After reading through the forums seems engine mods are minimal to improve performance on our IS350's, so reducing vehicle weight would make sense. What are some of the things people have done?

I see that Swell sells an 18" forged F-Sport rim that weighs only 22 lbs. I currently have the 5 spoke factory 18's.

Also thinking of taking out the spare tire, and putting in a tire repair kit.

Other ideas that are simple?

 

im glad to see someone talk about weight reduction =)

wheels are a good start. i went with some TE37RTs which are a little less than 20lbs. the stocks are 28lbs i think. how about CF? if you dont like the look you can always paint it. the spare tire is a good idea...i never thought about that. the J5 coilovers im using are super light compared to the stock suspension.

remove the rear seats so no one can sit back there... haha...

 

Most weight reduction mods would take away from the luxury side of the car, which im sure is one of the reasons you got your IS to begin with.

If anything I would say focus on removing weight from the rotating mass aspect. Lighter clutch/flywheel (if stickshift), Lighter wheels and tires, lighter rotors, but these aren't simple/easy/cheap, and for a street car the benefits outweigh the expense IMO.

But: Spare tire removal, rear seat removal, passenger seat removal, carpet/sound deadening removal, A/C component removal,etc would make it lighter.

 

Colin Chapman (founder of Lotus) famously said " Add lightness!" One of our threads described substituting a much lighter battery for the standard one. Rear door power window actuators?

 

Always drive with less than 1/4 tank of gas LOL

But seriously, a proper set of light rims will show a great difference. Enki Rpf-1 rims are incredibly light!

 

hahaha....also known as the college fill up

 

Wheels will help greatly. Unsprung mass reduction will help in handling, braking and acceleration. That's why I chose my specific set of wheels. Don't go bigger than 18 if you can help it. Forged > cast.

 

One spot I've always seen a good gain in lightness in the past is with exhaust. Now, I have no idea how much the stock exhaust weighs, nor do I know what any aftermarket units weigh. But I know generally speaking aftermarket exhausts usually save you 20-40lbs from stock (depending on how much of the exhaust you replace).

And then yeah, the rest of it is basically getting rid of all the luxury components of the car. Aside from the obvious like seats and spare tire, you have sound deadening and a LOT of electronics. Never underestimate how heavy all the copper wires to keep everything running are.

 

Thanks everyone, appreciate the ideas.

Going to get lighter rims and maybe look into that battery idea.

I love the car! so removing luxury items probably won't do, but getting rid of the back seat... I wish then I wouldn't have to tell the kids to wash their hands and quit touching everything LOL!

 

lighter batteries wont have the cranking amps or capacity of the normal size battery. Another thing to think about

 

Thanks for the input.

Also looking at exhaust right now, I like the sound of the F-Sport that was posted on here, but not sure if it would save any weight.

 

according to the sewell site...it ADDS 2lbs... O_o

 

Felt lighter to me than the OEM exhaust but hell what's 2lbs really gonna due lol