Weight reduction: An overview and a few ideas - Page 2 - HondaClub.com

**DriftMaster** · 11-04-2007, 08:45 PM

I'm about to strip my car.... anyone wants parts, let me know and I'll see if it's leaving the car... (I'm keeping it street legal, so some average parts are being kept.)

I drive a 1990 Civic DX 4dr (sedan)

93Lude · 11-30-2007, 12:32 AM

Yea those are some good ideas I've been thinking about stripping the a/c out for a while now because I always have the windows down because the tints are so dark and don't want to get pulled over for it. As for carbon fiber trunks I've also looked at them but I don't think it would look good on my car especially because the wing I have on it. What do you guys think?

BlackThirty3 · 02-10-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93Lude

Yea those are some good ideas I've been thinking about stripping the a/c out for a while now because I always have the windows down because the tints are so dark and don't want to get pulled over for it. As for carbon fiber trunks I've also looked at them but I don't think it would look good on my car especially because the wing I have on it. What do you guys think?

From your avatar i assume you have an dc2 integra? get a cf trunk and wing and hood and lip... lol it's all up to you but i think the trunk hatch and wing would look nice

**8695Beaters** · 02-10-2008, 11:49 PM

I know this is an old post, but I noticed there was no mention of weight distribution. People tend rip out a bunch of weight from the back of the car (interior and sound deadening), but do nothing to the front. That can mess with the balance of the car. Moving weight around can be just as important as removing it. Blackthirty, have you had a CF hatch? Trunks are one thing, but hatchbacks like the Integra or RSX need new glass put into them (or have the old glass moved to the new lid), which is extra expense that needs to be remembered. Lexan over glass is a possibility, plastic expands a lot compared to glass and is not reccomened for street cars (in some cases the trunk can't even be opened b/c the plastic has expanded so much). Also, any wiring needs to be shielded, so no short circuits start up in the trunk and drain the battery. Lastly, when ordering carbon fiber parts, make sure the stuff is true carbon. Most of what you see is fiberglass with carbon overlayed, which is only slightly lighter than aluminum and much weaker. Seibon uses this method for most of their "carbon" parts. They look like carbon fiber, but have marginal weight benefits, so they are mostly show parts. True carbon is very strong and very light. It is also much more expensive.

BlackThirty3 · 02-11-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8695Beaters

I know this is an old post, but I noticed there was no mention of weight distribution. People tend rip out a bunch of weight from the back of the car (interior and sound deadening), but do nothing to the front. That can mess with the balance of the car. Moving weight around can be just as important as removing it. Blackthirty, have you had a CF hatch? Trunks are one thing, but hatchbacks like the Integra or RSX need new glass put into them (or have the old glass moved to the new lid), which is extra expense that needs to be remembered. Lexan over glass is a possibility, plastic expands a lot compared to glass and is not reccomened for street cars (in some cases the trunk can't even be opened b/c the plastic has expanded so much). Also, any wiring needs to be shielded, so no short circuits start up in the trunk and drain the battery. Lastly, when ordering carbon fiber parts, make sure the stuff is true carbon. Most of what you see is fiberglass with carbon overlayed, which is only slightly lighter than aluminum and much weaker. Seibon uses this method for most of their "carbon" parts. They look like carbon fiber, but have marginal weight benefits, so they are mostly show parts. True carbon is very strong and very light. It is also much more expensive.

i have. I still do. none of these problems have ever happened. I can see where you're coming from and how it could all happen. but that's why i hve covered parking... and why i don't buy ****ty parts. and as far as the weight... let's say you take you entire rear end appart. roughly 30 lbs. then you get a cf hood... but on a dc2 i don't think anyone is gonna feel any difference. with suspension work done nobody is gonna know or feel any difference for sure

**8695Beaters** · 02-11-2008, 08:30 PM

It depends on the car (like most things). Some cars won't notice it. A Supra would barely notice stripping the entire interior (optimistic, 50 lbs). An Elise would notice a 30 lb change. It's all relative to the car.

I've never owned a carbon anything (way too poor and having enough trouble dealing replacing sheetmetal). Here's where I got my carbon hatch info:
Project Acura RSX Type S Turbo- Sport Compact Car Magazine

11-04-2007, 08:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
DriftMaster Resident Canadian Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 969	I'm about to strip my car.... anyone wants parts, let me know and I'll see if it's leaving the car... (I'm keeping it street legal, so some average parts are being kept.) I drive a 1990 Civic DX 4dr (sedan) __________________ New MSN - Add Me!!: driftmaster@eastcanracing.com

02-10-2008, 11:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
8695Beaters Geek In Training Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,230	I know this is an old post, but I noticed there was no mention of weight distribution. People tend rip out a bunch of weight from the back of the car (interior and sound deadening), but do nothing to the front. That can mess with the balance of the car. Moving weight around can be just as important as removing it. Blackthirty, have you had a CF hatch? Trunks are one thing, but hatchbacks like the Integra or RSX need new glass put into them (or have the old glass moved to the new lid), which is extra expense that needs to be remembered. Lexan over glass is a possibility, plastic expands a lot compared to glass and is not reccomened for street cars (in some cases the trunk can't even be opened b/c the plastic has expanded so much). Also, any wiring needs to be shielded, so no short circuits start up in the trunk and drain the battery. Lastly, when ordering carbon fiber parts, make sure the stuff is true carbon. Most of what you see is fiberglass with carbon overlayed, which is only slightly lighter than aluminum and much weaker. Seibon uses this method for most of their "carbon" parts. They look like carbon fiber, but have marginal weight benefits, so they are mostly show parts. True carbon is very strong and very light. It is also much more expensive. __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

02-11-2008, 08:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
8695Beaters Geek In Training Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,230	It depends on the car (like most things). Some cars won't notice it. A Supra would barely notice stripping the entire interior (optimistic, 50 lbs). An Elise would notice a 30 lb change. It's all relative to the car. I've never owned a carbon anything (way too poor and having enough trouble dealing replacing sheetmetal). Here's where I got my carbon hatch info: Project Acura RSX Type S Turbo- Sport Compact Car Magazine __________________ "I really like going fast. Just go off and meditate in the wind, you know? As corny as it sounds it works and feels good. It's a good way to just let the weight of the world off every once in a while...is this a big pose? I mean, yes this is a pose! I mean am I driving down the street to not get noticed in this thing? I mean rebellious is what this thing is I would say!!!" -James Hetfield

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11-30-2007, 12:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
93Lude Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1	Yea those are some good ideas I've been thinking about stripping the a/c out for a while now because I always have the windows down because the tints are so dark and don't want to get pulled over for it. As for carbon fiber trunks I've also looked at them but I don't think it would look good on my car especially because the wing I have on it. What do you guys think?