i was curious if there are any structural concerns with cutting out the metal where the spare tire well is in a 92 civic HB for weight savings. I wanted tocut out the well and put thin sheet-metal over the hole and paint it.

-d

 

what?

 

Just leave it the weight is not significant enough. Better off stripping the sound deadening off the rest of the car and using lightweight parts like wheels, body parts, etc.

 

i cannot explain it any better than my first posting...sorry.

 

Leave it pl0x. were talking about a drag car too right?

 

just leave it, the weight you will loose when you take it out will be gained as soon as you put sheet metal in. its not a very thick of heavy peice.

 

it's a drag/street car. it's fully gutted.
so is there any structural concerns with removing that spare tire well?

 

none that i know of. the only thing i can see this doing is making the back look a little better, weight savings.. noithing that noticeable.

 

you'd save more weight removing things like power windows, carbon fiber hoods, and lighter wheels

the spare tire well is just a sheet of metal that is concave, will only be a few pounds lighter without it

 

ok..thanks for the info...i've never lightened up a unibody, so i'm not 100% sure how much i can 'snip' out without risking bending or flexing.

 

the metal seems significantly thicker than regular sheet metal....and at the base is a tow point - so i doubt it is just regular sheet metal. that is why i was curious about structural impact. when i bang on it a bit - it is definitely a lot thicker than the other sheet metal on the car...

the car already has a CF hood, no power windows, lexan rear windshield, fully gutted....
i was just looking for some cheap and creative ways to shave off lbs...a few lbs here and there adds up quick! ;-)

 

gut the doors, no bumper reinforcements, carbon hatch, etc etc... if this car is going to be driven on the street then i don't suggest most of things i said or cutting out the spare tire well... cars like that don't do well in accidents.

 

You'd save more weight by wearing thinner socks - Topgear LoL

 

did u remove the firewall mat?