I know there's been a few threads on this, but no one seems to ever agree, also it may be different in my specific situation, since I have a little extra weight. My car is the 03 Touring 5AT.

Here is my setup:

Aftermarket Focal KRX2 speakers + 4lbs (front)
2 Arc Audio KS 300.2 amps +?? lbs (back, thinking 10 or 15lbs or so?)
One 10" Arc Audio ARC sub + box +20lbs? 25lbs? (back)
Car PC in glove box +4lbs
Optima battery +6lbs
Screen in dash +1lbs
OZ Crono HT Wheels -5lbs
Dynamat superlite on door panels and trunk +15lbs?
and lastly:
Me: Skinny mother****er who eats a ton but is still underweight at 5'11 and 130lbs (-20lbs :P)

This seems like quite a bit of extra weight. Should I remove the spare tire + tools? I have fix a flat so I am not worried about that, but what I am worried about is weight distribution. If I remove the spare will it negatively affect my handling? I am thinking since I have the sub + amps back there it shouldn't make much difference should it? Should I go ahead and remove it? Also I have heard that the back end sits higher up after removing the spare? Is this true? Would my sub + amp weight balance it out so I wouldn't have this problem?

 

Think of the worse case scenario involving not having a spare. Can you live with that? Decision made.

 

Leave it. I'd rather remove your sub/amps than your spare tire.

 

IMO, to save a few extra pounds is not a valid reason to remove this useful item from the car...

 

Also, if you use fix-a-flat the tire will have to be removed and cleaned out before it can be balanced correctly again. Something to think about.

 

Well as long as I don't listen to my gps and end up driving through East Chicago, IN and Gary,IN on my way to Chicago again........ :P

 

I would pull it, along with the stereo crap, much more room. I pull mine when i make long trips, but leave it in daily to hold the carpet up.

 

Fix a flat will f'up your TPS

 

I just put the stereo stuff in, definitely not getting rid of it.

 

Single 10 will fit behind the drivers seat, plenty of bass, no need for ghetto thumping.

 

Unless you are autocrossing or racing the car, the weight of the spare and its effect on weight distribution and balance shouldn't concern you. Since you put all the other stuff in, it's apparent you don't care that much about autocrossing or racing. Anybody that hardcore is stripping stuff out of the car, not adding amps, subs, etc.

For everyday use, you'll never notice the weight/balance difference. The variation from full tank of gas to empty is significantly more - are you noticing it?

 

^+1

 

I always ghetto thump in my Z!

 

Get AAA and take the spare out. Are you lowered?
I couldn't fit the spare on my car if I tried.

 

Exactly what I was going to say. And if you are thinking about running the 1/4 mile, the rule of thumb is you shave off .1 sec for every 100lbs you lose. Not worth it to not have a spare tire.

 

Fix a flat wont work if you have a blow out!!!!

 

Leave the spare in and take out the jack kit. Save you about 5lbs.

 

Way ahead of you. that jack is crap anyways.

 

Was actually thinking about this too. Would be nice to have.. No I'm not lowered.

 

Not racing as of yet, but the performance mods are coming next summer, possibly twin turbo, since I am fully finished with the interior now, so I may be able to finally see some track time.