The weight saving thread

[Neil Davies]

I've been going to the gym for the last three months and I've PUT ON two pounds!

[Bruce]

Here is the IRS rear trailing arm pivot bolt.  Stock is completely solid and a hefty 251g each.  My drilled ones are 123g, for a reduction of 256g, or 51%.

[Fasterbrit]

A half a pound saving on just two bolts! Good work Bruce 

[Bruce]

If Phil needed these, he'd make them from Ti! 
His bolts would be 143g for the pair instead of 502g.

[Bruce]

We've got a local restoration shop that specializes in pre-war, high end European cars.  I saw this coil bracket on one of the work benches.  It is made from 1mm Al.  At first, I thought there's no way that would survive, but then I realized it is mounted to the car body, not the shaking engine.  I didn't get a weight on it, but I'm sure you can use your imagination.

[Bruce]

I drilled this last year.  What I learned from this, is that drilling small holes in sheet metal is a colossal waste of time!!!

251g --> 168g = 33%

[Fasterbrit]

Maybe a waste of time, but looks the dog's danglies 

[Pas]

Remember Bruce every little counts

[Bruce]

I don't think we've discussed batteries yet.

I remember talking to Mark Herbert years ago about Odyssey motorcycle batteries.  I know a couple of guys that tried the PC680.  It's got 680A of cranking (for a short time), and it does work in a VW.  But you don't have much reserve.  It weighs 6.8kg.  That's pretty good compared to the normal antique battery most of us use. (12-15kg)

Today I found out about the new Lithium batteries.
http://www.solomotoparts.com/product.php?productid=48290&cat=539&page=1#more_details
It's only got 500 cranking amps, but look at the weight!  1.35 kg!!!

That is the biggest battery they make.  If it wasn't enough, you could get 2 of the next size down and put them in parallel to get 720A.  The total weight for two of them, 2.1kg.  And they are super tiny too.
http://www.solomotoparts.com/product.php?productid=43444&cat=0&page=1

This co is in the OC.  Who's going to be the first to go there and buy one for their VW?

[ibg]

I use the 680, mixture of race and street use with an alternator. It cranks a 2387 9.4:1 easily. Its never gone flat in 4 years even with all electrics on and I have a  heated front and rear screen in my Ghia. I like the sound of this lithium battery, I thing 500 cranking amps could do. with a ghia you have to get rid of all the weight you can.

[Nikke]

Porsche top models can be ordered with a very light Li-battery,but the price is out of this world.

[Neil Davies]

If the Lithium batteries are similar to the Lithium-Polymer units used in radio controlled cars, they're great until something goes wrong... They need to be charged in an explosion-proof bag, so I don't think I'd want one behind my drivers seat...

[mymedusa]

i try this starterbatterie next.
http://autsys.tkk.fi/intranet/as-0.3200/attach/S11-20/GWL-LFP-Product-LP12V20AHB.pdf

116euro
http://www.ev-power.eu/?p=p_48&sName=lifeypo4-batteries-%2812v%29
if 4 more people want one we could get them for each 108 euro.

[DWL_Puavo]

New lithium starter batteries are of LiFePO4 type, they won't catch fire or explode pretty much from anything. Way more safe than Li-Ion or lead-acid batteries. Also dis/re-charge rates are way up from Li-Ion. Recharge is also better than in lead-acid, however lead-acid still has the greates discharge rate. The downside is about half of energy capacity of Li-Ion, still way better than from lead-acid. Oh, and the price, that too

Bare 3,7V cells can be have for a couple hundred euros for the battery that could start up a car easily and fully reload in about 5 minutes. Not sure however if there's suitable modules to handle the recharge part.

[pupjoint]

a friend of mine recently ordered some titanium parts for his mini from here

www.titanclassics.com

i emailed them if they are oing to make anything for aircooled vws

[Fasterbrit]

After seeing Bruce's thread a few posts up I thought I'd make a coil bracket out of some Mil spec 50A titanium I have lying around (cheers Brad!). It measures 0.020" (0.5mm) and is incredibly strong for such thin sheet - easily up to the task of holding a coil. Anyway, I weighed a stock VW bracket and it weighed in at a hefty 74 grams. The ti bracket weighed in at a measly 12 grams! A weight saving of approx 84% ! Long live the diet 

[dannyboy]

ive got a bag of filler from the guy who is respraying my racecar will weigh it when i get it all together 

[Bruce]

I bet the bolt is a major % of the weight!

I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how to form that.  Do you put in the 4 bends, then just wrap it around the coil?

BTW, I see several opportunities on your engine.  Pictures at 11.

[Fasterbrit]

Bruce, I measured both brackets without the bolts, so there is a great additional weight saving to be had if you used a ti bolt or even ali item.

To make the bracket I simply put the four bends in then wrapped the curve around the coil. Very simple and easy to do. I was going to punch larger holes in the bracket as I reckon 10 grams is easily achievable. Maybe will on the next bracket - I might even make a small batch if anybody wants one? Even at 12 grams the bracket is rediculously light. Picking it up seems to trick the brain as what's in your hand weight-wise doesn't compute with the size of bracket...

Keep posting pix of your lightening work Bruce; it's inspirational 

[tikimadness]

I'll take one Matt Guess postage won't kill me 

Michael

[Fasterbrit]

Coolio. I will put you down on the list Michael. If we get another four people I'll make a small  batch. You are right, it won't cost more than letter rate to post   

[ianmac]

Coolio. I will put you down on the list Michael. If we get another four people I'll make a small  batch. You are right, it won't cost more than letter rate to post   

Mat, I would take one for the ghia  must come and see you soon for a pasty and a chinwag

[Fasterbrit]

Cheers Ian! Two on the list
Pop round anytime dude - I'll have the kettle ready
We need to tweak your motor on the rolling road soon. Can't wait to see what it puts out. Should be quite exciting 

[Greasy Dave]

I too am interested,but, i don't want to blow my tiny budget on a coil bracket.What sort of price would we be looking at ? Thanks Dave.

[Harry/FDK]

One more please. Just let me know.

[Lids]

I too am interested,but, i don't want to blow my tiny budget on a coil bracket.What sort of price would we be looking at ? Thanks Dave.

As above but again dependent on price.

[Fasterbrit]

I figure on £30 each due to them being handmade. If we get ten orders I can make them for 25. A titanium bolt costs about £5 and an Ali bolt costs about £1.50  so let me know if you guys need a ti bolt or Ali or just the bracket.  I know it's not exactly cheap, but it's not made in a Chinese sweatshop - rather a Cornish pasty fueled engineer! Postage about £1 uk and £2 europe. U.s. £3

[tikimadness]

I thin the only way to go is with a titanium bolt.Those aluminum ones are way to heavy

Michael

[Fasterbrit]

The Ali bolt is lighter! Not as strong though, although it doesn't need to be strong as it does not do much...

[Lids]

Go on then put me down for one.

Matt have you moved shop yet?  As your website has gone haywire and is in microsoft latin!