I was thinking of ways to reduce some weight off my car. I really want to get her slimmed up as I think without the driver, she might come in at 3900lbs. The catch is that it cannot be any type of "rip your trunk apart" ricer mod. I am looking to keep the FULL luxury aspect. Here is what I have come up with so far. Any other ideas?


1) Hawk Battery (13lbs) $70 - ?? lbs Saving

Does anyone have an idea what our stock battery weighs?


PS. I'm not loosing the 20's either. Lol.

 

If you're willing to sacrfice the quietness of the car you can always remove all the carpet and scrape off all the sound deadening pads glued to the frame. There's about 50-75lbs of this (unconfirmed on weight) so I've been told.

 

question: does "full luxury" include having a spare in the trunk?? If not, bye-bye spare.......

 

Lvangundy, I would love to try this, but I am afraid it might be too lound inside afterwards. How much more db do you think this would raise the noise inside?

ebruceii, spare is gone as it probably doesn't help me much with 20's. There is always AAA.

lvangundy, I know you're an expert on this, so I'm going to squeeze in this question here...I was giving thought to consider a true dual exhaust system (KEn suggested each bank has it's own outlet rather than merging into the center), however, wouldn't that just add additional unnecessary weight? Would it be possible to just increase the center pipe to....say 4"......and have the same outcome?

I've also thought about a titanium exhaust system. If I can have a whole catback (including Y pipe) titanium exhaust, it has to save at least 100lbs+. The titanium exhaust on the vette weighs only 24lbs :eek: (please correct me if I'm wrong). The only draw back would be the $. However, if I can squeeze in a system for under $1200, I guess it would be worth it.

 

I know they make carbon bonnets, that would be a big loss I think.
I know the seats are very heavy, maybe some different seats?
Otherwise, some custom fabricated lightweight bodyparts.

 

I would get rid of the spare tire, or get a weight saving spare. Weight savings: 45lbs if you take it out.
(drawback: If you get a flat, you are SOL)

If you are trying to get to the track, and get rid of some weight, I have seen people do (in addition to the above):

1) Take out the back seat (it is fairly easy on GS)
2) Have less than a 1/4 tank of gas, and with race gas only
3) Disconnect subwoofer, amps, and take out.
4) Go smaller tires up front, even to stock 16's
5) Take off all headrests
6) Take off center caps on rims

It is strange, but I have actually seen a slight improvement in times from people doing those things. I guess every lb counts.

 

Take out the back seat? Not in a milion years. Would look like most of the civics I see around Dounkin Donuts in NJ. Lol.

I guess the list is a little more geared towards the track though. We need to come up with everyday type of a thing.

 

How bout getting a carbon fibor hoood?
Heard that is one of the best ways of cutting weight dwn.
Spares, audion system, ummmmm
thats about it

 

Yes, that is geared toward the track. The most I can see is taking out the stock spare. That thing is HEAVY! lol

 

Mariusz - you're getting the twin turbo and you're worried about weight!? Also, you're not willing to give up the 20's (HUGE rotating masses that they are), and you're not willing to increase sound much...

Sounds like you're SOL. Maybe YOU need to lose 20 or 30lbs, so go on a diet.

 

along this same line, make sure you poo before you go race, and drive naked j/k

would those race window panels be too ricey???? Not exactly full luxury, but just a thought.

 

I didn't see anywhere that you had upgraded your brakes so if you haven't how about upgrading to lightweight calipers? You'll stop faster too.

 

Seriously. Short of just "gutting" the car (taking out interior, light seats, removal of insulation/sound control) it will be cheaper for you to just make more HP.

Sure, the GS seats are really heavy, but would you want riceboy Sparco's in your Lexus? Of course not.

The GS is pretty light for a car it's size, so most optimization has been done already. Anything you do is going to bring about serious compromise, so you have to ask yourself if it's worth it.

Personally, I'd rather have my spare tire if I need it than have my car towed by AAA. Even if it costs me 0.010 in the quarter mile.

Back in the "old days" people used to take the steel reinforcements out of the bumper covers and replace them with fiberglass or similar lightweight structures. Lightens the car up for sure, but if you have a light "bump" in traffic, you're looking at a lot more damage to your car. Like I said, compromise!

 

1. Different brakes, aftermarket brakes may save you 10-20 lbs per wheel.
2. Different, lighter wheels, sorry.
3. Take out headrests.
4. A lighter steering wheel.
5. Different front seats.
6. Take out the fog lamps.
7. 1/2 tank of gas.
Not sure what aftermarket parts weigh compared to stock parts i.e shocks/springs, sways etc but this can save weight too.
8. Eliminate sunroof.
9. Take out CD changer, add a 1 disc CD.

 

How about a lighter driveshaft and carbon fiber everything.

Get a jockey to drive your car for you. They gotta not much more then 100 lbs.