Track car weight reduction
 

What can go?

Another thread got me thinking, what can go to strip the car for the track? Obviously the interior can go. The AC can go. There are a number of light weight approaches to replacing parts, but say someone wanted to create a purist experience like how the McLaren F1 had no power brakes. Since we have electronic steering (right?) can we go without power steering? Will pulling certain components cause ECU confusion or be impossible.

Sorry in advance if this is all obvious to those more mechanically inclined.

to be honest, unless you are at the apex of driver skill, I doubt shaving off a few pounds will make much of a difference. obviously the main things can go like extra seats and spare tire + tools, but the extra weight you save by completely stripping the car probably won't really make much of a difference

Agree completely with Ryoma. However, if weight reduction is a must, this sounds like a joke but I'm dead serious. You'd do yourself a much better service shaving your pounds to get better times than trying to pick off 8 ounces here, 2 pounds there.

Yeah, I started researching while I was waiting for feedback, and power steering on a mustang vs standard steering is like 16 pounds. Kinda disappointing from a weight loss perspective if someone was hoping to find was of cutting weight, but I suppose that is a good thing overall for those, like me, who have it.

I couldn't find ABS.

Coolant overflow tank? What about the starter? Could I install a hand crank?

Haha, you are the second person to say that (from another thread). I am like 8% bodyfat at 165lbs, so unless I lose muscle, I only have like 10-12lbs of fat on me.

I think the best weight reduction you can do is remove the seats and just put in a fiberglass bucket seat for the driver side. that will probably remove almost 100 lbs total (I am not sure what the exact weight is). this is with the spare and tools already removed, so maybe 150 lbs total with the spare and everything.

There's a whole thread with weights of all sorts of parts...

What about if you want your engine bay to look like this when you are racing?

http://i.imgur.com/Ynv1VoP.jpg

Hmmm, I'll search I guess. I was being lazy. Anyone know the record for the lightest 86?

This is everything weight-reduction on this platform, I think it gives plenty of reading and ideas lol.

Anthony's 4 Step Diet Program ║[=86=]║

Don't think only on weight. You have to think on a combination of power and weight ratio ;)

Let me give you an example. One way to gain power is to install a supercharger and gain for example +60hp. However, the issue with this approach is that your car also weights more. You could have a similar result by just changing a header and exhaust which could give you +30hp and do also a weight reduction. Don't think of something extreme. A few simple things can work.

Go on a liquid diet. Easy 30-40lbs there.

My beer belly agrees with you. But the OP wants to shed weight not gain it.
:cheers:

It's a sticky in the racing forum... not very hard to find.