Winter Weight Reduction

[habitatguy187]

I've created this blog to document all weight reduction I've done so far and what I'm going to do over the winter.

I will describe in detail the difficulty and weight savings of the various things I plan to remove over the winter. Even though much of this is already documented, I feel like there is a lot to be said concerning the actual process of removing certain things vs. just stating the weight of them. Also having this blog will help me stay motivated and set a goal that I'll be able to keep track of easily.

Up to this point there are very few things that I actually weighed when I took them out, so I'll give an aproximation of what they weighed by using a ~ symbol. From this point on I will weigh all parts I remove.

So far I have removed:

1. Glove box: ~10lbs (much more room for passengers)

2. Front bumper support: 40lbs

3. All AC and PS components, + cut drivers side motor mount bracket and battery stand, windshield washer resevoir and lines: 78lbs

4. Removed catylytic converter and it's heat shields: ~12lbs

5. Rear seat backs and seatbelt brackets: 20lbs

6. Spare tire: 25lbs

7. Spare tools + hatch carpet and panels: ~10lbs


Total of ~195lbs. So now the car should weigh ~2585lbs w/out me in it. (2780lbs factory weight so I've read)

At first the goal was to have the car at 2500lbs but since I'm so close I might as well aim for a 2500lbs race weight. I weigh ~160 w/clothes and shoes so I'll have to get the car down to 2340 for that to happen . I don't want to strip the interior but I definitely don't mind losing creature comforts in exchange for fun. I also don't want to do anything that will make the car structually unsafe (cut door supports)

I have a few more FREE ideas for ~100lbs savings but after that I think I'll have to start looking a little harder. I'd really like to do something with the dash and have been thinking about cutting the entire pass. dash out but it'll look pretty horrible with the heater stuff still in there.

Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

 

[SBstar]

Good job, it's amazing how much weight you can get out without having to really "tin-can" your vehicle. Being FWD according to what I could find your weight #'s should be somewhat accurate, of course the only way to know for sure is to put it on some scales. Good luck and have fun.

 

[habitatguy187]

Thanks Shane you 14b guys are actually what got me started on weight reduction. I did a little at first and instantly noticed a handling difference, and I've been sold since then.

I'll get it weighed somewhere (have no idea where to go yet) once I'm finished and the car is running good. Lightweight wheels and seats are in the future but I've still got some go-fast parts I want to get first.

 

[bombbeet1]

scrap yards uasually have scales or a place you would buy mulch and whatnot

 

[DSM315]

i have heard of people buildin there own crossmembers . they say it saves weight and space ,it would look alot better . but that cost money but theres an idea