Gen 2 weight reduction

[GhostStalker27]

What are some things we can do to reduce weight in our cars? I know that lighter wheels, removing the radio, floor mats, etc, help. But what else? Has anyone removed the A/C? Tips and suggestions - especially from those of you who track your cars. Thanks

[Luisv]

Same as with any typical race setup from a street car. This also depends on how far you are willing to go...

Exhaust weight. Go to straight pipe with a side pipe exhaust. That will reduce a a good amount.
Remove the spare tire, jack and tool kit.
Polycarbonate replacement of the glass/windows
Headlights. You can remove the innards from the casing removing weight. Fog Lights can go as well.
If you are considering upgrades/mechanical changes then look into lightweight shocks, rotors & brake calipers
Hollow sway bars
Seat removal and racing seat for driver
Remove stardard seat belts and go to a single multipoint driver harness.
Remove the power window motors/regulators
Remove the speakers and amp
Carpeting, jute and sound deadening
Air bags and sensors

Again, it all depends on how hard core you want to go.

Unsprung weight reductions will make huge differences in the handling of the car. This is mostly because the unsprung weight reduction will allow the suspension to move up and back more quickly. Obviously the spin up of the wheels and deceleration under braking will also be improved with lighter wheels and tires.

[GhostStalker27]

Thanks Luis - Hollow sway bars isn't one that I thought of. My spare, jack, radio are all gone. I was also thinking of removing the wiper motors. I'm still going to be driving this on the street so not sure I can get away with some of the suggestions like the air bag removal.

Are there things that are excessively heavy on the viper ie: like the exhaust manifolds on the gen1s.
Would I get significant weight savings by removing the air penulum,heater, etc..are reason beside not having a/c not to do it. Sorry just curious to what the negative sides are to removing some of these things besides the comfort factor. thanks again

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

99 ACR actually had an option to delete the A/C to save weight....only a tiny handful opted for deletion, and most of those were dealer-ordering mistakes! Same in Gen 4 ACR, "Hardcore" but no mistakes Im aware of. Dodge learned from G2.

G2 ACR BBS OE wheels are the lightest 18" there are...

99 already has the lighter OE short tube-headers saves 23 lbs vs earlier cast manifolds, and made 12HP !

Luis hit all the high points.... rotors are obvious savings of rotating unsprung, the biggest target

[Hiss Highness]

I dropped the cats and went with side exhaust plus removed all the stereo equipment. if ur tracking then removing the passenger seat could lighten some more. Jenny Craig would work for my carcass as well.

[AZTVR]

Would I get significant weight savings by removing the air penulum,heater, etc..are reason beside not having a/c not to do it. Sorry just curious to what the negative sides are to removing some of these things besides the comfort factor. thanks again

Depending how you daily use the car and your weather (temperature and humidity), the lack of some of that will prevent the windshield defogging from working.

[GhostStalker27]

It's a nice weather car only.

Here's my list of things that would be part of removing the A/C, please add to this list if you know of any
-A/C Compressor (is this replaced with a a/c delete pulley?)
-Air Penulum
-A/C Accumulator/Drier
-A/C Expansion Device
-A/C Condenser

[AZTVR]

Here's my list of things that would be part of removing the A/C, please add to this list if you know of any
-A/C Compressor (is this replaced with a a/c delete pulley?)

You can buy a shorter serpentine belt to fit. Rock Auto lists part# with and without AC.

[XSnake]

It's a nice weather car only.

Here's my list of things that would be part of removing the A/C, please add to this list if you know of any
-A/C Compressor (is this replaced with a a/c delete pulley?)
-Air Penulum
-A/C Accumulator/Drier
-A/C Expansion Device
-A/C Condenser

There is a no AC factory belt since AC delete was a factory option. You'd have to lookup the part # but it does exist.

[GhostStalker27]

There is a no AC factory belt since AC delete was a factory option. You'd have to lookup the part # but it does exist.

Thanks I think this is the no A/C belt -> # 4070775 http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...795&cc=1354339

[Uncle Paul]

Lighter weight battery.

Remove Visors : >) (They are useless in a Gen II)

[lobotomy]

Lithium ion batteries are available and we use them in our dragsters...they are ridiculously light...expensive...but very very light!

[GhostStalker27]

I have heavy ass HRE 540 wheels so those are next. Does anyone know the weights of the Gen2 ACR BBS wheels, I'm finding numbers are all over the place on the internet. I know JonB said the ACR BBS's are the lightest 18s, not that I don't believe him but they're expensive - I got a budget and need to weigh my options - going for best value. Not really a fan of the look of the OZ wheels, I heard SSR are light..any and all suggestions are welcome

Like LuisV and JonB said unsprung weight will yield the greatest significance - so that's my primary focus. That being said I just bought the Koni ACR coilovers - previous owner removed them from my car:*( I'm also gonna upgrade the brakes this winter - any recommendations?