Weight Reduction - Odd Items

36000 Views 588 Replies 47 Participants Last post by Petrus, 47 m 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

· #541 · 2 mo ago

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

In (non)standard got:
2 3/8"
4"
46 1/2"

Node

Discussion Starter · #542 · 2 mo ago

I think this sounds about right. Will report back when I have the bumpers off of the Audi this week. Doing a turbo, intercooler, piping and a bunch of other upgrades. Once I confirm the dimensions Ill take some photos and post back here. My main concern is the Audi bar has a pinch lip that may protrude down too far. As always, will post all weights as I go.

Reactions: 1

Petrus

· #543 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Mine, being in the garage, has no fit issue and weighs nothing

Meanwhile my #1 son is upgrading his 3D printer and experimenting with integrating steel or carbon fiber in his parts. He is very keen for me to come up with something he can test fabricate for me on my car. Sofar have come up blank.

Node

Discussion Starter · #544 · 1 mo ago

Alrighty...... Just purchased this LIGHT Al-Mg boi

Looking forward to cutting this thing up.

Automotive tire Tire Rim Bumper Automotive wheel system

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Petrus

· #545 · 1 mo ago

Node said:
Alrighty...... Just purchased this LIGHT Al-Mg boi

Even though heavier than a delete, Al-Mg is imo übercool!!!

As to the brakes, Snelbaard is designing brackets for radial mont Brembo calipers.

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Node

Discussion Starter · #546 · 1 mo ago

Bash bar arrived. It could be cleaned up but it is going behind the bumper skin. The metal is thicker than I thought so I may have at this thing with a hole saw. I have not really come to a decision on exactly how much material I will keep. Whatever the outcome it is going to be very light and strong.

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MR2-D2

· #547 · 1 mo ago

Node said:
Alrighty...... Just purchased this LIGHT Al-Mg boi

Looking forward to cutting this thing up.

View attachment 97051

What was the part number you used when you purchased the bar? I've been following your tail closely and wanted to do the bar as well but the A4/S4 bars I was looking at don't look anything like this

Petrus

· #548 · 1 mo ago

Node said:
The metal is thicker than I thought

Oops there goes some of the material density advantage...
Taking the hack saw would lighten the oem one too. Wat I did to the rear one. Took about a third off.
But then Al-Mg is still a cool idea. I sure dig it.

Node

Discussion Starter · #549 · 1 mo ago

MR2-D2 said:
What was the part number you used when you purchased the bar? I've been following your tail closely and wanted to do the bar as well but the A4/S4 bars I was looking at don't look anything like this

This is a B7 FRONT Bumper. The key here is that the B7 bumper strut does not protrude all the way through to the front face. It mounts on the rear face. So there is a flat surface that MAY allow for bolting to the MR2 frame. Hold off a few days on your purchase until I hack it up and see if it works.

Petrus said:
Oops there goes some of the material density advantage...

Yes and no. Turning this one into swiss cheese with a hole saw may still have higher rigidity and be lighter. The first thing to happen will be scales on the stock bar and this one.

Petrus

· #550 · 1 mo ago

Node said:
Yes and no. Turning this one into swiss cheese with a hole saw may still have higher rigidity and be lighter. The first thing to happen will be scales on the stock bar and this one.

Regardless of the result, I think it cool.

MR2-D2

· #551 · 1 mo ago

Node said:
This is a B7 FRONT Bumper. The key here is that the B7 bumper strut does not protrude all the way through to the front face. It mounts on the rear face. So there is a flat surface that MAY allow for bolting to the MR2 frame. Hold off a few days on your purchase until I hack it up and see if it works.

Yes and no. Turning this one into swiss cheese with a hole saw may still have higher rigidity and be lighter. The first thing to happen will be scales on the stock bar and this one.

Ahhh that explains it. I assumed it was a B9 bumper you were trying to get based on your initial post about it. Pardon my confusion

Node

Discussion Starter · #552 · 1 mo ago

Well, the starting mass of the bash bar is.... Not so great. It comes in at 11.5 lbs. I assume cutting the extensions and using my hole saws on it I will land somewhere around half that. On the extreme end maybe I get to 4lbs. See attached starting shot.

I went around the car today and shaved about 1.2 lbs. This is from removing the fixed antenna mount, swapping scoop hardware to aluminum and of course changing the wheel lug nuts to Gorilla.

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Node

Discussion Starter · #553 · 27 d ago

Another quick odd weight reduction item. I was over on Lotustalk and one of the super light cars had gone as far as replacing their prop rod with carbon fiber tube. The car was at #1600! So, I just ordered up a few of these. More details to come!

Rectangle Font Parallel Technology Metal

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FormInFunction

· #554 · 27 d ago

I'm one step ahead of you. My rear prop rod fell out when the plastic piece broke...one day I'll do gas struts but until then I'll revel in the knowledge one part of my car is lighter than yours

Node

Discussion Starter · #555 · 27 d ago

FormInFunction said:
I'm one step ahead of you. My rear prop rod fell out when the plastic piece broke...one day I'll do gas struts but until then I'll revel in the knowledge one part of my car is lighter than yours

I was actually looking for a good way to lock the hinge so that no prop rod would be needed. If I can come up with something that would keep the hinge from pivoting I would go with that.

FormInFunction

· #556 · 27 d ago

Node said:
I was actually looking for a good way to lock the hinge so that no prop rod would be needed. If I can come up with something that would keep the hinge from pivoting I would go with that.

www.spyderchat.com

DDPR Decklid Prop Round 2

Here we go for round two of our decklid prop group buy! If you aren't' familiar with it, the DDPR decklid prop rod is a part that we designed here in house as a solution to a fairly common problem in the MR2 Spyder; the OEM prop rod coming lose falling out. The OEM piece is held to the unibody...

www.spyderchat.com

www.spyderchat.com

Maybe some inspiration since its exactly what you want (but too heavy, I know, I know!)

Node

Discussion Starter · #557 · 26 d ago

FormInFunction said:
DDPR Decklid Prop Round 2

Here we go for round two of our decklid prop group buy! If you aren't' familiar with it, the DDPR decklid prop rod is a part that we designed here in house as a solution to a fairly common problem in the MR2 Spyder; the OEM prop rod coming lose falling out. The OEM piece is held to the unibody...

www.spyderchat.com

Maybe some inspiration since its exactly what you want (but too heavy, I know, I know!)

That is very similar to the Lotus LidBone. I like it! But you're right, it probably weighs the same or more than the rod.

frinesi2

· #558 · 26 d ago (Edited)

FormInFunction said:
DDPR Decklid Prop Round 2

Here we go for round two of our decklid prop group buy! If you aren't' familiar with it, the DDPR decklid prop rod is a part that we designed here in house as a solution to a fairly common problem in the MR2 Spyder; the OEM prop rod coming lose falling out. The OEM piece is held to the unibody...

www.spyderchat.com

Maybe some inspiration since its exactly what you want (but too heavy, I know, I know!)

With a couple of changes to make the links from carbon fiber sheet, and using polymer pins and bushings, that design could be absolutely feather light.

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Node

Discussion Starter · #559 · 23 d ago (Edited)

Today in odd weight reduction items thanks to some of our buddies on Lotustalk.... Remove the transmission counterweight. The Lotus folks report that the ball spring in the shift rods is MORE than sufficient for feedback. So, I'm hacking this little guy off too. Will report back if there is any shifter feel change. Lots of cutting tomorrow since my carbon fiber tubes arrived.

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Gas Auto part Toy

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Node

Discussion Starter · #560 · 21 d ago

Cut up some tubes and made a couple prop rods. About 1/3rd of the weight of stock. Bonus, they are more rigid and less wobbly.

Stupid.... Yes. Silly.... Yes. Lighter... Technically. Does it really matter? No but it took less than 5 minutes and it is always fun to cut up some metal.

Road surface Asphalt Wood Street light Font

Road surface Tool Composite material Asphalt Concrete

Hood Motor vehicle Electrical wiring Automotive exterior Audio equipment

Hood Motor vehicle Automotive design Vehicle Car

Hood Automotive lighting Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle

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