Weight Reduction

[68Cadillac]

Originally Posted by Eby

If you've removed your passenger airbag you can take this a step further. I relocated my ECU to the void left from that. ECU kick panel and it's mount are now removed completely.

You don't know how tempting that is.

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[AKGC8]

It's an easy mod. I just put a layer of stick on foam on top of the dash beam to help insulate the ECU from vibrations and zip tied it right to the beam.

[Kentrik]

Thats.....wow. That's a brilliant idea. I may have to do that. Do you have any pics of it?

[AKGC8]

Pretty simple. Zip tied ECU to dash beam with some weatherstrip foam between for vibration. Ran the ECU wiring up behind HVAC. Lastly, trimmed of the extra plastic on the bottom of the airbag panel to make room and I guess in the spirit of this thread save a few ounces.

[JDwhiteWRX]

Originally Posted by Eby

It's overall more than if he put the same lightweight battery in the original spot.

Originally Posted by Splinter

IMO moving 6kg 5 feet does not make up for the added weight of the additional wiring.

You must also consider these batteries don't like heat so putting it in the cabin solves that and as I said the 3m of 4 gauge wire weighs bugger all considering you also remove about 3 feet of 0 gauge wire from the starter motor to the factory battery position.

[Splinter]

mkay if you say so. Also noticed that you're in australia so your battery was already on the opposite side from the driver, although that cuts down on the wiring somewhat.

Either way, I don't think the placement of 6-7kg is worth having a big argument over

[A-man07]

Originally Posted by Eby

Pretty simple. Zip tied ECU to dash beam with some weatherstrip foam between for vibration. Ran the ECU wiring up behind HVAC. Lastly, trimmed of the extra plastic on the bottom of the airbag panel to make room and I guess in the spirit of this thread save a few ounces.

Nice work. Only thing about this is that it moves weight up in the car. It's easy to remove weight off the bottom of the car thus elevating the COG. Maybe just fix the ECU a little higher up the firewall.

[AKGC8]

Yeah, but in this case it isn't much weight. Overall weight goes down, and CG is still lower than stock because the heavy airbag is gone.

[A-man07]

Originally Posted by Eby

Yeah, but in this case it isn't much weight. Overall weight goes down, and CG is still lower than stock because the heavy airbag is gone.

Understood. I've got a shade over 400 lbs off mine and the little things are counting more now.

Wish I had a competent body shop in my area so I could do a CF roof .

[AKGC8]

If you still have HVAC, you wouldn't have any room to move the ECU up on the firewall itself. The only other option for a slightly lower CG than in the airbag position is if you cut a hole in the back of the glove compartment and place it in there.

[Garandman]

Are the aluminum hood and fenders available for the 08+ in the US?

[u2_m4r1n3]

Originally Posted by Eby

If you still have HVAC, you wouldn't have any room to move the ECU up on the firewall itself. The only other option for a slightly lower CG than in the airbag position is if you cut a hole in the back of the glove compartment and place it in there.

That's what I did. Easy as pie.

[u2_m4r1n3]

Originally Posted by Garandman

Are the aluminum hood and fenders available for the 08+ in the US?

I know you can get the hood through Japanparts.com

Fenders are pretty light as is, aluminum might save a pound or 2 total. Not as worth it, to me, since they are probably expensive. But the hood would definitely be a good investment, just a bit pricy.

[Supraru]

I don't get it, move your ecu into your dash yet they are still rocking carpet. If you're gonna go that far go all out don't half ass it. haha

[A-man07]

Originally Posted by Supraru

I don't get it, move your ecu into your dash yet they are still rocking carpet. If you're gonna go that far go all out don't half ass it. haha

To me, removal of the carpet on a street car would make it look ricey, ghetto, cheap, etc. The idea is to lower the weight while retaining taste. Besides, the sound deadener underneath the carpet gives us 20-25 lbs off but the carpet is relatively light in an Impreza.

[68Cadillac]

Originally Posted by A-man07

To me, removal of the carpet on a street car would make it look ricey, ghetto, cheap, etc.

I feel the same. With all the stuff I've done, I'm not tempted to remove the carpet, headliner, dash, or doorcards. They stay. If I can lighten them without compromising the areas one could normally get eyeballs on, I'll do that. I keep my "full" interior.

But to each: their own. It's rice to me.

[gtasti]

yea same here mine looks very stock

if your going to go as far as removing door cards and the carpet thats pretty ghetto and cheap like

[Supraru]

Originally Posted by A-man07

To me, removal of the carpet on a street car would make it look ricey, ghetto, cheap, etc. The idea is to lower the weight while retaining taste. Besides, the sound deadener underneath the carpet gives us 20-25 lbs off but the carpet is relatively light in an Impreza.

I get the idea, but if you're gonna go as far as moving an ecu and airbags and batteries which all aren't really that much difference then why not go all out? If I'm gutting my car I want it gutted. If I'm going for a full interior then I want a damn nice interior.

[A-man07]

Originally Posted by Supraru

I get the idea, but if you're gonna go as far as moving an ecu and airbags and batteries which all aren't really that much difference then why not go all out? If I'm gutting my car I want it gutted. If I'm going for a full interior then I want a damn nice interior.

Well that's the trick isn't it. Make it as light as can be and improve weight distribution as much as possible without it looking like shizt.

And the battery is one of the biggest and best changes you can make.

[Uncle Scotty]

^^^^^

lotsa real dumb things goin on in this thread

the dumbest thing is people thinkin its s000 k000 to drive a race car on the street...which is the heart of ALL rice

that is just the dumbest thing that I can think of

there are many ways of making the car a lot better...lighter...without being so bloody bleeding fanatical about it

[Supraru]

Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty

^^^^^

lotsa real dumb things goin on in this thread

the dumbest thing is people thinkin its s000 k000 to drive a race car on the street...which is the heart of ALL rice

that is just the dumbest thing that I can think of

there are many ways of making the car a lot better...lighter...without being so bloody bleeding fanatical about it

Ahh...so race cars are now rice? Man you say the dumbest things sometimes.

I guess I'm smarter then everyone here since I started with an already light car instead of removing everything to make it light. I would be pissed to be that heavy.

[GC_Anthony]

Real dumb is not knowing how to ****ing use a keyboard.

[Supraru]

Originally Posted by GC_Anthony

Real dumb is not knowing how to ****ing use a keyboard.

Or using curse words knowing that you're going to be blocked. Real dumb.

[GC_Anthony]

Originally Posted by Supraru

Or using curse words knowing that you're going to be blocked. Real dumb.

The reinforcement webbing from a steel RS hood weights 3-4 pounds. I removed it from a spare hood I had to see if it was worth it on my good one. Its not worth the effort like alot of things around here.

[Supraru]

Originally Posted by GC_Anthony

The reinforcement webbing from a steel RS hood weights 3-4 pounds. I removed it from a spare hood I had to see if it was worth it on my good one. Its not worth the effort like alot of things around here.

Can't say I'd ever do that. I've read horror stories with flexing and buckling. I guess if you really need to shave 4lbs that's better then a diet. haha. My next step before I paint the car will be aluminum hood, lightweight front and rear bumper beams, and if they make them aluminum trunk or carbon fiber but that would be painted.