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Need some hardcore ideas on extreme weight reduction

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Old 09-28-2005 | 12:00 AM
  #1  
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Need some hardcore ideas on extreme weight reduction

Well let me first say that my car currently weighs 2450 with full leather interior,it's auto with sunroof also.

The car was vandalized so with this incident and from a previous accident (someone hit me and left a small dent in one of the doors that i didn't fix).I am not going to do any body work from the vandalism i just fixed the lights. Both insurance companys have paid me more than i paid for the car.It may still be worth a few grand but i have no money into it and can always resell/part it out it and will when i have had my fun with it. I have also sold alot of stuff from the car already.
I want the car to look stock thats why i still have a full interior. That will change in time though

To give you an idea on what weight reduction has been done
cf hood
removed radio and all speakers
removed front and rear bumper supports
aftermarket y pipe
udp
removed brake rotor sheilds
removed exhaust heat sheilds
gutted trunk lid
removed antenna
removed spare
removed jack and holder
removed all ac components
removed all heater components
removed all cruise control components
removed all power steering components
removed all emission components
Removed Carpeting, cardboard, and everything else in trunk
Removed Plate Under Steering Wheel
Removed support bar behind glove box.
Removed plate behind back seat
Removed Sound deadening under hood
removed Floor mats
Switch from glass headlights to plastic (95/96-97-99)
removed Stock Fog lights
Lighter Battery
Removed rear view mirror
removed Trunk arms
removed Underbody hitches
Removed Sound Deadening under carpet and firewall
millenia front wheels


I will also be doing these soon
Remove airbags
aftermarket steering wheel
Remove e-brake and all components
Cutout spare tire well and replace over with sheet metal
remove rear power window motor,regulators
cut out most of the rear deck
cut out metal in the doors
fuel cell
lighter rear wheels
custom exhaust

My car ran 14.8@94.5 with a slipping trans and a weight of about 2750 without interior.
My car with the new trans and it's current weight hauls.I will be going to the strip on oct 8th running hopefully high 13's
Old 09-28-2005 | 01:13 AM
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off the top of my head:
-lighter rotor/brakes
-lighter shock/spring combo
-if you didnt already, remove your passenger seat. switch your driver seat to lighter racing one too.
-strip out everything in interior until bare metal
-CF trunk lid
-remove windshield washer fluid resevior
-also wouldn't hurt to go on a diet =P
Old 09-28-2005 | 01:14 AM
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also a 5 spd tranny is lighter than our autos
Old 09-28-2005 | 04:35 AM
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Take out the window regulators and motors if their power.
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:04 AM
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You said you have two Mazda rims. You need light rims for the rear, too

I happen to have a good solution for you:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=420265

I have all four, but two of them are damaged. The rims weigh 14 lbs each -- that would probably shave about 4-8 lbs of unsprung weight vs. stock 15s depending on your tire weight. The wheel tire combo I had of those rims with Toyo Proxes tires vs. stock 15s with Firestone tires were 8 lbs difference each. I ran my fastest time of 14.8 with them on, too and my car weighs 3k lbs.
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:08 AM
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Switch to a 1995 front bumper support beam.
Old 09-28-2005 | 08:29 AM
  #7  
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Replace the windows with lexan.
Old 09-28-2005 | 08:31 AM
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I take it you don't intend driving this car on the highway given you have no rear view mirror.

Seems like a waste of a Maxima and I have no suggestions other than minimal gas in the tank. Remove windshield washer reservoir and windshield wipers as you won't need them at the track.

If you are removed the rear view mirror, why don't you remove the two outside mirrors.

If in fact the car is driven on the road, put the rear view mirror back on.
Old 09-28-2005 | 08:47 AM
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Get rid of the A/C all together...that should get you started.
Old 09-28-2005 | 09:55 AM
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Atkins

did you search? I read some extensive threads and links about weight. Keep the car on E and 1 gallon of fuel on hand for that 1/4 mile?

hear that cf milk crate seat mod shaves a few.

(I think your car is anorexic, I'm contacting a support group)
Old 09-28-2005 | 10:27 AM
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sound deadining on the floor, im doing the same wieght mods to my sho, the crap thats on the floors, its like someone superglued roofing tiles to the floor, rip that stuff off, the best way is to freeze it and break it off, my car has the whole floor and trunk covered, im willing to bet it all weights almost 50-75lbs, thats a good chunk, alsoheadliners and visors can wieght a bit esp with cars as nice as ours. also thers usually alot of plastic crap under our cars to block rocks and stuff, get rid of that.

i removed al my weather stripping, that weighted a ton, prob 35lbs for all of it. and if u havent take out he dash ur lookin 35-75lbs there. im hoping for 2600 out of my car with a start of almost 3500
Old 09-28-2005 | 10:38 AM
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gosh dang, i could not imagine myself doing that to my max, maybe only if i had another max. crazy thought, but maybe one day i will.
Old 09-28-2005 | 10:55 AM
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Wow thats quite gutted. Maybe look at the sunroof if you have one, if you dont care about the looks, you could take out the sunroof glass and all its accessories and put a peice of sheet metal in its place and just prime it. Just a thought, since that glass probably weighs a bit.
Old 09-28-2005 | 11:27 AM
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Replace all the windows with lexan or something. Remove the front sway bar. Take out the horn. VQ35 is lighter than the VQ30 Remove the splash shields from the front end. You can probably run with out the EVAP system.
Old 09-28-2005 | 11:32 AM
  #15  
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Need some hardcore ideas on extreme weight reduction
Take all light bulbs out ...
Old 09-28-2005 | 12:22 PM
  #16  
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I will be driving the car on the street once and awhile it's not illegal for me to have no rear view mirror.I'm keeping the winshield wipers just incase it rains. I have maybe driven it 4 times in the last 2 months.I do have another max and have been offered $1500 for the one i am stripping. How many of you have sold your max for more than you have into it?
I did or am doing most of your ideas.

I'm really interested in Removing the front sway bar. Anybody have any info on the weight or effects on not having it?
Old 09-28-2005 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by fanaticrockford
I will be driving the car on the street once and awhile it's not illegal for me to have no rear view mirror.
It's not??? I'd be surprised if you passed inspection with no rearview.
Old 09-28-2005 | 12:41 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by TXT-1
It's not??? I'd be surprised if you passed inspection with no rearview.
I only need to have 2 working rear view mirrors and they will be the side ones so it looks stock. In minnesota we have no state inspections or where my car is registered in north dakota there is also no state inspections.
Old 09-28-2005 | 01:24 PM
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removing the break rotor shields isn't bad at all?
Old 09-28-2005 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by roll4life
removing the break rotor shields isn't bad at all?
It's only there so debris don't get on the rotor or if your cv boot breaks grease doesn't get on the rotor. I jsut replaced my cv boots so they shouldn't break for awhile and if they do i will still have rear breaks.
Old 09-28-2005 | 01:35 PM
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Remove wiper fluid system
Make yourself an exhaust that exits out the side right after the y-pipe
Aftermarket headers
Old 09-28-2005 | 04:20 PM
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the moonroof glass can wieght 20-30lbs, i plan on replacing mine with lexan when i get the chance, along with the rear windows. also removing the rear dorr beams would help too but then u could loose some rigididy. depends what u plan on doing with it, i plan on road racing my car, so i need the rigididy and strength. also if ur not gonna drive it on the street i guess all the emmisions stuff could be yanked.
Old 09-28-2005 | 04:42 PM
  #23  
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make the first convertible maxima
Old 09-28-2005 | 05:21 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by fanaticrockford
Well let me first say that my car currently weighs 2450 with full leather interior,it's auto with sunroof also.

The car was vandalized so with this incident and from a previous accident (someone hit me and left a small dent in one of the doors that i didn't fix).I am not going to do any body work from the vandalism i just fixed the lights. Both insurance companys have paid me more than i paid for the car.It may still be worth a few grand but i have no money into it and can always resell/part it out it and will when i have had my fun with it. I have also sold alot of stuff from the car already.
I want the car to look stock thats why i still have a full interior. That will change in time though

To give you an idea on what weight reduction has been done
cf hood
removed radio and all speakers
removed front and rear bumper supports
aftermarket y pipe
udp
removed brake rotor sheilds
removed exhaust heat sheilds
gutted trunk lid
removed antenna
removed spare
removed jack and holder
removed all ac components
removed all heater components
removed all cruise control components
removed all power steering components
removed all emission components
Removed Carpeting, cardboard, and everything else in trunk
Removed Plate Under Steering Wheel
Removed support bar behind glove box.
Removed plate behind back seat
Removed Sound deadening under hood
removed Floor mats
Switch from glass headlights to plastic (95/96-97-99)
removed Stock Fog lights
Lighter Battery
Removed rear view mirror
removed Trunk arms
removed Underbody hitches
Removed Sound Deadening under carpet and firewall
millenia front wheels


I will also be doing these soon
Remove airbags
aftermarket steering wheel
Remove e-brake and all components
Cutout spare tire well and replace over with sheet metal
remove rear power window motor,regulators
cut out most of the rear deck
cut out metal in the doors
fuel cell
lighter rear wheels
custom exhaust

My car ran 14.8@94.5 with a slipping trans and a weight of about 2750 without interior.
My car with the new trans and it's current weight hauls.I will be going to the strip on oct 8th running hopefully high 13's
Misc. questions:

On removing front and rear bumper supports: how much trouble was this and how much weight did they both weigh ?


Any negative on removing removed brake rotor sheilds and how much did one of those weigh?

gutted trunk lid: whats up in there and is there much weight to remove ?

removing airbags, i wish you would do a great photo and write up on this one.

man your car is light as a helium balloon ! lol nice work

c
Old 09-28-2005 | 06:45 PM
  #25  
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i say get rid of the ac and power steering. i would also take out all the fender liners.
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:12 PM
  #26  
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On removing front and rear bumper supports: how much trouble was this and how much weight did they both weigh ?
It's not easy both the bumper covers need to come off. If you want the front one off you will not have foglights since the bracket bolts to the bumper support.There is only 4 bolts for the rear bumper support and i think six for the front.The hardest part is getting the bumper covers off. I think the weight is around 23 pounds each.


Any negative on removing removed brake rotor sheilds and how much did one of those weigh?
They only protect from debris and if the cv boot rips open. If i remember the weight is around 1 pound for each one.

gutted trunk lid: whats up in there and is there much weight to remove ?
I had the other thread on this one. There is only support braces. I do not recomend doing this to a daily driven car or a good trunk lid. Theres about 10 pounds of metal i cut out.

removing airbags, i wish you would do a great photo and write up on this one.
The only big thing on this is to disconect the battery for 10 minutes before doing any work with the airbags.Also a t45 tamper proof trox bit.The drivers is very easy and only 2 bolts. The passenger has 2 bolts also but then there is 4 10mm bolts that are in a tight space.

man your car is light as a helium balloon ! lol nice work
Thanks
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:24 PM
  #27  
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talk to krismax. He's obsessed with weight reduction!
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:44 PM
  #28  
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here are some pointers
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=776885
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:56 PM
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can i just ask why you're doing this? 100lbs = 1/10th of a sec off 1/4 mile time. that's A LOT of stuff. you're going to have a grocery getter that can't be driven on any roads that runs a couple tenths of a second faster than another maxima with all that stuff in it that you removed.
Old 09-28-2005 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Take all light bulbs out ...
doors too, and windshield, just take a power saw to the car.

kind of OT but are you sure you want to do that to you car? how the hell are you going to sell it?
Old 09-28-2005 | 08:07 PM
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Biggest thing you could do is get rid of the pos auto and put in a 5spd. Will save you like 60lbs and make you faster even without the weight savings.

Personally I think you're insane but to each his own lol.
Old 09-28-2005 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 03on18s
can i just ask why you're doing this? 100lbs = 1/10th of a sec off 1/4 mile time. that's A LOT of stuff. you're going to have a grocery getter that can't be driven on any roads that runs a couple tenths of a second faster than another maxima with all that stuff in it that you removed.
Not true. At that weight he can shave almost half a second with 300 lbs. I know at my weight (2850 or so) if I shave 75 lbs I'm .1 faster. Plus if he drops a 5-speed and a VQ35 in there he might be on his way to be the first 11-second N/A maxima ever.

But personally I prefer saving weight while keeping it a daily driver, and keep full interior.
Old 09-28-2005 | 09:42 PM
  #33  
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convert all exterior body parts to carbon fiber you will obviously have to get custom fabrication for bumpers, doors
Old 09-28-2005 | 10:19 PM
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[QUOTE=Nealoc187
Personally I think you're insane but to each his own lol.[/QUOTE]

ROFL ! We can use some insane maxima.org freaks around here ! what ever became of plurco and his empty shell of a fourth gen ?
Old 09-29-2005 | 07:34 AM
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drill holes in miscalllaneous parts of the body
Old 09-29-2005 | 07:59 AM
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take out your stock fuel tank and replace it with a 5 gallon or less mounted in the trunk i think you can get these tanks at a local speedshop that should shave off a couple pounds and definitely yank out the sunroof and all of its components that will unlock a ton of weight
Old 09-29-2005 | 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Nissan 6
convert all exterior body parts to carbon fiber you will obviously have to get custom fabrication for bumpers, doors
I wish there was a company out there that produced all of our metal exterior panels in flexible fiberglass or urethane. I personally don't care about cf, I just want to reduce weight also. The new flexible fiberglass from Redline Goods has the strength of urethane but the costs of fiberglass. Maybe Redmax can produce our 4/5th gen panels.
Old 10-01-2005 | 10:09 AM
  #38  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 03on18s
can i just ask why you're doing this? 100lbs = 1/10th of a sec off 1/4 mile time. that's A LOT of stuff. you're going to have a grocery getter that can't be driven on any roads that runs a couple tenths of a second faster than another maxima with all that stuff in it that you removed.


Not true. At that weight he can shave almost half a second with 300 lbs. I know at my weight (2850 or so) if I shave 75 lbs I'm .1 faster. Plus if he drops a 5-speed and a VQ35 in there he might be on his way to be the first 11-second N/A maxima ever.
Ok, so lets be generous and say that 300lb off will be a .5 second quicker, and the new trans... maybe another three tenths? I dont see this car getting below 14 unless there is a VQ swap, and then, you still wont have an 11 second max w/o serious mods (turbo, s/c, nitrous)
Old 10-01-2005 | 01:12 PM
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After you loose all the weight, add nitrous.
Old 10-01-2005 | 04:20 PM
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Don't put you full weight down on the seat when you are racing.


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