The Weight Saving thread!

[Rocco Horror]

On one of the aircooled boards I go on, there is a thread about saving weight, particularly on race cars. We all know that reduced weight leads to better performance and better economy, so how have people lightened parts for Sciroccos?
How much does a single wiper conversion save over a regular twin wiper set up?
Removing foglights and a single headlight conversion - how much weight does that lose?
Has anyone reduced the weight of the bumpers by cutting down the metal beam inside?
How about the bonnet - they're ridiculously heavy!
Sound deadening? Plastic windows? Electric windows out and manual winders in?

Be creative! Even just coming up with ideas is good!

[ianaudia4]

Our Sciroccos are pretty light anyway!
The single wiper motor is about the same size and weight as a dual one and the weight of a wiper arm is slight!
No sound deadening = noisy!
Not many Sciroccos had electric windows so again no real gain there.

You could ditch the spare wheel, stereo all the seats bar the drivers, oh and the dust caps!

[Old Mac Rocco]

The wife !!!!!!!!

[Mr Funk]

The dash will be a major weight save. And bin the doorcards as they're pretty weighty. Carpets can go alon with the rear and passenger seats. But bear in mind that if you do get rid of it all you'll need to strengthen the car again, it's amazing how twitchy it can get.
All that alone will ditch a bit of weight although I have to be truely honest and say that when I was running it as a pretty much bare shell it didn't make a massive difference although mine was neve built for racing

[Cpt Custom]

If you've got a Mk2 with the big spoiler on the rear then it's certainly be worth ditching that. Anyone who has taken one off will tell you it weighs quite a bit.

[Rocco Horror]

Interesting - I think some major stripping will be going on! I see that an '82 Scala is 920kg, and an '86 16v is 920kg. My old race Beetle was a shade under 650kg, so how close do you think I can get an '86 GTII ?

[ianaudia4]

I'd be amazed if you could get an 86 GT11

[the edmundator]

The engine and transmission weigh quite a lot. If you took them out AND cut a hole in the floor for your feet to go through, you'd be well on the way to your target.

[Rocco Horror]

I'd be amazed if you could get an 86 GT11

Might just be a GT, the lack of badges would be the first weight saving!

[ianaudia4]

Bin the 1.6 lump and fit a 1.8 the extra 15 BHP will make you think you are driving a lighter car!

[Rocco Horror]

The engine and transmission weigh quite a lot. If you took them out AND cut a hole in the floor for your feet to go through, you'd be well on the way to your target.

Hmm! That's an idea!
Seriously though, it'll be easier to take a little bit of weight from lots of places rather than lots of weight from a few places. I was amazed at how heavy the bonnet is for example, so with a little creative angle grinder work to the inner skin, I'm sure there are a few pounds to come out of that.

Any more suggestions? Doors?

[ianaudia4]

Yes you could cut bits and pieces out but maybe I am showing my age here and being all mature, what about safety in the event of a crash, I'm pretty sure you would want to become part of the car!

[Mr Funk]

God yes the spoiler! Properly heavy, has a big piece of metal going through it and makes almost no difference other than the boot will fly up and chin you

[the edmundator]

What are you using the car for? Why are you lightening it?

If you're planning on competing, there may well be rules and regs that govern which bits you can and can't alter.

If it's just for track-days, there won't be any limits, but you will need to be sure your car is safe in the event of a major accident.

For either of these, weight distribution is probably as important as total weight (maybe more so) - most of your speed that isn't solely down to how much power you have will be lost in the corners.

If it's for the road at all (even if mostly for track days) I wouldn't go much beyond taking out the non-essential interior and trim.

[wassell]

other than the boot will fly up and chin you

fact. smashed myself a few times with the GT2's boot