MX5 NA8 Weight Cut

RileyR · Postby **RileyR** » Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:05 pm

Great advice re the battery!

At this stage im trying to lose weight as much for free as possible, but when i need a new battery i will certainly replace it with a light one.

It is likely i will need a new clutch spigot or release bearing (unsure which one) soon. So im thinking ill get light weight 1.6 clutch (HD) and fly. Have considered a 6sp box to go with it but unsure if it will make the car faster.

I know Magpie still runs a 5sp in his NA beast so i might stick with the 5 as well. (With an extension and short shifter too maybe)

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Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:26 am

RileyR wrote:Have considered a 6sp box to go with it but unsure if it will make the car faster.

I know Magpie still runs a 5sp in his NA beast so i might stick with the 5 as well. (With an extension and short shifter too maybe)

Odyssey is 5.2kg and 150 CCA.

Tim Anson also runs a 5 speed and his car is NOT slow! Will let you know on Wednesday evening if a 5 speed and 4.8 diff is a good combo...

Also look at your rims, I swapped out a set of 8” +20 rims for 8” +25 rims and saved 11kg in total.

Between the rims (11), battery (3) and putting the butterfly brace (6) back on saved 8 kgs. Loosing 11kg of unsprung weight is the biggest bonus!

RileyR · Postby **RileyR** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 12:38 pm

New rims will definitely be on the cards. After coolant re route and fixing my clutch issue i think wheels will be next.

Small jobs today
0.86kg for electric antennae
0.51 for 2x din storage units and cigarette tray cup holder.

Din area will be replaced with core flute like the door cards

total out so far: 39.29kg
To go: 60.71kg

RileyR · Postby **RileyR** » Sat Dec 14, 2019 8:47 am

A little more out

centre console -1.12kg
carpet for centre console went in +0.25kg
lightweight 1.6 flywheel and clutch -4.4kg
total: 5.2kg

Overall total out: 44.71kg

cc carpet.jpg

The interior is a WIP still, the tombstone especially. Plan is to get some gauges in there, so this is only temporary until then.

Has an issue with clutch release bearing hence the new Clutch and FW.

Lightweight 1.6 flywheel and organic HD clutch quick review:

4.1kg flywheel and clutch industries HD clutch 4.7kg. total weight of 8.8kg
Stock 1996 1.8L weight: 13.2kg, total. 7.9kg for FW, 5.3 for clutch and pressure plate.
Amazing! feels like it has really freed up the engine. The revs change quickly, both up and down. Much improved throttle response. Feels like it has more power now, might have a tiny bit but definitely feels noticeable, probably because of how revvy it is now. Still easy to drive, just need to be a tad more conscious. would recommend.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:56 am

If you're concerned about weight, get rid of your dash mat and steering wheel centre cover.

RileyR · Postby **RileyR** » Sat Dec 14, 2019 11:03 am

bruce wrote:If you're concerned about weight, get rid of your dash mat and steering wheel centre cover.

Yes I have considered getting rid of the dash mat, though the glare the dash creates is unbearable. I think flocking is a method to combat this, however its still adding weight and is permanent.

Re the steering wheel. It has a metal frame behind that padding. I would have to hack it up, then dodgey a horn in and its a nice momo, so no. And I don't want to pay $300+ for a new wheel.

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shirtz · Postby **shirtz** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 11:21 am

Magpie wrote:I just found some old photos of weights:

Heater Air mixer (with core) - 2.905
Fan (for air) - 2.031
HVAC control - 0.540
Black plastic behind bumper - 2.231
Head light (inc motor, glass, cover) - 4.227
Front guard - 2.979
Front guard liner - 0.259

dumb question, is it worth keeping the aircon fan on to run on occasion the car is hot? I dunno, I removed my aircon but left it as I thought it might do something....

also the plastic behind the bumper? would that impact safety in a crash?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:00 pm

The 'fan' is used to demist as well as circulate air. It will just no longer circulate cool air.

You can dispense with the fan and install a heated windscreen or an electric blower.

RileyR · Postby **RileyR** » Tue Dec 17, 2019 1:12 pm

We are talking the fan in the dash or the aircon fan at the rad?

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shirtz · Postby **shirtz** » Wed Dec 18, 2019 12:23 pm

RileyR wrote:We are talking the fan in the dash or the aircon fan at the rad?

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im talking about the fan on the rad.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Dec 18, 2019 2:52 pm

shirtz wrote:im talking about the fan on the rad.

If you are going to daily the car, then the second fan could be useful on hot days/peak hour traffic. You could wire it in with the other fan or put it on a separate switch.

Track car not needed.

RileyR · Postby **RileyR** » Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:04 am

I think i will keep the 2nd fan and wire it into the other one as you say. I have seen the temp guage creep up on hot days in traffic - not dríven much any more but enough to warrant keeping it i reckon

I think removing the ac rad and sealing the engine rad in with some simple ducting should make a big difference to the stock cooling

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