tryin to cut weight for autox
11-28-2008 | 06:54 PM
#16
I'm just going to say this, and I'm unsubscribing from this thread because my brain hurts now. As I've learned by actually getting out there and putting my but in the seat and my car on the pavement is that seat time is phenomenal.
That said, the most difficult classes to win in, are the lower classes such as stock (the most difficult), STS, STX and others like that. The classes where you've got cars that are completely gutted with crap all over them and engine mods aplenty are usually the easiest because that's what every newbie thinks has to be done.
So it usually looks like this:
The better drivers are usually in the stock classes and the classes immediately ahead of stock.
The novice drivers are usually in the higher classes because they feel that the only way to win in an autocross is to make the CAR faster not the DRIVER.
Done and unsubscribed.
-Dave
That said, the most difficult classes to win in, are the lower classes such as stock (the most difficult), STS, STX and others like that. The classes where you've got cars that are completely gutted with crap all over them and engine mods aplenty are usually the easiest because that's what every newbie thinks has to be done.
So it usually looks like this:
The better drivers are usually in the stock classes and the classes immediately ahead of stock.
The novice drivers are usually in the higher classes because they feel that the only way to win in an autocross is to make the CAR faster not the DRIVER.
Done and unsubscribed.
-Dave
lol f it if i dont beat the **** out of my car then why do i even have one
11-28-2008 | 08:24 PM
#17
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
From: Alpharetta, GA
BS i was competative in STX now that im in SM for my engine swap its not even fair im up against the fastest cars that go a 600awhp audi he gets good times and a 500awhp sti and he always gets the best times out of anyone.... so i did the oposite i went from a place where i can compete to somewhere that i have no chance. anyway i dont care just for fun i might even enter a rally-x with my 240 lol
lol f it if i dont beat the **** out of my car then why do i even have one
lol f it if i dont beat the **** out of my car then why do i even have one
You have to remember that I'm talking about REAL autocrosses held by REAL sanctioning bodies like the SCCA and NASA . . .not those free-for-alls that are hosted by EA and the Need For Speed Underground League . . . In a real autocross, it's drivers that separate the top rankings, not the machines.
-Dave
11-30-2008 | 07:50 AM
#18
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 456
From: Phoenix, Arizona
You have to remember that I'm talking about REAL autocrosses held by REAL sanctioning bodies like the SCCA and NASA . . .not those free-for-alls that are hosted by EA and the Need For Speed Underground League . . . In a real autocross, it's drivers that separate the top rankings, not the machines.
-Dave
-Dave
i was looking for the "werd" smiley to post here to show my rockin agreement with this statement, but we don't have it, so ya, WERD!
11-30-2008 | 09:37 AM
#19
Contributing Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 643
From: Kaimuki, Hawai'i
I say you turn your back seat into this...
Removing the Rear Seat is another 39lbs
Now gutting the rear would leave you this...
A quick trip to your local audio shop could leave you with this...
Removing the Rear Seat is another 39lbs
Now gutting the rear would leave you this...
A quick trip to your local audio shop could leave you with this...
Last edited by 240-kid; 11-30-2008 at 09:44 AM.
11-30-2008 | 12:55 PM
#20
ok, so here's the deal, in order to meet my goal i need to lose another 13lbs off my car, and it needs to be out of the front end somewhere. i have already removed the spare tire, jack, wiper fluid system, fog light assemblies, and put in a light weight battery. so here are my 2 questions:
1. what else can i remove out of the front half of the car? (i thought about taking out the a/c, but it's kind of a necessity here in phoenix)
2. i know the sunroof in my car weighs a lot (and the roof is a horrible place for weight), has anyone ever seen or heard of some type of "replacement" where you can take all those heavy parts out of the roof (glass roof and tracks and motor and all) and simply put in some light weight insert?
1. what else can i remove out of the front half of the car? (i thought about taking out the a/c, but it's kind of a necessity here in phoenix)
2. i know the sunroof in my car weighs a lot (and the roof is a horrible place for weight), has anyone ever seen or heard of some type of "replacement" where you can take all those heavy parts out of the roof (glass roof and tracks and motor and all) and simply put in some light weight insert?
I know it's a bit late to answer this question. But if it is auto X, and you do not have a passenger I would remove.......
Passenger seat
floor MATS
11-30-2008 | 01:23 PM
#21
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
From: Alpharetta, GA
You could also go CRAZY and mimic my old Neon . . .
Completely gutted, light weight wheels, light weight motor components, no A/C parts, no P/S parts. No mirror motors, no window motors, the electric locking mechanisms removed, unnecessary panels and parts removed (such as dome lights, corner lights, heater core, blower, axillary fans, etc)
Completely gutted, light weight wheels, light weight motor components, no A/C parts, no P/S parts. No mirror motors, no window motors, the electric locking mechanisms removed, unnecessary panels and parts removed (such as dome lights, corner lights, heater core, blower, axillary fans, etc)
12-03-2008 | 05:33 PM
#23
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 456
From: Phoenix, Arizona
and floor mats already have been removed
Last edited by hatrick6; 12-03-2008 at 05:35 PM.
12-04-2008 | 05:32 AM
#25
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 456
From: Phoenix, Arizona
once again, no carbon fiber hood or fenders allowed in DSP, but the MOMO steering wheel and aluminum shifter are a good idea, does the MOMO steering wheel actually weigh less?
12-04-2008 | 07:14 AM
#26
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
From: Alpharetta, GA
Okay, I really REALLY want to lock this thread, it's going no where.
There are a few things you have to remember:
1. You're asking a forum with a bunch of people that do NOT autocross regularly if at all.
2. You have to remember that autocross is a battle of SKILL not tuning/cheating.
3. Your car is probably competitive enough as it sits.
Why don't you stop trying to "lighten" your car by 2 or 3 pounds and just drive, get good at DRIVING! Stop trying to do little "tricks" because it's just going to give you a lightweight car that you do NOT have the skill to drive.
I'm sorry for being harsh at this point but SERIOUSLY, I'm soo sick and tired of seeing people autocross with these tuned machines that they have no idea how to drive. Go drive the car, because what's going to wind up happening is, you're going to go through trying to lighten crap out of your car, then you'll get into driving and you'll just get OBLITERATED by some guy who is in the same class, with a heavier car, simply because he or she is a better driver. Then what's the point, now you've just reduced the resale value of your car. Congratulations.
Honestly dude, autocross is a battle of skill, not of machine, learn how to drive your car, you OBVIOUSLY haven't maxed out the potential of your car as it sits otherwise you WOULDN'T be having this conversation with us. You don't know how to drive your car properly so GO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!
Then as you do more events, start talking to the people IN YOUR CLASS who have done modifications and ask them what they've done.
SHEESH!
-Dave
There are a few things you have to remember:
1. You're asking a forum with a bunch of people that do NOT autocross regularly if at all.
2. You have to remember that autocross is a battle of SKILL not tuning/cheating.
3. Your car is probably competitive enough as it sits.
Why don't you stop trying to "lighten" your car by 2 or 3 pounds and just drive, get good at DRIVING! Stop trying to do little "tricks" because it's just going to give you a lightweight car that you do NOT have the skill to drive.
I'm sorry for being harsh at this point but SERIOUSLY, I'm soo sick and tired of seeing people autocross with these tuned machines that they have no idea how to drive. Go drive the car, because what's going to wind up happening is, you're going to go through trying to lighten crap out of your car, then you'll get into driving and you'll just get OBLITERATED by some guy who is in the same class, with a heavier car, simply because he or she is a better driver. Then what's the point, now you've just reduced the resale value of your car. Congratulations.
Honestly dude, autocross is a battle of skill, not of machine, learn how to drive your car, you OBVIOUSLY haven't maxed out the potential of your car as it sits otherwise you WOULDN'T be having this conversation with us. You don't know how to drive your car properly so GO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!
Then as you do more events, start talking to the people IN YOUR CLASS who have done modifications and ask them what they've done.
SHEESH!
-Dave
12-04-2008 | 09:44 AM
#27
So that is about a 7 lb total in weight reduction.
As far as auto X rules you should clarify if it is NASA, SCCA, or other. 24 hours of lemons is an auto x event and big ugly yellow school busses compete in those events.
12-04-2008 | 08:22 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 456
From: Phoenix, Arizona
The srs airbag steering wheel is extremely heavy. MOMO steering wheel is smaller and aluminum. The momo steering wheel weighs about 6lb.s less than the srs airbag steering wheel. Aluminum shifter also weighs about 1 lb less than the stock steel shifter.
So that is about a 7 lb total in weight reduction.
As far as auto X rules you should clarify if it is NASA, SCCA, or other. 24 hours of lemons is an auto x event and big ugly yellow school busses compete in those events.
So that is about a 7 lb total in weight reduction.
As far as auto X rules you should clarify if it is NASA, SCCA, or other. 24 hours of lemons is an auto x event and big ugly yellow school busses compete in those events.
12-04-2008 | 10:04 PM
#30
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,684
From: Alpharetta, GA
The SCCA isn't dying, it just caters towards a more mature crowd where as the NASA caters towards the younger crowd. Seriously???
They both have their high points and low points, if you want good grassroots autocross, the SCCA puts on more events than the NASA in that area. However, for track days, it looks as if the NASA holds the candle there. The SCCA also holds more club racing events, while the NASA still holds it's own rally . . .the SCCA has rally America and better a better time trial setup, but the NASA has US Drift.
It's all a matter of how much money you have and what sort of racing you're getting into. I'm a former SCCA member and a current NASA member, I can tell you that the NASA is just for the younger racers while the SCCA tends to call out the older guys.
-Dave
PS: SCCA Spec Miata drivers are also faster than NASA Spec Miata drivers. However, the NASA has SPec Focus, Neon and E30 . . .WOOT!
They both have their high points and low points, if you want good grassroots autocross, the SCCA puts on more events than the NASA in that area. However, for track days, it looks as if the NASA holds the candle there. The SCCA also holds more club racing events, while the NASA still holds it's own rally . . .the SCCA has rally America and better a better time trial setup, but the NASA has US Drift.
It's all a matter of how much money you have and what sort of racing you're getting into. I'm a former SCCA member and a current NASA member, I can tell you that the NASA is just for the younger racers while the SCCA tends to call out the older guys.
-Dave
PS: SCCA Spec Miata drivers are also faster than NASA Spec Miata drivers. However, the NASA has SPec Focus, Neon and E30 . . .WOOT!