Weight reduction on a grandad car
Discussion
I have an Accord Euro R (I know, it's not really a grandad car but its still an Accord). And I'm pondering on some easy ways to reduce weight a bit – given that its probably the easiest way to get more performance out of an NA 4 pot, and the Accord is a pretty heavy car at around 1350kg.
I've already changed the exhaust for a Fujitsubo cat back (presuming that's lighter than stock), ripped out about 17 resonator boxes for the intake and fitted an Injen CAI (will have saved a bit), and swapped the front brakes over for some CH1 Accord 2 pots that are apparently lighter. Also going to the gym several times a week so might be able to save a few kg there!
Now the catch, its a daily driver, I have a family, and I don't really want to sacrafice too much comfort or rip out all the sound and heat proofing just to save a few grams.
Any suggestions for modifications or simply things I could remove to shave a bit of weight off?
I've already changed the exhaust for a Fujitsubo cat back (presuming that's lighter than stock), ripped out about 17 resonator boxes for the intake and fitted an Injen CAI (will have saved a bit), and swapped the front brakes over for some CH1 Accord 2 pots that are apparently lighter. Also going to the gym several times a week so might be able to save a few kg there!
Now the catch, its a daily driver, I have a family, and I don't really want to sacrafice too much comfort or rip out all the sound and heat proofing just to save a few grams.
Any suggestions for modifications or simply things I could remove to shave a bit of weight off?
air con?
Lightweight alloys is the best way to actually feel a difference, reducing unsprung weight makes a much bigger impact. Get the lightest wheels you can, and trust me, you'll actually feel the difference in real world driving.
i went from 8.5kg wheels to 6kg wheels on my mitsu, when i swapped them back temporarily it felt like driving with an anchor dragging behind the car.
Lightweight alloys is the best way to actually feel a difference, reducing unsprung weight makes a much bigger impact. Get the lightest wheels you can, and trust me, you'll actually feel the difference in real world driving.
i went from 8.5kg wheels to 6kg wheels on my mitsu, when i swapped them back temporarily it felt like driving with an anchor dragging behind the car.
Lightweight wheels as said, Fixed back bucket seat for the driver could save 15kg, Lightweight flywheel would make it feel more lively too.
But as you said, the real savings are in creature comforts. Ditch spare wheel and jack for a can of gunk? Not ideal I know lol.
I guess I'd focus more on hiding the cars weight in your situation with gearing, (5.1 Final drive), anti roll bar and or spring upgrades etc...
An FN2 GT is around the same too, 5.1 FD helps those feel lively on pickup even vs. a stock EP3 IMO.
But as you said, the real savings are in creature comforts. Ditch spare wheel and jack for a can of gunk? Not ideal I know lol.
I guess I'd focus more on hiding the cars weight in your situation with gearing, (5.1 Final drive), anti roll bar and or spring upgrades etc...
An FN2 GT is around the same too, 5.1 FD helps those feel lively on pickup even vs. a stock EP3 IMO.
Thanks for the replies!
I feared wheels may be the best answer. Not something I can budget for at the moment really, all the wheels I like are £2k+
Apart from the obvious Rays etc, any good suggestion for lightweight forged wheels?
Will definitely be doing either 5.1 or 5.3 FD but going to wait until the clutch needs doing anyway so it can all come out and be done at once.
I've considered taking spare and jack out for daily driving and just putting it back in if I do a long road trip, not sure that alone is going to make a whole lot of difference though. And flywheel is already lightened from stock, not sure how much lighter I can go?
AC is a good shout though, I this will be only my second summer with the car, so might see whether I use it much or not, if not then it'll come out. Also a few extra hp there as a bonus.
I feared wheels may be the best answer. Not something I can budget for at the moment really, all the wheels I like are £2k+
Apart from the obvious Rays etc, any good suggestion for lightweight forged wheels?
Will definitely be doing either 5.1 or 5.3 FD but going to wait until the clutch needs doing anyway so it can all come out and be done at once.
I've considered taking spare and jack out for daily driving and just putting it back in if I do a long road trip, not sure that alone is going to make a whole lot of difference though. And flywheel is already lightened from stock, not sure how much lighter I can go?
AC is a good shout though, I this will be only my second summer with the car, so might see whether I use it much or not, if not then it'll come out. Also a few extra hp there as a bonus.
desmond regmaster evo are some of the lightest, but you'll pay around £1300 for a set of 17s.
Rota do a loose copy of these, the slipstreams are around 7.8 kg a wheel for 17s...pretty damn light and won't break the bank.
Despite the scaremongering there is nothing wrong with rotas if you're on a budget, i know plenty of people who track them with no ill effect.
Rota do a loose copy of these, the slipstreams are around 7.8 kg a wheel for 17s...pretty damn light and won't break the bank.
Despite the scaremongering there is nothing wrong with rotas if you're on a budget, i know plenty of people who track them with no ill effect.
designforlife said:
desmond regmaster evo are some of the lightest, but you'll pay around £1300 for a set of 17s.
Rota do a loose copy of these, the slipstreams are around 7.8 kg a wheel for 17s...pretty damn light and won't break the bank.
Despite the scaremongering there is nothing wrong with rotas if you're on a budget, i know plenty of people who track them with no ill effect.
Anyone know how that compares in weight to stock 17'' Honda Euro R/Type S wheels?Rota do a loose copy of these, the slipstreams are around 7.8 kg a wheel for 17s...pretty damn light and won't break the bank.
Despite the scaremongering there is nothing wrong with rotas if you're on a budget, i know plenty of people who track them with no ill effect.
Thanks for the references, I'll make a note of them
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