So where's all the weight???

Wiisass

Supramania Contributor
I think if done right and the cage is built properly and you were careful as to what you were cutting out. You probably wouldn't even need anything extra in terms of bracing. I mean the frame rails kind of run a little further inboard than where you would put the cage base plates, but that wouldn't be a problem. As long as you weren't cutting out the frame rail when you cut out the floor, I don't think the floor panels would really do too much, with a full cage in there.

But either way, I don't think I'm going to be cutting out the floor panels for a while. At least until I can really look into things and see what would be possible.
 

Amontgomery

not so sad 10psi
Apr 1, 2008
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Cleveland, MS
I see where you are coming from and I completely agree. I was not thinking about how far inboard the frame rails were either. The only thing I was thinking of is if any pressure was put on the floor it would break through if a thin layer of carbon was used.

I like the idea of getting the undercoat off though. I would be curious to see how much that helps in terms of weight.
 

NashMan

WTF did he just wright ?
Aug 5, 2005
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i had my old car at 2980 that was my street car/race sad part is more bigger stuff you add the more weight is added as well
 

kjj512

New Member
May 27, 2006
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The under coating would be something that would be on the list of thing to do but its too much work for how much weight would be saved. Not to mention the time it would take to do it. An alternative would be to acid dip the chassis but thats getting into the expensive ways to save weight.
 

ideal98supra

New Member
Feb 14, 2008
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Tim, 7MGE with an automatic and everything on it weighed 650lbs when I pulled mine out...

I also weighed a bunch of crap in the car at different times. I have that stuff up on my thread on the other forum. Those weights are accurate for a 88 Hardtop. I have to pull my doors off pretty soon. I'll let you know what they weigh (remember I cut all the bracing out of them) when I do. I am guessing 15 lbs. max.

jero
 
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Wiisass

Supramania Contributor
Sweet, Jero.

Everything I'm measuring is off of an 87 Hardtop. But I do have some parts around here from an 88 targa that I'm going to weigh. I think we can get a good list together.

And I'm really interested into what kind of weight you lost in the doors. I'm trying to decide what I want to do about them right now. I kind of want to keep windows because I want to keep the car a street car, but I also want the car to be light. I'll probably see what weight it comes in with everything in there and then if I need to get rid of more, that will probably be the first place to go.

Or I will have 3 pairs of doors here. Maybe one for street, one for track and one for spares.

Tim
 

adampecush

Regular Supramaniac
May 11, 2006
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Wiisass;1049959 said:
Sweet, Jero.


Or I will have 3 pairs of doors here. Maybe one for street, one for track and one for spares.

Tim

That would be a treat having to tear off the kickpanels to un-plug and plug in the wiring each time
 

prsrcokr

Motörhead
Apr 3, 2005
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I've tried to trade talk with anyone doing any racing with their mk3 the past couple years and so far the list is pretty short. I did talk to a guy in Wi. that has done quite a bit of modifying and has has comp. prepped mk3 (7M) below 3000 lb. He mentioned the standard lightened parts and some chromoly replacements (bumber supports, etc.)
I think sub 3k is possible (especially with hard top) but might be tougher with the targa (wonder if the additional bracing can be removed?) Any ideas folks come across, please share.

Dan's onto something here, the car has some great design features and a solid suspension platform but a big drawback (reason more folks haven't stuck with competition in them) is the weight.

Really, at that weight I think the car would feel excellent. I'm probably ~280 whp and ~3500lb empty now and it's fun outrunning much lighter 944's and other more 'capable' cars, I think sub 3200 lb. would really make it a much more potent car.

1J, you transporting gold bricks in that thing? 4k empty sounds very heavy.
Brian W
 

NashMan

WTF did he just wright ?
Aug 5, 2005
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here is good way to shead some weight alot as well

see the spention/sub frames on the mk3 are freaking heavy thus with all the new cars 350z most of every bmw use aulmin for sub frames and lower amres ect
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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The front lower A-arms look to weigh a lot, those could be remade out aluminum or just a tubular constuction.

The spindals front a rear have got to weigh a ton, but I doubt you could remake them in any cost effective manner...
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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I come from a land down under
Brian: ALL the extra's add up ;)

9" Diff's aren't known for being light weight, 1.5mm Stainless Muffler ditto 115L fuel tank weighs 55Kg empty and 170 Kg's wet and so on and so on ....