mx5cartalk.com

Is there a thread on mx5cartalk.com specifically bringing all of the add-lightness mods together?
On a scale of free/cheap/pay-to-play expensive?
I'd like to see what's already here.
I'll link any existing garage theads or motorsport or vendor threads, if it helps.

Fabrication of quality parts, lighter than stock, would be nice too.

Some levels of lightness mods which I expect most people do for the track, subject to budget:
1. Free lightness by removing stuff: carpets, roof, spare...
2. Cheap lightness by inexpensive mods: wheels...
3. Serious lightness mods - pay to play: CF/AL panels...

Offsite, but maybe you've not already seen it: http://www.lightweightmiata.com/

I'm guilty of all..

CF boot, antenna, door sills and door handles.
Removed, carpet, console, all sound deadening, and any boot trim
Custom/added for lightness, Recaro SPG, custom door cards, DIY front splitter, custom console, paint and basically the only thing left stock is the engine.

-alex wrote:I'm guilty of all...

Not quite.... I think that trophy belongs elsewhere:

viewtopic.php?f=57&t=42153&start=330

I've just stripped heaps of mine out. Over time it's changed a bit, but things I've done have included:

Carpets are all gone in mine.
Air-con removed.
Soft-top removed, just run with the hardtop.
Taken out the antenna completely.
Had matching OMP fibreglass fixed backs in at one stage.
Smaller Luisi steering wheel which is lighter.

If you really wanted to get picky you could say my manual window conversion too. However, this only saves a few grams to be honest.

Have also had a lighter battery etc. in there as well.

There's other small stuff I've taken out as well. The above has all pretty much been free though, as most of it was done when I was devoting money to building up Zac and my rally car. Most of it was done on the same weekend as him and I were fitting a full cage into it! That steel doesn't come cheap. On the other hand, removing things from the mex is good cheap entertainment. :-D

93_Clubman wrote:Offsite, but maybe you've not already seen it: http://www.lightweightmiata.com/

Thanks for the link.

Sad that there have been no new posts there for 11.5 months.

Spaceship parts from Nihon should be lighter, too.
Thanks.

Pamex wrote:I've just stripped heaps of mine out. Over time it's changed a bit, but things I've done have included:

Carpets are all gone in mine.
Air-con removed.
Soft-top removed, just run with the hardtop.
Taken out the antenna completely.
Had matching OMP fibreglass fixed backs in at one stage.
Smaller Luisi steering wheel which is lighter.

If you really wanted to get picky you could say my manual window conversion too. However, this only saves a few grams to be honest.

Have also had a lighter battery etc. in there as well.

There's other small stuff I've taken out as well. The above has all pretty much been free though, as most of it was done when I was devoting money to building up Zac and my rally car. Most of it was done on the same weekend as him and I were fitting a full cage into it! That steel doesn't come cheap. On the other hand, removing things from the mex is good cheap entertainment. :-D

I read about the Lotus seat-lightening swap/mod on the forum and it led me to the USD$39 13lb seat - just in case anyone's interested.

First of all, the forum's adding lightness FAQ is worth reading. A list of all of the mods. Then choose what you feel like doing.

http://lightweightmiata.com/forum/index ... 9&topic=72

Elise S1
http://lightweightmiata.com/forum/index ... topic=77.0
A 10.5lb and 11.5lb saving for driver and passenger seat, with the Elise S1 seat swap, if you can get the seats at a good price.

http://www.jegs.com/SizeCharts/555-Pro_High_Back_2.htm


How about this - for racing use, if you have a spare bonnet.
Cut out some nonstructural metal, for weight saving and super venting to let some of the (turbo) heat out.

those holes are in the wrong places, and it would change the pressures under the bonnet.

People always forget the simplest and first thing you should be doing. Diet. You alone can drop quite a few kg's before even touvhing the car. The amount of people I see going crazy with weigjt mods on here that could stand to lose at least 25kg from their body... Do this first!

Whats lightness?

My car has

NO...

Air con
Locks
Power steering
Heater
Fan
Accessories
Stereo
Carpet
Boot lining and all carpet
Boot metal plate things
Spare/tools
All heat shields except for manifold and intake shields, very necessary for good power those are
Sound deadening
Airbox
Wiring that wasnt needed after removal of other things and ecu upgrade
Inner guards
Softtop
All windows including hardtop window, except quarter windows and windshield
Also all of the window winder and motor parts and door mechs except handle
The covers around the lights
Bumpers, under the front and rear bars
Engine fans
Aerial
Pedal rubbers
Steering wheel padding
One front and one rear tow hook
Tiny battery
Aluminium Brake shields
Aluminium ecu cover
Passenger seat is out and a fibreglass shell of a sparco on custom rails (not rails really, much lighter than that) goes in for the track

Must be more, but that feels hardcore enough for me for a car I just arrived home from work in, and im just about to pick my girlfriend up from work in it, and its raining...

Dann

Since the Central Coast copped it, I hope if the rain hits you, that you haven't removed the windscreen wipers!

Great summary there, NitroDann and I was originally referring to 'lightening summaries' in garage threads like yours - but condensed here for easy reading.

I notice you also have removed some plugs in your floor! Unless they are back in given the weather.

Those stay out permanently, especially in the wet, it allows the water that inevitably comes in to drain back out.

Dann

You must have a patient missus Dann!

I've heard her muttering about buying her own car.