Ping Ray O -- Supra Project Update

Ray,

I'm sorry that I forgot to post it sooner but I have an update on the
supra project that I asked you about. Just as a reminder, I wanted to
improve the overall performance of the car so I was trying to find
ways to shed some weight on the car without sacrificing streetability
or reliability. Not only was weight loss the goal but also to lose
it from strategic points which also help handling. To accomplish
this, I targeted losing weight on the car at higher points to lower
the center of gravity. I also targeted losing weight on the front of
the car to even out the weight bias more. Here's the result:

1) The jack was replaced with an aluminium one from the NSX.
2) The horns were replaced with lighter ones from newer Toyotas and
were mounted lower.
3) The assist grip is gone (your suggestion).
4) The sun visors are gone and the top of the windshield has been
tinted with double "fives".
5) The hood and front fenders are now carbon fiber and color matched.
6) The catback exhaust has been replaced with a titanium one.
7) The single din CD player was moved to the lower slot.
8) The brake pedals were replaced (not covered with) aluminium ones.
9) The rear hatch dampers were removed (credit to you again). They
were replaced with an aluminium "stand" specially crafted to fit in
the factory location. I just have to press a button to hold it up.
10) The front speakers are gone.

I decided to keep the airbags to keep it street legal. Also, I added
more insulation to cover up more of the rear tire noise. The overall
weight loss was 75 lbs. The car's not quite Corvette Z06 weight but
it's close enough. We just reworked the turbo system anyway that
improved boost response. Thanks for your input on the project!

"Viperkiller" <nothing@nothing.net> wrote in message
news:j4tmg25bqb717ri10lgujmcec18tl3m36t@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> Ray,
>
> I'm sorry that I forgot to post it sooner but I have an update on the
> supra project that I asked you about. Just as a reminder, I wanted to
> improve the overall performance of the car so I was trying to find
> ways to shed some weight on the car without sacrificing streetability
> or reliability. Not only was weight loss the goal but also to lose
> it from strategic points which also help handling. To accomplish
> this, I targeted losing weight on the car at higher points to lower
> the center of gravity. I also targeted losing weight on the front of
> the car to even out the weight bias more. Here's the result:
>
> 1) The jack was replaced with an aluminium one from the NSX.
> 2) The horns were replaced with lighter ones from newer Toyotas and
> were mounted lower.
> 3) The assist grip is gone (your suggestion).
> 4) The sun visors are gone and the top of the windshield has been
> tinted with double "fives".
> 5) The hood and front fenders are now carbon fiber and color matched.
> 6) The catback exhaust has been replaced with a titanium one.
> 7) The single din CD player was moved to the lower slot.
> 8) The brake pedals were replaced (not covered with) aluminium ones.
> 9) The rear hatch dampers were removed (credit to you again). They
> were replaced with an aluminium "stand" specially crafted to fit in
> the factory location. I just have to press a button to hold it up.
> 10) The front speakers are gone.
>
> I decided to keep the airbags to keep it street legal. Also, I added
> more insulation to cover up more of the rear tire noise. The overall
> weight loss was 75 lbs. The car's not quite Corvette Z06 weight but
> it's close enough. We just reworked the turbo system anyway that
> improved boost response. Thanks for your input on the project![/color]

75 lbs is a pretty big weight loss without stripping the interior! Some
more ideas...

If the car has a sunroof and you never use it, you can remove the motor,
sunroof computer, and wiring and leave the sunroof in the closed position,
or if you can figure out a way to hold the sunroof panel in place, you can
remove the track as well.

Remove the rear seats, seat belts, and arm rests if nobody rides back there.

Replace the original power seats with manually adjustable ones from a Celica
or even Recaro-type shell seats or remove the leather seat covers and
replace with fabric.

Replace the hood struts with a prop rod if you have not already done that
when you installed the carbon fiber hood.

Remove the headliner and spray on acoustic insulation or use thin fabric.

Remove the plastic inner panels from the rear hatch and spray on acoustic
insulation or cover with thin fabric.

Remove the overhead map light and dome lights and install LED types lower in
A-pillar or B-pillar.

Remove the power door lock actuators.

Remove the rear hatch release cable and mechanism and just use a key.

Remove the rear cargo cover and mounting hardware.

This may not even be possible and the pressures may not be compatible, but
remove the belt-driven power steering pump and install an electric PS pump
from an MR2 somewhere lower in the engine compartment or in the cargo area.

If the car has a power antenna, replace with a whip antenna.

If this is a fair weather car and you never drive in the rain or snow,
remove the rear wiper motor and wiper arm.

Remove the plastic storage bin part of the glove box and just keep the glove
box lid.

Remove the plastic storage bin part of the center console and just keep the
exterior and lid or remove the entire center console.

If you do not use cruise control, remove the CC actuator.

If the cast iron exhaust manifold is still in place, replace with header
pipes.

Remove the fuel door release and re-rig so you can release it from the cargo
area.

Move windshield washer reservoir to the cargo area.

Put the battery in one of those plastic containers used for boats and move
to the cargo area.

Move the coolant overflow bottle back towards the firewall.

Thanks for the update!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 23:54:11 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Viperkiller" <nothing@nothing.net> wrote in message
>news:j4tmg25bqb717ri10lgujmcec18tl3m36t@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> Ray,
>>
>> I'm sorry that I forgot to post it sooner but I have an update on the
>> supra project that I asked you about. Just as a reminder, I wanted to
>> improve the overall performance of the car so I was trying to find
>> ways to shed some weight on the car without sacrificing streetability
>> or reliability. Not only was weight loss the goal but also to lose
>> it from strategic points which also help handling. To accomplish
>> this, I targeted losing weight on the car at higher points to lower
>> the center of gravity. I also targeted losing weight on the front of
>> the car to even out the weight bias more. Here's the result:
>>
>> 1) The jack was replaced with an aluminium one from the NSX.
>> 2) The horns were replaced with lighter ones from newer Toyotas and
>> were mounted lower.
>> 3) The assist grip is gone (your suggestion).
>> 4) The sun visors are gone and the top of the windshield has been
>> tinted with double "fives".
>> 5) The hood and front fenders are now carbon fiber and color matched.
>> 6) The catback exhaust has been replaced with a titanium one.
>> 7) The single din CD player was moved to the lower slot.
>> 8) The brake pedals were replaced (not covered with) aluminium ones.
>> 9) The rear hatch dampers were removed (credit to you again). They
>> were replaced with an aluminium "stand" specially crafted to fit in
>> the factory location. I just have to press a button to hold it up.
>> 10) The front speakers are gone.
>>
>> I decided to keep the airbags to keep it street legal. Also, I added
>> more insulation to cover up more of the rear tire noise. The overall
>> weight loss was 75 lbs. The car's not quite Corvette Z06 weight but
>> it's close enough. We just reworked the turbo system anyway that
>> improved boost response. Thanks for your input on the project![/color]
>
>75 lbs is a pretty big weight loss without stripping the interior! Some
>more ideas...
>
>If the car has a sunroof and you never use it, you can remove the motor,
>sunroof computer, and wiring and leave the sunroof in the closed position,
>or if you can figure out a way to hold the sunroof panel in place, you can
>remove the track as well.
>[/color]
The car is a hardtop.
[color=blue]
>Remove the rear seats, seat belts, and arm rests if nobody rides back there.[/color]

Just in case I kept it for my children. I did replace the leather
seats with the cloth from the base Supra.

[color=blue]
>Replace the original power seats with manually adjustable ones from a Celica
>or even Recaro-type shell seats or remove the leather seat covers and
>replace with fabric.[/color]

Done.
[color=blue]
>Replace the hood struts with a prop rod if you have not already done that
>when you installed the carbon fiber hood.[/color]

The car didn't come with hood struts. A bit cheap, eh?

[color=blue]
>Remove the headliner and spray on acoustic insulation or use thin fabric.[/color]

Hmmm...[color=blue]
>
>Remove the plastic inner panels from the rear hatch and spray on acoustic
>insulation or cover with thin fabric.
>
>Remove the overhead map light and dome lights and install LED types lower in
>A-pillar or B-pillar.[/color]
[color=blue]
>Remove the power door lock actuators.[/color]

Kept them in place...for now.
[color=blue]
>Remove the rear hatch release cable and mechanism and just use a key.[/color]

No key on the fuel door so I had to keep that cable. The hatch
release is gone along with the cable. Forgot to mention this one.
[color=blue]
>
>Remove the rear cargo cover and mounting hardware.[/color]

Gone.
[color=blue]
>
>This may not even be possible and the pressures may not be compatible, but
>remove the belt-driven power steering pump and install an electric PS pump
>from an MR2 somewhere lower in the engine compartment or in the cargo area.[/color]

I've considered this but I'm searching for more data. I'm concerned
with the reliability though. The Supra has much bigger wheels and
tires.
[color=blue]
>If the car has a power antenna, replace with a whip antenna.[/color]

Actually, I forgot to add that the power antenna motor has been
removed. I mostly use CD's.
[color=blue]
>If this is a fair weather car and you never drive in the rain or snow,
>remove the rear wiper motor and wiper arm.[/color]

Unfortunately, still needed for dew and rain.
[color=blue]
>Remove the plastic storage bin part of the glove box and just keep the glove
>box lid.[/color]
[color=blue]
>Remove the plastic storage bin part of the center console and just keep the
>exterior and lid or remove the entire center console.
>
>If you do not use cruise control, remove the CC actuator.
>
>If the cast iron exhaust manifold is still in place, replace with header
>pipes.[/color]

Not applicable on the turbo.
[color=blue]
>Remove the fuel door release and re-rig so you can release it from the cargo
>area.
>
>Move windshield washer reservoir to the cargo area.
>
>Put the battery in one of those plastic containers used for boats and move
>to the cargo area.
>
>Move the coolant overflow bottle back towards the firewall.
>
>Thanks for the update![/color]


Thanks for the additional input. Certainly have more things to think
about in the future. Thanks again.

"Viperkiller" <nothing@nothing.net> wrote in message
news:lc0vg21fdi8uni92hmc9dri03oa4k3g722@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 23:54:11 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"Viperkiller" <nothing@nothing.net> wrote in message
>>news:j4tmg25bqb717ri10lgujmcec18tl3m36t@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Ray,
>>>
>>> I'm sorry that I forgot to post it sooner but I have an update on the
>>> supra project that I asked you about. Just as a reminder, I wanted to
>>> improve the overall performance of the car so I was trying to find
>>> ways to shed some weight on the car without sacrificing streetability
>>> or reliability. Not only was weight loss the goal but also to lose
>>> it from strategic points which also help handling. To accomplish
>>> this, I targeted losing weight on the car at higher points to lower
>>> the center of gravity. I also targeted losing weight on the front of
>>> the car to even out the weight bias more. Here's the result:
>>>
>>> 1) The jack was replaced with an aluminium one from the NSX.
>>> 2) The horns were replaced with lighter ones from newer Toyotas and
>>> were mounted lower.
>>> 3) The assist grip is gone (your suggestion).
>>> 4) The sun visors are gone and the top of the windshield has been
>>> tinted with double "fives".
>>> 5) The hood and front fenders are now carbon fiber and color matched.
>>> 6) The catback exhaust has been replaced with a titanium one.
>>> 7) The single din CD player was moved to the lower slot.
>>> 8) The brake pedals were replaced (not covered with) aluminium ones.
>>> 9) The rear hatch dampers were removed (credit to you again). They
>>> were replaced with an aluminium "stand" specially crafted to fit in
>>> the factory location. I just have to press a button to hold it up.
>>> 10) The front speakers are gone.
>>>
>>> I decided to keep the airbags to keep it street legal. Also, I added
>>> more insulation to cover up more of the rear tire noise. The overall
>>> weight loss was 75 lbs. The car's not quite Corvette Z06 weight but
>>> it's close enough. We just reworked the turbo system anyway that
>>> improved boost response. Thanks for your input on the project![/color]
>>
>>75 lbs is a pretty big weight loss without stripping the interior! Some
>>more ideas...
>>
>>If the car has a sunroof and you never use it, you can remove the motor,
>>sunroof computer, and wiring and leave the sunroof in the closed position,
>>or if you can figure out a way to hold the sunroof panel in place, you can
>>remove the track as well.
>>[/color]
> The car is a hardtop.
>[color=green]
>>Remove the rear seats, seat belts, and arm rests if nobody rides back
>>there.[/color]
>
> Just in case I kept it for my children. I did replace the leather
> seats with the cloth from the base Supra.
>
>[color=green]
>>Replace the original power seats with manually adjustable ones from a
>>Celica
>>or even Recaro-type shell seats or remove the leather seat covers and
>>replace with fabric.[/color]
>
> Done.
>[color=green]
>>Replace the hood struts with a prop rod if you have not already done that
>>when you installed the carbon fiber hood.[/color]
>
> The car didn't come with hood struts. A bit cheap, eh?
>
>[color=green]
>>Remove the headliner and spray on acoustic insulation or use thin fabric.[/color]
>
> Hmmm...[color=green]
>>
>>Remove the plastic inner panels from the rear hatch and spray on acoustic
>>insulation or cover with thin fabric.
>>
>>Remove the overhead map light and dome lights and install LED types lower
>>in
>>A-pillar or B-pillar.[/color]
>[color=green]
>>Remove the power door lock actuators.[/color]
>
> Kept them in place...for now.
>[color=green]
>>Remove the rear hatch release cable and mechanism and just use a key.[/color]
>
> No key on the fuel door so I had to keep that cable. The hatch
> release is gone along with the cable. Forgot to mention this one.
>[color=green]
>>
>>Remove the rear cargo cover and mounting hardware.[/color]
>
> Gone.
>[color=green]
>>
>>This may not even be possible and the pressures may not be compatible, but
>>remove the belt-driven power steering pump and install an electric PS pump
>>from an MR2 somewhere lower in the engine compartment or in the cargo
>>area.[/color]
>
> I've considered this but I'm searching for more data. I'm concerned
> with the reliability though. The Supra has much bigger wheels and
> tires.
>[color=green]
>>If the car has a power antenna, replace with a whip antenna.[/color]
>
> Actually, I forgot to add that the power antenna motor has been
> removed. I mostly use CD's.
>[color=green]
>>If this is a fair weather car and you never drive in the rain or snow,
>>remove the rear wiper motor and wiper arm.[/color]
>
> Unfortunately, still needed for dew and rain.
>[color=green]
>>Remove the plastic storage bin part of the glove box and just keep the
>>glove
>>box lid.[/color]
>[color=green]
>>Remove the plastic storage bin part of the center console and just keep
>>the
>>exterior and lid or remove the entire center console.
>>
>>If you do not use cruise control, remove the CC actuator.
>>
>>If the cast iron exhaust manifold is still in place, replace with header
>>pipes.[/color]
>
> Not applicable on the turbo.
>[color=green]
>>Remove the fuel door release and re-rig so you can release it from the
>>cargo
>>area.
>>
>>Move windshield washer reservoir to the cargo area.
>>
>>Put the battery in one of those plastic containers used for boats and move
>>to the cargo area.
>>
>>Move the coolant overflow bottle back towards the firewall.
>>
>>Thanks for the update![/color]
>
>
> Thanks for the additional input. Certainly have more things to think
> about in the future. Thanks again.[/color]

Sounds like a fun project! Keep the updates coming!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
> 75 lbs is a pretty big weight loss without stripping the interior! Some
> more ideas...[/color]

Friend of mine has lost nearly 400lb from a GT-Four by stripping almost
everything off it, interior, door cars, window motors, rear wiper, air
con etc etc and thats without changing any body panels! HEAVY those
interior bits, especially the seats - can barely lift them on your own
without doing your back in.

"Coyoteboy" <coyoteboyuk@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158757593.048699.219860@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
>> 75 lbs is a pretty big weight loss without stripping the interior! Some
>> more ideas...[/color]
>
> Friend of mine has lost nearly 400lb from a GT-Four by stripping almost
> everything off it, interior, door cars, window motors, rear wiper, air
> con etc etc and thats without changing any body panels! HEAVY those
> interior bits, especially the seats - can barely lift them on your own
> without doing your back in.
>[/color]

If one is willing to forgo some creature comforts, then some major weight
savings are possible.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Also, take a critical look at yourself and see if *you* can stand to
lose some weight.


Coyoteboy wrote:[color=blue]
> Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
> > 75 lbs is a pretty big weight loss without stripping the interior! Some
> > more ideas...[/color]
>
> Friend of mine has lost nearly 400lb from a GT-Four by stripping almost
> everything off it, interior, door cars, window motors, rear wiper, air
> con etc etc and thats without changing any body panels! HEAVY those
> interior bits, especially the seats - can barely lift them on your own
> without doing your back in.[/color]

Mark wrote:[color=blue]
> Also, take a critical look at yourself and see if *you* can stand to
> lose some weight.[/color]

I could but I'd have to either a)drop into a dangerously low level of
body fat percentage or b) lose muscle mass. Or take a really big poo in
the morning :) And at best I'd lose 7-10lbs