Reducing weight on an S14 ??

[tranzilla]

Can anyone tell me how to lose weight on my s14? Is it even worth it?

[Bryants95240sx]

IMO its not worth it.. unless your going full out race car.

[zero.counter]

Things that have been done, DIY saves lots of money...

Purchase lighter rims (O.Z. SUPERLEGGARA for example)
Dropped the spare tire
Removed Airbag system
Custom fiberglass hood
Custom Lexan glass on the doors
Removed rear wing
Custom aluminum seat brackets with aftermarket seats (Sparco Torinos)
Cutout the entire trunk area and weld in aluminum sheet metal .25" thick
Removed factory stereo system including amps and replaced with some 7oz. max weights all around with a cheap deck that has high power
Custom aluminum drive shaft
Fiberglass fenders
Aluminum radiator (single core 1 in.)
300ZX 30mm. calipers (alum.)
Remove the A/C System
Light weight motor mounts

to list a few.



Think about it...If you are inexperienced, it may not be worth it. That would be a matter of opinion and available funds however...

[BadMoJo]

the 30mm Z32 calipers ARE lighter but the rotor is heavier than stock so it washes out the weight savings there. And Sparco Torinos are heavy as shit.

[zero.counter]

Originally Posted by BadMoJo

the 30mm Z32 calipers ARE lighter but the rotor is heavier than stock so it washes out the weight savings there. And Sparco Torinos are heavy as shit.

I did not realize that nit pickers would be lurking, which I was waiting for. The torinos were modified, with the steel tubing replaced with aluminum bracing and hardware with reupholstering dropping their weight to just under 21lbs each with the seat rails, and the rotors were drilled/slotted H.D. high grade directional curved vane custom made from an F1 series originally made for an LS-1 config, and a complete set of billet aluminum custom rotor hats. We did not play around, and had access to a machining shop...But yes, in a standard situation, you are right!

[tranzilla]

thanks zero

[SauN]

im pretty sure most of the corbeaus are lighter than the sparco seats. I don't have an exact number but some people say that corbeaus don't have as good of support

[s14xman]

heres a good way to loos wieght, this is my interior, also you can take off the sound deadening material and save a lot of wieght. You can also take all the washer fluid out of you resivior tank, you may say "that is stupid its prob only 5lbs blah blah" but all those "just 5lbs" will start to add up!!

[Jeff240sx]

Originally Posted by zero.counter

I did not realize that nit pickers would be lurking, which I was waiting for.

Woot! The "one sentence self-contradiction."
-Jeff

[holisticbeatz]

Remove all the glass on your car, windshield and etcs and replace w/ Lexan.
Carbon fiber hood and trunk lid.
Cut out the spare tire well and weld a sheet of aluminum over it.
Light weight racing wheels.
Remove the heater.
Remove the windshield wiper motors.
Remove the A/C, cruise control and audio system.
Remove the headliner, carpet and sound deadening.
Remove front and rear bumper support.
Carbon composite driveshaft.
Utilize a smaller gas tank.

Weight makes a big difference..

[Red]

Check the laws befor you go doing lexan, air bags, bumper support...

Some of these are just not good ideas for road use.

Dont forget full TI exaust... mines only 11lb 4 oz vrs stock 25 lb 11 oz

[Var]

nobody said flywheel yet. Like the driveshaft and wheels, it's a rotating mass and will make a big difference in performance.

[Maeda]

Ditch the sunroof!
If you're auto, swap to 5 speed.
Corbeau seats ARE light (Forza is 16 lbs).
C/f Hood makes a noticable difference.
RELOCATE THAT BATTERY! And while your at it, get a 51R or smaller.
No interior is the best. Ditch the carpet and headliner, passenger sun visor, rear seatbelts (heavy!), floor mats, EVERYTHING.
Electric fans.
Find all the wires your not using and cut them out (can save 10 lbs).

Weight savings makes all the difference when you drive the mountain.
Be sure not to ditch any safety equiptment you still use however, this includes airbags, front seatbelts, door reinforcement bars, bumper supports, dash supports, etc. Although these things are HEAVY, its not worth losing somebodies life over.

For the hardcore only.
Get a smaller cell phone.
Shave, and get a haircut
Hit the gym.
Drive naked.

[Red]

Originally Posted by westboroughpimp

nobody said flywheel yet. Like the driveshaft and wheels, it's a rotating mass and will make a big difference in performance.

Ahh very true... Reduce weight and the Rotating mass...

S14 flywheel is 21 lbs ?? oz Fadinza is 11 lbs ?? oz thats another 10 lbs


.......

And dont forget to take a piss befor you drive...

[mellojoe]

Originally Posted by Maeda

For the hardcore only.
Get a smaller cell phone.
Shave, and get a haircut
Hit the gym.
Drive naked.

Go to the bathroom before you hit the track.


No, seriously...
You can tear the doors apart. Replace the electric window units with a strap-pull-up version. Remove the passenger seat completely. Don't forget the glovebox = another 5lbs.

I mean, you can strip the car down to 4 wheels, a steeringwheel, and a seat if you want to.

[zero.counter]

Originally Posted by Jeff240sx

Woot! The "one sentence self-contradiction."
-Jeff

The best "one-sentence" nit picking contribution yet!

BTW, you were wrong...

[Jeff240sx]

[worthless post]
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=776885
[/worthless post]

While we're on the subject of weight reduction.
-Jeff

[Gladman]

"remove sheet metal and weld aluminum plate"

good idea... just make sure you dont light your car on fire, or cut into your tank


heres my input on weight....

my car weighs about 2400lbs with driver so it gives you an idea of what goin too far looks like.

[Maeda]

Originally Posted by Gladman

my car weighs about 2400lbs with driver so it gives you an idea of what goin too far looks like.

SWEET! Thats almost my goal (2300+200 lbs of me).

How'd you do it? o.O

[DRFT_DREAM]

yea how did u guys remove the rear safety belt and plastic panels? teach teach......heheheh...and where do u get those dry ice?

[Var]

Originally Posted by Gladman

"remove sheet metal and weld aluminum plate"

good idea... just make sure you dont light your car on fire, or cut into your tank


heres my input on weight....

my car weighs about 2400lbs with driver so it gives you an idea of what goin too far looks like.

where did you get the pillar bar? does it have preload(hard to get in place?) does it make a difference? i have almost the same setup as you and i wanna add the pillar bar.

[Maeda]

Originally Posted by DRFT_DREAM

yea how did u guys remove the rear safety belt and plastic panels? teach teach......heheheh...and where do u get those dry ice?

I got it off with a wrench?

[Gladman]

Originally Posted by westboroughpimp

where did you get the pillar bar? does it have preload(hard to get in place?) does it make a difference? i have almost the same setup as you and i wanna add the pillar bar.

i used a 3/4" piece of stainless and welded mounts on either side... no preload.. just kinda sits there and holds tight...

you can see it better in this pic:

[Gladman]

here are some pics of when i gutted my car if it helps anyone..

i spent about 4 hours removing all the sound deadening... i stuck in all in plastic bags and filled a cardboard box... the box weighed 35lbs!