Weights of Stock Parts

[slo-two]

I assume we all like composite parts for at least one of these reasons:

• They can save weight, thereby enhancing performance.
• They allow us to make custom shapes, dazzling and amazing onlookers.
• Clearcoated carbon fiber looks really nice.

Anyone most interested in the second and third reasons for using composites, please feel free to disregard the remainder of this thread.

If we're most interested in the first reason - weight savings - it makes a lot more sense if we know how much weight there is to save. Therefore, we ought to know how much the stock parts weigh. Hoods, doors, trunk and engine lids, that massive panel around the shift lever - how much can we really save by replacing them with composite parts? It seems that some sort of database might be helpful, and I guess I'm volunteering to put one together if people can supply some information as they come across it by whatever means: weighing things as repairs are being done, for example. (Sorry, I don't have time to completely disassemble my ride to weigh the parts, though I can come up with a few numbers over time). Or does such a database already exist, and I just haven't been able to find it by web search?

[AndrewMcG]

Info. stolen from Jekylhyderacing.com

Weight to be saved by removing a part or swapping to a lighter part:

Note: the '~' denotes the exact amount is not known, and that is a guestimate, most should be fairly accurate, though variation is possible depending on which aftermarket products are used.

This list was compiled by Jim a.k.a. Raptor13x

Trunk carpet and sound deadening material: 7.8 lbs
Spare tire and jack: ~45 lbs
Metal support that holds up the spare tire: ~2 lbs
Lightweight flywheel: ~10 lbs
Lightweight Clutch: ~5 lbs
Lightweight Racing Seats: ~20 lbs
Cruise Control: ~6 lbs
Lightweight battery: ~30 lbs
Downpipe: ~20 lbs
Aftermarket exhaust: ~30+lbs
Lightweight Wheels: ~15 lbs
Carbon Fiber hood: 24.4lbs
Carbon Fiber engine lid and sides: ~12 lbs
Carbon Fiber trunk lid: 9.8lbs
Carbon Fiber T-Tops: ~15 lbs
Carbon Fiber Sunroof: ~8 lbs
Spoiler Removal: 13.6 lbs
Power antenna motor: ~2 lbs
Lightweight steering wheel with no airbag: ~4 lbs
Rest of the airbag system: ~5 lbs
Floor mats: ~6 lbs
Carpet and sound deadening behind the seats on the firewall: 11.0 lbs
Front trunk plastic lining: ~1 lb
Remove trunk spring: 2.0 lbs
Power steering: ~30 lbs
Stereo and speakers: ~25 lbs
Air conditioning system: ~45 lbs
Replace Pop up Headlights with Flush Mount: ~15 lbs (per side - talk to Troy a.k.a trueleo)
Replace glass with lightweight lexan or Plexiglas: ~25 lbs
Lightweight Mirrors: ~15 lbs
Lightweight engine accessory brackets: ~15 lbs
Lightweight aftermarket brakes: ~35 lbs
Custom aluminum suspension pieces: ~10 lbs
Custom aluminum wheel hubs: ~20 lbs
Carbon Fiber Doors: ~40 lbs
Aftermarket engine management system: ~10 lbs
Harmonic balancer on rear crossmember: ~2 lbs
Manual locks and window conversion: ~8 lbs
Gut the interior: ~50 lbs
Windshield sprayers and reservoir: ~10 lbs if full
Metal knee plate behind driver's panel under dash ~ 2.2 lbs


Other Ideas MR2 Owners have shared
Heater element ~
Coolant lines to heater element ~
Coolant Bleeder Valve ~
Wiper arms and motors ~
Replace gas tank with fuel cell ~
Bumper reinforcements ~
Aluminum control arms ~
Custom tubed cross member ~
Remove heater controls (set up for derost only) ~
Remove EGR, charcoal canister and fuel pump resistors ~
JIC Magic FLT-A2s lighter than stock shocks ~
Alternator bracket weighs 11 lbs (find a cheaper alternative)
Aftermarket seats (the stockers weigh 36 lbs each)
Lightweight lugnuts ~
Remove side impact beams ~ 2-3 lbs
Front bumper reinforcement ~ 16 lbs


Some exact weight data:
Stock trunk lid: 14.8lbs
Stock '91 wing center section: 12.4lbs
Stock '91 wing side pieces: 1.2lbs each
Stock front hood: 31.4lbs
CF Trunk lid: 5lbs
Madpsi Competition Carbon Fiber Hood: 7.0lbs
Stock 91 Front Wheel+Tire: 35lbs
Stock 91 Rear Wheel+Tire: 40lbs
Stock 93 Front Wheel+Tire: 38lbs
Stock 93 Rear Wheel+Tire: 43lbs

Battery Options Model CCA @ 0 F Weight (lbs)
Batcap 800 800 10
Dynabatt Unknown 13.5
Genesis G16EP 280 13.5
Optima Yellow Top D34 650 42.9
Optima Yellow Top D34/78 650 43.8
Optima Yellow Top D6V 650 23.3
Optima Yellow Top D31T 900 59.8
Optima Yellow Top D31A 900 59.8
Optima Red Top 34 800 37.9
Optima Red Top 34/78 800 38.8
Optima Red Top 75/35 720 33.1
Optima Red Top 6V 800 18.4

[slo-two]

Wow, thanks, that's an impressive list. Kudos to you and R13x. It seems to add up to about 600 lb worth of ideas, though it's doubtful one could practically take off that much weight. The numbers here really help to show which modifications are likely to save the most weight per dollar. Only trouble is, there seems to be little correlation between saving weight and looking sharp...

[MrGrimm]

so uh, where can i find one of those carbon sunroofs you listed...

[Roman]

You can thank the obsessive Germans for this one.

http://www.rainbowstudios.com/people...sw20weight.jpg

[Raptor13x]

Yep, that list is truly amazing. Every stupid little part is measured in grams, lol.