Wheel Well Delete

[Nasty Dream]

I can't find anything anywhere on the wheel well delete, AKA cutting the rear wheel wells out in a 2g. Obviously I heard about it somewhere. Is there a write up/tech article somewhere? Maybe I'm using the wrong search terms?

I've cut some stuff out of the trunk before, so I have some idea.

I'm interested in what kind of weight savings, what to do about the hole (cover with thin aluminum?), photos of the process, etc.

At least if you have any information, it would be helpful. It doesn't seem like it would save much weight, but there might be more to it than I imagine.

 

[jtmcinder]

The term you want is "tubbing."

 

[T is for TURBO]

The term you want is "tubbing."

But tubbing the rear, on a fwd car?

I'm so confused right now. Why do you want to do this? Weight savings? Are you going to throw some huge slicks in back and convert to RWD?

 

[turbodude]

i'm with you man, i got a gs-t and am always thinking of ways to remove excess weight from the rear. Don't know the actual practicality of it though besides that. Seems like a PITA to do though for the actual weight you will save. Although i really don't know how much the actual weight savings would be.... when you find out let me know since i have easy access to a welder and sheet metal.

 

[Nasty Dream]

when you find out let me know since i have easy access to a welder and sheet metal.

I was thinking I'd bust out the saws-all and patch it with some thin aluminum, some screws and sealant.

It's not worth it to me for a couple of pounds though. I'm trying to find more out, that's all.. .someone said it was a big savings.

But tubbing the rear, on a fwd car?

I'm so confused right now. Why do you want to do this? Weight savings?

Weight savings. I take weight out of the entire car everywhere, everything I can. I expect I can get it to 2400 lbs with me and some gas in it, without too much trouble. Right now I'm at ~2600. Want to get a photo of that soon.

I guess you mean because of handling? Do you feel it's dangerous? I pretty well know what I'm doing, been around racing my whole life. In a FWD, rear wheels just hold the car up. Rear suspension is set to 5/5.

But I listen to everyone. Everyone knows different things. So feel free to tell me why you think it's terrible.

The car handles good for the most part. The spoiler is actually really effective. I have wide tires and upgraded suspension. Balance isn't good (Noticed it right away when I took out the passenger seat), but you can get used to it so you can drive accordingly.

I also lowered the center of gravity in many places.

I actually drove this thing about 80 through the most ####ed up S-turn and road surface ever, and the car sticks to the road around the turn even on suspension lift (almost getting air, if you follow). Feels really good, but I'll admit that it was a bit hairy and dangerous for my setup.

FYI I'm just on the street, mostly following laws and punching the gas pedal occasionally

Are you going to throw some huge slicks in back and convert to RWD?

That would be my dream and ultimate goal, but probably will never happen.

 

[T is for TURBO]

Because cutting into the unibody is generally not a good idea, unless you plan on adding some real fancy roll cage. And even then, I'd steer away from it as the wheel wella are a pretty important part of the cars structural integrity.

If you do decide to go ahead with this, what are your pland for rear suspenion? Ad the strut mount sits on top of the wheel well.

 

[LiquidX]

I would leave the wheel well alone personally, if you want to cut something out, cut out the spare tire hole and weld in a flat piece of sheet metal there.

Besides that, there are better places to start removing weight from than chopping up the car.


I'll start by asking how much do you personally weigh? Driver weight is the best spot to remove vehicle weight and it makes you healthier too

 

[Nasty Dream]

Because cutting into the unibody is generally not a good idea, unless you plan on adding some real fancy roll cage. And even then, I'd steer away from it as the wheel well are is a pretty important part of the cars structural integrity.

If you do decide to go ahead with this, what are your pland for rear suspenion? Ad the strut mount sits on top of the wheel well.

I didn't realize all of that. Yeah, I guess they are adding a cage. They didn't really say much other than "wheel well delete"


Thanks for the information.

It was kind of just like a curiosity, since someone said there's a bunch of weight to be saved; I figured there might have been some excess crap.

BTW to go to RWD, I'd probably just start with an AWD. I want a couple more DSMs one day anyway.

I would leave the wheel well alone personally, if you want to cut something out, cut out the spare tire hole and weld in a flat piece of sheet metal there.

Besides that, there are better places to start removing weight from than chopping up the car.


I'll start by asking how much do you personally weigh? Driver weight is the best spot to remove vehicle weight and it makes you healthier too

I originally wanted to drop a wood plate with a 15" sub in there, but meh. Not anymore.

I still can't bring myself to cutting out that [spare tire well] yet. It's been really convenient for luggage.

Nothing to trim here. I'm a vegetarian and exercise daily.

 

[kidtsi]

i bet his not more than 150 pounds.

 

[T is for TURBO]

I would leave the wheel well alone personally, if you want to cut something out, cut out the spare tire hole and weld in a flat piece of sheet metal there.

I was going to suggest this too

I'll start by asking how much do you personally weigh? Driver weight is the best spot to remove vehicle weight and it makes you healthier too

Best advise yet

On another note, lightness doesn't always make you more nimble or faster. You can have the lightest car on the track, but if it handles like dog sh!t, due to structural members being removed and not properly reinforced, you'll most likely be the slowest as well.

Take a cheap wal-mart book case for example. Push on it from the side. It doesn't move. Now take that thin, glorified piece of cardboard on the back off and push on it from the side. Chances are its going to collapse.

The thin wheel well probably doesn't weigh that much, but it offers a TON of strength.

 

[Nasty Dream]

On another note, lightness doesn't always make you more nimble or faster. You can have the lightest car on the track, but if it handles like dog sh!t, due to structural members being removed and not properly reinforced, you'll most likely be the slowest as well.

Yeah, this is true too.

It's just what you want to do with the car. Not a track car here. And I don't feel the need to be dangerous. I'm getting too old to push my lateral grip for kicks. Not unless I was at a track. I've been in too much trouble already.

Plus I don't want my car to be in the graveyard. I rarely see a DSM anymore. Couple of times per year. One of the most popular cars of all time, just going extinct.

 

[T is for TURBO]

Good choice