Weight of Race Car

#1

I thought this might be useful to those of you building a car. I was weighed at VIR last weekend and came in 18 pounds under weight, at 2732. That figure included:

-Me (178 pounds without an erection)
-My racing gear (Helmet, suit, etc.)
-5/8 tank of fuel, according to the gauge

I have not done anything dramatic to reduce my weight. I have not removed ANY of the sound-deadening material. I have not removed the power window motors. But I have removed the A/C system, the P/S system, and all the elements of the power sunroof. I raced with the spare in the car (which wasn’t in for my weight check), figuring that’d be close to making legal weight, but I’m not sure. I also have the classic two-pipe, two-glass pack exhaust, which I understand is a good bit heavier than the spec exhaust. I’ll probably have to add ballast once I switch.

So the moral of the story is, it’s pretty easy to make the minimum weight unless you’re a lard ass (sorry JP).:laugh:

Sasha

#2

Would love to see the minimum weight be dropped about 50#. I’m sure most of us are running ballast, and maybe a lot of it.

#3

AJ, I think that you are trying to make me and my car weigh to much, as I am a little above the minimum weight with no ballast, and I can’t see losing 50#'s…

#4

I’d like to see the minimum weight be drop too. And 50 pounds seem reasonable

Lat time I weighed in 2760. That was 3/4+ tank of gas, cool suit, no camera, no spare, me and all my gear. I can’t think of anything else I can remove. The bad thing is… I think I’ve gained another 10 LBS over the winter :frowning:

#5

I for one hope the min weight does not drop. I’m about 80lbs over in race trim without a spare tire and without cool suit.
The spec exhaust should help that along with the fact that I’m getting ready to remove the Power Steering system. I’ve already removed all the sound deadening.

Steven

#6

Did the different years have different weights from the factory? I find it interesting that some people are fairly over weight while others are far under. To make weight, I run the spare tire, 10 lbs of ballast plus some heavy bolts/washers, and have to go out with a full tank of gas. My power steering and power windows are still in and my cage is fairly substantial. I would vote for weight reduction, but if there are people that can’t get down to the minimum weight as of now, I guess it wouldn’t be a good idea. For those that are heavy, do you still have the sound deadening in?

#7

secu wrote:

It is quite odd. It would be interesting to see what all the variables are and what weight cars are coming in at. But that sounds like the kind of thing that would be done on a spreed sheet :S

#8

You can see a list of factory weights for each of the different model years in the appendix of the Spec E30 regulations.

The interesting thing is hearing the actual weights and differences since building our cars. I am struggling to make weight and I have quite a bit of ballast already, about 60 lbs.

This, no spare and 3/4 of a tank puts me at 2750. I am going to add more ballast once I put the spec exhaust on the car.

I have an 87 car with no sound deading in it.

#9

Consider the weight difference in drivers too. Plus, I’m sure there’s a big difference in some cages–I’m guessing that’s part of Steven’s trouble. The weight of the power steering is fairly substantial as well. There are lots of things to consider…different seats, different batteries, extra seat/harnesses, how much optional trim you got rid of, new/old bumpers/valence, exhaust, wheels…

#10

My car is an '89 325i. My cage is substantial (with nascar door bars) and has an integrated seat mounting structure. My doors are fully gutted, and as I mentioned before all sound deadening has been removed.

I looked at the chart Brian referenced in the regulations and saw that at 2895lbs, my car was the heaviest of all non-convertable cars.

For reference, I weigh 220lbs. At 6’3", I could probably stand to drop 20lbs but that would still leave me overweight…

Steven

#11

My car started life as an 88 325 with the eta in it. I have since put a different motor and drive train in it. I have a pretty solid cage, a X in the main hoop and a X in the rear support. I still have some sound deadening (very little). I weigh 175-180, and my car is just over min weight with 1/8th of a tank of fuel…

#12

My car (1990 325is) weighs 2808 with me (5’ 11", 200 lbs) with no spare tire. The car has a normal weld in cage with X bar side proetection on bot doors, still has most of the sound deadening, power steering, cruise control, power antenna, fog lights, A/C condensor, OBC and few other bits. So, with a diet (both car and me) I could be under weight fairly easily.

#13

I will compile the data if you guys will fill in the form.

How much does your car weigh survey. http://pereda.org/tinc?key=9D3JjEnX&formname=racecarweight

:stuck_out_tongue: I predict that my car will come in under weight with the cunning use of RUST to reduce the weight of certain key areas.

#14

Instead of lowering the weight min. what about reward weight for top finishers? Any thoughts?

#15

IndyJim wrote:

that also sounds good. What sounds the best, is to leave the rules where they are.

#16

Shut up Jim! Your are taking this conversation off topic.

#17

I am running anywhere from 25-50lbs of ballast, a heavy spare, a large battery, a cool suit and weigh about 210lbs.

I have no PS and am running a twin pipe exhaust. I’ve removed nearly everything that can be removed and have no problems making weight. It wouldn’t bother me if they drop 100lbs off of the minimum…

Or, just leave it like it is.

#18

mskeen wrote:

Looked like you had fun in MA fighting through the pack, I just want to give you a chance to show us how good you really are!

#19

I have 5 people that have entered data so far. just on that it looks like the older cars are lighter.

Car Weight survey: http://pereda.org/tinc?key=9D3JjEnX&formname=racecarweight

#20

I’m glad you put this into action.

I hope to contribute my data in 2 weeks when we go to Road Atlanta and am able to weigh on the official scales.