FAQ: Weight Reduction

Disclaimer:
This is a compilation of suggested ways to reduce the weight of your Contour/Mystique. Removing/replacing mnay of the items below can result in safety issues. Use this list at your own risk.


Suggestions are welcome. Please stay on-topic with suggestions only.


-> DemonSVT's weight distribution / reduction post

RogerB said:

Grassroots Motorsports, May 03.

Based on power:weight,
30 lbs out of a 3000 lbs car is equal to a 1% increase in horsepower.
30 lbs out of a 2500 lbs car yields the same as a 1.2% increase in engine output.

And that's static weight. Rotational weight is more significant.

Click to expand...

Informative sites:
Mumm's Brothers Cougar
Saturn weight reduction, well documented


Remove:
- airbags
- air conditioning system: ~30lbs for condensor, compressor, accumulator, and most hoses.
- bumpers
- ceiling lining
- center console
- cruise control
- floormats
- glove box
- hood liner
- jack
- mechanical traction control
- mirrors (sideview, rearview)
- passenger and rear seats
- power window system
- rear deck lid cover
- sail panels
- sideskirts
- sound deadening materials
- spare tire
- stereo system (4 speakers, amp, HU, antenna, etc.)
- sunroof system
- traction control, mechanical: ~3.25 lbs
- windshield wiper (mono-style or none)
- wiper fluid system
- unused seatbelt systems
- trunk lining and trim

Replace:
- battery -> relocate to trunk and/or lightweight (Dynabatt or motorcycle racing battery)
Lightweight battery write-up
- brakes -> Wilwood, TCE packages
- exhaust -> offroad y-pipe
- glass -> Lexan
- headers -> MSDS / Weapon-R
- hood -> carbon fiber
- pulleys -> lightweight
- seats -> lightweight
- suspension -> Ground Controls + Konis (15lbs lighter than stock)
- suspension -> D2 coilvers + Konis
- trunk -> carbon fiber
- wheels -> lightweight
- y-pipe -> BAT, SP

Modify/create:
- Max Extrude Hone Upper Intake Manifold (~5lbs red.)
- Grind/polish exterior of Upper Intake Manifold (~1lb red.)
- Steering column assembly (~15lb red.)

How about some specs on stock/modded Contours if anyone's actually weighed them?
Stock is ~2900 to ~3000lbs, right?

My stock SVT weighed in around 2950. That's without me... and about 1/2 tank of gas. My actual corner specs are somewhere at home... but I'm pretty sure about that weight.

thanks for including my battery information, I'm hoping someone will find that usefull. I'd be happy to answer any more indepth questions about that if need be.

also dont forget D2's as a lightweight suspension alternative.

also, fabricating a new steering column assembly will save you about 15 pounds [that stock one is obnoxiously heavy].

in addition: max honing the UIM will drop a fair amount of weight over a non-svt [my shipping weight to them was 19#'s and it came back as 14.65]. Additional grinding/polishing of the exterior removed another pound. a plastic 3L UIM will net you even more weight savings. Its also possible to pull a fair amount of weight off the LIM. I'll eventually get around to posting some pictures and final weights.