How much weight affects? (Did tests)

[MexSiR]

So, some people say its not pertinent to say if you raced with 1, 2,3 or even 4 people in your civic. I say it makes a really big difference. I know it because when I drive my 99 SI alone it seems to be pretty peppy but when i drive it with 2 friends or so, I notice a big difference.

When I go to the quarter mile I race alone of course, but when I raced with my brother on the side (145lbs) my quarter mile time increased .3 to .4. Big difference I might say.

After leaving the quarter mile at around 1:30 a.m, I decided to do some "weight" tests. I usually go with a friend that has a 03 civic EX 127 hp. So we were on the totally empty highway. I was driving a Dohc 160 hp b16a2, while he had a d17 sohc 127 hp. Normally only one driver per car, I gain around 4 to 5 cars in the quarter mile.

I was driving with my brother and two other friends riding on the back. So thats 4 people in total. Each of us weighting around 130-155 lbs. We take it from a light, and the EX beat the Si by about 1 car, from 0 to 70 mph. Then from a 60 mph roll. The EX won by half a car.

My hp/weight ratio (si) is 15.6. Considering my car weighs 5540 lbs.
His hp/wieght ratio (ex) is 19.6 His car weights exactly as mine, maybe 40 pounds off.

With weight on my car weighted 3170 lbs. Si power/weight = 19.81
His car weighted 2640 lbs. EX power/weight = 20.6

I still had a Minor advantage but driving perfectly he still beat my by half a car from a roll.

Conclusion NA engines, with small displacement suck at performing with people on the car. They are very affected.
Recommendation: Race lonely, Eat SUBWAY to take save some grams up!!!

[mycivic]

I noticecd that too. I usually drive alone (Never really raced yet). And on the way to the mall, I had 2 pasengers with me (total of 200-250 pounds)...I tried pushing the car and you do feel the difference. 200 punds can amke a big difference in times...even 100 pounds for that matter. This thing I noticed was by the way from my slow-ass 2003 civic with 115 hp.

[Ace$nyper]

thats another reason not to keep your back seats in.

[94preludeSI]

I've really noticed a difference when i have friends in my prelude when i'm racing. 1 person is alright with me but i've had 2 or 3 in my car (really uncomfortable) and I really slow down. It sucks.

[civicHBsi91]

gotta love a crx or a del sol.....

[94preludeSI]

I defintely don't see why people don't like del sol's. I'll take a good dohc vtec del sol anyday because they are so light and have so much power. I like 'em

[SilverY2KCivic]

Very good post, points and ovsdervation MexSiR.

I've notice the same with my car, BUT it all depends on who's passenger with me. When I raced that SLK, I had a passenger with me, but she didn't weigh near as much as some of my friends. That's what really surprised me that I hung even with him. But weight DOES definitely effect performance. Also note it really effects handling. I was on this one road near me about a month ago, and this one curve (a wide hairpin) I can usually hit at about 35-40mph and come off it with all 4 wheels pushing but remain in my correct lane and in total 100% control. Well That night I had 2 passengers in my car, hit it as I normaly do, everything felt fine going through, I even braked more than usual coming up to it, then got on the throttle halfway through to power out, and upon exit (right hand turn) my rear end kicked out about 45 degrees to the LEFT from under me. Luckily my auto-X car control experience kicked in and I was able to keep the car in the middle of the road the entire time even while it was 4 wheel fishtailing with the tires screeching and smoking up. I was for sure i was gonna end up facing the other way if not into the wall, but one the car got straight (still rolling) I was facing the way I had be originally headed, and I just kept going, at a much capace though naturally. Never underestimate what your car can and can't do once you start adding in the extra weight and passengers.

[PunkAlex]

...so there is an advantage to only weighting 115 pounds! Who woulda thunk it?

[civicHBsi91]

del sol's arent as light as people think, personally i like del sols, my friend has a gsr in his with a full buddy club kit and cf hood, his car is white it looks so bad, even when he didnt have the kit i liked it, they are nice cars, ide rather have a basemodel del and then a swap than a vtec model...

[chuckhatch]

weight is a huge deal..that is the only reason my car is quick .....

[Masta]

i'm glad i'm 5'6" n' weigh 125 pounds rofl.....driving a CRX....i'm straight

[SiGNAL748]

damn you guys...i drive a 2800lb car

i'm only 5'6" and 125lbs though

[-The Stig-]

Honda's lack torque...


A car with a torquey I6/V6 or V8 won't be as affected by the additional weight. You can still notice it, but it won't feel as ''gutless'' as a fully loaded Civic.


Hmm, I wonder if the V6 Accords have the same problem?

[SiGNAL748]

No Torque!? Not My Honda!! Power to the h22's!!










....well ok..maybe mine too

[mycivic]

Originally Posted by SiGNAL748

damn you guys...i drive a 2800lb car

i'm only 5'6" and 125lbs though

I'm 5'9" and 135 pounds with a 2500 pound car...give or take a few.

Originally Posted by RedNeck383

Honda's lack torque...

A car with a torquey I6/V6 or V8 won't be as affected by the additional weight. You can still notice it, but it won't feel as ''gutless'' as a fully loaded Civic.

Hmm, I wonder if the V6 Accords have the same problem?

I'm not too sure about the V6 Accords if weight affects that much because they have pretty good torque numbers.