bonus12

You may have already done this and/or know about it, but alas:

if you've got an early 944, curb weight is 2778 lb and power is 147 hp. power to weight ratio is (2778/147): 18.9 lbs/hp.

however, take out your spare tire (~30 lbs), jack stand (~5 lbs), and air compressor (~5 lbs). next, fill your tank up only 1/2 way full (save a whopping 80 lbs here). total weight reduction = about 120 lbs.

after this weight reduction, the ratio is (2658/147): 18.1 lbs/hp. this is a drop of .8 lbs/hp!!

How much horsepower is that equivalent to adding?? ([2778 lbs/18.1] - 147 hp): 6.5 hp gain!!

How much money is that worth? let's say you drop a K&N into the stock air filter for a gain of 2.5 hp at $50. in this case that means doing the above is worth (50 X [6.5 hp/2.5]): $130!!! not to mention better mpg and nimbler handing. uhhh... and its free.

KuHL 951

I could lose 60 lbs myself off my carcass and not even have to touch the car but your math is good!

Reimu

Whoa whoa whoa I think you're onto something here.

We may have several racing groups picking up on this new technology

Van

Get the car down to 2300 lbs, and it's 15.6 lbs/hp. A 31 HP gain.

Buy a turbo S, and get a 103 HP gain... :

dpoul34

And have fun with the flat without the spare in there!!!! I'm with Kuhl on losing the body weight!!!

Elliot9

A grinder will get the car down to as light as you want it, that's free too (if you already own the grinder of course).

rgs944

Losing weight is the absolute best way to increase performance. I run without a spare but rarely do I go anymore than 25 miles a way. That is only a short wait for someone to bring it too me in the very unlikely event of a flat. Before cell phones it might have been a bigger deal but not now.

bonus12

um come on now, everyone knows it's near impossible to lose 60 lbs.

seriously though, i wanted to offer a new perspective, not present a new radical idea! who doesn't love these numbers?

pettybird

I did this! Remarkably effective!

Elliot9

bonus12, where are you at in Northern California?

ritzblitz

Sorry, but 80 lbs of fuel is 13 gallons... we don't have 26 gallon tanks.

FRporscheman

The front bumper is heavy. I say take it off, and don't even cover up the hole with tape or anything since tape adds weight. BOOM - 10 hp. j/k...

You missed one vital step in your little performance package - a AAA membership to bail you out if/when you get a flat! I don't have AAA so I still have my spare, jack, and pump.

Someone should invent carbon fiber fuel.

xsboost90

pull the spare, jack and tools, then the rear end gets light and throws off the balance, sending the rear end around when you try to corner hard. Dont pull stuff from the rear unless you can pull the same weight from the front of the car. Or put a big front sway on there.

rgs944

A light car is a better performer in all areas including fuel miliage. This guy is giving us ideas on increasing performance and we have a bunch of "mamas boys telling us to never talk to girls". No one is going to go spinning out in a 944 because they do not have a spare tire and jack back there. Lighten your car around town and do not worry about it, if you drive 500 miles to grandma's house then put it back in.

ZR8ED

Or relocate your battery to the rear! "while your at it" change out to a gel cell type battery for additional weight savings.

There are only a few easy mods that can get you maximum hp/$ return. Simple weight reductions for zero dollars obviously maximzies this.

While on the topic, what other VERY simple mods can free up some hp, make some hp, or improve power to weight ratios? When I say simple, I mean "shadetree" mechanic simple, and when I say low cost, I mean under $100.00 per mod. Any 944 specific things? There are lots of general type mods (mods that work in ALL automobiles)