I've read in a few places that each 13lbs of weight reduced feels like an extra 1hp gain for the car. Now, I drove a JCW last week and was really blown away at how fast it felt. A few days later, though, I realized that I had the MA and my father in the car with me. I'll be driving by myself most of the time, so that's ~400lbs less weight. 400/13=~31.

If I'm thinking of this right, the car will feel like it's got an extra 30hp more when it's just myself. Am I right?

If so, woohoo! This is going to be a long month...

 

yep

i feel your pain...

 

The important thing for acceleration is the power to weight ratio. All other things being equal, equal power to weight ratios will give you equal acceleration. The spec for power to weight for the JCW is 12.99 lb/hp, so as you say every 13lb less is like one hp more.

Having 400 extra lbs is like losing 30hp or so.

 

Ah, wow. This thing is going to freaking fly when it's just me in there!

;laksjdf;alksdfalks wake me up when August ends

 

damn i need to loose some weight

 

I know the feeling.

The power loss/gain is definitely noticeable when you have a full ride and when it's just you. But as you noted, even full up, the MINI has plenty of get up and GO!