When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
That's why the suggestion to go in stages. I'm not disagreeing with you garfunkle, but I don't see it as having to go more "racecar". I see it as going more "responsive car" or "light, agile car" within subjective preferences.
The Lotus Exige is far from being a racecar yet has most of the changes talked about here and is extremely responsive due to its weight/suspension. (you could quiet dynamat it and it'd still be light)
Should have said this in the beginning, some won't get what I'm doing without driving the ref. cars I'm talking about. (a modern GT3/GT4 feels heavy comparatively)
Drive an early '70's 911 with good suspension or a Lotus Elise/Exige that's well setup and the difference is noticeable but not offensive or like a race car (to my subjectivities)
Regarding cars that are like race cars, cages, fire suppression systems and all metal suspension joints imho make any car unstreetable.
The number of people I see on the street with non-factory roll bars inches from their unhelmeted heads makes me cringe for their safety.
That's why the suggestion to go in stages. I'm not disagreeing with you garfunkle, but I don't see it as having to go more "racecar". I see it as going more "responsive car" or "light, agile car" within subjective preferences.
The Lotus Exige is far from being a racecar yet has most of the changes talked about here and is extremely responsive due to its weight/suspension. (you could quiet dynamat it and it'd still be light)
Should have said this in the beginning, some won't get what I'm doing without driving the ref. cars I'm talking about. (a modern GT3/GT4 feels heavy comparatively)
Drive an early '70's 911 with good suspension or a Lotus Elise/Exige that's well setup and the difference is noticeable but not offensive or like a race car (to my subjectivities)
Regarding cars that are like race cars, cages, fire suppression systems and all metal suspension joints imho make any car unstreetable.
The number of people I see on the street with non-factory roll bars inches from their unhelmeted heads makes me cringe for their safety.
Racecar was not meant in the literal sense. My family calls it the racecar, even when it was stock.
These things are like early stages of dating a crazy girl. She doesn't come out on the first date with full transparency of the craziness. She lets you see a little at a time and the more your tolerance changes, the more she releases more crazy. When you've had enough and the crazy is too much a piece of your soul is gone forever and when you meet a normal lady again you realize how compliant the ride is and wonder how much excitement you really need. Too far can ruin the enjoyment of the car. If this car wasn't a tertiary car for me then my suspension would be way to stiff; so it also depends on where you are in your car journey and relative subjectiveness. The sound would still be easy to live with I think though because at normal driving RPM's its not much more obtrusive.
I just removed 5 more pieces from my trunk (including the engine foam/carpet cover previously). Shaved 14.5 more lbs totaling 25 lbs (engine cover included). This sound insulation foam is heavy stuff folks. Part numbers:
The carpet/foam is still in place right behind the seats. I'm down 40 now with the manufacturer's claimed 15 lb weight savings of the catback exhaust compared to stock (36.6 vs 21.7).
Nice, how did you like the sound/NVH? Also, you said claimed on the exhaust, like we discussed prob. right due to it being a .1, but for others who aren't aware,
the 987.2 stock cat back mufflers/pipes are lighter than the 987.1's due to half the 4 cats preceding the mufflers on the .1. I've seen 2 wrong difference quotes for the lighter .2's.
Nice, how did you like the sound/NVH? Also, you said claimed on the exhaust, like we discussed prob. right due to it being a .1, but for others who aren't aware,
the 987.2 stock cat back mufflers/pipes are lighter than the 987.1's due to half the 4 cats preceding the mufflers on the .1. I've seen 2 wrong difference quotes for the lighter .2's.
Love the Noise! Specifically, the obvious increase in engine sound but also the deep tone from the exhaust can now be heard with the removal of the big floor piece. You compared it to a 996 GT3 decibel wise. I'd venture to say that's about right.
No increase in vibrations, a good thing
No increase in harshness, also good. Just an enhanced motorsport experience with no need to roll the windows down to enjoy it.
If I had to find one negative attribute it would be that if you had a passenger, both of you would need to raise your voices to be heard. That and cell phone usage. Still worth it.
As an ex Lotus Elise owner this reminds me of several projects on Lotustalk, where having a sub 2000 lb car to begin with was too heavy.
I'm enjoying reading this BTW, very creative project, just not for me or my R. If I wanted a racecar I'd buy a spec Miata. But I appreciate what you're going after.
I did all this work 5 years ago when I also did the dyno testing but if you look in the below pic, it's bolted to the rectangular area with the two raised base bolt holes.
Nice, how did you like the sound/NVH? Also, you said claimed on the exhaust, like we discussed prob. right due to it being a .1, but for others who aren't aware,
the 987.2 stock cat back mufflers/pipes are lighter than the 987.1's due to half the 4 cats preceding the mufflers on the .1. I've seen 2 wrong difference quotes for the lighter .2's.
Just weighed my stock .1 catback. Came to 43 lbs. SOUL Performance states 36.6 lbs on their website. Pretty big difference. Now I wished I weighed my SOUL catback prior to install for a real world difference. They claim 21.7 lbs which would be a substantial ~21 lb difference from stock. Again, this is for the catted .1 exhaust from factory.
Just weighed my stock .1 catback. Came to 43 lbs. SOUL Performance states 36.6 lbs on their website. Pretty big difference. Now I wished I weighed my SOUL catback prior to install for a real world difference. They claim 21.7 lbs which would be a substantial ~21 lb difference from stock. Again, this is for the catted .1 exhaust from factory.
Yup, back in 2010 my S was the test car for Borla's .2 exhaust and there was so much incorrect info. floating around that measuring everything became the norm
I'm sure you did this but for others reading the thread, remember to include the weights of the hanger/mounts/tips too as they can be fairly different.
Well, I went ahead with the removal of the 3rd large piece which is the one directly behind the seats (I'm unable to upload pics for whatever reason, part #987.551.035.02 A10). I was hesitant because this piece is part of the cockpit and was afraid of what it'd look like. I have a black interior and because the frame is also black, it blends in adequately. Plus, the seat backs hide most of it. Again, no added vibrations or harshness, only increased engine volume. And of course, there's more weight shedding. In this case, 6.5 lbs. So in all, over 30 lbs removed just from these carpet/foam pieces.
I'm currently looking at replacing my stock sport seats (manual fore and aft / electric tilt / heated) with aftermarket lightweights. How are the Rocaro fixed backs on a daily basis? I'm medium frame, 32" waist with no back problems so I'm looking at a true lightweight seat(s) and not really concerned about the usual gripes about sitting a stiff, small seat just as long as there is enough cushioning. Are they around 25 lbs each? I'd guess the sport seats are around 50 each (with heat) so there would be a total of 50 lbs shed for the combo.
I’m roughly the same size, with Recaro Pole Positions in the car. More comfortable in my view than the stock seats. Feels great even on a long 8 hour drive to VIR.
12-20-2020, 06:17 PM
