non-hp speed increase

as far as rims go, I can only invest so much in them at this point because I plan to build some kind of a wallet-draining frank this summer in addition to upgrading my suspension. So, with these restrictions in mind, what kind of setup would be most cost-effective in terms of rims and wheels. Also, I've heard a considerable amount about sound-deadening tar underneath the car and the weight it possesses; how exactly should i go about removing this? and what noise level will be reached in my car? once again, thank you for the information.


derek

Some 15" rotas would be the perfect thing for you ;) You can usually find them for about $400 a set and they are really light as well.

smaller wheels will make you quicker due to not having the larger tuen radius..a simple matter of physics..thats why you see alot of us running steelies ! as far as your undercoating..it doesnt way as much as you think..its not even worth the time and effort scraping and rinsing it off just so you can save a few lbs that weights less than a subwoofer box.. it keeps you from hearing annoying road squeaks that will drive you nuts especialy ont eh highway with the a/c on ..it also protects your undercarrige....so ummm basically scratch that idea

alright, thanks for the wheel and sound-deadening info. im glad you (tranzlogic) mentioned that because i was seriously considering doing it. are rota wheels up to spec? i hate to say it but im only familiar with like volk and enkei and so on... thanks


derek

Yes the rota wheels are great wheels, the are exact replica's of Spoon Sprts wheels, exact you can't tell the difference even when they are next to each other.

the sound deading shit under your carpet actually will shave almost 200lbs from your car, but unless you like alot of noise i wouldnt recommend it either.

if ya want light weight rims, OZ Supraleggra's 11.1 lbs, or the rims imma buy the SSR competition 8.8lbs.

Yes the rota wheels are great wheels, the are exact replica's of Spoon Sprts wheels, exact you can't tell the difference even when they are next to each other.
Obviously you've never had the two next to each other. The difference is night and day. Completely different finish, the big made in Russia stamp on the back of the Spoons, the Desmond sticker. The extra holes in the middle of the 15" Rotas that the Spoons don't have, sharper lip.

the sound deading shit under your carpet actually will shave almost 200lbs from your car,
Not even close, maybe 40lbs

..thats why you see alot of us running steelies !
Um, no, steelies weight almost 20lbs each around 18lbs for the 14", that's horrible.

jcrx, one of my boys removed that shit from his car and had it weighed on a truck scale before and after, with it all fully gone, it was around 177lbs.

jcrx, one of my boys removed that shit from his car and had it weighed on a truck scale before and after, with it all fully gone, it was around 177lbs.
Maybe someone installed some dynomat before he got the car. But the amount that comes stock does not weigh anywhere close to 200lbs. In a hatch, it's about 8-10 lbs, on a upper level coupe four door, 40ish. I've seen complete guts remove 80-100, but that's rear seats caprt and plastic panels, and tip the scales over 120lbs with the passenger seat.

umm, i dont know then, maybe he removed some other shit and forgot to mention it.

thanks for the info, but you guys need to remember im not "rich" and so i will sacrifice some quality and affluence for a few dollars. anyways, thanks again. (any other rim and tire suggestions?)

derek

For rims on a budget, that are light, and well made, nothing beats Rotas, nothing. They are mostly knock offs off popular rims, like the Spoons, Work, Gram lights, and now the GABs. Average weight is arouns 12-13ish per rims. So figuring you go from an 18lb stock alloy to a 12lb Rota, you just saved 24lbs of rotational mass, which is more in performance terms than 24lbs of static weight.

As far as removing sound deading materials, it really depends on how hardcore you are. The road noise can be a drastic difference or not depending on the model car you have. If you have an upper level, say EX or what not, than you have a lot more SD material than I do in my VX, and removing it can make a world of difference, for me, it wouldn't, but I also wouldn't save shit for weight, since I barely have enough to bother taking the time to remove. I'd say keep you rims small, and run your stock brakes with better pads (something like Hawk HPS) and Brembo blanks, instead of upgrading to a heavier bigger brake set up. Remove rear seats, all plastics, headliner, carpet, bypass the heater hoses to the cabin, and remove the blower and all other compnents swap out PS if you have it for a manual rack, remove all AC, and that's about all you can do without compromising safety. After that your looking at (this is all illegal on a street car) removing the front impact beam (this will make a world of difference, but it's illegal and dangerous), side impact beams, any air bags, and the whole SRS system, ABS system,lexan windows have the rear tube chassised, you now, extreme shit.

so it doesn't prove either affective enough for speed or stopping power to upgrade factory brakes? how much would a mildly upgraded brake system cost you? thanks fellas

derek

Well, if you're traying to be weight conscience on a budget, you stock brakes are fine, get some Brembo blank rotors, and Hawk HPS pads, maybe some SS brakelines, Motul ODT 4 brake fluids, maybe all cost around 350-400 (around the same as the GSR swap without buying new pads and rotors) and you'll be very pleased with brake performance. and not have added the extra few pounds that upgrading to a big brake like the GSRs would add.

unless you pl,an on spending thousands on a brake upgrade that is actually lighter than stock, the blanks and a good set of pads is your best bet.

thanks guys.


derek