Weight Reduction - Odd Items

35734 Views 584 Replies 47 Participants Last post by Node, 4 d ago

Node

Discussion Starter · Sep 22, 2021 (Edited)

I have been looking through the other weight reduction historical posts and it seems some items are missing. I have been slowly dropping weight from my build and I am to the point that I need to start getting creative. So, let's put a list together of items the other weight reduction threads have missed. Let's compile some hard to find weights.

For example I have found some Neodymium speakers that weigh just 3.8 LBS. What is the OEM speaker weight? For that matter what does the OEM in dash sterio weigh? Some of these Chinese android units are very light and swapping out worn components could potentially have free weight savings if done right.

Edited with contributions below:

Speakers -
In Dash -
Side Mirrors -
Rear View Mirror (not legally required in most state inspections)
OE Door Glass -
Windshield Glass -
Hood Hinges -
Engine Bay "Trunk" Hinges -
Brake Rotor "Dust Shields" -
Hardtop Glass -
Hardtop Plexi -
Evap Canister -
Door Lock Solenoids -
Power Antenna (swap to stubby) -
Glass Fog Lights (swap to plastic) -
Washer Tank (run empty or close to) -
Replace the large door pull handles with pull straps -
Evap hard lines
OEM Alarm receiver module (2ZZ swap doesnt have RFID key function)

1 - 20 of 585 Posts

TeeMS

· #2 · Sep 22, 2021

good idea for a thread. the oem radio was about 3lbs heavier than the pioneer digital media only double din I replaced it with. evap canister with lines was around 5 lbs. I didn't weigh my 1/8" lexan hardtop window, guessing its probably a little over a pound, I know the whole VIS hardtop with window and all hardware was 18lbs.
I like saving weight or offsetting weight in places without making the car look stripped out or "full race car"

rcntype

· #3 · Sep 22, 2021

You could replace bolts with lighter metal and or start cutting excess length off.

Reactions: 2

anon

· #4 · Sep 22, 2021

I bought a single din head unit that has no cd slot, it was much lighter than the OEM unit. I also replaced the power antenna with a fixed one.

Reactions: 1

seantc

· #5 · Sep 22, 2021

If you have an 03+ you can swap out the glass foglights for plastic OE style ones. The glass units are actually quite heavy.

Windshield washer fluid - only need a couple ounces in your tank.

Reactions: 2

MerryFrankster

· #6 · Sep 22, 2021

Not clear what the objective or the modus operandi are for this project. E.G. for maximum weight removal in a race car who needs speakers or a radio. Or door cards or window motors or electric locks or even a dash. But if you're going for bragging rights on the lightest car with full interior, that's a different story.

PS> If I were serious, I would start drilling holes through the knuckles and frame members.

Node

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 22, 2021

MerryFrankster said:
if you're going for bragging rights on the lightest car with full interior, that's a different story.

Bingo! Although I could care less about bragging rights on a 20 year old toy. There are quite a few little neat tricks like anon mentioned. All these things add up to pretty substantial performance eventually. I have already shaved well over 100lbs (added some back with the intercooler etc..) and the car clearly stops better and feels more nimble even with the same tires. Could you tell just looking at the chassis.... no but you would see a difference at the drag strip.

Reactions: 1

scotched

· #8 · Sep 22, 2021

Don't be Matt Farah in a 2-seater?

Reactions: 4

Petrus

· #9 · Sep 22, 2021

seantc said:
Windshield washer fluid - only need a couple ounces in your tank.

Replaced the bottle with a bag holding 1 liter max.

Also no speakers, replaced head unit with a twing USB port and Voltage meter.

Took the interior rear view mirror out because the blind spot it causes annoyed me to no end.

Did quite a bit more deletes. Last weighed the car on the bridge at 880 kgs and took some more out since but put the cat back so it will be 880 about.

As the engine is coming out, thinking of a lightweight flywheel.

The car is strictly road and in a way my daily but I live in the andalucian mountains, do nó commuting and there are months that I don´t see a traffic light or traffic worth that name.

Reactions: 1

Node

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 23, 2021

Petrus said:
I live in the andalucian mountains

Next time I'm come back to Madrid I'll have to check that out. All the mountains here in Colorado have slow SUV's and minivans in my way.

How in the world did you get that light? From the pictures all it looks like you did was pull the stereo. That's seriously light!

seantc

· #11 · Sep 23, 2021

Node said:
Next time I'm come back to Madrid I'll have to check that out. All the mountains here in Colorado have slow SUV's and minivans in my way.

How in the world did you get that light? From the pictures all it looks like you did was pull the stereo. That's seriously light!

If he’s using a bridge scale it’s likely rated for 5 axle vehicles and therefore is only accurate to within say 200-300 pounds.

~250 pounds off a Spyder isn’t unheard of but yes I do question the accuracy of his methods.

Petrus

· #12 · Sep 23, 2021 (Edited)

Node said:
Next time I'm come back to Madrid I'll have to check that out. All the mountains here in Colorado have slow SUV's and minivans in my way.

How in the world did you get that light? From the pictures all it looks like you did was pull the stereo. That's seriously light!

Touge heaven here in the Andalucían heartland where I live. Just stay off the most scenic bits on Sundays and festive days; cyclists.
Thoúsands of wonderfull local mountain road kms. The southern mountain range runs from about Jérez to Almeria with two snow peaked bits one of which being the original Sierra Nevada.

Did quíte a bit more. You must have missed it. Got insulted nastily even about it on here.

At the moment it´s on the bridge: Ate a big end bearing and next it was clobbered by an SUV on the parking lot.
Looking into a lightweight flywheel now. The effect of which is multiplied depending on which gear you are in but a 10-12 lbs one averages over the forst three gears to the effect of about 25 kilos off the car. The lighter the car, the greater the effect. More so in the mountains.

Petrus

· #13 · Sep 23, 2021

seantc said:
If he’s using a bridge scale it’s likely rated for 5 axle vehicles and therefore is only accurate to within say 200-300 pounds.

~250 pounds off a Spyder isn’t unheard of but yes I do question the accuracy of his methods.

The not all that US size weighbridge accross the road is simply Q&D within 20 kgs (10 up, 10 dwn). It is for the local farmers with a trailer behind the old LandRover.
Also have a digital 250 kg scale. A bit of faffing with the jack, equal hight bricks and presto.

The only inaccuracy is the amount of fuel

With tank topped up it is júst under 900 with the cat mounted.
But hey, you lot believe whatever you want anyway. Enjoy!!

Petrus

· #14 · Sep 23, 2021

Node said:
Glass Footlights -

Huh???
Not sure what you mean with that.

Petrus

· #15 · Sep 23, 2021 (Edited)

2

Node said:
From the pictures all it looks like you did was pull the stereo.

I wondered, which pictures?
Should be racing buckets and no carpeting there too no?!

FYI, my son has built a rather large 3D printer and occasionally surprises me. Like with the 60% lighter struts for the silly big rear wing.
The car is first and formost a FUN project see to enjoy the local mountain roads in charmning company, not nééding it for work or such. I can live with quircks and if the charming company objects, she does not háve to come along!.
The only ´commuting´ I do is trek from the one gf to the other.
Like just for the fun of it we, me and the other gf, made a traditional soft tonneau cover for it. Looks éver so cool and is unexpectedly practical. Have not had anything else on for over three months.

She also made me a Panda suit and yes I drive around in it if I feel like that.

Will spare you the photo the gf made of me driving draped in a faux leopard pelt head and all. Ónly that

La vida es bella

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Node

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 26, 2021 (Edited)

Lookie what I found!

These bad boys weigh in at just 0.79 Lbs each! Granted they are 5 1/4 but even with the adapter and hardware I bet they sound better than stock.

www.crutchfield.com

Kicker PS52504

5-1/4" 2-way motorcycle speakers (4-ohm)

www.crutchfield.com

Here they are in 6.5" and weigh exactly 1 lb each!!! AND you can ditch the tweeter and associated wire.

www.crutchfield.com

Kicker 42PSC652

6-1/2" 2-way speakers (2-ohm) for use in motorcycles, boats, and off-road vehicles

www.crutchfield.com

Node

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 27, 2021

Got a new one for you. Not sure this is a street item but....

Acrylic 9 lbs windshield.

carlbecker

· #18 · Sep 27, 2021

And watch it yellow with age or crack. Maybe for a race car but then I don't see the need for the height.

Node

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 27, 2021

carlbecker said:
And watch it yellow with age or crack. Maybe for a race car but then I don't see the need for the height.

True to your sig

LOL yeah I think I would rather spend the 11 lbs on real glass for the street LOL. But it's an odd item and has some real numbers associated. If I had an oven that big though NGL I would make a new windscreen out of this stuff every 6 months.

BTW, I ALWAYS hit my knee on the friggin door pull. So, I will be putting race car Kevlar pulls on the doors so save my knees. Hope you wont be too angry ;D

carlbecker

· #20 · Sep 28, 2021

If you are happy with your spyder setup, that is all that matters. Whether I like it or not is immaterial. I don't mod my spyder for anyone else but me

I don't care for the looks of the door cards but they don't physically bother me so they're not broke and I will not fix them.

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