DSP Weight Reduction

[jmauld]

I have a S14 SE that I ran in DSP last year and plan on keeping it there this year. Are there any non-SE parts that I can use that are lighter. Do the SEs have more sound deadening then the non-SEs?

Here's what I have determined so far.
Aftermarket stereo and removal of rear amps
power to non power antenna
Trunk lid
Cruise Control
Fog lights

Has anyone weighed the leather rear seats vs the cloth rear seats?

Anything that I'm missing?

[Rennen]

You might have already done most of this but:

A/C removal
Emisssions controls removal
straight pipe for exhaust
header
lighter battery
lighter wheels
steering wheel
mechanical fan and shroud removal
racing seats for driver and passenger
4 lug hubs :)



Another option you might look into is update/backdate of S13 parts since our cars are listed as "240 SX (all)" S13 rear seats might be lighter, and as long as they can somewhow bolt up, they are legal.

[SlideStar]

not trying to be a jerk but......Just search there has been a ton of threads about weight reduction.

[AKADriver]

But not weight reduction within DSP rules, which don't allow popular weight reduction methods like interior removal.

[jmauld]

Exactly. I need creative ideas like the rear seat idea by Rennen. You can't just blindly start pulling parts.

[hurleyboi514]

hmm... very intresting thread. you can also sub harness for your stock seat belts. i put in 2 harness's and gutted out all that auto seat belt crap.

[AutoRnD]

man.. when i used to autox... i had everything gutted and with scca rules.. i got dropped in EP... it wasnt fun.... =*(
why does autox have to be so.. communist like.. having to do things a certain way yada yada yada

[HaLo]

I don't see how communism fills in here, but auto-x has rules and guidelines so cars can be evenly matched in the same class. I don't see what's wrong with that.

[thx247]

If I had to draw a similarity to communism and autox...it would be the time invested to seat time ratio. 6 hours spent, to drive 3 minutes. I miss autox, but not anything else about it.

Can you replace the battery with something lighter/smaller?

[jmauld]

Yes, I'm ordering the Hawker Genesis battery which is just over 10lbs.

[nocomedown]

If I had to draw a similarity to communism and autox...it would be the time invested to seat time ratio. 6 hours spent, to drive 3 minutes. I miss autox, but not anything else about it.

Can you replace the battery with something lighter/smaller?
the fact is that autoxing is the easiest, most accessible, and by far the cheapest way to get seat time and improve your skills. sure it takes a whole day to get in a few runs, and the rules are strict, but it's still a hell of a lot of fun. the way i see it, i don't care if i'm competing for trophies because i'm in a class where my car is outmatched as long as i'm continuously improving my skills and having a good time.

on topic: very interesting thread. i'll be trying to get my 240 set up for DSP as a long term project, and it'll be interesting to see exactly what i can and cannot do to achieve this.

[nlzmo400r]

I don't see how communism fills in here, but auto-x has rules and guidelines so cars can be evenly matched in the same class. I don't see what's wrong with that.
i can understand both sides here. Since my car is gutted, they want to put me in EP class(even though i have bald mastercraft tires), when a car with more power (perhaps an ITR) that has new 225/5o/r16 falken azenis tires could still compete in STS (when his 25oo lb curbweight is still probably as light as my car gutted)

[Var]

doesnt seem like there are any major things you can swap. The weight difference wont improve your times but a few tenths of a second. Your driving skill will make the bigger difference in the end.

[AutoRnD]

i dunno...
i had a no interior car..
with spring and shocks
as well as intake and exhaust.
The guys that ran let me do sts. But when i placed first that day they all kicked me out and i went to ep..
So does weight really make that much different. our interiors can't be that heavy can it? Oh yeah they also said that the c-west headlight vent was an illegal modification as well

[Var]

i dunno...
i had a no interior car..
with spring and shocks
as well as intake and exhaust.
The guys that ran let me do sts. But when i placed first that day they all kicked me out and i went to ep..
So does weight really make that much different. our interiors can't be that heavy can it? Oh yeah they also said that the c-west headlight vent was an illegal modification as well

well weight makes a big difference when you can get rid of it, but when you have to replace it with marginally lighter items it's just a matter of opinion whether it's worth it or not.

[jmauld]

Just with the things posted in here, there's at least 150lbs of weight removal. So, yes it's worth it. Those marginal items can add up to a lot. I bet there's more. Too bad I don't have more spare 240s to compare.

Looking at ways to save weight doesn't hinder me from working on my driving skills.

[Var]

This is stuff that has been covered. What new things have been stated here that would help you? i dont think 150lbs worth. I never said finding ways to make your car lighter would hinder your improvement as a driver.



--i'm not trying to convince you not do do these things. i'm not going to be convinced by you that it's worth it. no argument needed here. good day

[jmauld]

no argument needed here. good day

Then why did you make the arguement that it wasn't worth it to begin with?

Obviously, it's not going to be worth it to some people. However, obviously there are others who would like to know. If you're not one of those, then how does this effect you one way or the other?

The fact is, DSP limits the amount of mods that you can do to your car. If you're wanting to get the most out of it, then you have to be willing to take advantage of what the rules allow.

If this post is so bothersome, just have the mods remove it. I don't care, I was just trying to actually discuss motorsports for a change.

[Var]

DUDE...i said


it's just a matter of opinion whether it's worth it or not.


stop trying to argue with me. i can go on for days or until this thread gets locked

[HaLo]

MAximizing the rules of a certain class to your advantage is a good idea... But in the end, Auto-x is all about driving skills. :)

But, you have to make the most of the rules.

[thx247]

the fact is that autoxing is the easiest, most accessible, and by far the cheapest way to get seat time and improve your skills. sure it takes a whole day to get in a few runs, and the rules are strict, but it's still a hell of a lot of fun. the way i see it, i don't care if i'm competing for trophies because i'm in a class where my car is outmatched as long as i'm continuously improving my skills and having a good time.

I agree that its the easiest most accessible way to drive, and probably to improve your skills for a new driver. But cheapest way to drive- I disagree.

$80 for SCCA membership, $30 dollars to run one class.

vs track time which can be anywhere between $100 and $140 depending on who you run with. 2 hours of seat time or more depending.

Autox basically is a huge convenience fee.

Cost over time:

$43 per min for your first autox event.
$10 per min after that.

$1 per min on the track, maybe slightly more, slightly less depending on costs.

Autox is really expensive when you break it down. And you don't get nearly enough seat time unless your region is fun-run-city.

Don't get me wrong I'll take my kids to autox or whatever its called by then when they start driving, its a great, safe place to learn the limits of a car. But if they show any interest after thats its off to the track with them.

[nocomedown]

I agree that its the easiest most accessible way to drive, and probably to improve your skills for a new driver. But cheapest way to drive- I disagree.

$80 for SCCA membership, $30 dollars to run one class.

vs track time which can be anywhere between $100 and $140 depending on who you run with. 2 hours of seat time or more depending.

Autox basically is a huge convenience fee.

Cost over time:

$43 per min for your first autox event.
$10 per min after that.

$1 per min on the track, maybe slightly more, slightly less depending on costs.

Autox is really expensive when you break it down. And you don't get nearly enough seat time unless your region is fun-run-city.

Don't get me wrong I'll take my kids to autox or whatever its called by then when they start driving, its a great, safe place to learn the limits of a car. But if they show any interest after thats its off to the track with them.
you don't have to join SCCA to run. i'll put it this way, my first day out, i payed about $30 and i got to do 6 runs at around 50 seconds each. to me, it was well worth it. i got a lot of good instruction from experienced drivers and had a hell of a time just tossing my car around. sure a racing school or track day might be more beneficial, but for the money, autox is quite nice. especially considering the fact that you can find one going on most weekends during the season.

[Var]

to me, it was well worth it. i got a lot of good instruction from experienced drivers and had a hell of a time just tossing my car around.

Surely it's fun or else people wouldnt do it. And it's well worth it in your opinions. But THX broke it down in technical terms. you are paying more per minute to run.

sure a racing school or track day might be more beneficial, but for the money, autox is quite nice. .

good phrasing. For the money auto-x is quite nice, but you still payed 6 dollars per minute to run

[thx247]

Maybe there are more groups that do autox that are not on the west coast, but basically in California its SCCA or nothing. The SCCA managed to price out everyone else. It doesn't cost 6k to rent a parking lot unless someone is willing to pay 6k.

If I could pay 30 bucks to run 6 minutes and it didn't take 4 hours I'd probably still goto Autox's. It was a easy way to test tune the car.

[North240]

Just to throw out a northeast point of veiw, i dont have a lot of track day options noe is auto-x that pricey out here its $25/day or $20/day if your a member. Really not that bad, dont get me wrong i want to do some track days but when they cost me in the upwards of $300 total costs, i cant afford more than 1 a summer. right now auto-x every other weekend is the way to go.

[Cr0usEEE]

track days would be nice....but for me to do track day in the north east requires...

hotel stay or camping
new set of brake pads
possibly new/different set of tires

and now since most clubs require it a full face helmet sa approved helmet...i like my open face...glasses and all