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Where to remove weight from a track only car?

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Old 12-04-2013, 09:29 AM
  #241  
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I did my strip not for the main purpose of weight gain, but because the car was a burn, hence, her name "Barby", as in, throw another Miata on the Barby Mate! DUH, thats why I didn't do a before and after weight check! (make chime sound for Old memory cells connecting - ding-ding-ding). Bought the car for its rear suspension, then found out it was perfectly straight, just burned in the front and interior. Not wrecked, just caught on fire somehow.

We used a local commercial chem strip outfit that did it off the books over a weekend. Wasn't real bad, about $500 as I remember. Big thing was their tanks were large enough to submerge the complete car. After acid dipping, they neutralized it with caustic in another tank. Caution though - one big problem with dipping the car completely is putting something back on all of those blind inside box sections. If you don't, your toy will start bleeding rust from inside first time you wash it or drive it in the rain. I used an actual interior frame treatment which came with various multi-directional spray nozzles and extensions.

But yeah, it makes welding real easy.
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Old 12-28-2013, 05:11 PM
  #242  
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Originally Posted by ThePass
Nice Mr. Wob. I'm considering doing that once I find out if it's allowed in my class. Update when you have the weight of the removed section. Are you going to weld or rivet the new sheet in?
Its a weld in





I did mine on post #3
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Old 12-30-2013, 06:58 PM
  #243  
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Is there any rules from any sanctioning bodies about removing the steel bumper and if so can it be replaced with a aluminium one?

Attached Thumbnails Where to remove weight from a track only car?-20131230_133415_zpsf61e9d18.jpg  

Last edited by 1993ka24det; 12-30-2013 at 10:17 PM.
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Old 01-23-2014, 10:14 AM
  #244  
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This thread is bad ***. I have been looking for something like this recently.
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Old 03-11-2014, 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
2300+lb crew signing in from your GF's house.
right there with him!
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Old 03-12-2014, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 1993ka24det
Is there any rules from any sanctioning bodies about removing the steel bumper and if so can it be replaced with a aluminium one?

NASA TT - Yes

nasaforums.com; View topic - Technical Bulletin: Front Bumper Beam 1-30-14

Originally Posted by Greg G.
Technical Bulletin 1-30-14:

Front Bumper Beam (All vehicles):

8.2.2*
Modification of the BTM/OEM front bumper frame cross beam is permitted if a modified or replaced bumper beam remains that is equally strong for crash protection.

Originally Posted by Greg G.
Originally Posted by kevind
How does one prove the aftermarket/modified/custom beam is equal to the stock one in strength? I doubt to many people have access to FEA software or the means to crash test parts...
This will have to be a "common sense" inspection looking for obvious deviations from the rule.
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Old 03-12-2014, 10:12 PM
  #247  
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well here is my drift/ autocross toy, started as a 240, but figured it fits in with the extra weight saving idea! 700 pounds to the scrap yard, after it was already stripped to the bone.
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Old 04-13-2014, 08:47 AM
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I don't know if its the right place for this but I'm in the process of cleaning wire harnesses in the car and while testing the new loom I saw that I still have the obd2 port. Did you or can we ditch all this stuff? I'm using ms3 so I already deleted the diagnostic port so why not obd2 ****? The car will never need test or sniffer...
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Old 04-13-2014, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by joyrider
I don't know if its the right place for this but I'm in the process of cleaning wire harnesses in the car and while testing the new loom I saw that I still have the obd2 port. Did you or can we ditch all this stuff? I'm using ms3 so I already deleted the diagnostic port so why not obd2 ****? The car will never need test or sniffer...
There are tons of eBay Bluetooth and WiFi tools that can plug into the OBDII that will give you diagnostic codes. Possibly more important for you is that you can use the port tool and a cheap tablet to make an auxiliary gauge panel. It's possible to get data straight from the engine ecu, and mate that with g-force and GPS data from the tablet or phone. If losing this functionality is worth 2 ounces, go for it.
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Old 04-16-2014, 04:23 PM
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He is using MS3, and so has no OBD2 capabilities to save. Unless I completely fail at reading comprehension.
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Old 04-21-2014, 08:33 AM
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I love my sawzall...

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Old 04-21-2014, 04:03 PM
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This is all really basic stuff but they are real weights I took and not someone else's estimates that get inflated at every retelling. My car started as a 95 leather package and the PO converted it to r-package trim (hence the cloth seats in a tan car).
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Old 04-21-2014, 04:11 PM
  #253  
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Originally Posted by asmasm
This is all really basic stuff but they are real weights I took and not someone else's estimates that get inflated at every retelling. My car started as a 95 leather package and the PO converted it to r-package trim (hence the cloth seats in a tan car).
This is useful, thanks!
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Old 09-09-2014, 05:13 PM
  #254  
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Been perusing this thread to see where I can remove some more weight without removing some of the "public driving road" creature comforts.

Got a corner weight done on the car to get an initial reading on what I can work on and it looks like I am at 2330 with 3/4 tank of fuel. I'm honestly suprised it is as good as it is considering the sound insulation and full interior.

How difficult of a time am I going to have once I work on corner balancing it based on these figures.

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Old 09-09-2014, 06:12 PM
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Rotate your right front -0.29 rotations (-4.35lbs)

Rotate your left front +0.48 rotations (+7.2lbs)

Each rotation equals about 15lb change at the corner, assuming each rotation is about .125"

Last edited by cordycord; 09-10-2014 at 10:22 PM.
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Old 09-10-2014, 07:41 AM
  #256  
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Remove 90 lbs from the drivers seat for L/R balance...


Adjusting the rears is easier when you are on the scales (with the wheels on) IMO.
Unless you are very close to the edge of your shock travel, then you have to play with the fronts.
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Old 10-28-2014, 08:31 PM
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Default head lights

looking to drop more weight from my car.

what are you guys using to replace the barn door lights in the turn signal housings?
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Old 10-28-2014, 09:08 PM
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Good spot to add brake ducts for a source of good air.

How are they barn doors exactly? They barely make a depression in the bumper skin.
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Old 10-28-2014, 09:56 PM
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It think he is referring to deleting the flip ups and putting lights in the bumpers, a la The Pass
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Old 10-28-2014, 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Twibs415
looking to drop more weight from my car.

what are you guys using to replace the barn door lights in the turn signal housings?
I used the PIAA P-3000 which is a sealed unit with a separate spot/wide as well as a 5W marker light that I wired for the turn signal. That was years ago, there are better options out there with better light output for less money, although the all-in-one feature was nice vs. piecing together multiple lights to serve all of the purposes needed. Eventually I'll get around to updating my setup to a more modern light array...

-Ryan
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Last edited by ThePass; 10-28-2014 at 11:50 PM.
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