Ultima diet, how to lose weight (and go) fast?

[GTWayne]

Right, next tentative question; Anyone out there discovered ways or means to make the Ultima weigh less? As the GTW nears completion I realise it probably wont be on the road until March '07 and can't help thinking that a few more mods maybe possible in an attempt to reduce the overall weight of the thing.

[d3vine]

1. aluminum radiator
2. carbon fibre clutch
3. carbon fibre brakes (rotors/calipers)
4. titanium exhaust
5. interior (all carbon fibre) including dash.
6. 1 piece carbon fibre or carbon fibre/magnesium hybrid wheels
7. dot legal slicks
8. remove AC/heat
9. no stereo system (speakers, cd player, etc)
10. carbon fibre body (prepegged)

I think that's about it without modifying the chassis.

Edited by d3vine on Saturday 26th August 00:46

[GTWayne]

I was thinking more along the lines of 'fine tuning' with regards to weight loss, ie:

Changing the gear linkage to say carbon fibre tube, fabricating front and rear clip latch pins from titanium, replace every nut with titanium equivalent? Anything really, I know these things are all small and on their own fairly insignificant but together, even if I can only shed 25Kg from the car, I feel it to be a worthwhile exercise.

[d3vine]

1. titanium suspensions, springs.
2. carbon/kevlar drive shaft

I guess you can pretty much make anything into carbon fibre. I remember seeing some car show a guy made his suspension with carbon fibre for a Civic.

Oh wait, I just thought of some. carbon fibre gear linkage is cool.

3. carbon fibre gear knob
4. carbon fibre steering wheel
5. titanium radiator?
6. titanium mufflers
7. door latches, hood latches made from titanium
8. titanium or carbon fibre foot pedals

Edited by d3vine on Saturday 26th August 01:19

[GTWayne]

Blast! carbon fibre drive shafts, I didn't think of that, I have just had a pair made as well!!! I will be getting a new exhaust system made next year and will be looking into lightweight materials (inconel is the best but work hardens and eventually becomes brittle, so no good from a longevity standpoint).If I am honest, I will be happy if I can get the car to weigh 1000Kg all up (that's with all fluids and there are 15 quarts of engine oil alone!) but will still modify wherever possible. The carbon fibre brake discs are worth looking into as well.

[m3desmo]

It's a lot cheaper to put yourself on a diet!!! Do you never sleep, Wayne?

[d3vine]

Wayne, what size are your magnesium wheels? how much weight saving are they over the factory wheels?

[GTRene]

---Carbon parts on the engine...
---Titanium bolts instead of the heavy steal ones...
---Alu suspension parts like the Wiesmann GT has
---Titanium parts in the engine...
---Titanium exhaust...
---when you take a lady out, choose one with Anorexia
---The faster you go(the higher fuel consumption)the faster you loose weight(fuel=weight)

And now its time for bed!
GTRene

Edited by GTRene on Saturday 26th August 03:05

[crafty]

Your car is going to be scarey fast as it is, you'll only be able to use what you've got in short bursts anyway, so if you are looking for more short-burst-wee-wee-in-the-panties-ability.... just chuck nitrous on it.

Id be aiming at the big things before the small ones, esp unsprung weight. If you're only doing gearlinkages and bolts you'll only save kgs, not 10's of kgs and it wont be a noticable difference.

...Of course the ladies will be well impressed...Get the carbon driveshafts.... and you'll have titanium nuts and a CF shaft!!!

[GTWayne]

m3desmo said:

It's a lot cheaper to put yourself on a diet!!! Do you never sleep, Wayne?

Funny you should say that desmo, I AM on a diet and have lost a stone and a half since Christmas (It's not JUST the Ultima that I take my time over). Imminent arrival of the GTW is not the sole purpose I must confess but is a contributory factor in the requisite but more for health reasons and so I can look good for my woman. As for the sleep situation, just you wait till your new arrival gets here (and I don't mean the impending family member!)

I have already addressed most of the heaviest changeable items Grant and am not looking to move mountains so much as to sweep away a little dirt. I will not be tuning the motor or changing the spec in any way (I would like to say EVER but who knows?) as I am over the moon with things to date, after all, 650 bhp on 11.5 to 1 and a flat tappet cam is a nice reliable and usable combination but once I have done a few thousand miles I will be able to take stock. As for Nitrous, I did mention this to the engine builder as I thought it was the right time to get the manifold machined for the nozzle's, but he dismissed the idea and said I would already have more than enough power and why bother. More speed/power is not the objective so much as balance/handling with regards to the weight loss.

Edited by GTWayne on Saturday 26th August 04:51

[k wright]

You have to be kidding! My car weighs a little over 2000 lbs. In retrospect it was a real waste of cash to be so concerned about weight.

Alloy block and heads, no significant insulation and no A/C or anything else not absolutely needed. A couple of hundred extra pounds doesn't make alot of differece (as evidenced by no significant change in the car while carrying a passenger).

Save your money and spend it on something else.

[gtrclive]

Ah but Wayne can't stop spending money on it !!! thats what he does...

[GTWayne]

Isn't this supposed to be a hobby? If I had wanted to save money I would have taken up fishing or something.

[andygtt]

better not mention that fishing rods are carbon fibre......

[GTWayne]

Does anyone have any information pertaining to the different weights from one tyre to another ie. Goodyear V Pirrelli V Kuhmo? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

[cptsideways]

Try not sticking an iron block boat anchor in the boot !


Seriously do some comparisons for say an all alloy bog standard BMW V8 or V12 v a big power iron block, the weight makes a huge difference to actual performance.


I'm sure someone with some maths skills could do some calcs for us.

Edited by cptsideways on Monday 28th August 08:34

[GTWayne]

As I have already stated above, all of the usual steps have been taken with regards to keeping the car light. I do not have a 'boat motor' installed in the GTW although it is the same design, it is made from a non heavy material. I don't think any qualification in higher mathematics is required here, just some sound ideas or recounted experiences, but thanks, we are all at least thinking along the same lines it would seem.

[Dr Peter]

I have to say weight saving is the way to go, my 7 has the full works , billet this, carbon everything else.
It comes in just over 420Kg the area.
I don't have a mega silly engine in the car, but it handles so well due to the lower weight, braking is better etc...
Yes another 15-25BHP would be nice but no more, 600BHP per tonne would be a bit to much

[GTWayne]

Now THAT'S what I am talking about, more agility and nimbleness, don't need more power (never thought I would see myself writing that!).

[davefiddes]

Keeping it user friendly and reliable would seem to me to be a much better way to spend your time. The result will be more nimble and powerful than any lightweight over powered POC that keeps breaking down all the time or is a pig to drive.