Weight Reduction - Page 2

aspera · 01-03-2003, 06:01 PM

Yeah, but they're still heavy. An aluminum plate would do the same thing, but steel is what they used...

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tfosdick · 02-04-2003, 05:51 PM

get some light weight rims that will lose alot of weight that will make a bigger diff. the engine wont have to work so hard to turn the wheels
Trev

MGXsport · 02-04-2003, 06:43 PM

yeah try getting rid of unsprung weight. That helps a lot also.

BlkRexWagon · 02-05-2003, 09:55 AM

I completely agree with tfosdick and MGXsport.
While obviously more expensive than ripping out tar or other "optional" pieces, reducing unsprung weight from the wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, etc. will make a much more noticeable difference in both power-to-the-ground and suspension behavior. If you're goal is just to improve the handling of the car, some new springs/shocks should do that without making your car any louder and/or unsafe for occupants.
(Also, I think anybody who has had an accident with "lightweight" bumper beams will tell you to stay away from them!!)

$.02

aspera · 02-05-2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlkRexWagon

(Also, I think anybody who has had an accident with "lightweight" bumper beams will tell you to stay away from them!!)

$.02

...except anybody who has been hit on the side of the bumper and the other side of the car got shoved out of whack by the bumper itself...

BlkRexWagon · 02-05-2003, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aspera

...except anybody who has been hit on the side of the bumper and the other side of the car got shoved out of whack by the bumper itself...

I guess you're saying that the normal "heavy" bumper does more damage if you get hit from the side?

If so then would specifying straight frontal or rear impacts make more sense?

Either way... messing around with what is your first line of defense in most accidents/crashes is probably not worth saving 50-60lbs from a daily driver. If it's a track car, go for it.

ImprezedRS · 02-05-2003, 12:03 PM

I had recently got my 2000 2.5RS auto down to 2640lbs, but since then it gained a little. My goal is to get it down to about 2500 lbs and call it quits for that. Heres a list of my weight reduction mods

Light weight bumper beams
Remove metal Knee beams in dash
Coilovers( saved about 5 lbs each corner)
Removed everthing in trunk
13.5 lb battery
removed rear spoiler
Morette headlight conversion(not much weight saved here)
Removed Tar from back of car to the back seat(got to tired to do the rest)
Removed Rear speakers
Lighter front speakers and Cd player
Removed Windshield Washer Fluid Tank(not that heavy without water in it)
Aluminum 4POT Subaru Calipers(just found out last night they where aluminum)

Things to come:

Carbon Fiber hood(geting in a week)
Aluminum or Carbon Fiber Trunk
Sparco EVO 2 Seats
Carbon Fiber door Panels
Carbon Fiber Dash(custom done)
Removing Sunroof
Replacing the Rear windows with the lightweight stuff

kotaro · 02-05-2003, 03:16 PM

ImprezedRS, how much did your car weigh before those mods?

ImprezedRS · 02-05-2003, 05:24 PM

Roughly 3000lbs

kotaro · 02-05-2003, 05:49 PM

wow, and only with those mods you reduced it by ~300lbs? great!

thanks for the answer

ImprezedRS · 02-05-2003, 05:53 PM

Yeah somewhere in that area, there are a lot of misc. stuff also that I didn't mention. There has been weight reductions in aftermarket parts that I didn't mention. But the ones I mention had the most weght reduction.

Now if you want to be anal about your weight reduction you could change out the bolts and nuts in the car with aluminum or titanium.

ellisnc · 02-05-2003, 07:06 PM

My WRX is at around 2800 now and it feels waaay better than stock

You guys that scoff at weight savings should feel what I feel

Imprezed... have you removed the A/C yet? that's probably around 25 or so. I'm going to weigh mine in a couple months and I'll post the results. It's good to know there's another person as serious about weight savings as me

Layman · 02-05-2003, 07:08 PM

Can you replace the door panels and window mechanisms with non-power ones? I imagine that would save at least 7 lbs on each side.

Quick WRX · 02-05-2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ellisnc
My WRX is at around 2800 now and it feels waaay better than stock

You guys that scoff at weight savings should feel what I feel

Imprezed... have you removed the A/C yet? that's probably around 25 or so. I'm going to weigh mine in a couple months and I'll post the results. It's good to know there's another person as serious about weight savings as me

What did you do to get that weight?

DoinkMobb · 02-05-2003, 08:35 PM

From ImprezedRS's list:

Light weight bumper beams - thinking about it
Remove metal Knee beams in dash
Coilovers( saved about 5 lbs each corner)
Removed everthing in trunk - done
13.5 lb battery - on my list
removed rear spoiler - never had one
Morette headlight conversion(not much weight saved here)
Removed Tar from back of car to the back seat(got to tired to do the rest) - done
Removed Rear speakers - done
Lighter front speakers and Cd player
Removed Windshield Washer Fluid Tank(not that heavy without water in it) - I like a clean windshield
Aluminum 4POT Subaru Calipers(just found out last night they where aluminum)

ImprezedRS - did you weigh your car before and after you removed/replaced parts, or are you estimating?
The stuff on your list that I've also done has taken about 50 lbs off my car - so the other things that I haven't done yet will take off ~250 lbs?

ellisnc · 02-05-2003, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quick WRX

What did you do to get that weight?

mine is just an estimate but I think it's pretty accurate

JDM front bumper beam
remove fog lights
remove A/C - everything - condenser, evap, compressor, all piping
small battery
remove cruise
remove underhood padding
remove intake snorkel
remove washer bottle
up/downpipes - catless
remove all heat shielding
coilovers
remove airbags (Spec C steering wheel)
Recaro pole position seats
remove driver and passenger metal knee bolsters
remove stereo - everything - headunit, speakers, sub
remove all unneeded hardware in the doors (metal bracing for grab handles)
remove metal bracing in center console
remove center console lid
remove all rear seatbelts (surprisingly heavy)
full JIC Titanium exhaust
remove rear seats
remove rear seatback bracing
remove rear setback padding
remove spare
remove all carpet and padding in the trunk
remove jack and tools
remove misc. brackets from the engine and instrument panel - DRL module, throttle cable stays, A/C bracketry, steering column extra metal to prevent theft

I think this is everything, the final things that I'd like to do is some lighter brakes and a exhaust manifold. my plans are on hold for now to see how the STi situation pans out.

All this is going on Advan RC2's with 235/40-17 A032R's

Layman · 02-05-2003, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ellisnc

mine is just an estimate but I think it's pretty accurate

JDM front bumper beam
remove fog lights
remove A/C - everything - condenser, evap, compressor, all piping
small battery
remove cruise
.....

Holy crap, dude. I guess you're planning on keeping your car forever.

That's hardcore.

aspera · 02-06-2003, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ellisnc

remove all unneeded hardware in the doors (metal bracing for grab handles)

Elaborate please.

Did you remove the little hockey pucks on the rear subframe? I'm guessing you just forgot to include that in your l-o-n-g list. Same for the army green fuel rail protectors? Do you still have the front subframe/bumper?

Also, do you really need four grab handles above the windows? I mean the car is not that hard to get out of.

Bonus: It's high weight.

I wish I could mount the ignition switch down in the center console like a Saab. Inside the storage box would be super sano.

WEIGHT MUST GO!

ellisnc · 02-06-2003, 06:59 AM

actually, no I can put everything back the way it was without too much work and have the system recharged.

I haven't ripped a lot of the interior apart because I run SM and want to remain "semi-legal"

I haven't removed the injector covers - just lazy I guess it's a PITA

Hockey pucks on the rear subframe?

Also no I haven't removed the front lower subframe connector. It's not really a subframe as it doesn't really support anything. It's at the lowest point in the car and I've had it off before and honestly it doesn't weigh that much

Aspera, take the door panels off and there's metal parts that are near the grab handles you don't really need.

hotrod · 02-06-2003, 07:18 AM

On the WRX at temps below about 35-40 degrees the asphalt sound deadner just pops off in big flakes. At moderate temps it is a PITA. If you get it hot enough with a heat gun it gets soft enough to be scraped off.

Pretty much a choice of evils, Do you mind working in a cool/cold environment, if not go that way. Get a medium sized hammer and when it is cold just tap the surface of the sound deadner VERY lightly, going over the whole surface. You can hear it popping and crackling. then just take a stiff putty knife or a gasket scraper and it pops off in chips about the size of large potato chips. Process goes very fast at freezing temps.

I don't like the hot technique because, there is a small fire hazard, the fumes bother me if you get things a little too hot, and its harder to scrape it off clean where when cold it leaves a nearly clean surface.

At moderate temps the stuff is pretty tough and a little sticky, don't even try to do it at normal temps you will hate your self.

Just removing bolt ons and things like mentioned on the oakos site, I've taken off about 175 lbs. No extreme mods yet, like bumper beams, racing seats, stock weight clutch, and still full stock exhaust.

Car weight ready to run, 1/4 tank of fuel, with driver, 3050, show room stock same configuration about 3280 IIRC.

Larry

aspera · 02-06-2003, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ellisnc
I haven't removed the injector covers - just lazy I guess it's a PITA
Hockey pucks on the rear subframe?
Aspera, take the door panels off and there's metal parts that are near the grab handles you don't really need.

I didn't find the injector covers to be that bad. Do one at a time and expect them to be a PITA and you will be let down. Take lots of time.

The "hockey pucks" are rear suframe damper weights. If you check the diagrams on http://www.subaruparts.com/ you can find them. This is a good way to go hunting for "heavy parts that don't do anything important". If a part looks suspicious, you can see what the part is called. Be forewarned that Engrish and typos are in full effect.

Pray to god of Bomex that you have way to understanding.

Thanks for the door handle tip.

Need4Boost · 02-06-2003, 10:56 AM

Wow. You have done some of what I did.

How hard was it to remove the cruise control and A/C setup. Got pics of your interior? I am not digging the bare metal look right now. I was considering having carpet layed down.

I just don't want to remove anything that will effect the safety of the vehicle.

Quote:

Originally posted by ellisnc

mine is just an estimate but I think it's pretty accurate

JDM front bumper beam
remove fog lights
remove A/C - everything - condenser, evap, compressor, all piping
small battery
remove cruise
remove underhood padding
remove intake snorkel
remove washer bottle
up/downpipes - catless
remove all heat shielding
coilovers
remove airbags (Spec C steering wheel)
Recaro pole position seats
remove driver and passenger metal knee bolsters
remove stereo - everything - headunit, speakers, sub
remove all unneeded hardware in the doors (metal bracing for grab handles)
remove metal bracing in center console
remove center console lid
remove all rear seatbelts (surprisingly heavy)
full JIC Titanium exhaust
remove rear seats
remove rear seatback bracing
remove rear setback padding
remove spare
remove all carpet and padding in the trunk
remove jack and tools
remove misc. brackets from the engine and instrument panel - DRL module, throttle cable stays, A/C bracketry, steering column extra metal to prevent theft

I think this is everything, the final things that I'd like to do is some lighter brakes and a exhaust manifold. my plans are on hold for now to see how the STi situation pans out.

All this is going on Advan RC2's with 235/40-17 A032R's

dust12 · 02-06-2003, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Need4Boost
Wow. You have done some of what I did.

How hard was it to remove the cruise control and A/C setup. Got pics of your interior? I am not digging the bare metal look right now. I was considering having carpet layed down.

I just don't want to remove anything that will effect the safety of the vehicle.

Carpet is overrated

Need4Boost · 02-06-2003, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dust12

Carpet is overrated

I know.

The bare metal doesn't help much in the winter. hehe.

ellisnc · 02-06-2003, 11:09 AM

If I were definately going to keep the car I would strip the car down and have it sandblasted and seam welded and do it right with painted floors in the cabin and a weld in roll bar and leave everything bare in the cabin. However, don't know that I'm going to keep it for a long time (possibly trading for an STi in 04) so I don't know what I want to do. The STi may in fact be stripped to this extent though, fenders rolled or replaced, etc.

I'm going to need a house sooner or later as well.

I'll get some pictures for you guys as soon as Spring rolls around. The cabin looks pretty sparce but it's not crazy.

02-06-2003, 07:18 AM	#45
hotrod Scooby Specialist Member#: 14141 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: [email protected] @ 5800 ft on 13T Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX	sound deadner On the WRX at temps below about 35-40 degrees the asphalt sound deadner just pops off in big flakes. At moderate temps it is a PITA. If you get it hot enough with a heat gun it gets soft enough to be scraped off. Pretty much a choice of evils, Do you mind working in a cool/cold environment, if not go that way. Get a medium sized hammer and when it is cold just tap the surface of the sound deadner VERY lightly, going over the whole surface. You can hear it popping and crackling. then just take a stiff putty knife or a gasket scraper and it pops off in chips about the size of large potato chips. Process goes very fast at freezing temps. I don't like the hot technique because, there is a small fire hazard, the fumes bother me if you get things a little too hot, and its harder to scrape it off clean where when cold it leaves a nearly clean surface. At moderate temps the stuff is pretty tough and a little sticky, don't even try to do it at normal temps you will hate your self. Just removing bolt ons and things like mentioned on the oakos site, I've taken off about 175 lbs. No extreme mods yet, like bumper beams, racing seats, stock weight clutch, and still full stock exhaust. Car weight ready to run, 1/4 tank of fuel, with driver, 3050, show room stock same configuration about 3280 IIRC. Larry

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01-03-2003, 06:01 PM	#26
aspera Scooby Specialist Member#: 7879 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: east of Zzyzx	Yeah, but they're still heavy. An aluminum plate would do the same thing, but steel is what they used... * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

02-04-2003, 05:51 PM	#27
tfosdick Scooby Newbie Member#: 29470 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ashburn VA Vehicle: 2003 WRX Silver	get some light weight rims that will lose alot of weight that will make a bigger diff. the engine wont have to work so hard to turn the wheels Trev

02-04-2003, 06:43 PM	#28
MGXsport Scooby Specialist Member#: 4048 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Coulee City Vehicle: 2013 Outback	yeah try getting rid of unsprung weight. That helps a lot also.

02-05-2003, 09:55 AM	#29
BlkRexWagon Scooby Newbie Member#: 20587 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: riding the Green Wave Vehicle: '02 WRX Wagon Midnight Black	I completely agree with tfosdick and MGXsport. While obviously more expensive than ripping out tar or other "optional" pieces, reducing unsprung weight from the wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, etc. will make a much more noticeable difference in both power-to-the-ground and suspension behavior. If you're goal is just to improve the handling of the car, some new springs/shocks should do that without making your car any louder and/or unsafe for occupants. (Also, I think anybody who has had an accident with "lightweight" bumper beams will tell you to stay away from them!!) $.02

02-05-2003, 12:03 PM	#32
ImprezedRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 2771 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC Vehicle: 2003 BMW Z4 Blue	I had recently got my 2000 2.5RS auto down to 2640lbs, but since then it gained a little. My goal is to get it down to about 2500 lbs and call it quits for that. Heres a list of my weight reduction mods Light weight bumper beams Remove metal Knee beams in dash Coilovers( saved about 5 lbs each corner) Removed everthing in trunk 13.5 lb battery removed rear spoiler Morette headlight conversion(not much weight saved here) Removed Tar from back of car to the back seat(got to tired to do the rest) Removed Rear speakers Lighter front speakers and Cd player Removed Windshield Washer Fluid Tank(not that heavy without water in it) Aluminum 4POT Subaru Calipers(just found out last night they where aluminum) Things to come: Carbon Fiber hood(geting in a week) Aluminum or Carbon Fiber Trunk Sparco EVO 2 Seats Carbon Fiber door Panels Carbon Fiber Dash(custom done) Removing Sunroof Replacing the Rear windows with the lightweight stuff

02-05-2003, 03:16 PM	#33
kotaro Scooby Newbie Member#: 8256 Join Date: Jul 2001	ImprezedRS, how much did your car weigh before those mods?

02-05-2003, 05:24 PM	#34
ImprezedRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 2771 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC Vehicle: 2003 BMW Z4 Blue	Roughly 3000lbs

02-05-2003, 05:49 PM	#35
kotaro Scooby Newbie Member#: 8256 Join Date: Jul 2001	wow, and only with those mods you reduced it by ~300lbs? great! thanks for the answer

02-05-2003, 05:53 PM	#36
ImprezedRS Scooby Specialist Member#: 2771 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC Vehicle: 2003 BMW Z4 Blue	Yeah somewhere in that area, there are a lot of misc. stuff also that I didn't mention. There has been weight reductions in aftermarket parts that I didn't mention. But the ones I mention had the most weght reduction. Now if you want to be anal about your weight reduction you could change out the bolts and nuts in the car with aluminum or titanium.

02-05-2003, 07:06 PM	#37
ellisnc Scooby Specialist Member#: 4229 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Dublin, OH, USA Vehicle: 2003 S2000 Did someone say track day	My WRX is at around 2800 now and it feels waaay better than stock You guys that scoff at weight savings should feel what I feel Imprezed... have you removed the A/C yet? that's probably around 25 or so. I'm going to weigh mine in a couple months and I'll post the results. It's good to know there's another person as serious about weight savings as me

02-05-2003, 07:08 PM	#38
Layman Scooby Specialist Member#: 3717 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Army of the Potomac Vehicle: 2011 Swagger Wagon bikes with pedals	Can you replace the door panels and window mechanisms with non-power ones? I imagine that would save at least 7 lbs on each side.

02-05-2003, 08:35 PM	#40
DoinkMobb Scooby Specialist Member#: 3787 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: G-ville Vehicle: 2008 Gay Car	From ImprezedRS's list: Light weight bumper beams - thinking about it Remove metal Knee beams in dash Coilovers( saved about 5 lbs each corner) Removed everthing in trunk - done 13.5 lb battery - on my list removed rear spoiler - never had one Morette headlight conversion(not much weight saved here) Removed Tar from back of car to the back seat(got to tired to do the rest) - done Removed Rear speakers - done Lighter front speakers and Cd player Removed Windshield Washer Fluid Tank(not that heavy without water in it) - I like a clean windshield Aluminum 4POT Subaru Calipers(just found out last night they where aluminum) ImprezedRS - did you weigh your car before and after you removed/replaced parts, or are you estimating? The stuff on your list that I've also done has taken about 50 lbs off my car - so the other things that I haven't done yet will take off ~250 lbs?

02-06-2003, 06:59 AM	#44
ellisnc Scooby Specialist Member#: 4229 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Dublin, OH, USA Vehicle: 2003 S2000 Did someone say track day	actually, no I can put everything back the way it was without too much work and have the system recharged. I haven't ripped a lot of the interior apart because I run SM and want to remain "semi-legal" I haven't removed the injector covers - just lazy I guess it's a PITA Hockey pucks on the rear subframe? Also no I haven't removed the front lower subframe connector. It's not really a subframe as it doesn't really support anything. It's at the lowest point in the car and I've had it off before and honestly it doesn't weigh that much Aspera, take the door panels off and there's metal parts that are near the grab handles you don't really need.

02-06-2003, 11:09 AM	#50
ellisnc Scooby Specialist Member#: 4229 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Dublin, OH, USA Vehicle: 2003 S2000 Did someone say track day	If I were definately going to keep the car I would strip the car down and have it sandblasted and seam welded and do it right with painted floors in the cabin and a weld in roll bar and leave everything bare in the cabin. However, don't know that I'm going to keep it for a long time (possibly trading for an STi in 04) so I don't know what I want to do. The STi may in fact be stripped to this extent though, fenders rolled or replaced, etc. I'm going to need a house sooner or later as well. I'll get some pictures for you guys as soon as Spring rolls around. The cabin looks pretty sparce but it's not crazy.