Weight Reduction - Odd Items

36011 Views 589 Replies 47 Participants Last post by Node, 2 h 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)

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marsrock7

· #521 · 2 mo ago

Sorry to hear of the major setback. It's insanely frustrating to have to outsource precision work like this just to be met with ineptitude, apathy or both.
As the old saying goes.... If you want something done right, you gotta.... DO IT YOURSELF!

Node

Discussion Starter · #522 · 2 mo ago

Yeah,

A buddy and I have been looking for shops lately. I think we may open a little place just for us and some side work. I don't have the room for a full machine shop here or at any of the potential properties I want to live at. So, a little garage off in the swamp somewhere would work out ok. I can fill it with Craigslist end mills and what not. At least I could have parts the same day if needed.

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Node

Discussion Starter · #523 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

And today's odd weight reduction item:

I was looking at my very bulky OEM wheel lugs and thinking that they kind of look odd in tuner wheels. Funny enough, the OEM lugs are somewhat of an antitheft item since they fit so tight in the wheel that a very thin wall socket is needed that took me forever to find. However, the OEM lug is ~2.65 Oz while a box of Gorilla tuner lugs I have sitting on the shelf is 1.14 Oz. So, this works out to 2.64-1.14 = 1.51 Oz * 16 = 24.16 Oz. or 1.51 Lbs!!!

Not bad for free since I have several sets of these sitting on the shelf for reasons I care not to explain!

OE / Gorilla

White Silver Automotive design Automotive lighting Font

Light Product Camera lens Automotive tire Camera accessory

Any thoughts on the narrower shoulder on an aluminum wheel? I have only once had an issue with a wheel that was bored too large and the lugs would have pulled through. But the RPF1's seem to be compatible. Should I go this route?

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2

k_swap_it

· #524 · 2 mo ago

Not trying to send you down a rabbit hole, but the 949 racing lugs are forged 7075 and about half the weight of those gorilla lugs

Node

Discussion Starter · #525 · 2 mo ago

k_swap_it said:
Not trying to send you down a rabbit hole, but the 949 racing lugs are forged 7075 and about half the weight of those gorilla lugs

I considered that but I take my car apart so often that most of those would gaul. Plus the yield is at half the steel. I don't want to tighten them all the time. I'm crazy but I'm not THAT crazy.

k_swap_it

· #526 · 2 mo ago

Node said:
I considered that but I take my car apart so often that most of those would gaul. Plus the yield is at half the steel. I don't want to tighten them all the time. I'm crazy but I'm not THAT crazy.

They do take some extra care, but they haven't been galling at all on my car. The strength is not an issue and I'm not sure what you mean by "tighten them all the time" but steel lugs are definitely easier to deal with.

Node

Discussion Starter · #527 · 2 mo ago

k_swap_it said:
They do take some extra care, but they haven't been galling at all on my car. The strength is not an issue and I'm not sure what you mean by "tighten them all the time" but steel lugs are definitely easier to deal with.

Granted 7075 is within a couple percent tensile of carbon steel. Pretty amazing actually. It's the yield curve and cycle fatigue that bugs me. To be fair you're using them on aluminum wheels but the surface is thicker and under compression. Those aluminum threads are under sheer. I haven't convinced myself yet. It'll probably fall in the same category as the rear glass vs Plexi. I don't want to turn a permanent part into a consumable.

Reactions: 1

carlbecker

· #528 · 2 mo ago

Node said:
I considered that but I take my car apart so often that most of those would gaul. Plus the yield is at half the steel. I don't want to tighten them all the time. I'm crazy but I'm not THAT crazy.

I have been using 7075 lug nuts for many years. I changed my wheels out twice a year for summer and winter tires. No galling but aluminum is a bit soft with all those wheel changes. I don't race so the loads aren't that high. I can't believe I have something lighter than you haha. Hand tightened and torqued to 80 ft lb.

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Petrus

· #529 · 2 mo ago

Had 7075 but found they got stuck, are indeed softer and not on thát much thread with he RPF1 so went to the most compact steel nuts I could find.

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Node

Discussion Starter · #530 · 2 mo ago

Petrus said:
Had 7075 but found they got stuck, are indeed softer and not on thát much thread with he RPF1 so went to the most compact steel nuts I could find.

Cool but how the heck is your hub not rusted? Did yo paint the hub? Also are you running without hubcentric rings?

Petrus

· #531 · 2 mo ago

300 days sun/year helps, nó road salt too.

Yes, the hubcentrics assist mounting only.

Node

Discussion Starter · #532 · 2 mo ago

Petrus said:
300 days sun/year helps, nó road salt too.

Yes, the hubcentrics assist mounting only.

Maybe I should buy a vineyard out near you. That sounds nice.

Petrus

· #533 · 2 mo ago

The downside of lots of sun and minimal rain is draught. The water is a PROBLEM. Both for potable water and increasingly irrigation. In the whole of the Axarquia p.e. vineyards are reducing. Even olive groves will notice it next harvest. Most damn/med lakes are below 20% of capacity right now and that is befóre the dry months start

30 degrees C. forecasted for coming week. Véry nice but it shoúld rain now.

Node

Discussion Starter · #534 · 2 mo ago

Petrus said:
Yes, the hubcentrics assist mounting only.

Wait, so I can shed a few fractions of an Oz? Nice!

Speaking of shaving weight, does anyone have a front bumper crash bar sitting around? I need to know the box dimensions and I don't want to pull my front bumper off my MR2 to measure. Ill have the A4 in the shop this coming week for a whole pile of mods I have been building up in the corner of the garage. So I will be able to measure up the AlMg crash bars that I am considering as a source when the bumpers are off.

marsrock7

· #535 · 2 mo ago

Node said:
Wait, so I can shed a few fractions of an Oz? Nice!

Speaking of shaving weight, does anyone have a front bumper crash bar sitting around? I need to know the box dimensions and I don't want to pull my front bumper off my MR2 to measure. Ill have the A4 in the shop this coming week for a whole pile of mods I have been building up in the corner of the garage. So I will be able to measure up the AlMg crash bars that I am considering as a source when the bumpers are off.

Mine is in the garage and accessible. Just need the box OD and a total length?

cyclehead

· #536 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

I haven’t contributed to this epic thread, nor read all 27 pages yet, but here’s my comment. I saw these guys on 100 mile bicycle events - multiple thousands of dollars spent on ultralight bicycle frame and titanium components, wind cheating Lycra outfits, reduced spoke count wheels to minimize drag. Yet zero effort spent on altering their eating habits to reduce weight.

Bicycle Wheel Tire Bicycles--Equipment and supplies Shoe

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Node

Discussion Starter · #537 · 2 mo ago

marsrock7 said:
Mine is in the garage and accessible. Just need the box OD and a total length?

Height and depth is basically what I need.

Regarding personal weight reduction, I am over 6 ft and fit comfortably in Tillet B5's comfortably. Not much mass I can reduce there.

rmeller

· #538 · 2 mo ago

cyclehead said:
...zero effort spent on altering their eating habits to reduce weight...

I remember a NASCAR driver complaining that Danica Patrick had an unfair racing advantage. I laughed a long time over that one.

Reactions: 3

Petrus

· #539 · 2 mo ago

Node said:
I need to know the box dimensions and I don't want to pull my front bumper off my MR2 to measure.

6 cm deep
10 cm high
117 cm wide

Node

Discussion Starter · #540 · 2 mo ago

Petrus said:
6 cm deep
10 cm high
117 cm wide

You're the man! Picking up the Audi Sat and will double check the dimensions but the crash bar may be a bit taller. I can probably make some adjustments.

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