Stupid ??? about weight...
06-03-2003, 09:59 PM
#1
Stupid ??? about weight...
So, I'm checking out my new Brickyard in the hot garage tonight...
And, I start thinking about pulling the spare tire, jack, trunk mat, etc.
I put it on the flimsy scale nearby and nearly crap my pants.
Jesus, does that stuff add up!!!
So, Imma wondering: How many people pull this stuff on a permenant basis?
And, how does it affect the overall "balance" of the vehicle??
I'm worried the ***-end may be a little light off the line at the track with only an 1/8th tank of gas.
And, I'm worried about swappin' ends easier on the AutoX course with less weight back there too.
Any thoughts???
ADMAN
And, I start thinking about pulling the spare tire, jack, trunk mat, etc.
I put it on the flimsy scale nearby and nearly crap my pants.
Jesus, does that stuff add up!!!
So, Imma wondering: How many people pull this stuff on a permenant basis?
And, how does it affect the overall "balance" of the vehicle??
I'm worried the ***-end may be a little light off the line at the track with only an 1/8th tank of gas.
And, I'm worried about swappin' ends easier on the AutoX course with less weight back there too.
Any thoughts???
ADMAN
06-03-2003, 10:27 PM
#2
Registered User
I would say that in a race, any weight removal is a good thing. Even if the balance of the car gets upset a little, you will still get more of a benefit from less weight, or at least break even.
In an autoX, it would probably be much better if the rear of the Z came around easier, but my understanding is that removing weight off the rear would probaly not help too much.
Overall, if you are looking for that little extra edge, shedding weight is a good way to go.
-D'oh!
In an autoX, it would probably be much better if the rear of the Z came around easier, but my understanding is that removing weight off the rear would probaly not help too much.
Overall, if you are looking for that little extra edge, shedding weight is a good way to go.
-D'oh!
06-04-2003, 03:14 AM
#3
Registered User
I pull out the spare, jack, and all my extra junk every time i run a track. Saves prolly close to 50lb which is 1/2 of a .1 in the quarter. Every little bit counts. This much of a difference should not mess up your traction and the 1/4 tank of gas helps too.
06-04-2003, 03:39 AM
#4
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It is a toss up. Without alot of weight in the rear of the car your traction will suffer,and your 1/4 time will along with it. But with less weight your spped at the end of the 1/4 will be higher. Find a happy medium based on how well you can launch the car. Look in to a set of drag radials to make up some traction. ect ect.
06-04-2003, 03:39 PM
#6
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about the weight distribution: I currently autocross a 99 mustang gt. the front of my car weighs 435 lbs more than the back (corner scales rule), and that's with a full tank of gas, and the spare & jack still in the trunk! the one time i autocrossed without a full tank of gas was definitely noticeable. the car tending to slide the back much more.
but, the Z has a better weight distribution than my car. I believe nissan says it is a 53/47 distribution. which would mean the front weighs about 200 lbs more than the back. (3225*.53=1710, 3225*47=1516, difference of 194) so if the spare tire/etc. is about 50lbs (a guess, what weight did you come up with??), you still only have a difference of 250 lbs.
how much does gas weigh? I think water is around 8lbs/gallon, but of course gas is less. 5lbs maybe?
so full tank: 20gallons*5lbs/gallon = 100lbs
1/4 tank: 5gallons*5lbs/gallon = 25lbs
that gets you to about 325lbs difference.
if you run in the morning then time onlys in the afternoon, try it with 1/4 tank and nothing in the trunk in the morning, then go get gas & run time onlies in the afternoon with full tank and everything stowed in the trunk. you might feel a difference with the 125lb differential.
The most convenient thing of course would be to leave in the spare tire/etc., and show up with 1/4 tank of gas.
but, the Z has a better weight distribution than my car. I believe nissan says it is a 53/47 distribution. which would mean the front weighs about 200 lbs more than the back. (3225*.53=1710, 3225*47=1516, difference of 194) so if the spare tire/etc. is about 50lbs (a guess, what weight did you come up with??), you still only have a difference of 250 lbs.
how much does gas weigh? I think water is around 8lbs/gallon, but of course gas is less. 5lbs maybe?
so full tank: 20gallons*5lbs/gallon = 100lbs
1/4 tank: 5gallons*5lbs/gallon = 25lbs
that gets you to about 325lbs difference.
if you run in the morning then time onlys in the afternoon, try it with 1/4 tank and nothing in the trunk in the morning, then go get gas & run time onlies in the afternoon with full tank and everything stowed in the trunk. you might feel a difference with the 125lb differential.
The most convenient thing of course would be to leave in the spare tire/etc., and show up with 1/4 tank of gas.
06-04-2003, 03:50 PM
#7
Yeah, I used to race my Maxima with a full tank of gas.
Otherwise, it didn't handle the same. Torque/under steer.
But, that was a front wheel drive car.
I know, I'll probably have to run the Z both ways and see
which feels better. I just figured someone already went
through this and found one to be better than the other.
Side note: I think my car handles better with the added
weight in the rear. At least that is what I've been feeling
driving around town. Better balanced???
ADMAN
Otherwise, it didn't handle the same. Torque/under steer.
But, that was a front wheel drive car.
I know, I'll probably have to run the Z both ways and see
which feels better. I just figured someone already went
through this and found one to be better than the other.
Side note: I think my car handles better with the added
weight in the rear. At least that is what I've been feeling
driving around town. Better balanced???
ADMAN
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06-04-2003, 03:58 PM
#8
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125lbs could certainly make a difference.
how much did all the stuff out of your trunk weigh?
my plan is to autocross with 1/4 tank but leave the stuff in. of course, I have to buy a Z first.
how much did all the stuff out of your trunk weigh?
my plan is to autocross with 1/4 tank but leave the stuff in. of course, I have to buy a Z first.
06-05-2003, 11:17 AM
#9
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I have to agree that it would be rather wise to take all of that stuff out when you race. Especially if you are dragging. I think it would be good to do for autocrossing also since it will help you slide (drift) your rear around. I have always thought that was an advantage.
In addition if you solely want to try and even out the weight a little bit more it would be wise to invest in a CF hood. That is what my plan is at least for when my performance gets in... its on order
ScHeL
In addition if you solely want to try and even out the weight a little bit more it would be wise to invest in a CF hood. That is what my plan is at least for when my performance gets in... its on order
ScHeL
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