25 replies to this topic

[MJay]

I know a lot of you will laugh at this but its just my way...... I have created a lot of lightweight cars over the years (my best being a 893KS Lancer Evo) for obvious reasons. So the next question is Where do I start. I have my usual list ready to go:- Stereo removal etc Cabin heater matrix & components Titanium Exhaust Titanium Wheel nuts Titanium Suspension bolts all round Mg Wheels ABS removal All Steel no load bolts to Probolts Polycarbonate windows Solid Window on passenger side Aluminium Calipers Poly Suspension and Engine mount bushings with Ti inserts Looking to get to around 800KGs

[FLD]

Seats are fairly hefty and there are some fairly light ones available. Parcel shelf, cup holder, bulkhead / boot sound deadening can all go. Muncher makes lightweight bonnet / boot / rollbar covers. Lightweight fuel tanks are also available. Have a look for JJJ's old thread on dieting his car. Good luck!

[Ormes]

Fuel tank is 6.65k (standard 10.8k) I know a number of carbon bits are available from various places but they are expensive.

[spuk87]

Not sure how much you are looking to spend or how luxurious you want the car but: Lightweight flywheel (-3.9kg) Balancer shaft removal (-5kg) New exhaust (-6kg) Lightweight battery (-6kg) Underdriven pulley kit (-4.65kg) Carbon fibre bootlid (-4kg) Lightweight alternator (-2.6kg) Passenger seat removal (-9kg) Carbon fibre bonnet (-2.7kg). Metal headrest removal (-few kgs)

Edited by spuk87, 23 October 2010 - 12:11 PM.

[MJay]

Thats some excellent advice there guys thanks.I'll crack on with all this.

[KurtVerbose]

Cheapest method: - Diet!

[jonnyboy]

I'm amazed nobody has suggested selling up and buying an NA!

[MJay]

I'm amazed nobody has suggested selling up and buying an NA!

LOVL

[siztenboots]

Search for posts by ricky2772 on lightweight but for a headstart http://www.vx220.org...h__1#entry71897

[rsg]

All Steel no load bolts to Probolts

currently working through this one myself.

Sound deadening on the back of the bulkhead trim (-kg)
Remove foglights (-2kg)
Alloy bell discs (-2kg per corner unsprung)
Lightweight Eliseparts steering arms (about a kg unsprung)


The front callipers are already aluminium BTW

[theotherjonnymac]

Engine removal ?

[The Batman]

seat frames tend to be quite heavy bars inside of the doors carbon dash cf undertrays de-Vee depends really, are you planning on making it a light asthetically pleasing car or go the whole 9 yards and get rid of door cards etc?

[Nev]

Balancer shaft deletion = -5 Kg Backup battery for keyless entry = -2 Kg Lightweight radiantor = -x Kg Headrest removal = -2.2 Kg

[jonnyboy]

I'm quite finikity about lightness in cars but the VX is a great compromise over a westfield etc. But anyone thats done the weight saving is it noticeable? If you can get rid of say 30kgs can you really tell? Just to add one for you as per Chris UK you can grind a big chunk of metal in between the roll bars I remember him saying that was quite heavy.

[rsg]

I'm quite finikity about lightness in cars but the VX is a great compromise over a westfield etc. But anyone thats done the weight saving is it noticeable? If you can get rid of say 30kgs can you really tell?

Just to add one for you as per Chris UK you can grind a big chunk of metal in between the roll bars I remember him saying that was quite heavy.

In a 2 ton beast 30kgs isn't much of a percentage gain, however in a 900kg VX 30 kgs would be noticeable. Especially if it was in the right areas, i.e. above the CoG and rearward bias

[soupdragon]

Rapidos has done some extreme weight saving

[robin]

bars inside of the doors this is what lotus did on there race cars they machined the bar and door hinge, there was a pair on ebay ages ago looked quite good. also cut out rear boot and remove all boot and bonet release cables and lock mechs. Oh and fergot the important one have a good dump before driving the car

Edited by robin, 23 October 2010 - 07:14 PM.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Some of these sound a little far fetched.... Perhaps unless you have a MASSIVE budget!! Are you genuinly going to do all these? (I hope so)

Titanium wheels bolts. I've been trying to sort these for ages! £100 min Let me know if you get a cheaper supplier

[danger7]

Hi all, One of the lightest VX220 Turbos is Colin Blower's GT3 race car. It weighs 820 kgs (with roll cage and fire extinguisher fitted) and has been pared down to minimum weight which was to the old GT regs but it cost of 100k to build and that doesn't include the donor car from Vauxhall. How radical do you want to be? and how much is your budget? By removal of existing parts you can save around 20 kgs (all already listed) By using light weight panels and replacing standard parts such as exhaust system, hubs, suspension wheels etc 100 kgs easy and doing without a passenger seat and removing the heater system, seat belt tensioners, door bars and ABS thats where you gain. OR keep all the luxuries and crank the engine up to 450 bhp simples Cheers Ian

[MJay]

Some of these sound a little far fetched.... Perhaps unless you have a MASSIVE budget!! Are you genuinly going to do all these? (I hope so)

Titanium wheels bolts. I've been trying to sort these for ages! £100 min Let me know if you get a cheaper supplier

I these on two of my cars and yet £100. I don't have massive budget, but I have enough to do get 100kgs off this car It think - hopefully more.

Here is my list for my lancer which is almost finished.


Bodywork
Carbon Boot
Carbon Roof
Carbon Bonnet
GRP Front bumper
GRP Rear bumper
GRP Doors all round
Lexan Windows - 7 pieces
GRP Wings
All steel bodywork bolts changed for ally.
No Arial
No Rear spoiler
Roof diffuser
Drivers only Mirror (WRC)
Custom built Flat under trays
Removed Towing Eyes
Removed Bumper bars
Rear 3 point Strut brace
Cusco front Under brace

Interior
100% Strip including Dash
All bolts / non essential fixings ground back
Kevlar Seat with custom Ally subframe
Cut back Wiring loom.


Wheels & Tyres
OZ Magnesium 15" Wheels
Rays Titanium wheel nuts
195 55 15 Toyo T1R's


Brakes
Wilwood Dynalite calipers
Removed Dust Shields
Ally Bells and lighter discs all round

Engine bay
Aircon removed (complete)
Power steering removed and converted to Manual
Lightweight battery
Removed all over engineered metal parts
Cut battery tray
Converted IC pipework to HKS Ally
Non load bearing bolts changed to ally
Light weight air intake.
Capped Heater matrix at earliest point
Carbon Rad clamps
Light weight washer fluid
Custom 3" Exhaust
Boost solenoid removed.
Ally Radiator

Engine tuning
Walbro 255l
SARD FRP
BC 272 cams
Cam gears
Apexi Air filter
Custom 3.3" Exhaust - turbo back inc O2 Housing
ACT Clutch and Molalloy flywheel.
Ostritch ECU - Antilag & Launch control.

Suspension
BC Coilovers
Cusco rear Trangle brace
Cusco Front Brace
Cusco Under brace