Yeah the bonnet's are heavy - I believe the Type-RA STI's have aluminium (aloomenum ) bonnets which makes a difference.

Joolz.

[This message has been edited by jbryant (edited 16-05-2000).]

 

Are you really sure you want to start stripping your car, just to lose a few Kg here and there?

 

All newish STi's have alloy bonnets and they are a massive weight saving on the car, but not at all cheap, and very hard to get hold of.

 

Sell the car and buy an STI Type RA... or, better speced but slightly heavier Type RA V-Limited.

The Type RA has a significantly lighter body (~1100kg IIRC according to PC )... which removes a couple of average passengers worth from the car.

 

That guy Colin .. made those Lotus thingys - had it right...

My basic question is does anybody know what it is possible to lighten in the Scoob and if so, how much wonga?

I have just used the figures for an unmodified car for the sums.
Please correct my figures if I am being 'tick or talking rollocks:
215 BHP & 177 BHP per tonne (from EVO mag)
Dry weight of 1.215t then (I think my 5door is 1.235 though)

Add one Fat Barsteward (ta Blowdog)
1.215 + 75kg = 1.290
Fuel ~60Kg = 1.350
Oil etc (guessing here) ~15Kg? = 1.365 t
Or 1.385 for the 5door

REAL BHP per Ton
4 door = 157.51
5 door = 155.23

Don't sound to good now does it?

If we could lose 150 kg then (those weights look familar!):
4 door=1.365 -150kg = 1.215 = 177 bhp per t
5 door=1.385 -150kg = 1.235 = 174 bhp per t

You get a ~12% ''increase'' in power with this method if it was possible.

I ordered my car without a sunroof or air con and would have omitted elec windows also if it was possible.

So... what can I chuck out?
Well I suppose these could start it ..
Roof bars, electric window motors, rear head rests (need the back seats) ... but what else
The bonnet seems quite heavy when you lift it.

Has any body any ideas on this??
Ta, Swa ...
and dont mention anything about diets .... or laying off the beer

 

There are a few ways to reduce weight, but not necessarily east and/or practical!

Fit the alloy bonnet from the STi models (or P1). Probably save about 10Kg

Fit very light weight alloy/magnesium wheels and tyres, as some tyres are heavier than others in the same size! (probably about 10 - 20Kg). At the same time, fit some magnesium suspension components, or the alloy ones from the STi models. Uprated brakes using lightweight calipers, and discs mounted on alloys bells would also help reduce weight by a few Kgs as well.

Remove the carpets and sound deadening materials (probably about another 20 - 30Kg).

Junk the front seats, and fit carbon fibre race type seats (probably about another 20 - 30Kg).

Ditch the electric windows, and fit the manual ones as fitted to some RA models (or do an interior swap with someone!). Ditch the stereo and speakers. The ashtray and cigarette lighter must weigh at least 50 gms

Remove the headlining, empty out the glove box, ditch the space saver wheel, jack & tools.

Go on a diet

Beyond this, you are then looking at thinner glass (or perspex), carbon fibre body panels (such as bumpers, rear wings etc)

Obviously not many of the above are really practical for a daily use road car, but with a bit of ingenuity, you could save 50Kg or so, and combined a bit of mild tuning, you could make a big impact on performance and handling.

I think you'll find it's cheaper and more paractical to get more performance through tunring of the engine etc.

 

Ok.. thanks guys for the info!
Moray - nice idea but I need the 5door!

Sounds expensive all that magnesium, alu & carbon fibre ... though I do have a particular FETISH for Carbon Fibre.
(my lightest windsurfer is 5.9 Kg!)

I could maybe go for some of these (zero cost ones!) then and the obigatory Ind. kit & Exhaust upgrade. The combination should be

-Jack & spare
-Manual winders on the windows
-Rear head-rests
-Roof bars
-Under bonnet sound dampening.
-Some of the interior dampening/materials

I'm gonna weigh them though to check its actually worth it!! If I do it I'll let you know.

Now .. I just gotta figure out how to do this without the missus complaining!

Still saving for that 917K
Swa ....

 

I'd start by filling the tyres with Helium.....just make sure you tie it down beforehand......

 

If anyone does want an Alloy bonnet, mine will be for sale soon as Im going for a newer (heavier ! ) one.

Let me know if anyone would like to give it a try??

Richie

[This message has been edited by RichieC (edited 17-05-2000).]