I'm stripping down my hatch ('92 vx) for Solo trials (and maybe a little road racing if budget allows) prep. I was hoping to get it under 2000 lbs (or less?) before welding the cage in. The car will have a B-series motor, so thats something to keep in mind too. I can't remove the factory dash, but other than that, pretty much all interior, unnecessary metal, sound deadening (I know theres not much in a vx), etc. is fair game.

I was wondering what some of you guys have gotten your 5th gen hatches down to, and what would be a reasonable weight goal, pre-cage, given the mentioned stipulations.

TIA

 

mmm, I think you can get under 2k,
especially if you're gutting the whole interior.

remember there is wieght reduction you can do in the engine bay too,
remove any non-essential components, like windshield wiper stuff, splash gaurds, power anything, etc.

you could get a lightweight battery too.

 

This isn't new information but remember that, if you are might want to do some sanctioned road racing, you'll need to adhere to a set of rules. It is a giant PAIN to try to put required parts back in that were removed in the name of lightening. Make your class decision first and read the rules.

K

 

You can easily get under 2k. My HC H4 hatch weighs about 1975 post race.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Knestis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make your class decision first and read the rules.

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

The downside, and I've been faced with this recently, is that most of the non-stock Solo classes (rules are similary to Solo II) allow for more modifications than most road racing classes permit.

 

Right - and therein, as they say, lies the rub. You are forced to make compromises if you want to preserve legality for road racing.

K

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rickpeak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can easily get under 2k. My HC H4 hatch weighs about 1975 post race.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Do you weigh over 300lbs?

Just curious how you manage to make the 2305lb minimum weight...

 

240 plus 60 ballast

 

I agree to pick a class first and then mod. there will be weight minimums and if you don't meet them you will be weighed down or not allowed to race in that class.

 

imo, wouldnt it be better anyways, to start off with an underweighted chassis due to removal of oem parts.

then weigh it down some with weights placed EXCACTLY where you want them?
then you could control the weight distribution on your car to your liking!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">then weigh it down some with weights placed EXCACTLY where you want them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sounds good in theory but NASA, and probably SCCA, have specific locations where ballast can be added.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rickpeak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds good in theory but NASA, and probably SCCA, have specific locations where ballast can be added.</TD></TR></TABLE>

True, and in IT you are limited to (I think) a maximum of 100lbs ballast.

I've known guys that have to run a passenger seat and a spare tire to make weight.

Apparently in Grand Am GT this doesn't apply. The PTG GA M3 has what is clearly hundreds of pounds of lead bolted into its rear subframe. 50/50 weight distribution must be nice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rickpeak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can easily get under 2k. My HC H4 hatch weighs about 1975 post race.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Are you running plexiglass side and back glass?

Thawley

 

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

Are you running plexiglass side and back glass?

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

<U>http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules-forms/2004_hc.pdf</U>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rickpeak &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds good in theory but NASA, and probably SCCA, have specific locations where ballast can be added.</TD></TR></TABLE>
But it doesn't say you can't have a bunch of tubes that are part of your cage in the back that don't actually do anything

 

Wow, thanks for all the replies fellas.

As for requirements... In my time trials class, there isn't a weight restriction. If I were to start road racing my class ST (super tuners , local class) has a minimum weight requirement, but how you get there (balasts) is up to you... You can put them anywhere you want. The only ones that need to be in a prescribed location are your penalty balasts for a top 3 finish, which go on the passenger floor.

Any recomendations or tips for getting the weigh down as much as possible? Little tricks I should be aware of? Oh yeah, I have to keep factory windshield and quarter glass too.

Thanks!