PorKen

I went to the recycling center today, obstensively to drop off old cans of paint, old ATF, and coolant, but really as an excuse to weigh my car.

I didn't weigh my car when I bought it unfortunately, but the factory spec for '81 with automatic and full gas tank was 3385 lbs; I reckon mine was heavier.
...

US '81 4.5L, L-Jet, automatic with 'Competition Group' ('S' appearance package)

With:
Sunroof
S4 wheelset
6 gals gas (36 lbs)
Sport seats, manual
S-spoilers, rear wiper
1000 CCA battery (47lbs)
All tar sheet sound deadeners
Factory cast-iron exhaust manifolds

Without:
Fog lights, side marker bulbs/wires
Cruise control brain/bracket, transducer
Central Warning brain, rear light brain/bracket
Cassette holder, parcel shelf, 02 counter/cover
Door intrusion bars, electric locks, anti-slim-jim plates
Interior behind front seats, parking brake lever cover, tools
Radio tuner/cassette, choke coil, fader, speakers, power antenna
Fender shields, exhaust heat sheilds, fuel pump cover
A/C pump, crank pulley, condensor, speedup valve
Engine driven fan, fan shroud, timing belt covers
Cold air bypass valve, vacuum limiter
Air pump, vapor cannisters, hoses
Engine lifting brackets

Replacements:
Open air box (-1lb?)
Projector fixed headlights (-20lbs?)
Rear mount air/oil trans cooler (+5 lbs?)
3" single exaust, Flowmaster 50 exhaust system, no cat (0 lbs?)
-------
3260 lbs

Minus (actual weights):
Me (200lbs)
Sisal floor mats (5lbs)
2 gals wiper fluid (15lbs)
Aluminum spare, jack, tire pump, lug wrench, 1/2 gal safety fuel, umbrella (40lbs)
-------
3000 lbs

Calculations (from dyno'ed specs):
195 RWHP = 15.4 lbs/HP, 0.065
220 RWTQ = 13.6 lbs/TQ, 0.073
...

Observations:
*I could lose 20 lbs.
*My car is pleasantly fast and responsive.
*A large number of small things can be removed without really missing them.
*I'm gonna need a supercharger; either so that it can either be scary fast or so I can put some of this stuff back (like A/C, or a passenger)!
~thread~start~

goodspeed928

3000lbs - ALL that?

drnick

there are so many small interior trim pieces, electrical nonsense boxes and just 'stuff' inside these cars. i think your observations highlight that the sum of each smaller weight deduction can certainly be worthwhile.

GoRideSno

Hey Porken,
Just pile all the stuff you took off back in you car and go back to the re-cycle place.
We all need superchargers. The're the the true meat of life.

drnick,
Good morning. Do you post when you wake up or when you get to work?



Andy K

drnick

andy,

i work and live on site but the real question is, how can you engage in small talk while the world crys out for a 16v twinscrew??

heinrich

Ken, 3k isn't bad! What seats? There's much weight to be saved there you know ....

SharkSkin

mark kibort

thats about right!! people dont understand how light these cars get in a hurry!!!
those seats are pigs, so is that battery, even at 47lbs.

drop the sound deading, 70lbs,
25lbs off the battery
20lbs off the exhaust manifolds,
50+ lbs off the seats
etc etc,

you see how fast you can get to 2800lbs.

trade the door junk for a cage and you are ready to race.

the next 100lbs is the real trick. lots of weekends saving 5lbs each

MK

PorKen

drnick,

There are endless covers, brains, and brackets, but that's what $80K (adjusted) buys I guess.
...

GoRideSno,

I'd have to take my truck to go weigh this stuff. I have many, many, huge Rubbermaid boxes filled with this stuff. It's surprising how much space it all takes, when it's out of context.

These cars were obviously designed for an eventual 400HP/TQ, it has taken a bit longer than planned, though!
...

Heinrich,

I have the comparitively lightweight factory Recarro-style 'Sport Seats', and they are manual.
...

mark kibort,

I keep meaning to take out the rubber-foam insulation under the front carpet set, that stuff is super heavy. The tar panels task me, but I've yet to try removing them seriously.
The battery could be smaller, especially since I have far less electrical loads.
The exhaust manifold weight gives me a valid reason to change to headers! Aside from they might push me just over the 200RWHP mark (and would be forward thinking for a Kompressor).

I am shooting for a lightweight car that's somewhat comfortable to drive, if a bit loud.

I keep threatening to make aluminum panels with leather covering, an RS style interior, for doors, headliner, rear section, but appearance/comfort is low on my list.

Here's the areas that need addressing with Lexan:


I went for a drive like this one day, wow!

Jim bailey - 928 International

Porken , you need to lower that Puppy ! or put some weight back in !!

heinrich

Speaking of which Jim... that truck of y'all's should be significantly light? Out with it

PorKen

Jim bailey,

That pic is with the hatch, sunroof panel and spare tire removed.

As it sits in my driveway, almost out of gas, it measures to the fender lip:

LF - 26.5
RF - 26
LR - 23.75
RR - 24.25

Isn't the quick check: 27" front, 24.5 rear?

It was quite low when I bought the car, and I have not made any spring adjustments. I still have to drive in to our driveway at an angle, so as not to scrape the spoiler.
...

Winter's over?!

I removed the rear wiper arm/motor today, and they weighed in at 5lbs.
...

One of the weight reductions on the CS was a reduced wire harness.

I'd like to split my main wire loom into one required loom and accessory looms and rewrap with the factory style wrap. My asphalt wrap is pretty gooey so it could use the treatment anyway.

I would leave out some accessories, but would be able to restore them later if required. The bundle for the Central Warning system looks especially heavy.