HOw to make it lighter

SP_147GTA · #1 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

How would you reduce the weight of a 147GTA without spending a fortune? I ask because I was thinking about making the 'A' in GTA mean something. As I understand the car weighs 1360 kg / 2998 lbs (correct me if im wrong) in standard form and I was wondering what people would do to reduce the weight and what affect it might have on brakes/handling etc.

My thoughts were removing seats front and rear but I want to keep electrics such as windows and double din. Any suggestions welcome, cheers

Captain Slow · #2 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

Carbon bodywork and removing aircon

tommyb · #3 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

Buy a lotus elise. Job done.

double-6s · #4 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

I would have thought that to remove enough weight to make a real difference, you'd have to remove some of the stuff that makes the GTA the GTA. The lovely big front seats for starters? The "A" is just a blatant italian lie IMO. It's more of a GT type car.

I don't think carbon panels etc would make a huge difference unless you do the whole lot. Having a fairly large mate in the car makes a decent dent in performance, so I reckon you really need to remove a similar amount to make it worthwhile? 80kg+ would be great. That's a LOT of weight to remove without screwing up a GTA.

Just my opinion though

Laptop_Matt · #5 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

The GTA seats weigh a bl@@dy ton. Twice as much as a normal 156 seats. Look awesome though so please dont remove them.

Sent on the back of an AA truck Using Tapatalk

SP_147GTA · #6 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

Originally Posted by double-6s

I would have thought that to remove enough weight to make a real difference, you'd have to remove some of the stuff that makes the GTA the GTA. The lovely big front seats for starters? The "A" is just a blatant italian lie IMO. It's more of a GT type car.

I don't think carbon panels etc would make a huge difference unless you do the whole lot. Having a fairly large mate in the car makes a decent dent in performance, so I reckon you really need to remove a similar amount to make it worthwhile? 80kg+ would be great. That's a LOT of weight to remove without screwing up a GTA.

Just my opinion though

I agree, my goal would be to get the weight down to 1200kg which would mean losing 160 odd kg. I say this amount cause its over 10%. Not possible without stripping the whole interior thus taking things out I need like air con, windows and double din head unit.

Anyone know the actual weight of the seats?

LJ_GTA · #7 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

how far are you willing to take it

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205052.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205048.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205049.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205050.jpg

aziraphale · #8 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

bin the bonnet insulation and carry a can of fix-a-flat or similar instead of the spare wheel. that's what, 13kg-ish?

LJ_GTA · #9 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

Originally Posted by aziraphale

bin the bonnet insulation

ive done that on mine

can hear the engine more and the bonnet has steam coming off it in the rain

BeautifulBusso · #10 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

Loose a couple of pounds....you'll find it's a little lighter than standard now because of the change in the exhaust system

badgers_nadgers · #11 (**Post Link**) 13-06-12

There is a lot of sound proofing. Not sure it weighs that much though.

Tony Peanuts · #12 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

This often crosses my mind (good thread Sam).

In no particular order I have previously thought about the following vague headings. Trouble is most of them I have ruled out as being too expensive or having too little real impact or otherwise ruining the nice bits of the car. If you were making a track car though things might be different

1) Sort out the junk you carry around. I reckon I have a good 10kg of stuff that gets lugged about everyday, spare oil, roadmaps, owners manual, emergency raincoat etc. Thing is I carry most of it for a reason so probably wouldn't want to take that out. You could drive in the nude through.

2) Strip the interior/luxuries. You could lose some serious weight here - stereo, aircon, comfy seats, electric windows - but would you really want to?

3) Other mods that lose weight as a bonus. Decat manifolds and other exhaust bits are probably the most obvious but I guess other bits may shave a few grams - carbon plenum and intake pipe

4) Lighter wheels. Probably not an option for you with your lovely CHs or anyone else that likes their teledials/multispokes but you could probably get a few kgs off if you chose a set of rims based on weight - eg Oz Alleggerita.

5) Lighter brakes. Alloy bells and rotors have been discussed on here before. Would be an expensive option but may take a bit of weight off.

6) Carbon or aluminium body panels. Mega expensive (eg http://www.absmotorsport.net/alfa/14...re-bonnet.html ) but I suppose it could make sense if you're a 156 owner replacing rusty wings and you could find someone to build some aluminium or carbon replacements. Not aware that anyone does this at the moment, although I've always thought that Alfaholics could look into it as they do similar for their Gta replicas.

7) Moving the battery to the boot. Not a weight saving as such but better weight distribution and done by a few people already.

8) De-badge it

aziraphale · #13 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

the exhaust heatshielding on the underside of the car could be removed for a kg or 2, everywhere except the cat! Wizrdovoz exhaust is also lighter than standard i believe....

double-6s · #14 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

I feel the only worth while option is the interior etc

BeautifulBusso · #15 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Originally Posted by double-6s

I feel the only worth while option is the interior etc

But whats the point as that's what makes the GTA rather special

double-6s · #16 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Originally Posted by BeautifulBusso

But whats the point as that's what makes the GTA rather special

See my earlier post dude

That's what I said. The GTA is a mini GT car, not a light weight special. The heavy bits are what make it a GTA.

double-6s · #17 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Saving a few KGs here and there will make bugger all difference.

I personally think the only real option is lighter brakes and wheels/tyres to reduce unsrung mass and make it handle better.

BeautifulBusso · #18 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Originally Posted by double-6s

See my earlier post dude

That's what I said. The GTA is a mini GT car, not a light weight special. The heavy bits are what make it a GTA.

Being lazy and couldn't be assed to scroll up

I would love the GTA to be a little lighter but as you said that's not what the GTA is about, I love that it makes a great GT car

SP_147GTA · #19 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

So I reckon the only way to make a decent dent into the weight is to totally strip the interior of all electrics and seats and for now I think that is a bridge too far for me. Maybe remove all the seats and put two bucket seats in?

Or...

Leave it, lose a bit of weight and dont invite anyone along lol...much cheaper!

fewleh · #20 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

I took the rear seats out, but only for the track day im doing in a few weeks. Don't think it's saved a lot really... maybe 20 kilos? (total guess), but it makes the exhaust louder :P WOuld be great to get the weight down.. but sounds like it's not very easy / worthwhile. Aircon is one thing I could do without though... I nearly always roll with the window down. Is it easy to get rid of I wonder? Probably not

badgers_nadgers · #21 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Air con is essential for me.

yetyGT · #22 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Originally Posted by LJ_GTA

how far are you willing to take it

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205052.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205048.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205049.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205050.jpg

3rd photo. I'd start with the weight reduction on the driver itself.

hyperlink · #23 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

best weight saving - never fill up more than half a tank. ~25kg saved at zero cost.

AnthonyJohn · #24 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

The GTA tag is a misnomer as regards both the 156 and 147 as both models are heavier than the standard road-going versions.
The main weight reducing factors if implemented would not make it a practical 'daily' car.
You would need to take out the rear seats, passenger seat, roof lining, boot lining, spare wheel, door cards, carpets, engine bay insulation. Would look like a great track day car, but then you would have to fit a cage and push up the weight again, so it would just look like you had left it unlocked on an inner city estate !!!!!!!

double-6s · #25 (**Post Link**) 14-06-12

Originally Posted by LJ_GTA

how far are you willing to take it

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205052.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205048.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205049.jpg
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g/SV205050.jpg

Proper car!

Love the "handbrake" and exhaust - no fripperies at all

I bet it's a right beast.

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate The AO Staff Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read

Did you know..?
	Clicking the small triangle on the right hand side of every post will take you to the top of the page. Very handy as you can instantly reach the site navigation bar!