How much slower with a passenger?
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 594
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From: Rochester
F=ma (force = mass * acceleration)
Say the curb weight is 2800 lbs or so with fuel. Add 150 lb driver. Add 150 lb passenger. Passenger adds about 5% weight to vehicle. Accel slows down 5%. All other effects are secondary/tertiary...
Top speed will barely move. Top speed is almost totally determined by hp and air drag. Adding weight impacts the rolling friction, but it is just a minor component at 150 or so mph.
More hearsay-ish: Handling might slightly improve due to better lateral balance. Plenty of autox'rs have commented on how they had better runs with a passenger. Maybe having someone there makes them perform at their best, maybe it is the balance.
I believe the S2000 load is indeed 400 lbs. Most 2-seat roadsters have small loads like this, though this is about the lowest. I personally wouldn't worry about exceeding it by some.
Say the curb weight is 2800 lbs or so with fuel. Add 150 lb driver. Add 150 lb passenger. Passenger adds about 5% weight to vehicle. Accel slows down 5%. All other effects are secondary/tertiary...
Top speed will barely move. Top speed is almost totally determined by hp and air drag. Adding weight impacts the rolling friction, but it is just a minor component at 150 or so mph.
More hearsay-ish: Handling might slightly improve due to better lateral balance. Plenty of autox'rs have commented on how they had better runs with a passenger. Maybe having someone there makes them perform at their best, maybe it is the balance.
I believe the S2000 load is indeed 400 lbs. Most 2-seat roadsters have small loads like this, though this is about the lowest. I personally wouldn't worry about exceeding it by some.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,611
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From: Melbourne
I have a co-worker who weights 270lbs. I weight 180lbs, so together 450lbs. I was taking him to lunch the other day and I went WOT on the interstate and did not get the response I was used to. What am I suppossed to say to him when he wants to ride in my car? "Hey buddy, you gotta lose about 100lbs if you wanna ride in my car you fat bastard!"
Hopefully I didn't compress my springs too much
Hopefully I didn't compress my springs too much
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 21
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From: Greenville
I have spent the last 5 years drag racing. This is pretty standard use on that side of the fence. For every 100 pounds you can remove from your car (everything else equal) you will drop .10 second from your ET. So every 100 pounds gained would slow you down .10 second in the 1/4 mile.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Sellersburg
I think (not certain) that the max load is printed inside the door on each car and I remember it being 400lbs on the 2000 S2000. I don't remember seeing 440lbs, so I wonder if this has changed?
Byron
Byron