weight loss/structual integrity

[Byrd]

I'm stripping my car, mainly back seats and cutting some metal to lighten her up.

If i cut the second metal wall from the back seats all the way back would that be extremely dangerous? There's no one sitting back there, and I would think being a unibody it would still keep it's strength and integrity. But would it be worth it?

Also, there's a second wall on the roof, would my car cave in on itself if i cut that second wall?

No need to flame, just posing some questions. Thanks in advance

 

[silver bullit]

Post a pic if you got em.

 

[mopardwh]

What are you actually saving? I wouldn't cut out anything that is questionable. Get lightweight body parts if you can. There are also plenty of other spots to cut that would not weaken the car. The part where the struts connect seems pretty important to me. Are you keeping front interior? Look behind the door panels. You'll find some extra meat there too.

 

[mn95TSi]

yeah, you'd be amazed what some worthless seeming body pieces really affect the integrity of the whole car...that might make the rear a little more squirly you're probably better off leaving it unless this is a drag car...the effect is probably something you'd rather not drive with.

-alex

 

[Byrd]

Thanks guys for the replies. When you take your interior panels off, there's two "walls" granted the first one already has holes etc in it but this is the wall i was talking about. If i cut the back seat area and trunk area I could probably see a good 20+ pounds off. This why i'm thinking its not worth it though cause it's not a substantial amount.

I'm also looking into lighter rims, lighter battery, flywheel etc etc.

 

[halik008]

ummm there are million better ways of going about weight reduction then chopping into a unibody.....

 

[drivemusicnow]

Thanks guys for the replies. When you take your interior panels off, there's two "walls" granted the first one already has holes etc in it but this is the wall i was talking about. If i cut the back seat area and trunk area I could probably see a good 20+ pounds off. This why i'm thinking its not worth it though cause it's not a substantial amount.

I'm also looking into lighter rims, lighter battery, flywheel etc etc.

I don't know of anyone here that knows enough about the 1g unibody to tell you yay or nay on specific parts. For your best bet, talk to Greg Collier, as I know he's removed a bunch of excess metal. My guess is that between RRE, Greg Collier, and Scot Gray, They've probably figured out what works and what doesn't