Here's a new thread I'd like to see discussed, basically combining "best Mods" under $1500 with weight reduction, power gains or both. (IE, No Voodoo knobs or muz mats, please :-)

Basically, I've gotten most all of the "cosmetic" mods I care to (or have at least decided what I'll be getting :-). Now I want to consider performance mods. I'm intrigued by the all around performance gains to be had from weight reduction... not only providing more "virtual" power/torque (by utilizing what we have on less overall weight), but also enhancing the braking, cornering, etc. performance due to less as well. The best mods of course will provide both weight reduction and "other performance benefits"... such as a slightly superior HP gains from a better exhaust that also reduces weight.

I guess my pricepoint rules out wheels... at least you won't have much left over for actual tires or other mods. HOWEVER, if you feel that wheel weight reduction is the number one major consideration, then please feel free to put your choice down (weather or not you exceed the $1500). I would ask only that you make it clear whether you would spend this amount on wheels IGNORING all other weight reducing/performance enhancing mods. Additionally, I would prefer to focus the wheel submissions toward lighter wheels and better performance, NOT "better looking". (Basically, I could justify another $1500 - $2500 to the wife, but probably can't get new wheels AND new engine parts, exhaust, etc.)

Thanks to anyone that wants to spend some time with this one. I would love to have an actual price and approximate weight reduction figure with each submission, but post whether you know those or not. Maybe the rest of the folks can fill in the blanks for all of us. Help me mod my car for Christmas! Have fun!

 

try single outlet exhaust.
- spoon ($700 new, ~$550 used) seems to be good
- If you want to or already lost your hearing, then try veilside Ti ($700 new, haven't been seeing much used ones) i think they are the lightest out there but might as well be the loudest on the street
- spugen single outlet ($400 new)is the best bang for the bucks i had one and the weight lost + performance gain is exceptional! the construction is good and it looks 10 times better than the stock muffler.

with the single outlet exhaust, you will be saving anywhere from 25lb to 40lb, depends on model.

and wheel should make the biggest difference in handling. the weight saving is very noticeable and you can *feel* the improvement in almost every department of driving, maybe except for cruising

i think the light weights are all 16"
- JDM BBS for Honda (13.5lb f 14.5lb r $1900/set)
- Volks ce28n (11lb f 11.5lb r $1500/set, super hard to find)
- Spoon/Regamaster EVO(11lb f 12lb r $1900/set)

stock rims are 17.5lb f and 18.5lb r. so you do the math

i doubt you can do much better weight save/dollar than these ..

p.s. shameless ad : i have a set of regamaster for sell. pm me if you are interested.

 

For weight reduction:

- remove all the carpet/leather around the tranny tunnel
- remove all floor coverings
- remove the stock steering wheel and get a momo or mugen superlight steering wheel
- get a Ti exhaust (biggest expense here)
- Remove all the carpeting from the boot
- Remove the spare + any tools you have.
- Remove the radio and speakers
- Get a carbon fiber or titanium drivers console cover
- remove passenger seat and rails

Now I know that's going to a bit of an extreme, but you WOULD see some significant weight savings, probably ~150-200 lbs

 

take out the stupid spare tire.

its worthless and while I don't know how much it weighs, removing it is a free mod.

 

I would go with a single exhaust. for weight savings, and better yet better sound. Also, a free mod to leave you car like it is, with the tools and everything is to Loose Weight yourself .

 

Lordvagabond forgot the removal of the antenna. Helps cut down on wind resistance too.

 

i had my front and rear emblems vandalised, and a little bit of paint around them as well, so that's good for a second off my time on the Nurburgring!

and as any kart driver would agree, it is the lighter drivers that post the best times. driver weight reduction can be effective too.

seriously, you could also do well with the pinnacle brake system with lighter brake rotors. plus replacing body panels with CF components. lightweight wheels would work too. so take your pick!

 

lose weight.
right now i'm saving about 60 lbs.

 

Since most people don't want to gut their car I would say the other mods would be:

1. single exit exhaust. I got a Veilside Ti muffler w/ bolt-on piping (2 piece) cat-back. It saved over 40lbs and the car feels much faster. It is for sale, BTW. See my thread in the SoCal Forum. I also happen to have a single-exit 5Zigen Fire cat-back brand new for sale as well. $475 shipped in the continental U.S.

2. Brake upgrade. I believe docofmind's brake upgrade gives you bigger rotors, 4pot calipers, and lines while saving you 9lbs of unsprung weight from each front wheel. For $1500 you probably won't get wheels that will save you that much weight. The brakes are under $1500 for front upgrade.

If you buy the exhaust from me you can probably get the brake upgrade and get away under $1500. Or, you can buy a universal muffler and do the piping/silencer yourself and get away for $300 or so.

 

Hmm... but with brake upgrades, I'm guessing most of the weight loss is in the calipers and not the rotors. Since the calipers are not rotating mass, they might not have as big of an effect as lighter wheels might have.