Wow...where did this thread go

Where do you want it to go?
I am sure we could go down a new street this forum has not seen. ;)

I'm in....

http://images34.fotki.com/v1147/phot...2227/p3-vi.jpg

We killed it with fire.

I'm just wondering why you brought another thread into here... This thread isnt about our 'dream' car being better than anyone elses. This thread has gotten its popcorn viewers because of ignorance...

....

I can appreciate the points that the "chief" is trying to make, but the car isn't going to be hundreds of pounds lighter,200+ lbs, period. If for some reason it is, you wont see it in the 370 price range.

This can be exemplified in several car manufacturers. Subaru has a Spec C STI which utilizes a "lighter" aluminum trunk then the US Spec GDB-D/E/F/G chasis. It reduces the trunk lid weight by an extremely generous, maybe 4-5+ lbs(Check Japanparts.com). The seats may be lighter as well, but overall you might shed 60-80, maybe even 100lbs at most, collectively, with the trunk, seats, etc.

BMW actually went pretty extreme with the CSL, but the weight reduction, I believe, wasn't sevreal hundred lbs. The CSL utilized a carbon roof, a plastic trunk, carbon shell'd seats and door panels...no a/c or power seats, radio, etc. The end result was maybe 100-150lbs, net loss. Keep in mind the car gained weight from the SMG transmission, larger more aggressive brakes, and larger wheels / tires as well. So collectively you're net weight loss isn't insane, but it's definitely there.

Again, I appreciate the points being brought up, and respect them. I, as a newer member on this forum, want facts. I'm aware some of my info may be slightly off, a couple pounds, maybe more, but I can assure you my accuracy is far closer than that of other presented information.

Feel free to check Japanparts.com for info on the STI Spec C Parts, for weights, and check M3forum for info on the CSL. I've been a member of the BMW, Subaru, and Honda communities, again, feel free to search what I posted. I'm not seeking to disrespect anyone, not by any means, I just want the correct info.

Thanks,

-Chris

Technik, that makes sense and actually coincides with Phelan's numbers. Thanks for that.

^ ooh, a logical argument. It's spelled exemplified though ;)

When you mention the Spec C STI aluminum trunk though, bear in mind (and tell me if I'm wrong on this!) that the Z is already largely built out of aluminum. Without going carbon fiber a la CSL, there really isn't a lot of weight reduction to be had without aggressively setting up the car for racing.

Good man, Technik, welcome to the 370Z forum

While that may be true for BMW, Subaru and Honda it has no bearing on the 370z. Also if you look those are special models and are not models offered in the U.S. where on the other hand the Nismo is a model offered both here and in Japan. I understand what you are saying and agree that some manufactures do take advantage of the lower safety standards in other countries however I have yet to see Nissan doing this in the Nismo 370z or any 370z for that matter and possibly even in the GT-R but dont quote me on that I haven't researched it.

I'm thinking that's a cost cutting measure for Nissan. They produce the lightest vehicle possible that conforms to safety regulations throughout the world. One set of tools instead of worrying about getting carbon fiber this, differential that, etc. etc.

Again, the body is already aluminum, so you're pretty close to the edge as you can get in terms of shedding weight without going crazy with carbon fiber.

Good call, I was typing too quickly to notice my typo :tup:, fixed it though lmao-

I believe there's some, I'm not going to say "a couple hundred pounds," but enough to notice a difference. I agree sort of gutting the car, killing the daily status of the car, you wont get extreme amount of weight reduction.

Sorry, I didn't read over the whole post before starting a response, I'm at work at the moment, incognito posting is FTW.....haha not really though

Thank you for the welcome, I appreciate it!

This post is a fail, not because you are wrong, but because you are addressing the guy's point incorrectly.

In his nonsensical tirade, he mentioned cars over-seas being 300-500 lbs. lighter due to the "lack of safety regulations" and "metallurgy." He really is under the impression that cars in Japan don't have bumper-supports, side-impact beams, or perhaps even frame-rails. :)

You are correct, though...there are lighter, more race-oriented trims levels sold elsewhere, and the Spec-C and CSL are good examples. They are not, however, related to his profound and eloquent points of view. :)

LMAO, a fail is lame, I'd go with a factual tangent- :tup:

I should've posted a little more specifically, the cars I mentioned are cars that aren't available here due to our DOT regulations, which make them lighter, more agile, quicker etc becuase they can avoid these regulations.

I was going to use the glass in JDM Hondas; of which I wouldn't call safe glass, like we have here. It's lighter, but breaks into sharper pieces, not like DOT glass here. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong- The cars I noted are cogent examples of what he's eluding to, less safety, better materials, higher cost

Thanks,

-Chris

Since this thread has deteriorated into a discussion of weight, you might want to see what it really means in real life application. 100lbs = only a tenth of a second in the quarter.
Per the calculator it takes 10hp to make up that 100lbs...Drop a few lbs or add a few HP, it's all the same in the end..

Play with your own numbers here: 1/4 Mile ET Calculator

That's a valid fact, but weight reduction goes further than "drag" racing- lighter weight is beneficial in braking, handling, and general acceleration in and out of turns, etc.

I agree add a little power, take some weight out, and you get :driving: