911R Weight Reduction
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Steve Theodore (02-04-2020)
#454
Once one gets beyond the basics -- magnesium wheels, battery, exhaust system (though permit me to reserve the question of how much weight can be saved from an exhaust until my version [which will have a center muffler for the sake of my ears and those of any passenger] is completed) -- weight reduction becomes expensive such that one should engage in it only if it makes a demonstrable difference. Thus, the next areas for consideration might be rotating weight and this could include Aermet/300M/Ceramic Ball axles (approximately three pounds per side), Carbon Clutch with Titanium Basket (approximately 19 pounds) and Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite water pump pulley (approximately one pound). Cost of these three items is high (approximately $18,000 in small quantities per axle set, approximately $19,000 in small quantities for the clutch and $2000 for the pulley). While this may seem expensive, in F1, savings of one pound can cost $50,000.
#455
I did think of a magnesium gear box but discarded that thought immediately thereafter. To the best of my knowledge, no Porsche, street or race car, has ever had a carbon fiber gear box. Further, in the spirit of the original 911R of 1967 and of its creator, the late Prof. Dr. Piëch, nothing else but a carbon fiber gear box will do.
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#456
As to what is next, and before the carbon fiber gear box: new drop links, Inconel and titanium exhaust system, lightweight alternator, lightweight starter, carbon clutch and a few mostly decorative changes to the steering wheel (though these, too, will save a few grams).
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TRAKCAR (02-02-2020)
#457
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Robert Linton
As to what is next, and before the carbon fiber gear box: new drop links, Inconel and titanium exhaust system, lightweight alternator, lightweight starter, carbon clutch and a few mostly decorative changes to the steering wheel (though these, too, will save a few grams).
The following 7 users liked this post by Robert Linton:
erik_plus8 (02-02-2020),
flywheel (02-02-2020),
JasonAndreas (02-02-2020),
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paver (02-02-2020),
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#460
Welded. Of course, if you are going for optimal performance from an exhaust, to diminish heat which can cause aerodynamic lift and wear on surrounding components, the headers should be wrapped with an insulating material, e.g., Hakotherm 1200 fiber wool, covered with stainless steel foil, 0.15mm thick. Of course, many people will not do this because, for them, much of the reason for an aftermarket exhaust is about the "look". Indeed, Instagram seems to drive as many "mods" as does improved performance even though the look of many aftermarket systems is awful -- either because the supplier does not have the skill to do better or the customer does not know or will not pay for what right should look like.
Last edited by Robert Linton; 02-02-2020 at 12:28 PM.
#461
I did think of a magnesium gear box but discarded that thought immediately thereafter. To the best of my knowledge, no Porsche, street or race car, has ever had a carbon fiber gear box. Further, in the spirit of the original 911R of 1967 and of its creator, the late Prof. Dr. Piëch, nothing else but a carbon fiber gear box will do.
#464
BTW KOBALT - the final result will, by and large, not (except, of course, for the wheels) be visible as any exterior carbon part is painted and almost all of the other new components are hard, if not impossible, to see from the outside of the car. Indeed, the work being done is engineering not Instagram.
#465
Rennlist Member
Seems Wiki has it wrong.
“The car had traction control and a hydraulically operated seven-speed sequential gearbox with rear-lock differential, which was mounted inside a carbon-fibre casing with titanium inserts around its high-stress sections.”
“The car had traction control and a hydraulically operated seven-speed sequential gearbox with rear-lock differential, which was mounted inside a carbon-fibre casing with titanium inserts around its high-stress sections.”