Can you recommend a diet, a gym or an exercise programme for my Scooby to lose some weight?

Seriously though, as we all know it is not the absolute power but the BHP per tonne that matters. A simple calculation reveals that a 10% reduction in weight will result in 11% increase in the bhp/tonne figure!

So on a UK Scoob (mine is MY00) if I could reduce the weight by 123 kg (10%) the power-to-weight figure will go up from 174 to 193 bhp/tonne! This is similar to a PPPed UK Scoob and the Clasic STi. This is more than the STi type UK (180)!!!

Most power upgrades cost in the region of £1000-2000. Do you have any experience or suggestions how to shed off 123 kg ideally for free or under this cost. Please post your suggestions here (along with the cost if you know it). I guess a new measure like cost-per-kilo-saved (£ per KG-S) will be required

 

Air-con
Smaller wheels/less rubber
No spare
No tools
No rear speakers
Electric window mechanisms
Rear seats
Less petrol
Smaller spoiler
No side skirts

The list is endless. Just depends how much you want the extra bhp per tonne and what bits you can live without.

Did u see the bit on Top Gear last week where they stripped a Jag. They improved its 0-100mph time by 5 seconds by taking out 200kg worth of kit.

Simon.

 

Simon, yes I did see it and it made me think about my Scoob.

I agree, the list could be endless but some things on your list probably weigh just a couple of kilos. What are the "big wins"? I remember reading somewhere that the bonnet on UK cars is much heavier than on STis. Do you know if this true?

Any other ideas?

 

What's the lightest exhaust? I remeber the std one was bloody heavy when I swapped it for Scoobysport. But is SS lighter or heavier than the std. Are there others that are lighter?

 

I know my bonnet MY00 weighs a ton, wouldnt mind swapping it for a Carbon Fibre or Aluminium one

Just so its easier to lift

the back seats cant weigh that much

cant you get lightweight batteries now too

 

have you thought about cardboard mats
i know davy1 has the pattern

[Edited by care3 - 12/29/2002 8:10:09 PM]

 

I think you may be being a bit optimistic trying to get that much I have shed 40 kilos in my JDM CTR, maybe a little more havent weighed everything, like my Mugen CAI weighs less than the OEM one etc.

Replaced the OEM Manifold, and Exhaust system, saving 15 kilos, removed all the rear interior, about another 15 kilos, removed all my tools, rear speakers, spare wheel, board covering the wheel well, and all unesseary items in the glovebox etc, which saved me atleast 10 kilos.

Im trying to get my car from 1070 kilos down to a ton, and have around 200BHP, to hit that magic 200BHP per tonne, but when the cage goes in, this will add to the weight, which means may have to dump the A/C.

Other ideas

* Aircon
* C/F bonnet
* Smaller mirrors
* Remove all electrical motors for your luxeries
* Lighter wheels
* Lighter Disks

the list is endless really

[Edited by Type R - 12/29/2002 9:38:14 PM]

 

Type R
Where did you weigh your car and what exhaust did you change to?
Any ideas where to get a light bonnet (is sti one carbonfibre/alum?)

I changed the wheels to Pro Race One from Team Dynamics -- they are supposed to be very light but because I moved from 16" to 17" I guess the weight balance stayed neutral, at best. Similarly, thinking about bigger brakes but bigger disks and calipers will probably weigh the same or more?

 

make it a convertible? DIY is the way! B&Q do some nice offers

 

Americans don't use bonnets, right?

 

Petrol - I've been experimenting with that recently, being out of a job at the moment and not wanting to sell the Scooby unless I have to, is great motivation for driving carefully and fuel-consciously.

I'm thinking I might get quite experienced at knowing how long you can drive with the low-fuel light on without worrying about it - done that for the 1st time the other day, twice now... As long as the amount saved isn't cancelled out by accelerating up to speed from the petrol station again

 

To drive around regularly with 1/4 tank of fuel would be an option if it were not for a fairly bad fuel surge prob. Iv'e heard that a swirl pot can cure this but they are for the cooling system arn't they..????

 

I think Scoobymania do an aluminium bonnet. Check their website at scoobymania.co.uk

 

Titanium exhaust ?
Discard the useless radio and speakers.
Passenger seat if you are single and don't get out much.
Lighter alloys. The chaps at TSL have some really light ones apparently.

Go down the gym more ? I lose around 3-5 lbs of fluid after a 10km run

[Edited by stanmo - 12/30/2002 1:07:33 PM]

 

Yep, got the TSL wheels (Pro Race ones). They very light when out of the box but when I put the rubber on them they got as heavy as the std 16s (which I guess is an achievement already given that they are bigger wheels).

Titanium exhaust? Who makes them?

 

I think Pete at Scoobysport may have something up his sleeve in the future.

 

Harvey has put his car on a weight-loss programme, perhaps he can contribute in what he has found?

 

my full-size steel spare weighed 20Kg - no punctures just yet


kev

 

Aluminium bonnet is defo much lighter than the UK one.Cost quite a lot new(£500?).If you scan the breakers yards(all STis have them as std) you maybe able to pick up one for half the price and it may already be in your colour!
I suspect the titanium exhaust(as fitted to the £40k S202) will cost a fortune.

 

Are Carbon Discs not an option, or are they too impractical for road use

 

Re: the bonnet... you're spot on -- £550 from Scoobymania (in the Prodrive section)

Has anyone got the exact weight difference vs the std UK one?

Is there one for sale somewhere in DBM?

Someone made a point about lighter battery -- that sounds interesting! Any experience with those?

 

Got an e-mail from Scoobymania -- they don't know the weight difference themselves ().

 

Alloy bonnet, yes. Big savings on two-piece discs and alloy calipers (and better brakes ). Lighter wheels and ditch the spare. Never run with more than a quarter tank of fuel. It gets hard from there on... better to lose weight yourself and never carry passengers. A trifle inconvenient, though

By modern standards, it's a fairly light car for starters.

Richard.

 

All jap import wrx's & sti, etc, have aluminium bonnets and Boot lids as std. Try Grade A breakers may be able to get a second hand one?

Other idea is to buy a lightweight WRX STi 555 v-ltd edition mine has bugger all on it and has thiner glass alround.

Get some OZ super leggraza(?) they only weigh about 6 or 7 kg each with out tyres.

hope some of this helps.

p.s. on the silly front what about having no doors or bonnet or boot lid, could be a summer special

T.

 

The front seats weigh about 20kg each. You can get some decent bucket seats that weigh about 6kg each for about £500 the pair.

 

But as Richard says, as soon as you take a passenger then all the gain is lost....

Just think that the new WRX and new STi weigh far more than your MY00, and the lardy R32 Golf weighs 1500kg

F

 

Thanks guys!

Tizard - Who do you mean by a-grade breakers? Could you post some names / wed addresses please?

 

also,

Alloy wishbones..! which are standard on import scoobs..

Dan

 

Go on a diet!!

 

If you are into the hard-core look you could take out the carpets and any sound-proofing under them.
Ditch all unnecessary seats.
Even cheap bucket seats weigh less that std seats.
ditch the leccy window motors
fit perspex windows

It all just depends on how much comfort you want to retain.
I know of a guy who is lightening a mkII astra. He has done all of the above and more, including replacing the dash with a custom alloy thing, and even chopping excess wiring from the loom!