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What is the lightest RWD car for my hybrid? Give me some ideas please.

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Old 04-24-2004, 03:24 PM
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Default What is the lightest RWD car for my hybrid? Give me some ideas please.

I need the curb weight for some RWD cars that are very light. I prefer a more aerodynamic car if possible. Here is what I have so far.

69-73 Opel GT----2100
79-85 RX7--------2300-2590
70-73 240Z-------2355
early 90's Miata---2105
Nash Metro-------1890


If anyone knows of where to find a book or a website that has all vehicle weights please let me know.


Later,
Bart
Old 04-24-2004, 03:30 PM
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Chevette/T1000 - 1700 lbs. w/ low options. Usually you can just do a Google search on vehicle names with "weight" or "specifications" after it. I happen to have one (T1000) that I was going to do a GN motor swap. It's a Tennessee car and for sale. HTH.
Old 04-24-2004, 03:52 PM
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Ever think about an early 70's datsun 510?

maybe even a GEO Metro.
Old 04-24-2004, 04:36 PM
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He said RWD guys.

I'd also look into the Vega and the Monza, but my pic would be Miata or the last gen RX7.
Old 04-24-2004, 05:11 PM
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A Chevrolet Chevette is full frame AND rear wheel drive. The same goes for it's cousin - the Pontiac T1000.
Old 04-24-2004, 10:31 PM
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What did a Gremlin weigh? People were droppin all kinds of crazy engines in those back in the day? What about a Pontiac Fiero?
Old 04-25-2004, 09:05 AM
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miata is the lightest car of the 90s right? (from that list)

you might want to consider the second gen (ex. '88) rx-7s, i hear people have been into the 9s with the Rear.
Old 04-25-2004, 01:07 PM
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2nd gen RX7 but they are in the 2800 range.

What do you mean by "i hear people have been into the 9s with the Rear."......Do you mean with the stock rear end?


1980 Chevy Chevette weighs in at 2,085 pounds.

Gremlin = 3200-3400

84 Fiero = 2740

Vega 1971-1972: 2146 to 2333 lbs (sedans are lightest, wagons are heaviest)

Monza 2700-3000 lbs depending on options




Thanks,
Bart

Last edited by Speedfreaks101; 04-25-2004 at 09:27 PM. Reason: I made myself look like a dipshit
Old 04-25-2004, 01:39 PM
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Do you mean with the stock rear end?
The factory rear end yes, the Turbo II models seem to be prefered.
Old 04-25-2004, 03:31 PM
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Well, you should have been more clear in your original post, to outline your goals. I'm still not real sure exactly what you are looking for. But, if it is going to be STRIPPED, we really can't give you an accurate comparison of what ANY of these cars are going to weight when complete.

Newer cars are guaranteed to have higher curb weights in stock form, but that does not neccesarilly mean they are going to be a heavier platform. They are almost certain to have heavier interior materials used in the seats, will have things like power door and power windown solenoids, will have much more sound deadening material, Much more electrical wiring for lots of things you will likely be getting rid of (if this is going to be an all-out race car), are more likely to have AC systems and components compared to early 1970's vehicles, they will have full Fuel Injection systems etc. etc. etc.

Those things all add up, and when taking a car like a late model RX7 or 300ZX, once you get rid of all that stuff you have a car thats going to be VERY comparable to an equivilantly stripped 70's 240Z.

For instance: This 300 ZX race car is listed at 1950 pounds.

I say you are better off outlining more of you goals (like a SPECIFIC weight range) and setting out to look for a car that can meet them. Find small cars that you think are sexy (as that seems to be a primary goal) and look for people that race them... see what they weigh stripped out. Find one that meets all or most closely meets all of your goals and you will be happiest.

Another Suggestion though... try looking into a Fiero with one of the many Fiberglass kit car bodies available. There are lots of Fiero's out there that have been swapped over to V8's and there are also lots that have been converted to different style bodies so lots of info out there.

Last edited by grooves12; 04-25-2004 at 03:37 PM.
Old 04-25-2004, 04:55 PM
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You can look up weights on NADA.com I believe.

I'd go with a newer non-pop up headlight miata with an LS1 on the juice. Preferably black.

A second gen RX7 would be a pretty good choice, a small block fits easy, and a LS1 is at least possible.
Old 04-25-2004, 05:03 PM
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Your right bro, I did not give enough info. I didn't want to give so much critera that no would would post.....SOooo

1. I really want the lightest starting platform
2. Needs to be aerodynamic
3. Cheaper is better since it I want put the large majority of money in the drivetrain.

I just want a finished product as close to 2000 or less as possible.

Thank Ya'll,
Bart

Originally Posted by grooves12
Well, you should have been more clear in your original post, to outline your goals. I'm still not real sure exactly what you are looking for. But, if it is going to be STRIPPED, we really can't give you an accurate comparison of what ANY of these cars are going to weight when complete.

Newer cars are guaranteed to have higher curb weights in stock form, but that does not neccesarilly mean they are going to be a heavier platform. They are almost certain to have heavier interior materials used in the seats, will have things like power door and power windown solenoids, will have much more sound deadening material, Much more electrical wiring for lots of things you will likely be getting rid of (if this is going to be an all-out race car), are more likely to have AC systems and components compared to early 1970's vehicles, they will have full Fuel Injection systems etc. etc. etc.

Those things all add up, and when taking a car like a late model RX7 or 300ZX, once you get rid of all that stuff you have a car thats going to be VERY comparable to an equivilantly stripped 70's 240Z.

For instance: This 300 ZX race car is listed at 1950 pounds.

I say you are better off outlining more of you goals (like a SPECIFIC weight range) and setting out to look for a car that can meet them. Find small cars that you think are sexy (as that seems to be a primary goal) and look for people that race them... see what they weigh stripped out. Find one that meets all or most closely meets all of your goals and you will be happiest.

Another Suggestion though... try looking into a Fiero with one of the many Fiberglass kit car bodies available. There are lots of Fiero's out there that have been swapped over to V8's and there are also lots that have been converted to different style bodies so lots of info out there.
Old 04-25-2004, 10:42 PM
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well, you can always look for a datson 210 or mazda R1. they roll out at about 1700lbs stock and since they are big in the import drag community there are a bunch of fiberglass/carbon fiber panels and parts available for them. not exactly perfect aero, but it is so small/light that it really isn't an issue.
i like the opel i dea, they are rather light, good aero, and actually look pretty good.

later
tim
Old 04-26-2004, 05:45 AM
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In any case the frame would need stiffening which will add weight.

The old Vegas have alot of companies making parts for them yet, plus they are more aerodynamic then most of the other light weights and were basically designed for 55MPH and max fuel mileage.......
Old 04-26-2004, 12:38 PM
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Go with the 86-88 base Rx7, with no sunroof, starting weight is 2600, stripped 1800-2000 easy. Turbo II rear end, will take 9's and the car has a .31 drag co-efficent, so it's pretty aero. All the turbo's suspension and diff can be swapped.
Old 04-26-2004, 09:52 PM
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yeah, go with the 2nd gen rex, its a perfect car for what your looking for do some research on it. they can be found in GOOD condition for under a grand. any lighter like the miata i heard has problems with chassis, wieght distribution, traction, rear end. strip the 2nd gen and you will be one light MF'er
Old 04-26-2004, 10:09 PM
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How do you recognize a turbo II rear?


Later,
Bart
Old 04-27-2004, 03:12 AM
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If you decide to do the RX-7 which by the way would be my choice, then you should check out www.hinsonsupercars.com. I am in no way affiliated with them but I have been wanting to build a 3rd gen RX-7 with an LS1 for some time now. Looks like from their website that they offer some pretty good products for both 2nd and 3rd gen cars.
Old 04-27-2004, 06:47 PM
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Here are some prices I found on a few cars:

250 - 3rd gen V8 Firebird
350 - 2nd Gen Nova
450 - 1st Gen RX7
Waiting for price- Opel GT
Old 04-28-2004, 05:33 AM
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maybe you can find a stranded cobra project or something similar with the tube frame and fiberglass body, it will be very lightweight....
You want to add all the money to the drive train, but with a cobra you allready have a nice suspension setup, which will be very nice too.
Another budget though
just a thought.


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