putting her on a diet

[greezmunky]

For my fall project I am contemplating the following mods:

1. Remove both airbags, all sensors, modules, and bracing in the dash that supports the passenger bag.
2. Replace steering wheel with proper momo unit
3. Remove AC compressor, condensor, all AC lines and components.
4. Remove all speakers and stereo wiring (car never had a radio)
5. Replace seat belt assemblies with proper racing harness.

Can anyone give me an estimate on how much weight I will be able to shave off?? I would like to get rid of at least 100 pounds.

[rlearp]

Are you prepping for racing or street? Are you overweight at all - it might be easier for you to lose 25 lbs than the car! ;-)

If for racing then you could also loose a lot of other things:

*Engine covers, truck floor, side engine trim
*All the intake plumbing and use a conical K&N mounted on the turbo intake
*Lighter wheels for less unsprung weight
*Window/motors, replace with net
*All aircon/HVAC stuff
*Ditch those heavy seats, go for aluminum of fiberglass race seats
*Puke tanks, air horns, hi beams, un-needed interior trim

That'd probably be around 100, that you'd get back when you put the cage in. ;-)

R

[superdave]

Kato of LEW has taken quite a bit off his car very easily.
S300 bucket seats
Remove spare wheel and jack
Carbon Fibre Sunroof
New alloy brake kit
And some other simple stuff.

I think he's taken about 40-50KGs. there's no need to take any interior out whatsoever.
Take a look on his site www.lotusespritworld.com

Cheers,



Dave Walters

[MikeyRide]

greezmunky said:

For my fall project I am contemplating the following mods: 1. Remove both airbags, all sensors, modules, and bracing in the dash that supports the passenger bag. 2. Replace steering wheel with proper momo unit 3. Remove AC compressor, condensor, all AC lines and components. 4. Remove all speakers and stereo wiring (car never had a radio) 5. Replace seat belt assemblies with proper racing harness. Can anyone give me an estimate on how much weight I will be able to shave off?? I would like to get rid of at least 100 pounds.

Sorry, I can't give you numbers but probably less than you think. I think you'd do better with a gel cell battery (~30lbs), a straight pipe (~30lbs, I think) and lightweight seats (~25lbs total IIRC). Spare and jack for another 25-30 if you're feeling lucky.

[unity1]

I've been doing this exercise on mine as I've been upgrading/replacing parts.

Exhaust 14Kg
Spare 13Kg
Horn 600g
Fogs 200g
HiSpek Brake upgrade 106g*
Wheels 16Kg **
Aircon Compressor 3Kg

This is the same kit that Kato(LEW) used from PNM. The problem is that although the callipers are very light the disc might as well be made of lead. When I get round to it I will seek an alternative disc.

** This surprised the hell out of me. The reason is that I replace my SE wheels with some S4/GT3 ones. After weighing (and I did it several times) I found them to be 4Kg a wheel heavier and did effect the handling when on an uneven road. I have even ask several other owners in the past if they can weight their wheels next time they are off but have as yet and little feedback. I left the S4's on because of the greater choice of tyres (better in wet) and looks. I'm lead to believe that Magnesios are around 8Kg a wheel and so save me the 16Kg in all if I do that.

I've not done the seats yet but currently this is around 47Kg or 100lbs on your money.

[kylie]

Unity1... thats really interesting about the wheels. I thought the SE wheels would be pretty light anyway, but thats a huge difference esp when the SE wheels are a bit smaller in size and the S4s wheels larger. Figured mine must be lighter again with having 15" and 16" after market X180R alloys with magnes centres. I had them off too, should have weighed them. Will do next time.

Most parts can of course be replaced in Carbon Fibre too. Nice ones spring to mind would be:

Large flat panels under the car would save a few kgs
Engine cover
Rear deck lid would be fantastic and super light
Front boot lid
And of course if your wallet is huge just ask Lotus to remake an Esprit of your choice just using CF/kevlar for the chassis and the full body construction
There..how far do you want to go!?!!