Any weight reduction to be easily done on V1'S
03-13-2013, 07:39 PM
#2
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Front and rear seats are incredibly heavy. IIRC, there is a metal plate/bracket that supports the rear seat that is almost 50lbs itself. Could also swap out for a lightweight battery. These alone might get you 250lbs or more right off the top.
03-13-2013, 09:11 PM
#7
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Titanium bolts on everything...
Like to see the full list of every bolt that holds this car together minus the engine. Cradle bolts of titanium... surprised only saved 10 pounds. That had to take a chunk of time figuring all that out.
Like to see the full list of every bolt that holds this car together minus the engine. Cradle bolts of titanium... surprised only saved 10 pounds. That had to take a chunk of time figuring all that out.
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03-13-2013, 09:13 PM
#8
This duplicates some of what the Cadillac Forums' Weight Reduction checklist states, but I'll put my spin on this:
- Remove the plastic spare tire well (-10 lbs).
- Replace the stock manifolds in favor of Kooks or OBX 1-7/8" headers (-32 lbs).
- Replace the stock exhaust with a Magnaflow 16637 and Kooks cats (-25 lbs)
- Upgrade to a lightweight clutch and flywheel. The stock clutch weighs 28 lbs, and the stock flywheel weighs 46 lbs. The McLeod RXT weighs 21.5 lbs, and its aluminum flywheel weighs 13.5 lbs, for a total of 35 lbs (-39 lbs).
- Upgrade your suspension to anything--GC, D2, or KW. The stock suspension weighs an unholy buttload. I haven't put all of the component pieces on a scale, but I believe you're looking at 5-10 lbs per corner.
- Replace the stock seats (100 lbs each) with lightweight Sparcos (13 lbs each). The only reason why I haven't done this is that I haven't found someone that'll reupholster them with leather to my standards yet.
- Selectively remove chunks of the steel plate embedded in the back seat (unknown--working on it now). The back seat weighs a good 80-90 lbs, and most of it is due to a stiffener/projectile shield that Cadillac installed in each section facing the trunk. I suspect that I'll be able to remove 30 lbs of material and add back in 10 lbs of sound dampening MLV, resulting in a quieter and lighter car overall.
- Lightweight Deka ETX20L battery (15.5 lbs) for summer usage. If you're running the standard, Wal-mart Group 78N battery (37.8 lbs) that most of us have, the weight savings will be significant (22 lbs, once you count the expensive aluminum bracket).
If you did about 1/2 of this stuff, you'd be down 100+ lbs.
- Remove the plastic spare tire well (-10 lbs).
- Replace the stock manifolds in favor of Kooks or OBX 1-7/8" headers (-32 lbs).
- Replace the stock exhaust with a Magnaflow 16637 and Kooks cats (-25 lbs)
- Upgrade to a lightweight clutch and flywheel. The stock clutch weighs 28 lbs, and the stock flywheel weighs 46 lbs. The McLeod RXT weighs 21.5 lbs, and its aluminum flywheel weighs 13.5 lbs, for a total of 35 lbs (-39 lbs).
- Upgrade your suspension to anything--GC, D2, or KW. The stock suspension weighs an unholy buttload. I haven't put all of the component pieces on a scale, but I believe you're looking at 5-10 lbs per corner.
- Replace the stock seats (100 lbs each) with lightweight Sparcos (13 lbs each). The only reason why I haven't done this is that I haven't found someone that'll reupholster them with leather to my standards yet.
- Selectively remove chunks of the steel plate embedded in the back seat (unknown--working on it now). The back seat weighs a good 80-90 lbs, and most of it is due to a stiffener/projectile shield that Cadillac installed in each section facing the trunk. I suspect that I'll be able to remove 30 lbs of material and add back in 10 lbs of sound dampening MLV, resulting in a quieter and lighter car overall.
- Lightweight Deka ETX20L battery (15.5 lbs) for summer usage. If you're running the standard, Wal-mart Group 78N battery (37.8 lbs) that most of us have, the weight savings will be significant (22 lbs, once you count the expensive aluminum bracket).
If you did about 1/2 of this stuff, you'd be down 100+ lbs.
03-13-2013, 09:41 PM
#10
The only thign you can really do without sacrificing the whole point of having the car is lightweight battery, remove the tub in the trunk, buy two piece brake rotors when its time to replace them, and buy a good set of lightweight wheels. Lowering rotating mass makes the biggest difference.
The better way to do it is just keep adding power lol.
The better way to do it is just keep adding power lol.
Last edited by itsslow98; 03-13-2013 at 09:50 PM.
03-14-2013, 04:40 AM
#13
I stand corrected. Thanks for weighing that beast. What'd you use...a hanging scale?
By the way, the smaller seatback plate measures is 14x22" and the larger plate measures 22x22" (5.5 ft^2 total). According to EngineeringToolbox.com, 3/16" plate steel weighs 7.65 lbs/ft^2. Assuming that those plates were cut from 3/16" sheet, 42 lbs of the seatback's 63 lb heft is due to those plates.
Now, as best I can tell, the plate is the only thing preventing a passenger from sploding into the trunk, judging by the multiple vertical stiffening grooves stamped into each sheet--so you can't just take it out. However, for about $100, you could replace it with 1/4" aluminum (3.5 lbs/ft^2, or 19.25 lbs total), or cut out selected portions of the steel sheet (leaving the stiffening grooves intact), knocking out about half of the weight.
Either way, you're down at least 20 lbs for $100 or less. If only everything was this easy. Before you put it all back together, I recommend installing a sheet of Luxury Liner Pro ($50, plus 3M Adhesive) between the remainder of the sheet and the internals of the seat for a nice reduction in cabin noise.
After my next midterm, I plan on getting all of this done. Expect a short build thread in the next month or so.
By the way, the smaller seatback plate measures is 14x22" and the larger plate measures 22x22" (5.5 ft^2 total). According to EngineeringToolbox.com, 3/16" plate steel weighs 7.65 lbs/ft^2. Assuming that those plates were cut from 3/16" sheet, 42 lbs of the seatback's 63 lb heft is due to those plates.
Now, as best I can tell, the plate is the only thing preventing a passenger from sploding into the trunk, judging by the multiple vertical stiffening grooves stamped into each sheet--so you can't just take it out. However, for about $100, you could replace it with 1/4" aluminum (3.5 lbs/ft^2, or 19.25 lbs total), or cut out selected portions of the steel sheet (leaving the stiffening grooves intact), knocking out about half of the weight.
Either way, you're down at least 20 lbs for $100 or less. If only everything was this easy. Before you put it all back together, I recommend installing a sheet of Luxury Liner Pro ($50, plus 3M Adhesive) between the remainder of the sheet and the internals of the seat for a nice reduction in cabin noise.
After my next midterm, I plan on getting all of this done. Expect a short build thread in the next month or so.
Last edited by FuzzyLog1c; 03-14-2013 at 05:10 AM.
03-14-2013, 08:17 AM
#15
Don't forget to hit the tread mill! The for the avg american thats gotta equal 20-50 lbs! 
By Fuzzy's post I calculate that I will have lost 260lbs from my car once I have everything put in. That is impressive to me.
Also, (not sure why it is not mentioned anywhere) but for some one like yourself B Rocks who is going high HP I bet there is weight saving with removing the stock fuel tank and putting a 15 gallon plastic fuel cell in the trunk. With the larger pump and lines to go along with those #'s. Also, the tank back there and relocating the battery I wonder how much closer to 50/50 the V would be. Then also changing out the front seats!? and removing weight from the front/middle of the car should help that out too.
By Fuzzy's post I calculate that I will have lost 260lbs from my car once I have everything put in. That is impressive to me.
Also, (not sure why it is not mentioned anywhere) but for some one like yourself B Rocks who is going high HP I bet there is weight saving with removing the stock fuel tank and putting a 15 gallon plastic fuel cell in the trunk. With the larger pump and lines to go along with those #'s. Also, the tank back there and relocating the battery I wonder how much closer to 50/50 the V would be. Then also changing out the front seats!? and removing weight from the front/middle of the car should help that out too.
Last edited by NIKDSC5; 03-14-2013 at 08:57 AM.
03-14-2013, 08:58 AM
#16
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Optima redtop group 78 was 40 pounds
I gained 5 pounds on that deal but hopefully gained some durability as well.
Last edited by garrettg; 03-14-2013 at 10:35 AM.
03-14-2013, 01:41 PM
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I was actually surprised to see the lower cushion weighs almost 15#. After hefting the seat back, the lower cushion feels light as a feather, so I would've guessed it was 10# or less.
03-14-2013, 01:47 PM
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03-14-2013, 02:20 PM
#19
Posted from an old thread on another forum. Not 100% accurate but you get the idea.
UUC 2 piece rotors stock = 25.8 UUC = 19............net loss 13.6lbs.
Team Dynamics wheels TD = 21 stock = 25.8...........net loss 19.2lbs.
Hoosier R6 tires R6 = 23 F1s = 29.................net loss 24.0lbs.
Exedy twin clutch Exedy = 34 Dual Mass = 74..........net loss 40.0lbs.
Braille battery 3121= 24lbs with brkt. Stock 37lbs……..net loss 13lbs.
KW Variant dampers ??????????????????????..................net loss 30.0lbs.????
Kooks with hi flo cats Kooks = 16ea Stock = 29ea.............net loss 26.0lbs.
Corsa exhaust =61.6lbs. Stock 70lbs…...net loss 8.4lbs.
Sparco seats =80lbs. Stock = 160lbs……...net loss 80lbs.
Rear seat and trunk tub delete………………..net loss 79lbs.
TOTAL NET LOSS 333.2 LBS
FACTORY CURB WEIGHT 3850lbs. REVISED WEIGHT 3517 lbs.
(2011 BMW E92 M3 3704lbs.)
Extra bonus points for reductions in un-sprung weight and rotating mass
Here is the thread
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...ecklist-2.html
UUC 2 piece rotors stock = 25.8 UUC = 19............net loss 13.6lbs.
Team Dynamics wheels TD = 21 stock = 25.8...........net loss 19.2lbs.
Hoosier R6 tires R6 = 23 F1s = 29.................net loss 24.0lbs.
Exedy twin clutch Exedy = 34 Dual Mass = 74..........net loss 40.0lbs.
Braille battery 3121= 24lbs with brkt. Stock 37lbs……..net loss 13lbs.
KW Variant dampers ??????????????????????..................net loss 30.0lbs.????
Kooks with hi flo cats Kooks = 16ea Stock = 29ea.............net loss 26.0lbs.
Corsa exhaust =61.6lbs. Stock 70lbs…...net loss 8.4lbs.
Sparco seats =80lbs. Stock = 160lbs……...net loss 80lbs.
Rear seat and trunk tub delete………………..net loss 79lbs.
TOTAL NET LOSS 333.2 LBS
FACTORY CURB WEIGHT 3850lbs. REVISED WEIGHT 3517 lbs.
(2011 BMW E92 M3 3704lbs.)
Extra bonus points for reductions in un-sprung weight and rotating mass
Here is the thread
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...ecklist-2.html
03-16-2013, 06:03 PM
#20
Just weighed my car. With me in it and a ¼ tank of gas, it came out to 4120. I weigh 225 lbs, gas is about 26 lbs, that puts the car at about 3869. (listed things I actually weighed)
My reduction list:
Ground Control and QA1’s
2 piece front / rear rotors –average ~6 lbs each = 24 lbs *(unsprung)
Accessory wheels – 3 lbs each = 12 lbs *(unsprung)
Magnaflow exhaust
RT high flow cats
LS7 clutch / flywheel
CF driveshaft – ~2lbs
Spare tire tub delete
Additional weight
Maggie – Ship weight of the box with the Maggie in it was ~ 83 lbs. The intercooler and accessories box was ~ 46 lbs.
D3 4 core Radiator
EC hood ~ 6 lbs
Rear Strut Base
Random tools in trunk ~5 lbs
My reduction list:
Ground Control and QA1’s
2 piece front / rear rotors –average ~6 lbs each = 24 lbs *(unsprung)
Accessory wheels – 3 lbs each = 12 lbs *(unsprung)
Magnaflow exhaust
RT high flow cats
LS7 clutch / flywheel
CF driveshaft – ~2lbs
Spare tire tub delete
Additional weight
Maggie – Ship weight of the box with the Maggie in it was ~ 83 lbs. The intercooler and accessories box was ~ 46 lbs.
D3 4 core Radiator
EC hood ~ 6 lbs
Rear Strut Base
Random tools in trunk ~5 lbs
Last edited by branland; 03-17-2013 at 02:51 PM.
