one.simple.da

Ok, I've read endless threads about weight reduction, and learned some great things here and there. But, I have some questions I've never had answered that hopefully I can get some help with. We all know the 92-95 Civic CX/VX are the lightest model available. I own a 94 EX Coupe, one of the heaviest models.


Getting specific (according to autotrader.com)

92 Civic CX/VX = 2094lbs.
94 Civic EX = 2443lbs.

Damn. That right there is 349lbs alone. Worth a few tenths of your 1/4 mile for sure.

Its obvious that the longer wheelbase makes up some of the higher weight value. **What I want to know is, once you start getting into more serious weight reduction, does the coupe have the potential to end up weighing 1800-1900 lbs, just like some of those hatches can?

To clarify what I mean by weight reduction, it must be something still streetable. Unfortunatly streetable is different to everyone. I'm thinking, stripped interior minus dash/doorpanels, with no speakers, no radio, lexan rear 1/4 windows and rear window (something like the molded FAL kit), removed sound deadening, removed sunroof, lightweight battery, no a/c, no p/s, ect ect.

Doesnt sound too streetable when you read it/list it, especially in AZ (god damn sun), but I've been trying to figure this out for quite a while. Thoughts and opinions everyone please, I'd like to figure this out.

one.simple.da

bump cause I'd like to know!

shakedown94

my ep 94 ex is down to 2050. that is with only drivers seat (stock),dash,heater,power windows and mirrors. still no carbon and lexan. the cx will always be lighter. but a same trim level (ie dx hatch to dx coupe) will only be 40-50 lbs lighter.

one.simple.da

Good info, ok so if I were to take you mods even a bit farther... no heater... just dash skin, it could be under 2000lbs hopefully. So my next question, if you were to compair a cx hatch and an ex coupe with the same weight reduction, would the hatch always have about 40-50 pounds because of the differance in wheel base? But do you think its possible to get down to enough bare bones to have them eventually be close to the same weight?

shakedown94

the coupe will always be 40-50 more. longer wheelbase and package(speaker)tray.
now that is with the exact same parts removed.

next project is to remove headlights for auto-x. this will be replaced with gts smoked covers in their place. will make brackets to mount and will look normal from a few feet away. rules won't allow just removing. have to be covered with grill or cover.

this is my daily driver still. once it is not,it will be on then. carbon hood,fiberglass fenders,full lexan,no heater,dash,kirkey seat,carbon trunk,gutted doors,and taillamps.

the project never ends!!!!!

Teal95Coupe

So if you took 2 bare shells with absolutely nothing on them one coupe and one hatchback would the difference be around 40-50 pounds?

one.simple.da

I really dont know, I think shakedown was estimating, and I just went with his example. I would like to know, however, the actual weight difference from 2 bar shells, because that would answer the rest of the questions.

shakedown94

this is from memory,so cut me a break.

the 40-50 est. is solely based on listing for a dx coupe is 40 lbs more than dx hatch.same exact options for both cars.

i believe the weight is in the shell. more metal and the mentioned package tray and braces.

i would also like to know bare shell to bare shell weights.

EG TYPE-R

wow pretty cool thoughts, and ideas.

this gets me thinking in another tangent to this. if you could get the two cars (coupe, hatch) to about the same weight 40-50 pound diff lets say what would handle better given the same mods?

would the added wheelbase be better or worse?
i dont want to jack the thread but i think this is relevant.

misha

shakedown94

i had a ek and now the ej1

i like the wheelbase,same as the ek. it is more stab and less like to snap around. it will still come around,but alot more progressive.this is with no front swaybar,progress rear bar22mm,and gc 450-600 springs.

and the coupe is stiffer in the rear body wise.and slight better weight spread. ie more weight on the rear wheels. and slightly better aero wise.not that matters for auto-x.but don't plan to stay there forever.

SOHC_MShue

You can get the weight down pretty far. I have gotten my 98 ex coupe down to 2250 lbs. with minor weight reduction at the track. No PS, no ac, no cruise control, only 1 stock driver seat, nothing in the trunk, no rear seat.

tvs

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shakedown94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it is more stab and less like to snap around. it will still come around,but alot more progressive.this is with no front swaybar,progress rear bar22mm,and gc 450-600 springs.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

and you know this because??????

RTE117

My 97 EX coupe should be around 2100 lbs when I go to the track, 15 lbs +/-.. Not bad, they have potential to be light.

shakedown94

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tvs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

and you know this because??????</TD></TR></TABLE>


lets see,i think you remember!

ek vs. mountain = busted ek

start new project here..... ej1


Modified by shakedown94 at 12:36 AM 4/8/2004