Replace the mirror gubbins with a non-electric version? I know it won't save much, but it will lower the centre of gravity (only by a few mm, but every little helps, especially if the sound deadening is coming off the floor which will raise the centre of gravity...)

My current wheels are pretty light, so happy to leave them.

I think I will concentrate initially on that wirey padding stuff that's in some areas. Then start removing some bits of internal trim and see where metal can be lost.

OZ Superleggera's saved me around 2-2.5kg a wheel compared to light weight Oettinger wheels. In the 18"x8" I have they only weigh around 7.5kg each. I've seen a few threads on SCN detailing stripping out for weight saving so it may be worth you having a look on there.

If you don't use the rear seats why not take the rear seat belts out? They must be a couple of Kg.

Jase, remember your original exhaust idea- routing a short pipe behind the wheel. That would save a few kg, but then you'd have to be content smoking pedestrians only!

Can you tell us why you are trying to do this mate? I don't get it.

I know it's obvious that cutting weight = better performance and characteristics but why, you said you don't race? . Just curious what your goal is

How about ditching that big lump of pig iron up front :peepwall:

If you want to do it properly, ditch leccy windows, leccy mirrors, air con, ICE, spare wheel (although I think you've already ditched that), and lightweight windows, body panels and alloys.

Oh, and run around with 5 litres of fuel in the tank, and minimal fluid in the washer bottle

If you want to go extreme, you could ditch the battery too and get an F1 style starter

Chris

Oh, and run around with 5 litres of fuel in the tank, and minimal fluid in the washer bottle

I would never run my old clio with more than

I can't remember where I saw it but using a hole saw to put lots of holes in stuff apparently adds up to a lot without weakening things too much.

What about losing the roof and having a convertible? You wouldn't be too happy with the body flex tho' and you would need a rollbar/cage installed to be safe which would be expensive and negate the weight loss in the first place...

In my case, I could easily gain about 10bhp by going on a diet!!!!!!!

:confused: :confused: :confused: How do you gain engine power by lightning a car??

:confused: :confused: :confused: How do you gain engine power by lightning a car??

I think he is referring to power to weight, rather than actual engine power. Thinking of it as increasing the bhp per ton.

With the rear seats out etc isn't the weight ratio even more screwed?

I mean it was always going to be front heavy, but surely now it's worse??

With the rear seats out etc isn't the weight ratio even more screwed?

I mean it was always going to be front heavy, but surely now it's worse??

It is a bit out from the normal, but I run it with no back seats and am used to it now. I have a metal bonnet in the back as ballast at the moment though. The bonnet took some weight off the front, and I aim to take more off where I can.

It is a bit out from the normal, but I run it with no back seats and am used to it now. I have a metal bonnet in the back as ballast at the moment though. The bonnet took some weight off the front, and I aim to take more off where I can.

I'd really hit the front as much as you can mate, I really dont know what you can do but for now I'd forget the rest and invest in making that front end lighter.

If not then lightweight alloys, brakes etc.... as been suggested.

I agree with James - hit the front.

A lightweight battery could be an option worth considering...

And do you REALLY need aircon?

This all sounds very interesting.... but might it be worth just saving on the mince pies at Christmas?

And do you REALLY need aircon?

Not working at the minute anyway as I'm still to try and diagnose what the "high pressure sensor" is - It's what's stopping my aircon from working. Had various reports it might be the temp sensor, or might be a sensor actually in the engine bay somewhere around the aircon area. Damn, I miss Ross being around, who always could solve any problems with one post.... :(

Not working at the minute anyway as I'm still to try and diagnose what the "high pressure sensor" is - It's what's stopping my aircon from working. Had various reports it might be the temp sensor, or might be a sensor actually in the engine bay somewhere around the aircon area. Damn, I miss Ross being around, who always could solve any problems with one post.... :(

Well, remove the compressor and pipework, must be good for 10kgs!

Well, remove the compressor and pipework, must be good for 10kgs!

That's an easy decision to make in winter - I have to think about the summer though.

I agree with neo-vr. for any improvement, it's the unsprung weight you need to lower, and as the lower suspension components are a no-no, it's the brakes and the wheels/tyres that need to lose weight

but I suppose removing metal from the doors and maybe the rear winder mechanisms would be a start along with trim panels

I'd really hit the front as much as you can mate, I really dont know what you can do but for now I'd forget the rest and invest in making that front end lighter.

If not then lightweight alloys, brakes etc.... as been suggested.

Seconded.. the F/R distribution of a Fabia tdi/vrs is 86%/14% youve got a bigger turbo, bigger brakes and wheels and a FMIC that will easily weigh more than youve saved from the bonnett.

I can see the future... i can see the back overtaking the front and ending up a repeat of MK1

Drill loads of holes in the A pillars up the side of the windscreen, I mean you will never turn a Fabia over so why would the roof need to be strong.

Seconded.. the F/R distribution of a Fabia tdi/vrs is 86%/14% youve got a bigger turbo, bigger brakes and wheels and a FMIC that will easily weigh more than youve saved from the bonet.

Thirded!!

I think you need to look at that weight distribution first. How about moving the battery to the boot...... and if you wanted to go mad, the washer bottle too!!

How much does the LPG tank weigh compared to the spare wheel??

F/R weight ratio needs to be balanced.

Put the battery in the boot, (like a Mini).

Then you need some lightweight front wings, to match your bonnet.

I guess the front wings are just bolt-on items, so not too much work involved.

Next, you need to get rid of the weight that is up highest.

Do what they do with the WRCars and get plastic windows.

Drilling holes in the structure, similar to aero/spaceframe sounds a good idea, but isn't. If you look at structures with holes in, you will see that the holes are punched out and quite often allowed to generate a small lip. This actually strengthens the material. Just drilling holes will not save much weight and may effect the structural integrity.

Hmmm, move the battery?.... Think someone may be on to something there.... Trouble is with putting it in the boot, is being able to lift the boot carpet up... Could attach it to the left of the boot and cut a hole in the carpet.... Hmmmm. Also might free up some room for airflow.

Weight distrubtion is a much better idea. Agees ago I thought about moving the battery to the back to try and move some of the weight towards the rear.

Badger bill has the battery in the boot I think

Thirded!!

I think you need to look at that weight distribution first. How about moving the battery to the boot...... and if you wanted to go mad, the washer bottle too!!

How much does the LPG tank weigh compared to the spare wheel??

Hmm battery in the boot is very common mod for comp cars, but LPG and battery in the boot may not be such a smart move.

If you feel really keen on spanner work, and as you dont run back seats anyway, how about engine and gearbox in the rear? Major project, but think of the traction.

Chris

Hmm battery in the boot is very common mod for comp cars, but LPG and battery in the boot may not be such a smart move.

lpg and battery would be kept very separate, plus even if the tank fittings were too leak, they're sealed from the top so all the gas would go out through the electrical feed hole cut in the boot floor. Also saves gassing me. Is it just a case of running a 4AWG wire from the bonnet to the boot, a bit like running ICE? I remeber that when you lift the flap on the battery cover, there's another little section with about 6 or 7 thinner red wires coming off it, and then going to various places. :eek: Don't fancy running 7 or 8 wires from the battery....