Droppin some weight
#1
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Droppin some weight
Let me start by saying I've seen "lightweightmiata.com".
I've cut my A/C, PS, Trunk setup, I've gone to 14 lb racing seats and some other small things along the way. Heres my question....
Has anyone swiss cheesed their miata for weight reduction? If you have ever seen the Opera race cars, they basically drill the hell out of their cars (namely their prized s2k) for gigantic weight savings.
I've cut my A/C, PS, Trunk setup, I've gone to 14 lb racing seats and some other small things along the way. Heres my question....
Has anyone swiss cheesed their miata for weight reduction? If you have ever seen the Opera race cars, they basically drill the hell out of their cars (namely their prized s2k) for gigantic weight savings.
#4
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When I decide to get another miata I might swiss cheese mine but not until I have another chasis sitting here. Thats alittle to extreme for a street miata imo. Also I won't scarifice certain creature comforts for weight savings when you can just up the power.
I've removed :
-the stereo system and speakers
-charcoal canister
-pass seat, waiting for lightweight drivers side.
-sound deading on rear deck
-braces and brackets in the engine bay
-5mph crash bumper
-everything from the trunk (except battery)
But I've added things like a turbo system, 1.8 motor, 1.8 driveshaft and axles, rx7 diff...Man shes gonna be heavy again..
I've removed :
-the stereo system and speakers
-charcoal canister
-pass seat, waiting for lightweight drivers side.
-sound deading on rear deck
-braces and brackets in the engine bay
-5mph crash bumper
-everything from the trunk (except battery)
But I've added things like a turbo system, 1.8 motor, 1.8 driveshaft and axles, rx7 diff...Man shes gonna be heavy again..
#5
I got a chance to drive a pretty darn lightweight miata (stripped the interior/AC/PS/etc...AND cut out the bottom of the trunk, removed bumper supports, cut out door supports). Basically, they stripped all non-essential parts as this was going to be a track car. The guy never got around to weighing it, and later rolled the car (yes, he had a rollbar and walked away from the accident) so we'll never know the exact weight, BUT...
I will say that the handling, feel, and acceleration NA was nothing short of amazing. I wasn't there, but reportedly, he kept up normally aspirated 1.8L vs. a Greddy at 6 psi without any problems. If I had a track only car that was trailered, I wouldn't hesitate to do the same, but keep in mind his car looked like it was vandalized as the interior was completely stripped of passenger seat, trim, carpet, dash, etc. Pretty easy to add power, pretty hard to add lightness (beyond a certain point that is).
I will say that the handling, feel, and acceleration NA was nothing short of amazing. I wasn't there, but reportedly, he kept up normally aspirated 1.8L vs. a Greddy at 6 psi without any problems. If I had a track only car that was trailered, I wouldn't hesitate to do the same, but keep in mind his car looked like it was vandalized as the interior was completely stripped of passenger seat, trim, carpet, dash, etc. Pretty easy to add power, pretty hard to add lightness (beyond a certain point that is).
#10
Boost Czar
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I've done nothing buy add weight to my miata.
Rollbar - 50lbs.
Hardtop - 50lbs.
Turbo - 18lbs.
Intercooler - 10lbs.
Piping - 5-10lbs.
Fuel Pump - 5lbs.
My Fat *** - 190lbs.
Removed, the few nuts and bolts that I couldn't find a home for.
Rollbar - 50lbs.
Hardtop - 50lbs.
Turbo - 18lbs.
Intercooler - 10lbs.
Piping - 5-10lbs.
Fuel Pump - 5lbs.
My Fat *** - 190lbs.
Removed, the few nuts and bolts that I couldn't find a home for.
#11
i've gutted mine quite a bit, engine, wiring, dash and a cobra seat, NOTHING else pertaining to the interior or sound deadening
I've added a cage though. I plan on cutting the floor pan and doubling up on the fenders from my other chassis to do what Opera did.
I might pop holes in the spare floor plan and chamfer them upwards. That and some custom made fram rail braces (shipping is killer to the cayman islands).
I've added a cage though. I plan on cutting the floor pan and doubling up on the fenders from my other chassis to do what Opera did.
I might pop holes in the spare floor plan and chamfer them upwards. That and some custom made fram rail braces (shipping is killer to the cayman islands).
#12
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Originally Posted by brgracer
I got a chance to drive a pretty darn lightweight miata (stripped the interior/AC/PS/etc...AND cut out the bottom of the trunk, removed bumper supports, cut out door supports). Basically, they stripped all non-essential parts as this was going to be a track car. The guy never got around to weighing it, and later rolled the car (yes, he had a rollbar and walked away from the accident) so we'll never know the exact weight, BUT...
I will say that the handling, feel, and acceleration NA was nothing short of amazing. I wasn't there, but reportedly, he kept up normally aspirated 1.8L vs. a Greddy at 6 psi without any problems. If I had a track only car that was trailered, I wouldn't hesitate to do the same, but keep in mind his car looked like it was vandalized as the interior was completely stripped of passenger seat, trim, carpet, dash, etc. Pretty easy to add power, pretty hard to add lightness (beyond a certain point that is).
I will say that the handling, feel, and acceleration NA was nothing short of amazing. I wasn't there, but reportedly, he kept up normally aspirated 1.8L vs. a Greddy at 6 psi without any problems. If I had a track only car that was trailered, I wouldn't hesitate to do the same, but keep in mind his car looked like it was vandalized as the interior was completely stripped of passenger seat, trim, carpet, dash, etc. Pretty easy to add power, pretty hard to add lightness (beyond a certain point that is).
More Pics:
http://www.inoneear.com/miata/crash/index.php
My old roommate's car (that's my garage in the pics). Paul's lightweight car was very, very fast indeed. Just as fast as my 1.6 at 6-8psi (not GReddy, GT28R). Naturally aspirated, his 1.8 was faster in 4th than my 1.6 in 3rd (and I believe he had a 3.90 torsen at the time). And his engine had over 220xxx miles, still running great in another car of his. You can see in the pics how bare the interior is, etc.
Oh, he drove the car home after flipping it, about 15miles.
Cutting out the trunk with a plasma cutter only netted 5lbs though, not worth the time and noxious fumes of burning undercoating.
He is building another gutted Red '94...
#14
at some point you've taken out all of the comforts and conveniences of the car just to save a few pounds, i suggest just go out and buy a bike. Any newer supersport is going to be around ~400 lbs. and have 100+ horsepower. that 2100 lb s2000 would have to have 500+ hp just to have the save power/weight ratio as a $4000 used 600. And getting the bike on the track is nothing more than wire-tieing certain things, taping up all plastics and glass, and race tires.
#15
Originally Posted by TurboTim
You mean this car:
#16
Originally Posted by Newbsauce
Actually I've been considering that, since REALLY the only control you are required to have "by law" is a defroster!
BTW, when I got pulled for doing 85 in a 55 (was actually 114MPH but he didn't see me doing that), I thought the cop would say something about the stripped interior, all the computer stuff (g-tech, laptop for link ecu, etc) and start poking his nose around for stuff to give me a ticket on. I think he took it easy on me ($400 ticket).
#19
Originally Posted by Silviata
#1: carbon fiber doors, fenders, everything
#2: Gym membership
#2: Gym membership
The Gym method saved me about 20 pounds:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/ultimate/ultimate.htm
BTW, I gained it all back and then some in the following year....
#20
Originally Posted by rmcelwee
Much more weight in the doors than in the fenders so I would start there.
The Gym method saved me about 20 pounds:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/ultimate/ultimate.htm
BTW, I gained it all back and then some in the following year....
The Gym method saved me about 20 pounds:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/ultimate/ultimate.htm
BTW, I gained it all back and then some in the following year....
wow 141 thats as much as i weigh. and im 20
i graduated high school in 2004 at 118 and i was 5'7"