mmm. no doors, modular space frame. Could this be the 1st Fabia Atom

Is this a good time to mention that the engine would actually be producing less power when running on LPG?

yank the window motors and replace with manual winders - save several Kgs right there....

As I've said before, save weight! Two types, sprung and unsprung.

The majority of the car's weight is supported by the car's springs and this is known as sprung weight. The weight of all the components not supported by the springs (including the springs themselves) is known as "unsprung weight". The unsprung weight therefore typically includes: wheels, tyres, brakes, springs and half the weight of the shock absorber and the suspension links. Note that those parts that connect the vehicle body to the suspension (or form part of it) only count as half weight because one end is part of the sprung weight of tnhe car, while the other end is unsprung.

Increasing the ratio of unsprung to sprung weight, especially when it is achieved by reucing the unsprung weight, will improve not only the general handling of the car but also traction (grip) in acceleration and braking, particularly on bumpy road surfaces. The reason being that weight creates inertia and the less inertia the unsprung components have, the more easily will the springs keep the tyres in contact with the road.

To answer your question. 5kg saved = 1 bhp gained. So your 40kg is an extra 8BHP. I thought unsprung weight came in at x2 (ie 2.5kg saved = 1 bhp), although I stand ready to be corrected.

Oh and sorry for rambling on.

/\ That all sounds about right. As I implied though, you've also gained power by not running on LPG in this case.

Now get rid of the brembo's get some 288mm fitted with the octy calipers with 2500 and get some lightweight 15's on with super sticky rubber

As I've said before, save weight! Two types, sprung and unsprung.

The majority of the car's weight is supported by the car's springs and this is known as sprung weight. The weight of all the components not supported by the springs (including the springs themselves) is known as "unsprung weight". The unsprung weight therefore typically includes: wheels, tyres, brakes, springs and half the weight of the shock absorber and the suspension links. Note that those parts that connect the vehicle body to the suspension (or form part of it) only count as half weight because one end is part of the sprung weight of tnhe car, while the other end is unsprung.

Increasing the ratio of unsprung to sprung weight, especially when it is achieved by reucing the unsprung weight, will improve not only the general handling of the car but also traction (grip) in acceleration and braking, particularly on bumpy road surfaces. The reason being that weight creates inertia and the less inertia the unsprung components have, the more easily will the springs keep the tyres in contact with the road.

To answer your question. 5kg saved = 1 bhp gained. So your 40kg is an extra 8BHP. I thought unsprung weight came in at x2 (ie 2.5kg saved = 1 bhp), although I stand ready to be corrected.

Oh and sorry for rambling on.

thanks for the facts - so I could gain a lotta bhp just by going on a diet! about 8-10 bhp in fact. Jase hasn't got that advantage unfortunately

Oh well......

How usable does the car have to be?

Fully laden doors weigh a bit, even the rear ones but especially the fronts. The rear hatch seems quite weighty, also. Would you weld up the rear doors and rear hatch? Make a mini type boot arrangement, replacing all the glass in the rear of the car with perspex or fixed, thinner glass? You could also bin any hinges, reinforcement plates and cut holes in lots of steel bits anywhere near where there was an apperture.

Question? Is it possible to have a 5 speed transmission and clutch that will take the abuse and still weigh in 30-50kg less? Can you live with a straight cut and/or semi-helical gearset?

J.

Jase

What seats have you got? I took the standard front seats out of my Octy (I put them back in afterwards ) and they were effing heavy!

As for windows, you could look here (though not sure why they list the Fabia as three door):

Plastics 4 Performance - Applications List

And then for door trims, chuck the originals and have some made by these people:

http://www.performancetrim.co.uk/

Jase

What seats have you got? I took the standard front seats out of my Octy (I put them back in afterwards ) and they were effing heavy!

As for windows, you could look here (though not sure why they list the Fabia as three door):

Plastics 4 Performance - Applications List

And then for door trims, chuck the originals and have some made by these people:

http://www.performancetrim.co.uk/

Standard fabia seats, which aren't "too" heavy. Wanting mk5 GTI ones long term though. When it comes to what I sit in/on, I won't really care about weight as long as it's comfortable and supporting.

Thanks for the links.

Question? Is it possible to have a 5 speed transmission and clutch that will take the abuse and still weigh in 30-50kg less?

J.

A few years back the polo TDI racer was fitted with the 5 speed gearbox.

Volkswagen Polo GT TDI Racer

And then for door trims, chuck the originals and have some made by these people:

http://www.performancetrim.co.uk/

Carbon roof anyone

As I've said before, save weight! Two types, sprung and unsprung.

The majority of the car's weight is supported by the car's springs and this is known as sprung weight. The weight of all the components not supported by the springs (including the springs themselves) is known as "unsprung weight". The unsprung weight therefore typically includes: wheels, tyres, brakes, springs and half the weight of the shock absorber and the suspension links. Note that those parts that connect the vehicle body to the suspension (or form part of it) only count as half weight because one end is part of the sprung weight of tnhe car, while the other end is unsprung.

Increasing the ratio of unsprung to sprung weight, especially when it is achieved by reucing the unsprung weight, will improve not only the general handling of the car but also traction (grip) in acceleration and braking, particularly on bumpy road surfaces. The reason being that weight creates inertia and the less inertia the unsprung components have, the more easily will the springs keep the tyres in contact with the road.

To answer your question. 5kg saved = 1 bhp gained. So your 40kg is an extra 8BHP. I thought unsprung weight came in at x2 (ie 2.5kg saved = 1 bhp), although I stand ready to be corrected.

Oh and sorry for rambling on.

Carbon roof anyone

Don't know if you can get the big roof conversion in carbon

JG, that is a stunning likeness of me :eek:

Take the carpets and soundproofing out Jase.... Wieghs a ton. Although my car has less power, I just timed it on the Gtech at 6.2 to 60 (2nd gear start), and 14.75 to 100.

Don't know if you can get the big roof conversion in carbon

How about an underbody skin to reduce drag?

Take the carpets and soundproofing out Jase.... Wieghs a ton. Although my car has less power, I just timed it on the Gtech at 6.2 to 60 (2nd gear start), and 14.75 to 100.

That explains a lot. I think the 0-100 of mine is around 16.5 secs (with a competant driver obviously:(). I think the extra 400kg has something to do with it:D

Do you think I would harm my residuals if i ripped all the interior out?

Maybe just a touch! Actually, if done "properly", you could get most of them out, store them, and replace them when selling on.

There's lots of screws, clips and plastic lugs you need to keep track of if you go the whole hog with the interior.

Thats assuming you ever plan on putting it all back in..

Perhaps I could start with cross drilling my tow bar and using an ipod nano, oh and giving up alcohol, Chocolate and crisps.

Perhaps I could start with cross drilling my tow bar and using an ipod nano, oh and giving up alcohol, Chocolate and crisps.

Go the whole hog.. get a skin head.. 200 grams lighter easy peasy :P

Go the whole hog.. get a skin head.. 200 grams lighter easy peasy :P

I always thought my nose was a bit too long and pointy, wonder what saving could be made if I had ¼’’ shaved off it.

I always thought my nose was a bit too long and pointy, wonder what saving could be made if I had ¼’’ shaved off it.

Is that..

You think your nose is too long to sport a skin head hair cut but you wonder what wieght you could save by having 1/4" taken off your hair.

OR..

You wonder how much weight you could save by getting a nose job?

:confused:

Why not do both?

Is that..

You think your nose is too long to sport a skin head hair cut but you wonder what wieght you could save by having 1/4" taken off your hair.

OR..

You wonder how much weight you could save by getting a nose job?

:confused:

Why not do both?

You’re not helping you know.........

.........:D

Guess I had better put the boob job on hold (unless they do helium ones?)