Performance Gains via Reduced Weight

[SV-3]

You can lose a lot of weight on the car if you go extreme, but the question is how pleasant it is then to be in the car? No carpets, bare metal, hard plastic seats, etc. Yeah, no doubt it performs much better when it's so much lighter, but at least to me it doesn't offset the quality of life loss aka the insides looking raw and unrefined as if the car has been left outside and was stripped for parts by thieves. Especially worthy of thinking if you have regular passenger who might not appreciate spartan interior at the cost of lost comfort and utility.

Comment duly noted, and I fully agree with the sentiments expressed. It's most certainly not my intention to trash what is a perfectly good car to produce a stripped out 'racer' rather trimming out some items that really are surplus weight whilst maintaining the essential creature comforts.

Alan you are yet to enjoy a standard roadster for any length of time.
As someone who has marched speedily in to extensive and expensive
 modifications on both his 2s could I offer some advice.

Take some time to enjoy it as is.

You won't make it much faster or handle much better with small weight losses imho. Especially if like me you are in the 100kg+ club.
I often think the best performance gain I could do for my 2 is loose 20kg 😆

Intermittent Fasting may fit in with intermittent use of the car?

[Gibla]

@puma2
re '
other cars are available may as well by a Lotus Elise ha ha ' < if only the purse strings would allow, plus I strongly suspect I wouldn't fit into one :-)

Where is your sense of adventure?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOMXCW7uK4U&ab_channel=CarThrottle

Ha Ha I went to see my middle-aged kids today, pretty sure one of my grandsons would love that car :-)

[Topdownman]

They can join the queue!

[JB21]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

[1979scotte]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

Is your engine rebuilt?

[Joesson]

Very well

Where is your sense of adventure?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOMXCW7uK4U&ab_channel=CarThrottle

Great find, BUT you overlooked something important!!!

Go to 11:02 and pay VERY close attention to the window reflection in left side of the screen...

Very well "spotted"!

[Topdownman]

Where is your sense of adventure?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOMXCW7uK4U&ab_channel=CarThrottle

Great find, BUT you overlooked something important!!!

Go to 11:02 and pay VERY close attention to the window reflection in left side of the screen...

Wow, you were paying attention!

[Gibla]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

Presumably air-con was stripped out ?
pas. ?
With those 2 gone + a lighter battery maybe nearer to 40kg weight saving

[Petrus]

especially if we have passengers (wife, girlfriend, kids, other family) most of whom won't be as enthusiastic about it, especially if running de-catted motorcycle exhaust.

I just refitted the cat as there is now simply too much policing in the region to shout thís loud for attention. The one gf asked worriedly if the car would still sound sexy. The other when she heard me coming observed ´Good! It still turns me on´.
Have open requests for joy rides out from both. Friday 250 km and not the slightest beep about the comfort. The other day 400 out, 400 back and all purring smiles.

But then the perspective is different.
The car is not compromised for transport neesds; it is a full fun hobby plaything.
The gfs are not spouses compromised by marriage vows; volunteers to enjoy la bella vida.
Ah and 300 sunny days/year of course.

[JB21]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

Is your engine rebuilt?

Indeed.

[1979scotte]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

Is your engine rebuilt?

Indeed.

Well that's alright then. 😁

[Dev]

 My next weight strategy is I. A few years ago I lost 30 pounds. Its like removing a battery or the spare tire.
 Years ago at a local weekly meet here that is mostly MK2 cars a very large young man wanted a ride in my car to experience lift that he read about on internet forms. The giant must have weighed 250 pounds or more. Soon as I got into lift the car was a big disappointment that I felt embarrassed. I found the 1ZZ to be less weight sensitive but with the 2ZZ the more you take off it becomes a force multiplier.

[Petrus]

I do not get why the driver weight is such a recurrent pollution in just about any ´add lightness´ thread.

It has nóthing to do with the car; NOTHING, is only stating an irrelevant obvious.

But. as we are now on it: Am on a diet to get the Covid19 lardyness off.
Mostly light fish a la brasa or steamed. Yesterday Pargo (Pagrus pagrus) in salt, some prawns in the evening. Today had Tuna quickly zápped on the hot plate for lunch, steamed shellfish later today. Tough being on a diet but hey it is simply healthier to be a bit more trim! ​

Meanwhile my MR2 is a child unfreindly, uncomfie, noisy eyesore with >300 lbs of lightness added while maintaining the fundamentally forgiving ZZW30 basic character. The flexible 1ZZ throwing less weight sitting on Sportivo legs about.

This morning, coming back from Bubbly, first drove direction Sevilla. All the way around Antequera during rush hour (all is relative) then through a bit boring countryside. It is such a sweet lightweight to potter along in, with the availeble stunning emergency stop being a reassuring feeling.

The second bit of the return trip ahhhhh mán, those mountain roads. I took it easy, simply enjoying the absolute exactness. Óne corner though... Totally unobstructed view through all of the almost 180 degrees, predictable traction, moderately (for here) climbing, you can absolutely flóór it; between some 5 - 6k in second all through because of the incline.
The grip of the warmed up AD08Rs is jaw dropping while sliding over four wheels yet the delightful whippet goes where you point her.
Then the bend opens, you drop the revs in third and it behaves like a friendly cocker spaniel again.

The lightness of the car, the driver, whatever... of lífe!!

Back on subject I am still faffing about with the bonnet. Things kéép coming in between and annoyingly almost all of my own doing. Will be 6 kg at least of lightness and it wíll make a half % difference in all. Will I notice that? Nâh. Still fun just for the heck of it. For mé.

[Gibla]

Great descriptive wide-ranging post sir!
dietary advice
cooking
'racy-women' ref.
regional descriptions
handling
further lightening efforts

A tour de force .....bravo :-)

[Petrus]

'racy-women' ref.

Ah my first and foremost ´hobby´.
They, the gfs themselves, keep urging me to write a book about my view on lóving life, them.

When I arrived at the farm the resident love gave a fashion show of the charming packagings she bought Saturday. Several wildly different but all cheerful dresses, one more serious combination.
´Oh ánd I bought a bag.´
A bag???
´Yes another bag; I thought I deserved to give myself a present.´
And the dresses?
´What about it? I nééd those!´
Silly me no?!
Next changed into a splendid orange dress ´can I invite you to go out for a coffee with me?

I took this picture from the view accross the road. Orange does not go with this red and it still was too chilly to take it off so no adult version I am affraid 

You cannot view this attachment.

[Zxrob]

I have just done a few simple things to mine to reduce the weight a little, nothing extensive as I want to keep the car, well, looking like a car , for now I have lost around 40 kilos, which is around 4% and as cost me next to nothing, ok, still got the heavy battery but will replace that when need be

Rob

[AJRFulton]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

I'm 960kg, I do have a full cage, but from looking at your car I reckon I'm even further on in the weight saving than yourself.

I have removed door bars, removed almost all of the interior, removed heater, lightweight wheels, have a race battery, lightweight windows, lightweight seat, etc, etc.

Without starting to replace steel bits with aluminium, I'm can't really see how to significantly reduce weight further.

On the scrutineers scales fuelled with about 25 litres for the race, and with me fully kitted and in the car - I'm just under 1.1 tonnes.

[JB21]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

I'm 960kg, I do have a full cage, but from looking at your car I reckon I'm even further on in the weight saving than yourself.

I have removed door bars, removed almost all of the interior, removed heater, lightweight wheels, have a race battery, lightweight windows, lightweight seat, etc, etc.

Without starting to replace steel bits with aluminium, I'm can't really see how to significantly reduce weight further.

On the scrutineers scales fuelled with about 25 litres for the race, and with me fully kitted and in the car - I'm just under 1.1 tonnes.

What material is your cage made out of? Mine is T45 and 6 point, but only has door bars, no over heads so less tubing. My wheels are Ultraleggera so only 5kg each, bonnet and frunk trimmed. Hardtop gutted. All light weight arms and braces, 7kg battery, light weight CF induction kit, very lightweight backbox, fiberglass single seat etc...

[AJRFulton]

Got my 2zz FL track car down to 950kg, this includes a 6 point roll cage. Car now has a power to weight ratio 200hp p/ton.

I could lose more by removing all the front interior, inc FL OE door bars, even lighter battery etc but I'd bet it would only be a 20kg saving.

I'm 960kg, I do have a full cage, but from looking at your car I reckon I'm even further on in the weight saving than yourself.

I have removed door bars, removed almost all of the interior, removed heater, lightweight wheels, have a race battery, lightweight windows, lightweight seat, etc, etc.

Without starting to replace steel bits with aluminium, I'm can't really see how to significantly reduce weight further.

On the scrutineers scales fuelled with about 25 litres for the race, and with me fully kitted and in the car - I'm just under 1.1 tonnes.

What material is your cage made out of? Mine is T45 and 6 point, but only has door bars, no over heads so less tubing. My wheels are Ultraleggera so only 5kg each, bonnet and frunk trimmed. Hardtop gutted. All light weight arms and braces, 7kg battery, light weight CF induction kit, very lightweight backbox, fiberglass single seat etc...

T45, but I do have overheads. Also run an accusump + oil cooler - so with an extra 2L of oil that will add another 10kg or so - but it is there for a reason. Oil cooler is needed, accusump is debatable but it's there to protect the engine.

[Gibla]

Unashamedly lifted from Fb group

author Giles Beck

''Someone was asking recently about the weight of a standard Car.
Here's mine.
FL.  213.5 kg
FR.  215 kg
RL.  286.5 kg
RR.  296 kg
Total. 1011 kg
42 % front
58 % rear
2002. PFL.
With hard top and soft top fitted.
1/2 tank fuel.
Glove locker full. Spare wheel. Jack etc.
No driver or passenger.''

[Petrus]

Unashamedly lifted from Fb group

author Giles Beck

The hardtop is close to 25 kilos, half a tank about the same, thus making 1010 kg which is on the dot for a non-airco 2002.

The 42 / 58 same thing.
The weights make for interesting perspective for emptying the frump; would shift to 40 / 60. Not necessarily a bad thing but it does point to a whiff more ´sensitive´ front and less understeer.

Still have not come round to corner weighing mine :-(  even though I am quite curious.

[AJRFulton]

Any idea what the hard top weights fully stripped to just a shell.

I've never weighed my hard top as it is difficult to get off (it attaches onto the roll cage - it's not 'that' hard, but 30-40 minutes playing about with a 1/4" drive that can do micro turns due to lack of space)

I have taken it off once, but it made me slower on the track and was such a faff putting it back on. However I was about 4mph slower on the GPS logger at the end of the straight (106mph vs 102mph), and about 0.5s over a lap.

[Petrus]

Just under 25 kg and stripping gains next to nothing. A plastic rear window saves 6 kg.

A dar back is higher cog, advantage júst a bit of extra rigidity which can be imrpoved upon wth fixed mountings like those by Snelbaard.

For aero you can fit a tonneau. Would be halfway betwwen hardtop and open tub.

[AJRFulton]

Just under 25 kg and stripping gains next to nothing. A plastic rear window saves 6 kg.

A dar back is higher cog, advantage júst a bit of extra rigidity which can be imrpoved upon wth fixed mountings like those by Snelbaard.

For aero you can fit a tonneau. Would be halfway betwwen hardtop and open tub.

I have a rear plastic window - I'd have guessed the hardtop weighs around 15kg from carrying it, but never sat it on a scale to see exactly where it is.

As for rigidity, a fully welded cage and bars - the car is extremely rigid - but it is a race car that isn't road legal. Can quite easily lift 3 wheels off the ground with the jack.

The thing that mainly puts me off exploring other options for the roof is... I race in Scotland and the North of England. 30% of the events are cold and wet weather. It probably isn't worth it for what would probably amount to <10kg saving, by the time you install another aero component.

To be honest, I was actually really surprised how big a difference no roof made to lap time and vmax, as well it was nice to be open top on the track - but ultimately a bit slower.

[Petrus]

Track and road; two almost unrelated purposes.

If my car would be track only I´da have the hardtop fitted rigedly, softtop out.
Car way low on ultra lightweigt rims, plastic windows all round, weight 850 kg. max.
Maybe even go the AdamR28 option; delete the windscreen, skin it all.

On road, minimal lowering, minimal bracing, softtop/hardtop/tonneau.