Hey guys, just checked out some threads on other forums regarding ppls weight of mini and how they got rid of some extra weight - one got his car to 440 kg
Just wondering if any ausminiers have dabbled in the weight loss game and if theres some basic things that go first.

Its a topic not discussed her often but i think it may be the cheapest way to go fast lol

get the driver to lose 10kg is the first step


seriously - there is a great story about some club level rally driver telling his competition about the lengths that he went to reduce the weight in his car (Galant VR4 i think it was). Included changing every nut and bolt for lighter weight titanium ones ($$$$$$$$). then to much hilarity his navigator waddles around the corner, all 140kg of him

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66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

In a road car the only practacle thing is not to have a heavy stereo install, or carry a spare wheel and jack.

For the road, I just stick with a few simple things:
- nice light mags & not too wide tyres
- empty the boot (no spare, jack, tools) & the crap outta the car
- stick with reasonable stereo, no subs
- remove the heater & all ducts

My head unit takes USB, so I don't carry any CDs now either, just a memeory stick.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Are perspex windows legal on road cars? Also what about a rear "beam axle" instead of the subframe? And what's the lightest shell? (clubman, round nose, van etc etc)

I am wanting to build a light weight road car one day and I'd be looking at no dash, carpets/interior trim, bare boot, light wheels, a lot of alloy components in the engine bay, small alternator and battery etc etc
Basically I'd be weighing all the individual parts and looking for the lighter option.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

A rear beam axle is lighter than the subframe setup by a fair bit, but you'd have to get it engineered for the road.

I *think* perspex side/rear windows *might* be legal, but definitely not for the windscreen.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Yeah I was only thinking rear windscreen, rear side and maybe door windows for the perspex.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

id think the early 850 shells would be lightest (thinner sheet metal i believe?) and im looking at getting persex windows made up (lexcen actually...bit lighter) for rears and doors (niether of the windscreens...)

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“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

mattsmadmini has the right idea, lexcan may be lighter but it also doesn't scratch anywhere near as easy as perspex.

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Im here to learn!

I had a '62 850 once upon a time and it was a tank -- I swear the sheet metal was thicker than the later ones. Definitely gave more of a 'thunk' when rapped with a knuckle than the 'clang' of later cars.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

850's are lighter due to the doors not having winding mechanisms etc.

I am in the middle of makeing a "sports sedan" Mini and we are looking at losing about 200kg in total inc cage

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120bhp with 450kg just fun waiting to happen

We were prob. drunk when we set it up last and thought this will be a good idea

I did a little weight saving today myself. One ten inch hole in engine compartment, two 9 x 7 inch holes in the dash, and I removed that box thing on the firewall.

Advantages: car is lighter, faster and more fuel efficient, and with the cost of steel these days the money I make from scrap will drive me around the block.

Disadvantages: takes long time to do, risks structural integrity of car, and costs a fortune in terms of the number of dremel cutting discs required.

Have you seen that 440kg mini? it has no boot, no boot floor, no glass, no bonnet, etc. Wouldn't even have a chance at getting scrutineered here to race at the drags let alone registered for the street.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

What the cross member you got to be talking about something else

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.