15 replies to this topic

[minilee94]

Building a fast road / race 1380 mini will be used for weekends and track days iv got a 1380 should be pushing about 120bhp what can I do to save weight

I don't want to go mental though of having Perspex windows and carbon fibre bonnet and boot and remove carpets as I want some comfort

Already removed rear seats
Just having 2 bucket seats in front
Alloy dash
No stereo system


Got a center console which I like and isn't that heavy
I want to keep heater for cold days too

I think I may have just said I wuna keep all the stuff that's heavy but I maybe missing Sumink

Edited by minilee94, 27 May 2014 - 07:17 PM.

[cal844]

The bitumen coating on the floor weighs alot , remove it!!

[Alex_B]

Just remove anything that isnt necessary, literally go through everything and anything that you dont need remove. If you have the old bitumen sound deadening then remove that in favour of either nothing or some dynamat which should save considerable weight.

Don't bother with drilling holes in everything as some people do, pointless if you are keeping most of the interior and carpets etc  

[jeffm5150]

A half-size battery can save you quite a bit of weight and, if you buy a good quality one, it can be better than a standard off the shelf unit.

[mini-geek]

Ditch the spare wheel and jack,

Having a poo before you drive helps too..

[dood]

what about fibre glass boot? and maybe bonnet too. Its cheaper than carbon fibre and it would save a few kilos easily. Also money from selling the metal ones would help pay for the fibreglass ones so it would cost even less, and is pretty simple to do.

[Alex_B]

what about fibre glass boot? and maybe bonnet too. Its cheaper than carbon fibre and it would save a few kilos easily. Also money from selling the metal ones would help pay for the fibreglass ones so it would cost even less, and is pretty simple to do.

Just got to watch out for security, boot especially (although if you're worried about weight the boot will be empty ;) ) 

Don't go for composite doors however! I have heard lots of people saying they flap in the wind when going above 60mph! the tops are known to fold out at speed as well 

[JackF]

Rust is lighter than carbon fibre?

[andy159]

smaller wheels

[surfblue]

No fat birds in the passenger seat 

[minilee94]

Cheers guys hmm I didn't really fancy fibreglass stuff after years starts cracking etc just a pain in the bum lol

No spare wheel anyway and no jack

Battery is a good one thanks il look into that

Floor sound proofing is guna be ag now as carpet are fitted and underlay is glued down

[minilee94]

I think I may not be able to save anyway weight then oh we'll and cheers surf blue il remember that

[Dusky]

It will lighten itself by rusting
Removing bumpers could be something more drasticall. Fitting MK1? sliding windows and then cutting out the window winder etc was common practise on various race mini's.

Remove rear seats if they don't get used,  polyester bootlid / bonnet saves alot and is quite strong in terms of cracking. Don't know about a crash but probably you'll have a rollcage?

[phil hill]

Remove everything you don't need: brackets, fittings, clips, trims.......... spare wheels, jack, tools, speakers, redundant wiring........

 

Replace the glass with Polycarbonate (except the front screen).  

 

Lighten the doors by : Fixing the windows and ditching the winder mechanism.

                                    Cutting out the inside panel leaving enough for an ali/plastic trim.

                                    Drilling holes round the frame.

 

Remove heater.

 

Drill "speed holes" in everything.

 

Fit light-weight 10" wheels.

 

Use alloy calipers with solid discs.

 

Trim the exposed ends off every screw, bolt and fastener.

 

Alloy front hub uprights, alloy swinging arms, alloy rear hubs.

 

Replace fastners with ali, or TI if your wallet is deep enough.

 

There are a couple of good threads on TurboMini's showing weight-loss.  Mad-Mk1 is one to check out.

 

Phil.

[minilee94]

^^^ cheers but I really don't want any type of fibreglass items on my exterior I see it being really unsafe in a case of a crash

Thanks phill hill

Edited by minilee94, 27 May 2014 - 08:08 PM.