1) does anyone know if there is a formula for the Mini that gives equivelant whp per 100 lbs...... ex... if I drop 100 lb that is the same as adding 5 whp?

2) what are the most effective ways to lose weight (already have light wheels and tires) for a car that is daily driven..... noise is an issue..... so I don't want to completely strip the interior......

 

1) it's a little more complicated than that, since it depends on the weight
and the whp of the car in question.
say 3000 # for MCS + 2 drivers and 170 bhp = maybe 145 whp.
then 100# off is 2900/3000 or about 3.33% less weight to accellerate.
multiply by 145 and get about +5 hp equivalent.
Would actually be more accurate to say about 3.3% more torque, unless
you're only talking about performance at 6K rpm.
Change the weight or the hp, and the results change for a 100# drop.

2) consider taking out the back seat, since it's a easily reversible step.
Aftermarket exhaust can shed some pounds if you choose wisely.
That plus the wheels/tires are the 3 top areas to shed weight.

 

I think most ppl will tell you that unsprung weight is far more important than sprung weight. That said. check out these babies ... http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/28/c...uner-near-you/
imported from http://www.rennworx.com/

Those SSRs will look like lead weights. Of course, they will cost more than the price of a base 2006 MC

 

you would get those for bling factor, the SSR comps are 12.8 lbs for the 17" vs the carbon fiber/mag wheels 13.2 lbs for the 18"

 

You need to compare apples to apples, not to oranges. They will be making 17 and 16" wheels as well and they will weigh less than 12.8 lbs. The only 17" SSRs tirerack sells now are 13.7 pounds. Thats less than 13.2 for CF 18".

 

I am aware of sprung vs unsprung that is why I mentioned that I had wheels... gandini lists his car at 2500# that is 300 lb lighter than mine....that would be equivelant to what is a more specific question. also the sprung etc question as well as rotational etc gets complex when you control weight in a turn

 

Yes, my car weighs 2500lbs dry. I tried to figure out how it happened and here's a rough list:
1. Very few options at purchase, especially no sunroof.
2. Large weight reduction in wheels (mainly rims), brakes, suspension components and exhaust system.
3. Small weight reductions like rear wiper removal.
I never carry anything in the car other than my 2.5lb ThinkPad and me (much heavier than my laptop...but no hefty cinche sack.)
Also remember 13 gallons of gas weighs around 80lbs.
You can save 20lbs at least with a small battery and about the same with the rear seat delete, but noise becomes a big factor then.

cheers, gandini

 

I didn't have the weight for the 18's off the top of my head, would you pay X times as much for a total loss of 2 pounds? even on a full race car that would be hard to justify