S13 lower panel alternatives - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

g6civcx · 01-29-2008, 06:28 AM

I'm talking about the lower panel between the taillights and the bumper on the S13. To me it's completely useless and serves no purpose other than adding weight (and making the taillights look flushed with the rear bumper).

I'm about to ditch it and seal up the holes, unless anyone has any interesting suggestion.

Comments?

S13Dreamer · 01-29-2008, 06:43 AM

yea, that lower panel seems to be pure asthetics. but if you've taken one off, it really doesn't weight all too much. maybe like 5lbs? if you have no regards for looks, then go for it and take it off. as an alternative, i'm thinking maybe a carbon fiber piece but i've never seen one. hmm... hope this helps

Bubba · 01-29-2008, 07:01 AM

1... Cut some styrofoam to fit in the slot and cut them flush with the body.
2... Fiberglass that bitch.

Well, it really isn't that easy but I bet glassing it over would save at least half the weight after it was finished up.

If you had the resources to do so, an aluminum replacement would be sweet as hell.
I think I will just keep the POS where it is at though. If I ever get that far into weight reduction I'm sure I'll just ditch it anyways.

g6civcx · 01-29-2008, 07:20 AM

I've taken everything off the car. Granted it doesn't weigh much, but it doesn't serve any functional purpose so I want to get rid of it and just patch up the mounting holes.

DaPCWiz · 01-29-2008, 07:29 AM

I don't have an S13 hatch, so I've never actually seen the weight of this piece - but does it really way very much? will the replacement you are putting in there actually weigh LESS than the original piece? I doubt your weight savings will be more than a few ounces if any by trying to make your own piece for there.

I could be wrong tho - like I said I've never pulled that piece from an S13 hatch.

Bubba · 01-29-2008, 07:34 AM

Coupes have one as well, just not as big.

DaPCWiz · 01-29-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbablak

Coupes have one as well, just not as big.

lol now I need to go back and look at my coupe. It sits in a garage in pieces so I don't look at it much.

HyperTek · 01-29-2008, 08:27 AM

might as well remove the rear bumper cover and door skins since they are asthetics too..

come on this is silly. If your doing this to remove weight, theres better things you can remove besides this.

g6civcx · 01-29-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperTek

might as well remove the rear bumper cover and door skins since they are asthetics too..

come on this is silly. If your doing this to remove weight, theres better things you can remove besides this.

Rear bumper cover has to stay but the bumper support has been removed. Ditto on doors.

What else?

DaPCWiz · 01-29-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g6civcx

Rear bumper cover has to stay but the bumper support has been removed. Ditto on doors.

What else?

so that if you spin out and tap something or someone rear ends you there is nothing to help absorb the impact and your chassis bends right away?

HyperTek · 01-29-2008, 09:22 AM

talking about this right?

i just ment its kinda silly as far as removing this piece for weight savings.. Its not like removing the headlight center piece on a s13 silvia front to allow more airflow.

LongGrain · 01-29-2008, 09:44 AM

pointless to remove IMO.

its not going to save enough weight to be worth your time, and your car is going to look silly without it.

g6civcx · 01-29-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaPCWiz

so that if you spin out and tap something or someone rear ends you there is nothing to help absorb the impact and your chassis bends right away?

Exactly right.

I asked for rear panel opinions, not for what you would do with your car and your own money.

PoorMans180SX · 01-29-2008, 12:00 PM

I think it weighs about 1lb. If this is weight savings for a hardcore track car, then go ahead. Otherwise, leave it in.

Sir · 01-31-2008, 09:11 AM

how is this in Tech? It belongs in Chat.
Take it off if you want to. There isn't anything to replace it.

Risu2112 · 01-31-2008, 11:44 AM

If you remove that piece you're going to ruin your aerodynamics while driving in reverse, probably reduce your fuel efficiency by 1 or 2 % while backing up. All bad.

Seriously though even for a track car leave it in, that piece puts you one pound closer to 50/50 distribution!

>.>

01-29-2008, 06:28 AM	#1
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	S13 lower panel alternatives I'm talking about the lower panel between the taillights and the bumper on the S13. To me it's completely useless and serves no purpose other than adding weight (and making the taillights look flushed with the rear bumper). I'm about to ditch it and seal up the holes, unless anyone has any interesting suggestion. Comments?

01-29-2008, 06:43 AM	#2
S13Dreamer Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Holmdel, NJ Posts: 140 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	yea, that lower panel seems to be pure asthetics. but if you've taken one off, it really doesn't weight all too much. maybe like 5lbs? if you have no regards for looks, then go for it and take it off. as an alternative, i'm thinking maybe a carbon fiber piece but i've never seen one. hmm... hope this helps __________________

01-29-2008, 07:01 AM	#3
Bubba Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Age: 41 Posts: 352 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	1... Cut some styrofoam to fit in the slot and cut them flush with the body. 2... Fiberglass that bitch. Well, it really isn't that easy but I bet glassing it over would save at least half the weight after it was finished up. If you had the resources to do so, an aluminum replacement would be sweet as hell. I think I will just keep the POS where it is at though. If I ever get that far into weight reduction I'm sure I'll just ditch it anyways. __________________ Good at wrenching, terrible at electrical. Lord help me... HAHAHA

01-29-2008, 07:29 AM	#5
DaPCWiz Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern NJ Age: 41 Posts: 991 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I don't have an S13 hatch, so I've never actually seen the weight of this piece - but does it really way very much? will the replacement you are putting in there actually weigh LESS than the original piece? I doubt your weight savings will be more than a few ounces if any by trying to make your own piece for there. I could be wrong tho - like I said I've never pulled that piece from an S13 hatch. __________________ http://blog.dapcwiz.com

01-29-2008, 07:34 AM	#6
Bubba Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Age: 41 Posts: 352 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Coupes have one as well, just not as big. __________________ Good at wrenching, terrible at electrical. Lord help me... HAHAHA

01-29-2008, 07:20 AM	#4
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I've taken everything off the car. Granted it doesn't weigh much, but it doesn't serve any functional purpose so I want to get rid of it and just patch up the mounting holes.

01-29-2008, 08:27 AM	#8
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	might as well remove the rear bumper cover and door skins since they are asthetics too.. come on this is silly. If your doing this to remove weight, theres better things you can remove besides this. __________________ Keep it Classy

01-29-2008, 09:22 AM	#11
HyperTek Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 13,224 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	talking about this right? i just ment its kinda silly as far as removing this piece for weight savings.. Its not like removing the headlight center piece on a s13 silvia front to allow more airflow. __________________ Keep it Classy

01-29-2008, 09:44 AM	#12
LongGrain Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,741 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	pointless to remove IMO. its not going to save enough weight to be worth your time, and your car is going to look silly without it.

01-29-2008, 12:00 PM	#14
PoorMans180SX Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan Age: 37 Posts: 5,616 Trader Rating: (16) Rides Gallery: PoorMans180SX Feedback Score: 16 reviews	I think it weighs about 1lb. If this is weight savings for a hardcore track car, then go ahead. Otherwise, leave it in. __________________ Build: http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=643065 Friends don't let friends buy knock-offs.

01-31-2008, 09:11 AM	#15
Sir Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: IL Posts: 913 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	how is this in Tech? It belongs in Chat. Take it off if you want to. There isn't anything to replace it.

01-31-2008, 11:44 AM	#16
Risu2112 Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San jose CA Age: 41 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you remove that piece you're going to ruin your aerodynamics while driving in reverse, probably reduce your fuel efficiency by 1 or 2 % while backing up. All bad. Seriously though even for a track car leave it in, that piece puts you one pound closer to 50/50 distribution! >.>