Headlight elimination - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Stonehorsw · 08-12-2026, 10:34 PM

Hello,

Did anyone eliminate headlights for weight saving? If so, how? Gutting ir or removing and creating a cover?

Thanks

DarkPira7e · 08-13-2026, 10:17 AM

It's pretty easy to disassemble the headlights. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 220f.
From there, carefully peel the clear headlight lens from the body (or don't be, if you're removing alllllll the internals).
You could just rip everything out, reseal the headlights and be done.

I think if this is for weight savings, your best bet is NASCAR mode; just sheet metal cover the openings after you remove the headlights.

Stonehorsw · 08-13-2026, 11:46 AM

Thanks a lot. Will try and report back

Stonehorsw · 08-24-2026, 08:45 AM

In the end, a colleague used the headlight as mold for a fiberglass version, basically eliminating 8lbs per side.

DarkPira7e · 08-24-2026, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

In the end, a colleague used the headlight as mold for a fiberglass version, basically eliminating 8lbs per side.

Neat! What other extremes have you gone to for weight reduction? This is cool stuff. Give us some pics!

Stonehorsw · 08-25-2026, 04:38 PM

This is a friend’s car that I help. Right now car is about 2700lbs with driver and full cage.
Fully gutted, spl arms everywhere, dremel anything that does not appear to be structural including door bars (cage with nascar side protection), no AC, catless header, muffles steel exhaust (needs to meet noise level, so I do not think a tomei would work and don’t eanna risk that money).

I was bummed that after discussing here, i was not able to go and help on the headlight as would be nice to learn. But he has a time constraint and needed to complete it soon.

For next year (I think he is 3x T3 champ with this car already), I think priority will be improving suspension and traction (looses traction on right hand turns with small bumps).

I have a fun and easy work, need to develop ideas and work on a car. Taking all this experience and will do the same when I complete mine (so far, mine were always track cars, no race cars so far).

DarkPira7e · 08-25-2026, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

This is a friend’s car that I help. Right now car is about 2700lbs with driver and full cage.
Fully gutted, spl arms everywhere, dremel anything that does not appear to be structural including door bars (cage with nascar side protection), no AC, catless header, muffles steel exhaust (needs to meet noise level, so I do not think a tomei would work and don’t eanna risk that money).

I was bummed that after discussing here, i was not able to go and help on the headlight as would be nice to learn. But he has a time constraint and needed to complete it soon.

For next year (I think he is 3x T3 champ with this car already), I think priority will be improving suspension and traction (looses traction on right hand turns with small bumps).

I have a fun and easy work, need to develop ideas and work on a car. Taking all this experience and will do the same when I complete mine (so far, mine were always track cars, no race cars so far).

2700 w/ driver and cage is crazy. Good luck to them!!

Stonehorsw · 08-25-2026, 05:34 PM

Objective is 2640lbs, we will get there.

Stonehorsw · 08-26-2026, 09:46 AM

Pictures

08-12-2026, 10:34 PM	#1
Stonehorsw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Drives: 18 Brz (Sold) / 22 BRZ / 13 BRZ Location: Michigan Posts: 684 Thanks: 1,169 Thanked 461 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	Headlight elimination Hello, Did anyone eliminate headlights for weight saving? If so, how? Gutting ir or removing and creating a cover? Thanks

08-13-2026, 10:17 AM	#2
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 4,158 Thanks: 3,444 Thanked 4,332 Times in 2,186 Posts Mentioned: 34 Post(s)	It's pretty easy to disassemble the headlights. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 220f. From there, carefully peel the clear headlight lens from the body (or don't be, if you're removing alllllll the internals). You could just rip everything out, reseal the headlights and be done. I think if this is for weight savings, your best bet is NASCAR mode; just sheet metal cover the openings after you remove the headlights. __________________ Turbo FR-S Build - Build Thread JDL EL Recirc manifold, Boostlab BL58x Turbo w/ T51R, 17x9 ARC-8, IAG block

08-26-2026, 09:46 AM	#9
Stonehorsw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Drives: 18 Brz (Sold) / 22 BRZ / 13 BRZ Location: Michigan Posts: 684 Thanks: 1,169 Thanked 461 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	Pics Pictures Attached Images

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08-13-2026, 11:46 AM	#3
Stonehorsw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Drives: 18 Brz (Sold) / 22 BRZ / 13 BRZ Location: Michigan Posts: 684 Thanks: 1,169 Thanked 461 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	Thanks a lot. Will try and report back

08-24-2026, 08:45 AM	#4
Stonehorsw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Drives: 18 Brz (Sold) / 22 BRZ / 13 BRZ Location: Michigan Posts: 684 Thanks: 1,169 Thanked 461 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	In the end, a colleague used the headlight as mold for a fiberglass version, basically eliminating 8lbs per side.

08-25-2026, 04:38 PM	#6
Stonehorsw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Drives: 18 Brz (Sold) / 22 BRZ / 13 BRZ Location: Michigan Posts: 684 Thanks: 1,169 Thanked 461 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	This is a friend’s car that I help. Right now car is about 2700lbs with driver and full cage. Fully gutted, spl arms everywhere, dremel anything that does not appear to be structural including door bars (cage with nascar side protection), no AC, catless header, muffles steel exhaust (needs to meet noise level, so I do not think a tomei would work and don’t eanna risk that money). I was bummed that after discussing here, i was not able to go and help on the headlight as would be nice to learn. But he has a time constraint and needed to complete it soon. For next year (I think he is 3x T3 champ with this car already), I think priority will be improving suspension and traction (looses traction on right hand turns with small bumps). I have a fun and easy work, need to develop ideas and work on a car. Taking all this experience and will do the same when I complete mine (so far, mine were always track cars, no race cars so far).

08-25-2026, 05:34 PM	#8
Stonehorsw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Drives: 18 Brz (Sold) / 22 BRZ / 13 BRZ Location: Michigan Posts: 684 Thanks: 1,169 Thanked 461 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	Objective is 2640lbs, we will get there.

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