Hypothetical (weight saving)

**corsa_si** · 11th May 2009, 02:29

Right, this seems like a daft daft idea but...

I'm comparing this to corsa 1.8 SRi figures as that was the nearest thing I could find. Going on rough power/weight ratios.

Hypothetically speaking if I could loose 200kg of weight (stripping the interior, removing unnecessary bits etc) would I be seeing 8.0 0-60 times in my 2.2? Could you feasibly loose 200kg by stripping (I estimate the seats alone would be around 30kg)? Please tell me I'm being daft. But in theory would this work?

Standard Corsa 1.8 = 114 bhp/tonne
Standard Vectra 2.2 = 104 bhp/tonne
Vectra 2.2 (-200kg) = 120 bhp/tonne

(This is going by parkers figures).

**bertbuckie1** · 11th May 2009, 03:03

lol...every little helps.....take out auto windows....seats....every little thing and you willl see a bhp improvement.....problem is you might also see a bad imbalance

**Penfold101** · 11th May 2009, 10:22

I can save 105kg easily enough - I just get out of the car...

But yes, the theory I would say is sound, but as Bert also says you'd need to take out the driver's seat aswell to maintain correct the weights and moments...

**Harro** · 11th May 2009, 10:25

Would make a difference, but not very practical, unless you're turning it into a track car?

**Deztroyer** · 11th May 2009, 11:21

remember to remove the air con and all of its associated components - quite a bit of weight saving there
remove the starter and have her jump started evertime
another major weight saving

shave all of your body hair off

and have a good dump before you go out in your car

and only fuel for what you need - just like ferrari on sunday in the grand prix enou8gh for the race - not to get back to the pits after passing the finish line though

hypothetical total weight saving/increased 0-60 time .50 of a second

**bertbuckie1** · 11th May 2009, 11:39

Originally Posted by Penfold101

I can save 105kg easily enough - I just get out of the car...

But yes, the theory I would say is sound, but as Bert also says you'd need to take out the driver's seat aswell to maintain correct the weights and moments...

lol, 105kg? skinny get

**Ste** · 11th May 2009, 13:47

Absolutely, vehicle weight is critical in determining how quickly it accelerates.

As engine produces force at the wheels and acceleration is proportional to weight (F=ma)
so reducing weight will positively affect acceleration tests. Whether you can actually remove 200kg, or if you could would you get 0-60 in 8 seconds - I don't know.

Ride height would also be affected, an may result in higher drag.

**Penfold101** · 11th May 2009, 13:52

Originally Posted by bertbuckie1

lol, 105kg? skinny get

Not compared to when I joined the forces...

So to sum up - in theory, yes, practicality, not really...

**JSYSH466Y** · 11th May 2009, 14:13

Bonnet = carbon fibre.
All glass except front window.
Change the seat for a ricaro which is lighter
1 laps worth of petrol

**corsa_si** · 11th May 2009, 17:14

Haha, I'm liking some of the suggestions. I just didn't really understand how it worked hence why I put the hypothetical bit

I looked at the corsas figures and it lacks a lot of power when compared to the vectra so thought in theory if I get rid of some weight and have a 5 year old drive it, it should out-sprint a corsa sri.