It took some time to get the parts together and set up a shop to do the work, but I finally got my car back with a weight reduction and power increase completed. This is what I did:
item stock wt new wt net loss<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
SPARE TIRE 31 0 31<o></o>
JACK 4 0 4<o></o>
TIRE COMPRESSOR 3.25 0 3.25<o></o>
TIRE CRADLE 2.5 0 2.5<o></o>
Test pipe/remove cat 22 6 16<o></o>
Cat back exhaust 43.4 20 23.4<o></o>
CF SIDE VENT 5 1 4<o></o>
NO POWER ANTENNA 2.1 0 2.1<o></o>
BRAKE SPLASH SHIELDS 3.2 0 3.2<o></o>
shields, FRNT LOW A-ARMS 0.5 0 0.5<o></o>
Rear bmpr beam now alum 23.7 8.8 14.9<o></o>
steel beam front bumper: 18 18 0<o></o>
Odessey PC680 40 16 24<o></o>
Tien RE coilovers 54.7 34.4 20.3<o></o>
Sparco wheel, hub , horn kit. 25 13 12<o></o>
Remove cd player 8 0 8<o></o>
Antennae and motor 2 0 2<o></o>
oem stereo headunit 5 1 4<o></o>
door speakers 8.8 0 8.8<o></o>
passenger footwell sub 4.4 3 1.4<o></o>
trunk carpet removed 7 0 7<o></o>
remove passenger seat 40 0 40<o></o>
oem engine cover removed 14 0 14<o></o>
trunk struts removed 2 0 2<o></o>
remove frnt, rear tow hooks 3 0 3<o></o>
Aftermarket headers 32 20 12<o></o>
remove all sun visors 2 0 2<o></o>
total lbs lost --->> 281.35
I did not get a weigh-in before the work was done, but I got a four-corner weight from Bill Lee Race Cars in Palmetto, FL after the we were done. I will scan in the weigh in sheet tomorrow. Here is the summary:
Total weight: 2710
Front: 1103
Rear: 1606
Front left: 535
Front Right: 567
Left rear: 818
right Rear: 789
Front %: 40.7%
Rear%: 59.3
left side wight: 1353 49.9%
right side weight: 1356 50.1%
Results from behind the wheel:
The power to weight improvement led to a stunning increase in the fun-to-drive quotient. I went from about 11lbs per horsepower to around 9lbs per horsepower. The throttle response is great, and the pulling power even in 5th gear at highway speeds is greatly improved.
The ride is a little harsh for my preference. I need to dial back the coilovers to a softer setting, along with raising the car 1/2 inch or so. the addition of headers and test pipes to the existing cat-back exhaust made the car MUCH LOUDER. I am now looking at replacing the test pipes with straight-through glass packs to take the decibels down a couple of notches. It is loud enough that I worry about attention from the cars with the blue lights on top.
I was worried about the change to the PC680 battery, but the change has been entirely transparent. I bought a battery tender, but have not needed to install it. I have had the car back for a month. I have driven about one a week with no issues.
The drop to 2710 was a little more than I expected. I am guessing that the early models like mine were a little lighter than the later models.
My next stop is to get the car to 2600 or so. The following mods should get me close: lighter wheels, lighter tires, aluminum center hat brake upgrade, second generation ABS, and a headlight conversion.
After this, it is time to convince my wife that and upgrade to a 3.6 to 3.8 liter engine is a good idea.
I also intend to get a pair of lightweight seats(20lb each?) instead of just having a single stock driver's seat.
I have no regrets. Other than the lounder exhaust, the car is more fun to drive all around. I never listened to the stereo anyway, and that is the only real comfort and convenience item that I lost besides the passenger seat.
