The definitive Weight Reduction list..........
03-17-05, 03:51 AM
#32
EV ftw!!!
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Originally Posted by phisig
Has anyone triend removing the sound deadening material on the floorboards under the carpet? Bet you could shed some pounds quick that way.
I would never do that though in the interests of saving weight. One of the criteria's for a luxury car (which is what a GS is), is the quietness of the cabin. In fact, I intend to add more sound deadening to mine because I don't think it is quiet enough.
I will one day replace the hood with a CF one and probably the trunk lid as well. But that's it as far as realistic weight reduction goes.
If you want a really light car, you bought the wrong car. That is my conclusion after having owned my GS for over 2 years now. I can live with it's weight of approximately 3700 lbs because I value the luxury aspect of it more than the weight aspect.
04-01-05, 02:55 AM
#33
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I've looked at weight reduction.
Round the Knockhill racing circuit, with a passenger (about 80Kilos), my lap time suffers by 1s.
I leave the spare in the trunk as it maintains perfect weight distribution, without the spare, the car can start to get tail-happy.
I think the Lex GS is good weight at 1680Kilo - that is way lighter than other cars such as BMW M5 at 1800's and the 2-tonne Mercs.
You will find Skyline weighs in around 1580 kilo as does the M3 convertible.
I think if you could shave 300Kilo from the GS you would notice a difference - maybe go for full carbon fibre panels, lighter brakes and lighter wheels. The only real advantage would be seen on twisty roads or race track.
I saw a Silvia which had been lightened, it was stripped of 600Kilos. Mods included changing the glass for perspex. Now that's weight saving!
Round the Knockhill racing circuit, with a passenger (about 80Kilos), my lap time suffers by 1s.
I leave the spare in the trunk as it maintains perfect weight distribution, without the spare, the car can start to get tail-happy.
I think the Lex GS is good weight at 1680Kilo - that is way lighter than other cars such as BMW M5 at 1800's and the 2-tonne Mercs.
You will find Skyline weighs in around 1580 kilo as does the M3 convertible.
I think if you could shave 300Kilo from the GS you would notice a difference - maybe go for full carbon fibre panels, lighter brakes and lighter wheels. The only real advantage would be seen on twisty roads or race track.
I saw a Silvia which had been lightened, it was stripped of 600Kilos. Mods included changing the glass for perspex. Now that's weight saving!
04-20-05, 02:28 AM
#35
Lexus Test Driver
Hameed,
A Metal Matrix driveshaft will save you many pounds....Looking at about $500 USD....Several members on the Lincoln club I was part of had them. I also handled a MM driveshaft from a Camaro Z28, and it weighed a mere 12lbs....
A Metal Matrix driveshaft will save you many pounds....Looking at about $500 USD....Several members on the Lincoln club I was part of had them. I also handled a MM driveshaft from a Camaro Z28, and it weighed a mere 12lbs....
Last edited by RRocket; 04-20-05 at 02:35 AM.
04-20-05, 04:22 PM
#36
I took my windscreen resevoir out and put it up with the Christmas stuff,wasn't using it; that washer fluid can't be too good for the wax/paint anyways, and if the windshield is dirty, chances are you just forgot to wash the whole car.
That's a few pounds off the front end anyways.
I was able to adjust my tire pressure a little bit to compensate for the removal of the spare, jack, and it feels better now that I'm used to the way it handles.
That's a few pounds off the front end anyways.
I was able to adjust my tire pressure a little bit to compensate for the removal of the spare, jack, and it feels better now that I'm used to the way it handles.
04-21-05, 10:37 AM
#37
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Originally Posted by Hameed
I know this topic has been beaten to death on this forum judging by the posts that come on a search for the two words "Weight Reduction". However I want to establish a definitive list for reducing the weight of a GS400 for two main reasons:
I also want to say that my motives for weight reduction have absolutely nothing to do with trying to reduce 0 - 60 times (although reducing the weight will definitely have some impact on that), so please don't tell me I have a GS400 (albeit with enough horsepower), so why am I concerned about weight. I simply want to reduce the porkliness of a GS400 and thus improve the handling - that's it!
I have all the usual handling mods on my car, so it is not just about putting on stb's, stiffer sways, stiffer shocks, lcb's etc to improve the handling. I have that covered already.
Here's a list that I have come up with.
- improving the handling of the car as well
- simply trying to make the car less heavy
I also want to say that my motives for weight reduction have absolutely nothing to do with trying to reduce 0 - 60 times (although reducing the weight will definitely have some impact on that), so please don't tell me I have a GS400 (albeit with enough horsepower), so why am I concerned about weight. I simply want to reduce the porkliness of a GS400 and thus improve the handling - that's it!
I have all the usual handling mods on my car, so it is not just about putting on stb's, stiffer sways, stiffer shocks, lcb's etc to improve the handling. I have that covered already.
Here's a list that I have come up with.
- Lighter rims/tires. Currently I have the stock 17 inch chrome rims with some terrible Michelin Pilot Sport all seasons 235/45/17 all around. Going to HRE 19's 547R with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-DR 245/35 19 x 9 front and 285/30 - 19 x 10 rear next year perhaps. Approximately how much weight will that save?
- Bigger brake kit such as the STOPTECH 14inch rotor and 6 pot calipers. How much weight will that save?
- Removing the spare tire from the trunk
- Swapping out the front seats with some good quality light weight racing seats such as Sparco's. Don't know how much weight that will reduce. I am sure the cost would be high too.
- Not considering ceramic rotors as those are prohibitively espensive, assuming they are even available for a GS400
2)Small things like the wing affect speed......CF hood.......
3) why is ferrrai engines in the rear:copy?
4)- bmw 50-50 weight distribution: " "?
5)Is it all together that the car is heavy- or worthwhile impact /well worth the time removing the item which weighs the most(engine?
.....)
Last edited by Lex_Fnatic; 04-21-05 at 10:54 AM.
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