LindsayP Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 This is my very first posting in the new club message board, so here goes... I am trying to lose weight from my sprint car. Obvious things have been done such as alloy uprights, ally 4pots, lightweight body, no heater etc. Im now looking for the less obvious areas in which i can either drill big holes, hollow out or replace with aluminium equivalents. Any clever (affordable)suggestions anybody? Heres a starter for 10...The outer steering column (tube) seems to do nothing other than provide support for the inner steering column, using bushes at either end - can the outer column be lightened with drilled holes - indeed could the mid section of the outer column be removed all together, just leaving the bits with the bushes in, bolted to the chasis. Can you buy aluminium equivalents of the solid steel steering columns, i.e the inner one mentioned above and the one with UJ's at each end that goes to the rack. BTW..before anybody mentions it, yes the driver could lose 2 stone - this is "Work in Progress". Prize for the most original suggestion. Regards Lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Let Blatgirl drive it. You'll save at least 7 stone Not sure I'd mess with the steering column too much, especially if you're planning on going to Dunkeswell again It's nice idea though. Ta........ What about 13" rims? I saved 28kg's swapping my 15's for 13's..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricdiggle Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 You could take the engine out and the petrol tank. Or did you want to save weight and go faster? Or you could get a removable steering wheel and drive it using a spanner on the column. (maybe this is why I keep spinning! Hope that's of some use and remember - I'm just up the road should I win the prize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricdiggle Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Or what about making it into a hovercraft? They're so light they float you know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindsayP Posted January 8, 2002 Author Share Posted January 8, 2002 Blatgirl.....she can have a drive anytime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 I know some of these have been suggested above, but this is largely the things I've done to my car and which I reckon will save about 60kgs minimum. I appreciate you won't be able to do all of them if you want to remain in the road-going class, but they all add up.... Remove the heater and associated plumbing. Remove screen, wipers, etc. Lightweight seat, e.g. two-pack foam jobby. 13" wheels Alloy hubs and uprights, at the very least alloy hubs Alloy 4 pot calipers VW Golf 16v rear calipers (apparently) Replace standard instruments with a Stack dash display - means you a) get rid of the heavy instruments and b) can get rid of a large chunk of the wiring loom Lightweight wiring loom Alloy gearbox casing Alloy engine block Remove any remaining interior trim Replace boot box with flat sheet of carbon If you're running a swirl-pot based fuel system then swap to an injection fuel tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee_fin Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Incidentally, some figures on component weights on our site - www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk/weight/index.html A small but growing database. I was once told that when given to the right person it's more than possible to chop kg's off the XE block (although I haven't tried this yet). Latest weight saving I'm subscribing to was modifying the disks. IM Motors in Taunton had some stunning modified *cough* Cortina *cough* disks. Thinned, crossdrilled, etc, saving 1.2kg a corner. Cost was about £120 for four.... Graeme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatgirl Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Linds....... I hope Jackie isn't reading this Oh no, thats the door.........Blatman's home Oh yes, BTW..before anybody mentions it, yes the driver could lose 2 stone Stairmaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Lindsay, I would not replace any of your steering components with alli. It has very different strength and fatigue properties. I am not even too keen on the steering arms on the uprights as these bend and show stress lines very easily. however any bolts that are not load bearing on the car can be replaced with alli ones (eg engine covers) also other bolts can be shaved down to be the exact length to hit a nyloc and no longer. (this is quite cheap) Also you may be able to replace gearbox front casting (quaife),engine block (qed) and depending on the diff type you have you may be able to change it as well. (+£££) try also to reduce the volumes of fluids and resevoirs that you have. eg cooling system, fuel system. Then as other have said a lighter set of wheels could help. (image) (£££) lighter battery (redtop 15) I wouldnt be too keen drilling holes in the chassis as you may save weight but possibly at the cost of chassis rigidity / crash safety. what is the weight of your car now, (ie is your car heavy or already as light as they go ?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arm Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Losing weight ! You're fast enough already,,, should be bl**** well handicapped in fact I think you should be made to compete with Steve Davis sat in the passenger seat that'll both slow you down and teach him how to drive on real tyres. Try lead undersheets ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 Examine your cooling system and see if the radiator acn be moved nearer to the engine and the epansion tank relocated to cut down on plumbing and also water weight. I have also heard that a Halfords equivalent of the Vauxhall starter motor for the VX saves 3kg. Use cross drilled stndard size disks Drill a 4mm hole through any wishbone bolts (normally 7/16" diameter) Use a 3 point harness on the passeger side to reduce the amount of metal components required. Use socket headed dome head bolts where possible. If you really want to modify the steering column, modify the inner column by cutting the ends off and sleeving them with a tube to replace the solid inner. Ditch the extinguisher (only recommended for road going) Use a 2 gallon petrol tank. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee_fin Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 I think the starter motor you're looking for is made by Valeo. I recently got a reconditioned starter motor from the local specialists and it came out over 2kg lighter :-o Seemed a lot more alloy bits/casing than there was before but it seems to work *crosses fingers* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindsayP Posted January 9, 2002 Author Share Posted January 9, 2002 Thanks for your replies everybody. Decided to go commando under the race suit- that should save some weight.......and laundry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 Maybe but it might add some weight on the return to the paddock if you gert it wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 Decided to go commando under the race suit- that should save some weight More information than we needed................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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