Spider weight loss plan

[RRoller123]

Here are a few weight reductions that I got, some on purpose, some that just were achieved by making changes for other reasons.

- Lightened Flywheel (Mark's).
- Gear Reduction Starter (AR).
- Aluminum Radiator (AR).
- Removed Spare Tire (my 5th 14" wheel doesn't fit under there anyway, carry big can of "fix-a-flat" now).
- Aluminum adjustable cam gears. (Mark's).
- Temporary Test Pipe in place of CatConverter.

Planned:

- Eventually, the bumpers, but not yet.
- Aluminum Crank Pulley.

[QuebecFiatSpider]

Ok here is another weight value. The spare Wheel and its tire = 31 lbs (14.09 kg.)

[baltobernie]

Fiat wheels:
turbo {14 x 5½} 14# 8 oz.
biturbo {14 x 6} 12# 5 oz.
CD-3 {13 x 5} 8# 9 oz. no that is not a typo

Regarding lightened flywheel:
I've found little "seat of the pants" improvement in acceleration, but I have noticed that the RPMs drop quicker between shifts. Because I change gears delicately, I need to add revs both upwards and down when shifting. It's a nuisance, and if I ever need to drop the trans again, the flywheel will be in the For Sale column.

[v6spider]

Fiat wheels:
turbo {14 x 5½} 14# 8 oz.
biturbo {14 x 6} 12# 5 oz.
CD-3 {13 x 5} 8# 9 oz. no that is not a typo

Regarding lightened flywheel:
I've found little "seat of the pants" improvement in acceleration, but I have noticed that the RPMs drop quicker between shifts. Because I change gears delicately, I need to add revs both upwards and down when shifting. It's a nuisance, and if I ever need to drop the trans again, the flywheel will be in the For Sale column.

Not surprised! I think it's more of a perceived gain than actual gain.

Cheers!
Rob

[PhillySpider]

This whole thread reminds me of that saying..."you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig". I'll stick with the survivor theme...running on my magnesium wheels of fire! If you want better performance cheap couldn't you buy a $2,000 used hyundai that'll bury our performance enhanced spiders?...Just saying, there's a certain nostalgia and satisfaction to simply driving it as it is and maintaining it properly.

[QuebecFiatSpider]

This whole thread reminds me of that saying..."you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig". I'll stick with the survivor theme...running on my magnesium wheels of fire! If you want better performance cheap couldn't you buy a $2,000 used hyundai that'll bury our performance enhanced spiders?...Just saying, there's a certain nostalgia and satisfaction to simply driving it as it is and maintaining it properly.

I entirely agree with what you said. But as per my nature of always trying to improve things, I'll continue my search to improve my Spider 2000 mechanically and trying to get more and more fun driving it

[PeterCecil]

How much do you weigh?

Ouch!

[DieselSpider]

You'd have to lay out some substantial cash to get a vintage 124 with the original engine to match the performance of most econo-boxes and even more to beat one of them. My base model Nissan Leaf which I picked up used for less than $10,000 is much quicker off the line and to the max lawful speed on a public roadway than most mid priced sports cars today.

That said my Spider mods are being aimed at reliability and great fuel economy. A solid 50 mpg while cruising is the ultimate goal.

I don't fit the 150 lb driver and passenger spec of the Spider either.

[BSmith79]

bit of fun here although looking at ballpark figures

https://robrobinette.com/et.htm
2310 curb weight plus 180 pounds of driver = 2490= 17.92 et 1/4 mile
minus 100 lbs = 17.68

.24 elapsed time improvement per 100 lbs, .024 per 10 lbs

If I took 3 months and lost 20 lbs I could net a .04 ET reduction, if I took my bumper off this afternoon saying it weighed 30 lbs I get a .07 reduction. You realize what that means?---yes, pass the pasta porfavore!

The thing about weight reduction is there are not too many variables to consider as with power mods-its gonna work at all power vs weight levels and despite level of tuning. how much and is it worth it is another story.

my own take on HP/torque/weight is it comes down to the seat of the pants feel. Is your tuning making the car harder to drive? Is the power there when you want it. do you have to be right on the money for rpm and gear? is the power band narrow or wide?

I have a stock 79 2.0 -honestly it feels okay above 3k rpm driving through the mountain twisties, I would say I would like more power at about 3-3500k pulling out of corners and back up to speed and a nice intake and exhaust sound to go with that--thats just pure enjoyment as if I was the only car on the road not competing with anything but my own driving experience. Plenty of diesel quad cab trucks that can clean my clock unless we get in the tight twisties ---thats where $6000 beats $60,000! ha ha!

this goes down the rabbit hole on rotating mass
http://www.w8ji.com/rotating_mass_acceleration.htm
http://www.w8ji.com/rotating_mass_acceleration.htm

[BSmith79]

that was assuming 80 hp at the wheel

[chrisg]

This is always interesting. I enjoyed reading it because I'm a long-time cyclist who became a road bike racer and definitely got in with the whole power/weight gig...and actually did quite well riding a bike that was probably 2lbs heavier (which is a lot when you weigh about 150 & bikes are about 16) than the ones it beat ...it's always a mix of building Power & shedding weight. I'm also interested since I now own the 73 Spider Carl mentioned up-thread...and the whole weight-loss approach is part of why it's an interesting car. He didn't mention it also has ridiculously light for their size Revolution wheels! Anyway, I could imagine even getting into doing things like cutting out extra metal and doors frames behind the hood and trunk lids, etc. I like the idea and I suppose as an engineer, the challenge of taking a marginally quick car and making it better is more fun than jumping into a whole new quantum with a major engine swap or a different car...are usually get a chuckle when I hear people talk about making their vintage competitive with modern cars. Perhaps that is a point in some cases, but for me making it competitive with its former self is what is interesting.

[81SPIDERMATT]

I have also enjoyed this thread and removed my bumpers for looks but swore I could feel a difference... but my most recent differential swap has given me the feeling I like more than anything I have done ... against most of the suggestions on a previous thread I went with a 4.3 rear end when I trashed my 3.9 ... love it and thinking going back would just seem like I slowed the car down ...but I spend most of my time in those mountain twisties and judge things by the seat of my pants for sure ... Matt

[QuebecFiatSpider]

I have also enjoyed this thread and removed my bumpers for looks but swore I could feel a difference... but my most recent differential swap has given me the feeling I like more than anything I have done ... against most of the suggestions on a previous thread I went with a 4.3 rear end when I trashed my 3.9 ... love it and thinking going back would just seem like I slowed the car down ...but I spend most of my time in those mountain twisties and judge things by the seat of my pants for sure ... Matt

That is the kind of information I like to read

As I am progressing on my Fiat improvement, here are some additional weight numbers :





weight reduction of 1.8 kg. (3.96 lbs)

[ORFORD2004]

All the changes that I made was for the look or reliability not for weight loss plan. Why do you use a aluminium brace for your fan? You should use the system with tie wrap in the rad. Your fan will be closer to the rad and you will save half a pound. You can leave your wife home for bigger weight loss but you better put more power

[QuebecFiatSpider]

All the changes that I made was for the look or reliability not for weight loss plan. Why do you use a aluminium brace for your fan? You should use the system with tie wrap in the rad. Your fan will be closer to the rad and you will save half a pound. You can leave your wife home for bigger weight loss but you better put more power

It is the Bracket sold by VICK AUTOSPORTS. I just decided to use it...I'm not a big fan of plastic hardware...I prefer that kind of assembly that is just me... I'm improving airflow efficiency and reducing weight at the same time...+ replacement by parts that will never rust again....so for me it's Worth it...