My MSM is finished!
#144
Seems like a lot to me. Put it this way, my DD, a 97 Civic EX 5MT with a sunroof shows online weight of 2640. The weight for the stock MSM on the same site was spot on so I trust the numbers. But we're talking a larger car with 2 rows of seats, a trunk, etc. It seems like the MSM should be significantly lighter considering it's smaller in every way, has no real roof, less seats, less car in general.
Unfortunately for me, there's no way to reduce the weight any further without sacraficing the things I have in the car. Gutting the interior is not happening because I still want it to feel like a normal car when I cruise, not some track prepped bucket. AC and PS components apparently only weigh ~30lbs combined, again, not worth the effort of removal. Trunk is already stripped.
The only other thing I could imagine would be to get lighter seats which is hard to get for me cause of my build (big shoulders, smaller waist) combined with the size restrictions in the car, completely remove the soft-top and run with no top at all (PITA for storing the car or leaving it parked anywhere).
Wait, I think I got it!!! How much does the engine weigh? Maybe I can remove that......
Unfortunately for me, there's no way to reduce the weight any further without sacraficing the things I have in the car. Gutting the interior is not happening because I still want it to feel like a normal car when I cruise, not some track prepped bucket. AC and PS components apparently only weigh ~30lbs combined, again, not worth the effort of removal. Trunk is already stripped.
The only other thing I could imagine would be to get lighter seats which is hard to get for me cause of my build (big shoulders, smaller waist) combined with the size restrictions in the car, completely remove the soft-top and run with no top at all (PITA for storing the car or leaving it parked anywhere).
Wait, I think I got it!!! How much does the engine weigh? Maybe I can remove that......
#145
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You're totally missing the point. Triple the stock horsepower of your civic and see how the chassis/transmission/etc holds up.
Also, RWD requires more weight because of the driveshaft and all that, in addition to the fact that it's a convertible so the chassis has to be built more solidly than a hardtop.
The fact that your turbocharged, full-interior, convertible MSM is still 140 pounds lighter than the [published, probably understated] weight of your civic is quite amazing.
Also, RWD requires more weight because of the driveshaft and all that, in addition to the fact that it's a convertible so the chassis has to be built more solidly than a hardtop.
The fact that your turbocharged, full-interior, convertible MSM is still 140 pounds lighter than the [published, probably understated] weight of your civic is quite amazing.
#150
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My NB ac stuff weighed iirc 32 lbs. Can't find the post at the moment. The Mazdaspeed has a fancy aluminum bracket for the compressor instead of the standard steel one, so saves at least 5lbs over the standard one? Curly chime in.
#153
I believe it uses the same compressor as the RX-8. While it is smaller it is also longer which caused me a great headache with the way my EFR manifold was designed. I think a 99-00 compressor would interfere with turboparts. Plus you would need custom lines for it to work with your condenser.
#154
Either way, it just doesn't seem like it's worth the hassle. Maybe after I get new seats I'll see if I can shave off 40lbs for the pair and maybe that will give me the determination to get it down to the 2400 mark. Even with AC and PS being on the best side being 48lbs, that would leave me with another 12 to shave somewhere. I just wish I did those things with the engine out of the car. I don't really know how I feel about ghetto looping the steering rack, or whether its worth it to take it all apart and convert it to a manual one.
#156
Can I ask, how much heavier is it in parking lots etc? I had a 4runner without power steering, I doubt it's worse than that, but that was pretty bad. Then I had a civic without it, and you hardly noticed as long as you were moving at all. Even inching along it was barely noticeable. I've debated buying a regular NB rack and gutting it to put in my MSM...
#157
Can I ask, how much heavier is it in parking lots etc? I had a 4runner without power steering, I doubt it's worse than that, but that was pretty bad. Then I had a civic without it, and you hardly noticed as long as you were moving at all. Even inching along it was barely noticeable. I've debated buying a regular NB rack and gutting it to put in my MSM...
BTW I'm using my MSM rack.. I'd just use what you have already.
Last edited by FrankB; 05-30-2015 at 12:53 AM.
#159
I removed mine with engine in the car. I used FM's method of gutting and cutting the seals out. It was late at night and I remember it taking a few hours. I'm sure it would be way easier in the daylight.
#160
I believe the MSM rack is has a different gear ratio, requiring less movement of the steering wheel to achieve the same movement of the tires. This of course makes it have slightly heavier steering than the other racks when depowered. That being said, I can't really comment on whether it's a downgrade or not to switch to another rack.
I removed mine with engine in the car. I used FM's method of gutting and cutting the seals out. It was late at night and I remember it taking a few hours. I'm sure it would be way easier in the daylight.
I removed mine with engine in the car. I used FM's method of gutting and cutting the seals out. It was late at night and I remember it taking a few hours. I'm sure it would be way easier in the daylight.