2300lbs weight reduction

[ClassyCrusader]

So I was google searching and came across a conversation on bimmerforums

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1491125-Weight-Reduction-MZ3

In the 3rd to last comment the guy mentions his z3 weighs 2585lbs with a 4 liter fire extinguisher, roll cage, and him in it. If hes average weight and size that should be 150lbs (just taking an average) for him, 100 for the cage, and a 4 liter fire extinguisher is 22lbs (had to look it up). So thats roughly 272 lbs which if removed would put the car at 2313lbs, which is nuts.

My question is how'd he do it?

Wouldve messaged him but he hasnt been active since 2014. Looked at his profile (I am not a stalker! Just over actively curious, dont tell the girls profiles I look at though =x) and its a 6 cylinder, has the dash and door panels, looks like he just took out the floor mats 'cause its not bare metal on the floors.
And mentioned he took out the radio and ac.

So, howd he do it? When I look at what to do the most I can come up with is is about 280lbs without carbon fiber. (100/seats, 50/spare and tools, 40-50/ac, 20/battery, 30/dead weight in bumpers, 30/hardtop replacement for soft top).

So I guess we know it can be done, any thoughts how to recreate this? Running out of ideas =p

 

[smiffy]

It's under the bonnet (hood) you need to be working. 6cyl is already nose heavy compared to the 4 cylinder.
Strip it all from behind the bulkhead and what you gain in weight saving you lose in balance. No point getting to the corner first, if you can't get round it!

If it is a full blown racer,
Ditch the viscous fan
Light weight radiator
Air box
you can strip all the unnecessary wiring from the looms, copper is heavy!
You can acid dip the bare shell, respray with less coats..
Lighten flywheel, crankshaft and damper

The list is absolutely endless, limited only by class rules, budget and time!

 

[ClassyCrusader]

I did i little more (obsessive) snooping on his profile. Turns out the dude is loaded and smart. Had the car when it was new and engine swapped it (I think 2 or three times), completely overhauled the engines, stripped and re did the interior, and had a carbon fiber engine hood at one point (dont think with the weight listed because he mentioned he ditched it in the same sentence but who knows)

So guess the big weight losses came from:

-getting rid of everything in the doors
-getting rid of all extras at the front like you mentioned smiffy (heard the heater core weighs a pretty pound or two. Btw completely agree with you smiffy the whole reason I started this thread was to come up with ideas to lose something from the front so I can change out the seats and ditch the spare to keep it all balanced : )

The most valuable piece of information that I'm not sure is common knowledge (wasnt to me at least) was there was about 70lbs of weights under the passenger seat. I'm guessing since the weights and the battery on the passenger side weigh about the same as a person its was probably put there to balance the car out when a person isnt there. Which is probably most the time if your single like me...someone date me please. Maybe its the fact i obsess over profiles like this. Then again at this rate no matter how small she is it have her go on a diet to not mess up the weight distribution and wind up single again...i think I found my problem

 

[Stevo7682]

I'm curious about where the 70 lbs under the passengers seat is i have 2 zeds and i have had the entire interior out due to being soaking inside and the other has had the seats replaced never seen any weight under
Passengers seats????

Stephen

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I can't see how there would be 70 pounds under the passenger seat, found a couple of quid under there the first time I took it out. Maybe filling the tyres with helium would help.

 

[ClassyCrusader]

Huh weird maybe I read it wrong, too lazy to do more stalking. Guess the only thing to take away from this after all is nearly completely stripped the cars weighs a little over 2300lbs and that may or may not include a carbon fiber hood. Bummer wanted to supply more information but o well.