Autocross weight loss!

[Miatamoto]

So lets get some ideas!

Things I'm planning on:
1. Remove A/C
2. Remove all 92+ chassis bracing
3. Might not run a roll bar
4. Seats
5. Possible soft top removal

Things I'm thinking about:
1. Carbon fiber essential chassis bracing replacements
2. Carbon fiber Trailer hitch
3. Carbon fiber hard top, if I remove the soft top

BTW, I'm not made of money so all the carbon stuff will be made by me and my friend that builds sail boats.

Let's get some "out of the box" thinking since the street prepared rules limit things like taking out trim or carpet.

[POS Racing]

[Miatamoto mode = on]So where do you guys go to buy your cheese? I like cheese do you like cheese.

How much would a wheel of cheese weigh if you were on the moon.

Hey look at the pretty sky! Look a birdy![Miatamoto mode = off]

Can you really make a trailer hitch out of carbon fiber, that sounds a bit spooky!

What about pulling the inter steel panels in the doors and replacing them with Carbon fiber panels?? As well as the parcel shelf and other sheet metal parts??

Can any lightening be done in the bumper Assemblies? Could you swiss cheese them to save weight, or do carbon fiber supports??

[Sharpie]

Dang Moto, what'd you do to upset the POS man?

[Miatamoto]

I contaminated the engine rebuild thread. You know how cranky these older folks get when they don't get their prunes for breakfast.

I think it would be strong enough if designed correctly, but I'm scared about how brittle it might be. It's just an idea. It would obviously be a better idea to run a trailer instead of a tire tail.

I don't think I can mess with the door guts, parcel shelf or bumpers.

[POS Racing]

I don't think I can mess with the door guts, parcel shelf or bumpers.

Can you mess with any of the bodywork in CSP??

[Miatamoto]

Can you mess with any of the bodywork in CSP??

I think the only thing you can do is add fender flares, but there is no cutting of body panels. I don't think you can replace them with alternate materials either (ie. carbon fiber hood).

[POS Racing]

What can you pull out of the interior??

The carpet has to stay but what can go??

I would think you would miss the A/C on those long rides back from Mineral Wells! I added A/C to my must have list after a season without A/C on the POSI.

[Miatamoto]

What can you pull out of the interior??

The carpet has to stay but what can go??

I would think you would miss the A/C on those long rides back from Mineral Wells! I added A/C to my must have list after a season without A/C on the POSI.

I'm pretty sure the interior must stay stock like in ES, but people have updated/backdated the entire dash from a 1.6 to get rid of the pass. side airbag. I don't think I'll be doing that.

The only stuff you can change is the steering wheel and the seats. I've done the steering wheel. You can also pull speakers, but must leave wiring.

As far as the A/C goes. I haven't used it in years. I'm very happy with the airflow and shade with the top up, windows open and the back window down.

[POS Racing]

So what does all the following stuff weigh?? I got to imagine the leather seats are not light!

1. Remove A/C
2. Remove all 92+ chassis bracing
3. Might not run a roll bar
4. Seats
5. Possible soft top removal

[joe.MIATA]

As far as the A/C goes. I haven't used it in years. I'm very happy with the airflow and shade with the top up, windows open and the back window down.

CRAZY.

[joe.MIATA]

As far as the A/C goes. I haven't used it in years. I'm very happy with the airflow and shade with the top up, windows open and the back window down.

CRAZY. (twice...ooops)

[Miatamoto]

So what does all the following stuff weigh?? I got to imagine the leather seats are not light!

A/C - 30-40 lbs.
bracing - 15 lbs.
roll bar - HDHC is around 50 lbs.
lightweight seats - should save around 50 lbs. (I've got bass shakers and headrest speakers)
soft top - 40-50 lbs.

So at best I could lose over 200 lbs. if I had a roll bar.

[Miatamoto]

One more thing: Lightweight motorcycle battery, they weight around 12 lbs vs. the stock one (not sure how much they weigh)

[Bolix]

If you are worried about the carbon tow hitch, just make it out of enough layers and make sure it gets alot of sun-time to cure properly. Or if you really wanted to go all out on it, for our FSAE cars we made carbon wheels with with an aluminum hub to connect to the axel. They weight like... nothing. I can't remember the number off the top of my head but I wanna say like 7.5kg or something.



2AM motor swap with a broken mount... that was alot of fun lemme tell ya.

[blackzx3_13]

^^Is that the correct posture for welding? (kick car BTW)

[Miatamoto]

Thanks for the info Bolix! The car looks great. I really wanted to do Formula SAE when I was at school, but the guys in charge of the team were a bunch of A$$holes.

The wheels look great. How much does the car weigh?

BTW, the wheels that I will be running are going to weigh 9.5 lbs.

[jolberry]

Speaking of wieght...how heavy is the OEM hard top?
Also is it legal in stock class to remove the soft top if you use the hardtop?


Yes I am thread drifting...

[POS Racing]

Yes I am thread drifting...

I don't think you can remove the top in stock class.

[Miatamoto]

Speaking of wieght...how heavy is the OEM hard top?
Also is it legal in stock class to remove the soft top if you use the hardtop?


Yes I am thread drifting...

The only stock class car that can do that is the '03 club sport.

I think the stock hard top is around 50 lbs. My friend thought a carbon shell of the same size would weigh around 5 lbs. This is just for environmental protection (rain and sun). Would probably be removed at events.

[POS Racing]

One more thing: Lightweight motorcycle battery, they weight around 12 lbs vs. the stock one (not sure how much they weigh)

Here is some stuff on the Battery!

Looks like an OEM is about 24.0 lbs.