Where does the bulk of the weight come from? What are some of the easiest ways to lighten up the load.

 

Easiest way to lighten it up? Start cutting down on the Junk Food (J/P). I would start with the spare tire. If you have the money... go with some light weight rims. You'd be suprised at the diffrence it makes.

 

I think it's everywhere in the frame. I got so used to slamming my doors shut (both the side doors and hatch back) that when I ride in my friend's Subaru WRX, I slam his doors too hard and it sounds like they're going to break. The Z doors are just so much heavier. That's Ok though, I like the heavier feel. The WRX doors feel like they're made out of plastic they are so lite.

 

i heard the back hatch alone was 65 lbs. anyways...check out the article in Sport Compact Car; not this month, but last month. they lightened up a z and lost oodles of time in their 1/4 mile runs

 

The body and chassis are really stout, highest government crash rating. That's where much of the weight is, and you really can't (or shouldn't) remove much of it.

Of course the spare and the jack can go. Now if you have the Touring, removing the leather power seats and replacing them with lightweight racing seats will take out a good bit of weight. Removing the A/C system will also get rid of a fair amount of weight. Dump the stereo and speakers. Etc. If you have the roadster, remove the top and mechanisms, replace the tonneau cover with a much lighter piece. Etc, etc, etc.

Just doing the things mentioned should get you down around 2800 pounds. Going lighter would require completely gutting the car, acid dipping the skin panels, replacing some panels with lighter materials, etc. Last to go should be safety related things like the side impact bars, front and rear impact bars. Etc. Those things are there to keep you alive.

 

dont lighten up the back at all

if you remove your spare, it brings weight forward and up

not whatyou want


removing a little from the front is always better than removing any from the back