actual daily driver is a 1985 Toyota 4x4 with NO options - no ac, not even a radio. Lets just say when it gets to 110° I dont drive it as much.

Jeff

[p-talk]

Hmm . . .

AC in AZ - yes. Or drive at night
power steering - nah
popup lights - replace with 924 CGT lights
sunroof motor - go manual
glass - use plexi for all but windshield.

Done and done.

Originally Posted by ditch68

The more I drive it, the more I notice it.

Hmmmm....do I really need A/C, power steering, popup lights, sunroof motor, and glass?

P-talk, we still need to meet up one of these days!

Jeff