I want to put the fabia on a diet and balancing the weight evenly.

Other the the air con unit is there anything surplus that can be removed?

Stick an elephant in the boot

Rofl. The two common ones (well, not common, but ones that have been done) are taking the aircon out, and moving the battery to the boot.

Spare wheel?

No, can of tyre foam :-)

I want to put the fabia on a diet and balancing the weight evenly.

Other the the air con unit is there anything surplus that can be removed?

Biggest issues "balance" wise are the engine and gearbox. They're both very hefty. Can't do too much about those unless you can figure a way of moving them backwards and downwards slightly (even an inch or two would help).

Other than that, battery to the boot or buy a lightweight battery. Lithium batteries are available that are "tiny" but with a HUGE price.

Other than that, as you said, aircon removal.

If not carrying back seat passengers, the rear seat backs weigh quite a lot.

Factory exhaust pipes and boxes can also weigh lots. I guess a stainless steel exhaust and decat would lose a few pounds... I've no definitive source for info on that though.

J.

Also expensive options are a carbon bonnet and a clutch kit using a lighter flywheel.

Door cards under seat storage engine cover. All weigh a bit

How about your own weight??

You see people concerned about their car's performance and weight reduction and they are massive themselves.

(Not saying your massive, never seen you). Lol.

Door cards under seat storage engine cover. All weigh a bit

Nothing compared to the bonnet itself, plus I would never count door cards as "front" - for me they are also more useful complete and fitted.

Battery in the boot is always a good one as you are moving, rather than REmoving weight. 15kg off the front, smack over the rear wheels.

Remove the plastic caps from the wheelnuts and make sure the ashtray is empty.

I'm only 70Kg, I can have few more pies

I guess that the final answer to my question is not much, I started researching on moving the batteries in the boot where the spare wheel is.

More research is needed...

Reduce rolling weight, lighter wheels and discs?

Also lighter droplinks, TissMe linked to some awhile back?

I've just moved the battery into the spare wheel well so it sits lower and well away from that heavy engine. Also removed the air con compressor and running a shorter aux belt to compensate. Been out for a good test drive and very pleased with the results. I can feel the difference. Car feels more nimble and just better balenced. I have no spare wheel or rear seat btw.

I see you're running power under the car. When I did this there didn't appear to be a logical route so I went inside, down the nearside kick strip trim and through to the engine bay behind the glovebox. Earthing was easy enough though.

can you not just get one of them smaller dry cell batteries like on rally cars

I see you're running power under the car. When I did this there didn't appear to be a logical route so I went inside, down the nearside kick strip trim and through to the engine bay behind the glovebox. Earthing was easy enough though.

My local garage did the job and seem to of done a very neat job. A quick look under the car and i can't seem to see any wire so it's well tucked away. When i lift the bonnet now i get the feeling somethings missing (like you've just lost a tooth)but i'm getting use to it now lol. The loss of the battery also means easy access to head light bulbs and power steering fluid. The removal of the air con compressor was also painless, loosing even more weight.

Thanks for your advise on this 'hard core mod' Jason!

can you not just get one of them smaller dry cell batteries like on rally cars

Yes you can but i'm not to bothered about the total weight of the car but where the the weight is. Lower and away from the engine is good. My mate has one of those odyssey batteries and it's always going flat but is only the size of a motorbike battery.

I was running Nissan Micra size batteries on my 350Z and it wasn't fun in the winter!

Did you guys had/have problems with the MOT?