MrJoshua wrote:In reply to dyintorace:
I was going to be insulted, and then I remembered it was true. (and that you are picking on yourself as much as me
)
Absolutely as self directed as not. 
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May 29, 2011 7:55 p.m. dyintorace SuperDork
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May 29, 2011 9:34 p.m. Sultan Reader
MrJoshua wrote:
-Using Keith Tanner 1/2 dash with one of the radio supports removed
MrJoshua or Keith, Do you have pictures of the 1/2 dash?
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May 29, 2011 9:43 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork
In reply to Sultan:
You basically cut everything off below the seam from the flat front surface to the portion where it tucks under.
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May 29, 2011 11:45 p.m. Keith SuperDork
alfadriver wrote:
Keith Got any old Miata mags? a LONG time ago, there was an article about how to make a light weight one. Not sure how accurate it was, though. May have to see if I can find the copy that I think I kept.
Not only do I remember it, I've driven the car extensively on the track and the street
It was the "Supersport", and some of the numbers were just a touch hinky. But it was a fun little car, and it's actually where I cribbed the idea of the half dash. If you are looking at weight savings, start with a 1.6 dash. Surprising weight difference.
Here's the dash. I think I took 6 lbs off it compared to stock 1.6.
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May 30, 2011 12:25 a.m. Sultan Reader
Thanks! I think I will keep what I have as I need the heater.
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May 30, 2011 1:36 a.m. Keith SuperDork
You can keep the HVAC, it's just more visible than usual.
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May 30, 2011 6:59 a.m. tpwalsh New Reader
Lets put it this way, I'm shooting for under 1700lbs with my DP car. Minimum weight is right at 1700 with a 1.6 for that class. Gutted doors, minimal custom bar, no interior at all, 8lb wheels, gutted bumpers covers, no lights and a custom wiring harness. Basicly just a suspension, unibody, body panels and a motor.
Most of the 1.6L DP cars at nationals were just over the 1770 mark, and that minimum weight is going down by about 90lbs for 2012.
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May 30, 2011 8:09 a.m. modernbeat Dork
Without using exotic materials you should be able to build a 1.6 DP car at around 1400 lbs. If you aren't, then you are not taking advantage of the allowances.
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May 30, 2011 8:41 a.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork
modernbeat wrote:
Without using exotic materials you should be able to build a 1.6 DP car at around 1400 lbs. If you aren't, then you are not taking advantage of the allowances.
So where is the 370 lb. difference between your number and the 1770 quoted?
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May 30, 2011 9:50 a.m. tpwalsh New Reader
DeadSkunk wrote:
1770 is the minimum fighting weight. 1400 is what Modern is saying the car should be before ballast. I haven't weighed my car yet so I don't know where I'm at yet. Anyway you slice it, you should be able to get a miata to ridiculous numbers if you try.modernbeat wrote:
Without using exotic materials you should be able to build a 1.6 DP car at around 1400 lbs. If you aren't, then you are not taking advantage of the allowances.
So where is the 370 lb. difference between your number and the 1770 quoted?
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May 30, 2011 10:51 a.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork
Oh, I understood what Modernbeat was saying, but another 370 lb is a lot of stuff. Is your DP car at 1700 with nothing left but the "suspension,unibody, body panels,and motor" ? If it's close without ballast, then what's left to start carving out more weight ? Do like they did back in the 50s and 60s and get a bunch of holesaws and have at it ?
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May 30, 2011 1:05 p.m. modernbeat Dork
My XP car is coming in around 1380. The only thing making it illegal for DP is the relocated OEM ABS pump. All my exterior bodywork is OEM metal or OEM bumper cover. I'm using stock subframes and mostly stock arms, spindles and uprights.
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May 30, 2011 1:26 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
I would say that the fp road race cars are around 1700 without driver, cage, ballast. 4 glass fenders, bumpers, & our 11 pound hood. stock subframes & control arms. I'd be interested to see what a dp car looks like :)
Kendall
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May 30, 2011 2:36 p.m. tpwalsh New Reader
They look a little like this:
<img src="http://www.sccaforums.com/Portals/0/Users/0325639456/miata-eltoro-crop.jpg" />
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May 30, 2011 2:53 p.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork
They don't look a whole lot different than an F-prod road racer. I wonder how much ballast the FP guys are actually carrying then. Even so, if I built a DP car ,and added lights and a speedster style windshield, it would still weigh 1600 lb,or less.That could be entertaining !
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May 30, 2011 2:56 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
That doesnt look too different than the FP car I worked on:
KJ
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May 30, 2011 4:45 p.m. Keith SuperDork
modernbeat wrote:
Without using exotic materials you should be able to build a 1.6 DP car at around 1400 lbs. If you aren't, then you are not taking advantage of the allowances.
I'm looking forward to seeing this car
I've seen Miata-powered Locosts that weigh 1380 lbs.
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May 30, 2011 6:14 p.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork
Do I sense a little skepticism, Keith?
Regardless of anyone's claims, it should be possible to take 300-400 lb out of a stock NB if one didn't care about any creature comforts. -
May 30, 2011 10:08 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
although I don't doubt anything these days, I know my HP spridget was about 1400 w/o driver.
Kj
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May 30, 2011 11:20 p.m. modernbeat Dork
Production class roadracing cars have WAY too much cage in them for D or X Prepared.
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May 30, 2011 11:58 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
modernbeat wrote:
Production class roadracing cars have WAY too much cage in them for D or X Prepared.
I'm not being a hater, but I know the #31 car above has a 6 point cage with nothing forward of the lower hoop. Prolly 80 pounds of 1.5 x 095 dom tubing. minimal cage by prod standards.
I'd be very interested in light miata stuff. we spent serious $$ molding up a light weight hood that deleted the steel head light covers (just to save 9 pounds)
I Betcha we could maybe lose 100 pounds through a dipped chassis rebuild, but I'd be doubtful of a 300+ loss. we've already lightened the harness, hand picked every bolt for minimal length, etc.
also, I know my scales are calibrated with nist traceability & differ from most track scales.
Kendall
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May 31, 2011 9:51 a.m. Keith SuperDork
DeadSkunk wrote:
Do I sense a little skepticism, Keith?
Regardless of anyone's claims, it should be possible to take 300-400 lb out of a stock NB if one didn't care about any creature comforts.No, I'm serious. I would like to see that. It'll be an impressive feat. My own Locost is around 1200 lbs full of fuel, but I have indeed seen a turbo Miata Locost right around 1400. I forget the exact number. It was a +442, BTW.
Miatas are harder to strip significant weight out of than other modern cars, as the interiors are pretty skimpy to begin with. You have to lose more than just creature comforts to pull out 300 lbs.
