Nobs going on a proper diet
Discussion
Hi all, just incase anyone is interested, heres the next mission,
My car has been weighed down with various extra pumps, filters, coolers, roll cage additions and fire extinguishers in the pursuit of more power and safety which added 30-40kg but now I've got excess weight in mind and want to make more effort to reduce weight and make the old girl more agile and reduce the load on the transmission which is on the limit with the power it's putting down.
I've already removed the bulk of that 30-40kg with carbon aero parts, removed standard seat belts,trim bits, air con etc and bolted in a light drivers seat but still sitting on a porky 1115-1120kg or so.
I don't really see carbon clams and doors as an option if I intend to race so I'm going to tackle this from the inside out.
Last night started by removing this lot which only saved 5kg
Cut some fibreglass out of the doors which isn't really worth weighing
Then put my pocketless door cards back on with a piece of felt in the speaker hole to keep it tidy and noise down a bit.
I've ordered a sheet of 3mm carbon to replace the steel mounting plates on the inlet manifold, it's been done by a few and looks nice, not saving much weight but it all helps.
Also ordered up a carbon tube to replace the front turbo - inter cooler hard pipe. If this works I'll look at the other pipes also.
Another area I THINK might be able to loose weight is the arch liners, engine under tray and front radiator under tray, so I've ordered up 4 sheets of 1.4mm carbon to try and replace some of these.
A slightly more expensive task but I've also got a guy coming round tomorrow to look at replacing my roush silencers and tailpipes with titanium to shed a few more KG's.
The inter cooler box is heavy so unless one of the more creative people on here offer to sell me one ill make a less pretty version myself
I'm going to set an initial target of 1070kg and see how I get on. Open to suggestions though as I'm out of things to remove, can only change things for a lighter alternative now.
G
My car has been weighed down with various extra pumps, filters, coolers, roll cage additions and fire extinguishers in the pursuit of more power and safety which added 30-40kg but now I've got excess weight in mind and want to make more effort to reduce weight and make the old girl more agile and reduce the load on the transmission which is on the limit with the power it's putting down.
I've already removed the bulk of that 30-40kg with carbon aero parts, removed standard seat belts,trim bits, air con etc and bolted in a light drivers seat but still sitting on a porky 1115-1120kg or so.
I don't really see carbon clams and doors as an option if I intend to race so I'm going to tackle this from the inside out.
Last night started by removing this lot which only saved 5kg
Cut some fibreglass out of the doors which isn't really worth weighing
Then put my pocketless door cards back on with a piece of felt in the speaker hole to keep it tidy and noise down a bit.
I've ordered a sheet of 3mm carbon to replace the steel mounting plates on the inlet manifold, it's been done by a few and looks nice, not saving much weight but it all helps.
Also ordered up a carbon tube to replace the front turbo - inter cooler hard pipe. If this works I'll look at the other pipes also.
Another area I THINK might be able to loose weight is the arch liners, engine under tray and front radiator under tray, so I've ordered up 4 sheets of 1.4mm carbon to try and replace some of these.
A slightly more expensive task but I've also got a guy coming round tomorrow to look at replacing my roush silencers and tailpipes with titanium to shed a few more KG's.
The inter cooler box is heavy so unless one of the more creative people on here offer to sell me one ill make a less pretty version myself
I'm going to set an initial target of 1070kg and see how I get on. Open to suggestions though as I'm out of things to remove, can only change things for a lighter alternative now.
G
told ya the exhaust is your biggest area to save 
.... also bear in mind that a flat sheet of carbon will not be great acustically so could add to road noise... Im doing the same but am using foam core carbon/kevlar.
be careful using carbon tube on the turbo setup... you will notice that I used a carbon tube on the air inlet side but not the pressure side because Im not convinced it will be durable under boost, people do have carbon inlet manifolds so it must be possible with the right layup?
weight is the enemy although I wont be removing my stereo or air con anytime soon lol
.... also bear in mind that a flat sheet of carbon will not be great acustically so could add to road noise... Im doing the same but am using foam core carbon/kevlar.be careful using carbon tube on the turbo setup... you will notice that I used a carbon tube on the air inlet side but not the pressure side because Im not convinced it will be durable under boost, people do have carbon inlet manifolds so it must be possible with the right layup?
weight is the enemy although I wont be removing my stereo or air con anytime soon lol
Looks good mate , proper committed to speed , if I find anyone who does a inetercooler box I will let you know 
One thing I would like to get rid of is the massive engine mount that fixes the top of the engine on the drivers side !! only problem is you have to take the heads off to get it off !!
Just ordered some stiffer rear springs to try as well , had a lot of rear roll on Monday , caused by the extra grip of setup and tyres , you can hear it rub in the vid .
One thing I would like to get rid of is the massive engine mount that fixes the top of the engine on the drivers side !! only problem is you have to take the heads off to get it off !!
Just ordered some stiffer rear springs to try as well , had a lot of rear roll on Monday , caused by the extra grip of setup and tyres , you can hear it rub in the vid .
Yeah Andy I'd never thought about the exhaust till you mentioned it!
The carbon tube is the cross woven type from carbonology which is meant to be stronger than the straight laid stuff, I'll give it a try and see and report back.
Simon I noticed my rear end rolled quite a lot on Monday too, looking forward to getting my shocks back next week, think I'm getting around 670lb fronts and 780lb rears. What you going for?
The carbon tube is the cross woven type from carbonology which is meant to be stronger than the straight laid stuff, I'll give it a try and see and report back.
Simon I noticed my rear end rolled quite a lot on Monday too, looking forward to getting my shocks back next week, think I'm getting around 670lb fronts and 780lb rears. What you going for?
Edited by Hollowpockets on Friday 10th May 12:17
Hi Graham , I'm leaving the front as it is 500ib as I do not want anymore understeer but the. Rears are going up from 600 to 700ib , will need to Tweeks damping and get corner weighted again but I feel it's the next step if I want to do more track work . Just hope it's not too stiff on the road !!!
Tux
Tux
Each leg represents 20% of your body weight, you have two of them, could you not loose one of them and have your stereo refitted!!!!
One weight saving areas is the insulation/sound proofing, it would then definitely need trailering. I remember having a ride in Kevin's car at Silverstone and thinking how lould it was, our little 1.8ltr race car has no insulation and is very lould and very, very hot!!!! BOL in your weight loss.
One weight saving areas is the insulation/sound proofing, it would then definitely need trailering. I remember having a ride in Kevin's car at Silverstone and thinking how lould it was, our little 1.8ltr race car has no insulation and is very lould and very, very hot!!!! BOL in your weight loss.
andygtt said:
told ya the exhaust is your biggest area to save .... also bear in mind that a flat sheet of carbon will not be great acustically so could add to road noise... Im doing the same but am using foam core carbon/kevlar.
be careful using carbon tube on the turbo setup... you will notice that I used a carbon tube on the air inlet side but not the pressure side because Im not convinced it will be durable under boost, people do have carbon inlet manifolds so it must be possible with the right layup?
weight is the enemy although I wont be removing my stereo or air con anytime soon lol
Andy, what makes you think the carbon tube wont hold the boost presure? I have seen some people (US V8s) using plastic type pipes that have held up pretty well (NOT PVC pipe! lol)..... also bear in mind that a flat sheet of carbon will not be great acustically so could add to road noise... Im doing the same but am using foam core carbon/kevlar.be careful using carbon tube on the turbo setup... you will notice that I used a carbon tube on the air inlet side but not the pressure side because Im not convinced it will be durable under boost, people do have carbon inlet manifolds so it must be possible with the right layup?
weight is the enemy although I wont be removing my stereo or air con anytime soon lol
Chris.
As Ian (3rtt) said concentrate on reducing unsprung weight - anything saved here is worth 5-6x the weight of bits and bobs elsewhere on the car. Moving to my carbon/magnesium rims saved a nominal 25kg compared to oem wheels, but that translates to a massive equivalent sprung weight saving of 125 - 150kg. And,boy, can you notice it! Unfortunately, the carbon rims are no longer available, but you get my drift.
I used 3mm carbon sheet for the plenum plates but there was sufficient flex on the EGR/MAP plate to cause a leak (effect was an occaisional hesitation around 3k revs)so it need reinforcing with a custom steel piece aka a large washer
I've made an intake pipe from carbon but haven't finished or fitted yet;
Graham
One more thought, have you considered the ARB and it's mountings, there's a few kilos there. If you are as serious as titanium stuff this might save a bit
Rob
I've made an intake pipe from carbon but haven't finished or fitted yet;
Graham
One more thought, have you considered the ARB and it's mountings, there's a few kilos there. If you are as serious as titanium stuff this might save a bit
Rob
There's a good chance I'll be going for a stronger box when one becomes available, not sure if it will be heavier or lighter. Lots of good suggestions guys,
I've already lost the air con and condenser etc but not sure if removing the heating is a good idea as the windscreen misting could become a safety issue... What do you think?
I've pulled out a few more bits that don't need to be in the cabin
I know its been explored before so not going to change things too much from the roushe but had exhaust man from 2bular (lotus specialist who first done repackable silencers before the rest copied apparently ) was round this morning and thinks there's a few areas can be improved on the roush for the 600bhp spec, going from 2.5" to 2.75" with their 7" repackable silencers with a noise cancelling chamber should give scope for more power at top end and knock between 5 - 9db off the noise level. Also thinks slightly thinner flanges and gauge of tubing than piper used can be done and will mean the system should still be a few kg lighter than the current one. Down pipes and section under the sump will be zircotec coated and keep the all important flexi sections.
Will be interesting to see how it all looks, hopefully save some weight but be much quieter, more friendly heat wise to the engine bay and allow some more room for increasing power. Will be a few weeks before its all ready to fit but all being well it might be another alternative for people here or at least up in scotland.
I've already lost the air con and condenser etc but not sure if removing the heating is a good idea as the windscreen misting could become a safety issue... What do you think?
I've pulled out a few more bits that don't need to be in the cabin
I know its been explored before so not going to change things too much from the roushe but had exhaust man from 2bular (lotus specialist who first done repackable silencers before the rest copied apparently ) was round this morning and thinks there's a few areas can be improved on the roush for the 600bhp spec, going from 2.5" to 2.75" with their 7" repackable silencers with a noise cancelling chamber should give scope for more power at top end and knock between 5 - 9db off the noise level. Also thinks slightly thinner flanges and gauge of tubing than piper used can be done and will mean the system should still be a few kg lighter than the current one. Down pipes and section under the sump will be zircotec coated and keep the all important flexi sections.
Will be interesting to see how it all looks, hopefully save some weight but be much quieter, more friendly heat wise to the engine bay and allow some more room for increasing power. Will be a few weeks before its all ready to fit but all being well it might be another alternative for people here or at least up in scotland.
Remove the heater box along with all the hoses in the tunnel. If you're concerned about the windshield fogging, you can use a small electric fan with a heating element, like the ones they use for RVs or trucks. Remove all the power steering stuff, and change over to manual steering. Convert to a single-turbo setup. Slicks are usually lighter than regular road tires. Lighter wheels. Small battery, especially if you go to a lithium one, will save a bunch of weight. Since this is a race car, remove all the interior, carpet, dashboard, etc. Remove the passenger seat and belts.
Just had a look at the heater box, looks like there will be a reasonable weight in that and the hoses/fluid down the tunnel. Will think about how best to blank off the water to it before I start ripping any of that out.
I'm less keen to remove the power steering as I like the way the steering feels and don't want to put any more strain on myself than necessary.
Also not keen on moving to single turbo for many reasons.
Ripped out a fair few interior bits already, I've got a lighter battery and a light drivers seat with no rails, I'll have a think about removing the passenger seat for races but have it in at track days so when people want to come out for pax laps they can.
Just received these Dunlop sp sport slicks, they do feel quite light, should be fun
I'm less keen to remove the power steering as I like the way the steering feels and don't want to put any more strain on myself than necessary.
Also not keen on moving to single turbo for many reasons.
Ripped out a fair few interior bits already, I've got a lighter battery and a light drivers seat with no rails, I'll have a think about removing the passenger seat for races but have it in at track days so when people want to come out for pax laps they can.
Just received these Dunlop sp sport slicks, they do feel quite light, should be fun
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