Lightening the Sprite

[ABfish]

Since I bought my Sprite, I've removed nearly every extraneous thing on the car, such as the spare tire, the radio (didn't work anyway), the heater (ditto), the homemade console, etc. She seems to run better with every pound that's shed.

What's the most feasible way to shed a little more weight, other than putting the driver on a diet? I'm thinking fiberglass hood and the like.

 

[RickB]

Full fiberglass front, lose the fenders and the hood weight.
After that it starts getting ridiculous with lower weight mechanical parts, but if you can install alloy wheels that might help.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Yup, then you have to start removing ounces at a time. For example... smaller battery, lighter alternator, carpet, plastic headlights (not advisable if you do a bunch of night driving), lighter seats, etc.

 

[bthompson]

Then you get a 1" hole saw and start strategically removing sheetmetal.

 

[Westfield_XI]

You could save a bunch of weight by replacing all the hardware with titanium too. What about building a body out of alloy or even better carbon fiber? I am pretty sure you can have a carbon driveshaft made up too.

Adding lightness as opposed to removing weight can get a little expensive though........
Or you could do what I did: put the sprite drive train and suspension into a lighter chassis and bodyshell. My Westfield weighs 1150# with full fuel, it was not cheap either.

 

[racingenglishcars]

Fiberglass will remove a whole lot of weight, and repair rust and dents at the same time.
Start with the front

Then the back

Here:
https://www.petermayengineering.co.uk/specialistProducts.htm#4.9

 

[Boink]

As you say... yourself! Not knowing you, just think what losing 20 pounds could do for both your car and your health. :cooler:

 

[ABfish]

I'm very happy with my weight, thank you, but those dang BMI tables say otherwise....

 

[Boink]

I'm very happy with my weight, thank you, but those dang BMI tables say otherwise....

Yeah, me too. 'Course this aging business isn't helping. It seems that at every decade milestone there is a leap to some new plateau. :frown:

 

[Westfield_XI]

I know from my days working with the Honda AMA motorcycle racing team that their championship winning riders always took a laxative on the morning of a race. If you can leave 2 or 3 pounds floating in the bowl it will give you a bit of an edge. It is only a psychological edge, but as Yogi Berra said: 90% of this game is half mental.

 

[rkep01]

I'm very happy with my weight, thank you, but those dang BMI tables say otherwise....

Yeah, me too. 'Course this aging business isn't helping. It seems that at every decade milestone there is a <span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="color: #FF0000">leap</span></span> to some new plateau. :frown:

I believe the correct term is a <span style="font-weight: bold">slide</span>.

 

[JPSmit]

I know from my days working with the Honda AMA motorcycle racing team that their championship winning riders always took a laxative on the morning of a race. If you can leave 2 or 3 pounds floating in the bowl it will give you a bit of an edge. It is only a psychological edge, but as Yogi Berra said: 90% of this game is half mental.

Thank you so much for that mental image....

 

[RickB]

This thread has pushed me over the edge.
My diet started this morning, thanks guys.

 

[mightymidget]

replace seats with bomber seats
Pay attention to the tire's weight
They also have fiberglass doors
remove the side glass and internal parts if you keep standard doors
remove the hood and the frame, run a tounea cover (Sorry about spelling)
Bumpers grille
fiberglass trunk
run 1/2 tank of gas
alum. radiator

 

[DWeeB]

I just removed the heavy cast iron motor and replaced it with a light weight aluminum one, goes like heck now. I think I save a few good bowel movements worth of weight.