I got bored yesterday and started stripping out dead weight from the rear.


I didn't get too carried away but I removed everything I wanted to. I was pretty surgical about it. I took my time and managed not to break anything. I had no idea how the panels would come off. I just started gently pulling here and there, and before I knew it I was done.

One thing that always bugged me for some reason was that stupid hatch release cable under the strut brace. I decided right after starting, that getting rid of this thing was my main goal.



In order to remove the cable I had to take the latch off (6 bolts). Pretty straight forward and simple.



There was also this mysterious bolt I came across. I have no idea what it's for or why there was only one. The other side had a place for one too, but no bolt.

Dead weight if I've ever seen it.


Initial driving impression:

Woo! The car feels lighter even when barely moving. As far as acceleration it's like gaining 10hp. 3rd gear talks back a lot louder than it did before(lack of weight hodling the tires down). I went to my favorite autoX course.... well actually it's a soon to be housing edition with no houses yet and brand new empty streets with no people or traffic, and even though the weight is more biased to the front and the rear tires want to talk back a lot more while cornering at low speeds, the loss of weight is still apparent and feels really good. The increased road noise was to be expected, and not a problem for me.

Anyway, just thought I would share my carnage. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

 

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
Remind me to never let you around my car
Just messin LOL.

 

Is the purpose of this weight loss strategy autocross? What class does this put you in?

 

actually the panels you pulled out don't even weigh 5-7 pounds together. The spare and jack and tools weigh around 35-40 for all. I put a hatch on one of these and was amazed at how heavy it was. I can see the point behind a carbon fiber one and lexan window. If there was just a way to save more weight up front. Anyway, i guess if your bored more power to ya. take everything you took out and weigh it. Keep taking stuff out in the front too so we don't have to and tell us what it weighs.

 

Don't ever let me around your car! lol

Nope. My autoX strategy is: Buy an s2000.

When I originally removed the spare+tools I weighed them and it came to 37lbs on my scale, not including the rear mat which is probably a good 5lbs itself. Everything else I just removed weighed about 15lbs maximum. So I'm looking at about -60lbs so far. There is definitely more weight to be shaved, but I'm not to that point yet.

BTW... I notice you're in moore... i'm in okc... my girlfriend lives in moore and I'm over there all the time. Nice to see some other okies around here.

 

Lightening the front end is next on my list. I'm thinking about a complete lightweight pulley set and a tilton clutch/fly for starters. Won't be free like this latest round.

What about relocating the battery to the rear? I know that would add a little extra weight with cable, but the distribution would probably be worth it. Could it be a h***ard being so close to the gas tank though??

 

does your car rattle or make any noises while driving.

 

I haven't noticed any yet. I thought I heard one right afterwards but it was subtle and I haven't noticed it again. The road noise is definitely louder though, and you can also hear the exhaust note better.

 

wow i did the same thing! except i had 170 lb's of audio stuff i ripped out after using it for 6 months before i took the panels and tire out..... so now i really feel it

 

Look into a nice 10-13lb batery for lightening the front end...if your really hardcore you could remove the bumper support up front as well...

 

hehehe im not so sure about going that extreme with the support... with the carelessness of other drivers god forbid it might come in useful some day.

The battery though is definitely something I'm looking into. Have the lightweight batteries caused people any problems? I also wouldn't mind keeping a heavy battery as long as it's repositioned to the rear to help even out the F:R distribution. It might help with battery life too by keeping it away from the heat of the engine bay. I'm not sure if doing that is the best idea though. Do you know of any problems I might run into by relocating the battery to the rear?

 

I have a 72 classic Mini and those came with the battery in the trunk, right along side the gas tank (yes the tank is IN the trunk) and the Cooper S had two back there. They built them that way for 40 years and it was never much of a problem.

Also, having the battery in the trunk, as low as you can get it, will also be closer to the center of gravity, so it will have less effect on the cars weight transfer.

Chris

 

what bumper support?

 

you should get a spray in liner for that

 

cf hood? even though the stock is alluminum i think

needs a CF roof like the bmw 6 M/// series

 

If you look in albertos avatar you will see that long narrow aluminum beam.

 

holy **** never seen a Z that bare

 

that beam doesnt weigh more then like 15 lbs. it wont do much

 

Sorry if I missed it, but did you weigh the items you removed to determine your total weight loss?

 

yea he said about 60 lbs soo far with a lot more that he can do. wish i could strip my stuff out but i use this car to hold tools and god knows i shouldnt be doing that.