The official weight reduction thread
Actually the factory FMIC is a great unit./but offen hold back as a secret, very light and capable for good hp/
about the weight you can feel the full and the almost empty tank of gas too. So i think the best mods for a X is a weight reduction. But i think to do weight reduction is good when you really want to move out stuff...
Anyway, not a bad idea to move out the spare tires, jacks etc.i dont know how heavy the rear seats and how easy to take them out. But on the previus models was an easy job/ less then 3 minutes/ worth to take it them too. Empty glove compartment, etc.
weight reduction is improve the overall performance /breaking, cornering, accelerating/
and less load for the car./ on the engine ,breaks, tranny/
one of the best modification out there
about the weight you can feel the full and the almost empty tank of gas too. So i think the best mods for a X is a weight reduction. But i think to do weight reduction is good when you really want to move out stuff...
Anyway, not a bad idea to move out the spare tires, jacks etc.i dont know how heavy the rear seats and how easy to take them out. But on the previus models was an easy job/ less then 3 minutes/ worth to take it them too. Empty glove compartment, etc.
weight reduction is improve the overall performance /breaking, cornering, accelerating/
and less load for the car./ on the engine ,breaks, tranny/
one of the best modification out there
Last edited by Robevo RS; Feb 21, 2008 at 06:17 PM.
usual goodies are Front brake rotors switch to the MR style save alot of wt each and its rotational mass. lighter rims front and rear. the front shock setup is heavy and would benefit from coilovers. not to mention height adjustment.. the exhaust is cast iron and a switch would save alot of front end wt. lighter cam wheels. FMIC that is better and lighter will be difficult but you could find one. FMIC piping would shave a few pounds. lighter front sway bar could be hollow instead of soild like they did for the VIII. , full TBE would help as well. just a few off the top of my head. should get you about 60 -70 lbs . then as always, if you are to round in the middle drop 10-20 lbs your car will lover you for it.
I guess it just sounds expensive! When you start replacing stock for lighter after market parts.
But i'll def. take your word on it! ty.
Unsprung weight is also one of the worst things to have, that is anything that is not supported by the suspension such as calipers, rotors, lugnuts, wheels, tires, etc.
In drag racing you just want the least amount of weight possible, but in road racing it becomes very critical WHERE that weight is removed or put. But even a street car can benefit from stripping weight (gas mileage, braking, acceleration) and weight centralizing (braking, accelerating, handling).
- Patrick
bingo
i also say
1. shed all of the pannels in the trunk
2. take out the 3 headrests in the rear seat
lets not forget about the stuff that weighs in when you buy the car so:
3. dont get the SSS or Aero package, that will save you good 60-75lbs,
thats why the base/barebone gsr weighs in at below 3500lbs, i believ
i also say
1. shed all of the pannels in the trunk
2. take out the 3 headrests in the rear seat
lets not forget about the stuff that weighs in when you buy the car so:
3. dont get the SSS or Aero package, that will save you good 60-75lbs,
thats why the base/barebone gsr weighs in at below 3500lbs, i believ
Back in the day my dad told me that he used to cut off the extra thread on bolts to reduce wait in his 67 mustang gt350. By the way his 67 mustang gt350 is the same one that is on horsepower tv all the time on speedvision. Unfortunally he does not own the car anymore but was the orginal owner.
On a front engine car, especially one with a AWD-based chassis, the weight bias is always towards the front because of simple engineering. The engine is the heaviest component of the car, and on a FWD-based (like the Evo) or AWD-based chassis (like the STi), the engine is almost always either over or in front of the front axle. The whole point of weight balance is to centralize the weight as much as possible. You see this a lot on motorcycles (like the center tail exit exhaust systems, for instance). Any significant weight that goes outside (front or rear) the axles has a huge effect on handling and braking. This is why the best handling and braking cars are usually mid engine of some form (for instance, front mid like the 350Z or rear mid like a Ferrari). Porsche is a little weird since they have stuck to rear engine (engine rear of the rear axle) which centralizes the primary weight to the rear.
Unsprung weight is also one of the worst things to have, that is anything that is not supported by the suspension such as calipers, rotors, lugnuts, wheels, tires, etc.
In drag racing you just want the least amount of weight possible, but in road racing it becomes very critical WHERE that weight is removed or put. But even a street car can benefit from stripping weight (gas mileage, braking, acceleration) and weight centralizing (braking, accelerating, handling).
- Patrick
Unsprung weight is also one of the worst things to have, that is anything that is not supported by the suspension such as calipers, rotors, lugnuts, wheels, tires, etc.
In drag racing you just want the least amount of weight possible, but in road racing it becomes very critical WHERE that weight is removed or put. But even a street car can benefit from stripping weight (gas mileage, braking, acceleration) and weight centralizing (braking, accelerating, handling).
- Patrick
<- Stands up and claps. Yaay! Somebody gets it!
Yeah, I don't want to pull the spare, put in a smaller battery, pull the sub, pull the jack, etc, because that stuff is in the back. I just want weight out of the front. I heard our bumper beams are now aluminum. I guess the 47 airbags in the car contribute to weight too.

Of all the reasons not to take a bumper beam out, the biggest concern is the crash effect with no beam for my daughter. The second biggest concern is what the insurance adjuster would say when he sees there is no bumper beam and the car got triple the damage it would have with the beam in place. There is no way I'm pulling that beam, though I would on a dedicated track car in a heartbeat.
On a front engine car, especially one with a AWD-based chassis, the weight bias is always towards the front because of simple engineering. The engine is the heaviest component of the car, and on a FWD-based (like the Evo) or AWD-based chassis (like the STi), the engine is almost always either over or in front of the front axle. The whole point of weight balance is to centralize the weight as much as possible. You see this a lot on motorcycles (like the center tail exit exhaust systems, for instance). Any significant weight that goes outside (front or rear) the axles has a huge effect on handling and braking. This is why the best handling and braking cars are usually mid engine of some form (for instance, front mid like the 350Z or rear mid like a Ferrari). Porsche is a little weird since they have stuck to rear engine (engine rear of the rear axle) which centralizes the primary weight to the rear.
Unsprung weight is also one of the worst things to have, that is anything that is not supported by the suspension such as calipers, rotors, lugnuts, wheels, tires, etc.
In drag racing you just want the least amount of weight possible, but in road racing it becomes very critical WHERE that weight is removed or put. But even a street car can benefit from stripping weight (gas mileage, braking, acceleration) and weight centralizing (braking, accelerating, handling).
- Patrick
Unsprung weight is also one of the worst things to have, that is anything that is not supported by the suspension such as calipers, rotors, lugnuts, wheels, tires, etc.
In drag racing you just want the least amount of weight possible, but in road racing it becomes very critical WHERE that weight is removed or put. But even a street car can benefit from stripping weight (gas mileage, braking, acceleration) and weight centralizing (braking, accelerating, handling).
- Patrick
I understand the concept of releasing unsprung weight but what are you trying to accomplish by this? I know the X can't possibly oversteer like the 8-9. And if you're drag racing I would serious reconsider devoting your time on weight and figure out how much abuse the AYC can take.
No SSS package
Titanium or thin wall stainless single exit exhaust
Aftermarket tubular manifold and downpipe
Aftermarket front and rear bumpers made of light fiberglass or carbon
Race seats
Race steering wheel
Aluminum intake and IC pipes
Titanium or thin wall stainless single exit exhaust
Aftermarket tubular manifold and downpipe
Aftermarket front and rear bumpers made of light fiberglass or carbon
Race seats
Race steering wheel
Aluminum intake and IC pipes
I realize that weight plays a huge factor is handling, and acceleration, but 20 pounds? Cmon man, there is no way your going to feel a difference in acceleration with 20 pounds cut out of the front bumper. Handling....maybe a tad bit, but I still would be suprised if it actually made a difference. Thats why if you decided to lose weight on the X, and really want a significant increase in both straight line, and handling, and braking. Then your going to need to be able to shed more then 75 pounds to have it make a difference that is actually worth it. I undertand what you are saying though, and your explination was great about weight distribution and engine location, but I think its safe to say that major things will be needed to remove from the X, to really make a difference, Then add high priced carbon fiber stuff.








