Heya guys, it's been a long while since I was here, and I wanted to bounce a bunch of ideas of yas, I'm not an engineer, and I don't know that much about cars like most of you do, so bear with me here if my information is off....
Most of this is weight related, first off I'd like to know what the best weight reductions for the 8 could be, and what are some of the minimum weighs you guys have gotten the 8 down to?

I was just thinking of how important weight can be, take the Lotus elise for example, car is pretty fast with a Toyota celica engine? It's must be due to the fact that it only weighs 1600 pounds.

Which brings me to the frustration that I have with certain car companies, I think they mainly try to focus on giving to car more power, and not reducing the amount of weight. Take the new Ford mustang for example, that car could be so much faster if they just somehow found a way to drop 500 pounds off it. What gets me even more is there are some sports cars that only have two seats, and are smaller than the 8, but somehow they end up weighing more....

I saw an 80k formula 1 type car with the renisis engine that does 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, I didn't see anything about turbocharging it or supercharging it, so I'm guessing that's all due to the weight of the vehicle too...And reducing weight puts less strain on the engine, and requires less maintenance than other options...

So...where can we get rid of the most? I know the 8 is considered a pretty light car to begin with, but I know there's always improvements....

 

Rims are a good start. Although it may only be a few pounds, it is a part of the drivetrain, so it makes quite a difference. Carbon fiber hood and other components may only save you a few pounds. Those are the only two I can think of if you want the car to remain as a daily driver. If you want to take it one step farther, you can shave off all the hairs on your body and drive naked. :p

 

or just get rid of the back seats all together!

theres other things like lightwieght pullies and flywheels right ?

I was definitly tihnking about swappign those out....

 

Check out what Charles is working on. Click here

 

I agree with the rims and would at the flywheel. Cutting rotational mass will help with acceleration the most. Some early RX7's took out the standard battery and installed a motorcycle style battery to cut weight. I wouldn't do this in cold weather. You need the cranking amps. A cat back exhaust could save some weight also. I though I heard the exhaust manfold was heavy, a header would weigh less.
I don't think the cost/benefit of CF body parts is worth it, but every little bit adds up.
How about the driver, can any weight be lost there? I don't know you. But if your looking to get weight out of the car, it is also a place to look.

 

well...I currently wiegh 150, no joke, ...altohugh I should wiegh about 145 140.

 

Lighter battery is the cheapest way to knock off some weight. Titanium exhaust, rims, my hi-flow cat from SR Motorsports knocked 12 lbs. off from the stock cat & resonator unit. Even tires. Toyo T1S are a few lbs. lighter than other tires. Maybe some Sparco seats vs. stock.

 

Well, the sophisticated electronic systems from DSC, the fog lights, leather, and navigation all add substantial heft, so if your first concern is weight, go with the base base model.

Next, get rid of the floormats, engine cover, replace the seats with lightweight racing seats, and rip out the back seats.

On rx8store.com you can get carbon fiber parts - replace the hood, front bumper, and rear bumper all with carbon fiber pieces.

Replace the wheels with something lighter - SSR comps are good, but expensive.

Exhaust, intake, midpipe etc . . . can all be replaced with carbon fiber and titanium replacements that should shave off some weight.

Pullies and a flywheel will cut rotating mass

Other than that, go on a diet.


Personally, my mantra is to go with what makes the car nice - comfort, driveability, and good looks, and then just add more power. Generally its the ricers you see driving around in fully gutted cars with all carbon fiber parts. The only lightened thing I would truly recommend is a hood - get it with vents - you'll notice your engine temperatures drop significantly. As far as exhausts etc, almost any aftermarket part weighs less than stock.
I wouldn't go with flywheel because it ***** up the drivability of the car.
Rims aren't as big an issue as a lot of people make them out to be if you can simply make power - get a turbo, problem solved - it'll be cheaper in the long run.

 

SImple stuff- Carbon Fiber Hood, Light wieght racing seats (sparco's or a nice carbon/kevlar appulstered bucket seat, CF bts were you can find them, lighter exhaust, lighter pulley's, lighter flywheel, etc...

Hardcore stuff- Gut interior, leave the dash and everything else, just take out the carperting. Take out the back seats and anything that could have been usefull back there.

 

I am thinking aluminum roll cage and a new Autoexe underbody brace, which is lighter then stock....