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Impreza Weight Saving

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:15 am
by duncan
Following on from the power to weight thread, what are some easy steps that I could make to save weight in the car to bring my lardy bucket down in weight whilst not infringing on its abaility to be a family car? :D

Standard Kerb Weight is 1495 kgs
Power: 360 bhp
240 bhp/tonne

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:31 am
by Cod
The only easy (ish) and cheap ways i would think are removing the ICE, seats and spare tyre, replacing the tyre with a can of that puncture repair stuff if required (even my space saver weighs a ton). Also look at taking out floor mats, other trim and any 'junk' that accumulates in the car.

From a trackday point of view, wisdom says to get the unsprung weight down as even a few kilos makes a difference. So maybe lighter wheel nuts and alloys. I've looked into this on my 'fatty' and with Rota wheels and nuts i could save about 11kgs (all unsprung) for about

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:26 am
by Pavlo
There are lots of ways, but before you do anything you need to think about what you want in the car.

I really like the 06 impreza as it is!

It's a slippery slope, I wouldn't bother if it is to remain a proper road car. If you really want to go for it, there is plenty to be done, but pretty much every little thing is a chip away at the "niceness" of the car.

Paul

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:30 am
by Stuart
Without wishing to kiss arse, the above advice is spot on Dunk. Maybe composite panels being the only thing, but the price may discourage you from flinging the car about so much.

To give an idea of a properly prepared race car, do you know what your one weighs in at Paul?

Re: Impreza Weight Saving

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:32 am
by rolty
dynamix wrote:Following on from the power to weight thread, what are some easy steps that I could make to save weight in the car to bring my lardy bucket down in weight whilst not infringing on its abaility to be a family car? :D
Sell up and buy a Spec C? :lol:

Only messing, as Paul says it's probably going to be quite tricky to cut the weight down without affecting the 'family car' aspect.

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:32 am
by Ben
I didn't realise how heavy the spoiler was until it got stolen - the back end of the car was so light until I had the prodrive one fitted.

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:51 am
by duncan
Thanks for the advice guys

I will tread carefully down this route so as not to spoil the day to day use of it.

Out of interest, I am thinking of changing the front seats - anyone know how heavy the standard seats are. I took them out a while back to fit the harnesses and they weighed a ton :o

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:01 am
by andycaca
youll find the front seats will weigh between 15 and 25kgs, this is typical of manufacturers seats. if you get none reclining bucket seats these usually weigh 5kg in fibreglass, less if carbon fibre.

bucket seats hold you so much better than normal chairs :)

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:06 am
by Ben
How about a Carbon Boot and Bonnet, plus a carbon spoiler?.

Expensive but I would imagine would save a few kilos.

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:04 am
by duncan
Plans so far are:

- replacement seats ... should save me approx 40 kilos
- removing rear seats for events ... unsure of weight saving
- ditching the spare / jack for events
- carbon vented bonnet - will save some weight but will help heat dissipation aswell through the vents (will have to take advice on what works best)
- carbon rear spoiler
- lightweight glass would be nice but not sure how expensive this is yet.

this should bring it down a bit although and still be flexible enough for day to day stuff aswell with seats and wheel back in place.