[modmanmini]

I am sure some of you know this, but on a whim I removed my spare, associated brackets, and my never used cd changer. It was 41 lbs of stuff! I could not believe how much those things weigh. Now on to finding a lighter sunroof ( I am thinking california top, anybody have any ideas?)

cheers, jason

[KenL]

Why the obsession with weight? How much do you weigh & what extras do you have on the car?

Unless your car is for track use only I don't see the point of being so worried about it. Surely the difference in normal day-day driving is minimal?

[modmanmini]

I am a speed freak, and it is something to do. I didnt lose anything I need or use, so I am just lighter. If you have ever driven a rabbit gti, or an elise (not me yet) then you know why lightness is good. My goal weight is 2000lbs, again just another thing to obsess over.

cheers, jason

[TonyB]

At least on a stock MCS 16 pounds is tantamount to 1hp. People will scrutinize a hp here and there, but often over look weight. 40 pound is substantial, more so on a lighter car, than a heavier one...

I'm down a little over 150 lbs on my MCS, and my goal is 2,400 lbs, and I might be in that neighborhool already with an easy 40 or so pounds to go. While it is easier to do go lower, to do so and at the same time keep the car looking finished or un-gutted in appearance is the challenge, at least for me. Reaching 2k on the Coop is doable I would say, but I don't think it can be done while still having it look complete or finished.

Good luck in your endeavors!

[KenL]

Why buy a MINI then when you know the weight?

[modmanmini]

All new cars are super heavy, made so by more and more safety and technology. Airbags, sensors, reinforced body panels, unibody, chassis, etc. that all weighs alot.
The cooper has a certain tossable (i.e. gokart) feel to it, that will only be improved with some minor weight savings. I never want a stripped out race car for street use, but some minor tweaks will help overall feel.

Its lke going from the SLite wheels to a much lighter wheel, you notice the difference, its minimal but there.

cheers, jason

[leon1982]

I have a question regarding the power to weight ratio..
I heard that Minis (Cooper and Cooper S) have a reasonably GOOD power to weight ratio..I cant say the best..coz I know there are still many cars with better power to weight ratio...can anyone justify this?
To be honest I'm more than happy with how my MC performs

[TonyB]

Hi Leon,

The MINIs are a bit on the heavy side, given their small stature, and certainly compared to the original Minis. Simply divide your MINIs weight by its hp (at the engine)...

Here is a list I compiled about 2 years ago, so it is dated, but does give a good idea:

Porsche 911 Turbo 8.164
Ferrari 456M GT 8.429
Lotus Esprit V8 ('02) 8.694
Porsche 911 Carrera 9.393
Ford SVT Mustang Cobra 9.692
Porsche 911 Targa 9.901
Mercedes C-Class C32 AMG Sedan 10.143
BMW M5 10.210
BMW M3 10.255
Jaguar XK Series XKR 10.356
Acura NSX 3.2 MT 10.869
Nissan 350Z 11.209
Pontiac Trans AM Firebird V8 ('02) 11.270
Porsche Boxster 11.283
Honda S2000 11.708
Ford SVT Lightning 12.290
Jaguar S-Type 4.2 Liter R 12.345
Nissan Maxima 12.678
BMW 5 Series 12.924
BMW Z3 12.933
Nissan Altima 3.5SE 13.049
Cadillac Seville STS 13.307
BMW Z4 13.324
BMW 7 Series 13.464
Honda Accord LX V6 13.542
Subaru WRX Sedan 13.590
Volvo S80T6 13.630
Acura 3.2 S 13.685
Ford Thunderbird 13.796
Dodge SRT-4 13.814
Saab 9-5 Sedan Aero 13.880
Toyota Celica 13.888
Volvo S60T5 13.950
Chrysler Concorde LTD 14.268
Chrysler 300M Special 14.313
Audi TT 14.551
BMW 3 Series 14.600
VW Passat W8 14.641
Audi S4 14.816
Pontiac Grand Prix 14.829
VW GTI VR6 15.180
Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 15.367
Pontiac Vibe GT 15.440
Toyota Matrix XRS 15.555
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT 15.695
Toyota MR2 15.905
Cadillac CTS 15.950
Ford SVT Focus 16.177
VW Jetta VR6 16.370
Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 16.470
Mazda Speed Protégé 16.724
Mazda MX-5 Miata 16.810
VW Beetle Turbo 16.694
==============================

As you can see, getting a MINI at 10:1 would be quite impressive, and it is doable, I'm certain of that now. By my best guestimates, I'm about 11:1 now. Many cars can be made to be fast, but making a car handle exceptionally well is not something just any car can be modified to do. The MINI is just needs some more balls, and little less weight to get into the big leagues as handling is its forte...

[leon1982]

TonyB,
wow!! that's fantastic..thanks for the info..
It's good to know

[jlm]

if you are using cranky hp, i'm at 10.6 in track trim

[CurtP]

I'm at 7.36#/hp with my other car and it's in full street trim down to spare tire, jack and a 60# sub box. After next Friday's tuning day, it should be down to around 5.26#/hp, still in full street trim

[jlm]

my ducati is 3.3, for what tiny numbers mean, not being in the mini fold.

[TonyB]

Very impressive John. I figured that you must be well into the 10's. Yes, at the crank, unfortunately as that is where the power figures are usually expressed... A few more horses, and/or a few less pounds and you'll be in single digits. I'm glad that your MINI is still street-able as well...

Ok Curt, I have to ask... what to you have with those type of numbers? Does it handle as well as the MINI? I ask because oddly enough I will take my dune buggy (street legal) out of my mom's garage today for some summer fun, and to put a for sale sign on it. It has only 100hp, but at 1,000 lbs, it is fast, when tuned. I could very easily make it 150hp to get me in the 6:1 ratio range, but I just don't see spending a couple grand on this as desirable. Without IRS ('68 VW chassis, modified), it already corners like crap, and for me, that is where the fun is at on my canyon roads...

I have another kit car modeled after the BMW M1 called an Aquila that is not done, and I will probably never finish it due to the realization that I can probably never realistically make it into a true performance sports car, regardless of the raw power (weight to hp) it might have. Just not the ideal platform... So, I'm really curious to know what you have Curt...

If I can get $4K for my buggy, here are some thought or options:

1. Put all of it into the MINI (Ledas, front seats, head, cam, clutch, header and still dig into my pocket as this all is beyond 4k)

2. Put half into the MINI (Ledas) and the other 2K to secure a spot on a wait list for the Elise...

3. Invest it for something down the road...

Time and money, and being recently married, gosh, both of those have dwindled I'm not complaining though...

[Z1GZAG N]

I looked high and low for that spare tire on my MCS and finally found it right below my chin. All these guys are spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars buying Carbon Fiber parts to take a couple pounds off. Personally, I chose the Adkins system and have shaved over 40 pounds off the weight of MCS and driver and all it's cost me was all that valuable junk food!

[TonyB]

Kudos to you Z1, and your health! I'm at my marathon weight these days, so right around 137 pounds. Mountainerring weight is more like 150 lbs... I do have a titanium wedding ring and carbon atomic watch Anal, I know, but I don't like to be weighed down....

[CurtP]

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyB

Ok Curt, I have to ask... what to you have with those type of numbers? Does it handle as well as the MINI? I ask because oddly enough I will take my dune buggy (street legal) out of my mom's garage today for some summer fun, and to put a for sale sign on it. It has only 100hp, but at 1,000 lbs, it is fast, when tuned. I could very easily make it 150hp to get me in the 6:1 ratio range, but I just don't see spending a couple grand on this as desirable. Without IRS ('68 VW chassis, modified), it already corners like crap, and for me, that is where the fun is at on my canyon roads...

I have another kit car modeled after the BMW M1 called an Aquila that is not done, and I will probably never finish it due to the realization that I can probably never realistically make it into a true performance sports car, regardless of the raw power (weight to hp) it might have. Just not the ideal platform... So, I'm really curious to know what you have Curt...

It's a '95 Pontiac Formula, LT1 stroked to 396ci. It's sitting at 500fwhp right now and I'm taking it to my tuner this coming Friday for its final tune. We're hoping for 550 ~ 570 fwhp on motor and I'm not sure how much nitrous we'll end up spraying into it, but it will be a minimum 150 shot unless we run into fuel delivery issues. If that happens then it'll get a fuel system upgrade to -8 supply lines, external fuel pump and sump the tank.

As far as handling as well as the MINI - probably not. I did build it with the idea that handling would be top priority, but there's only so much you can do with a car that has a solid rear axle (although it will surprise you). Couple the solid axle with a Eaton HD limited slip differential (600# preload) and it can (and has) get hairy. I'm hoping to get a few auto-x events in this summer to get familiar with the car and to get suspension dialed in. Next year I'm hoping to participate in some RR events as well. The car is suprisingly well mannered for a vehicle with its size and girth.

It's a blast to drive, as is my MCS, but for obviously completely different reasons. As I like to say, you don't drive the Formula, you experience it

There are a few of us domestic guys that think there is more to life than straight lines

[TonyB]

Very well put Curt, and I totally understand. It is indeed fun! Besides a purchase for my wife in the coming year or so, I really want my next one to be a mid-engine rear wheel drive, and ideally a pop top. That certainly narrrows down the field Would still have the MCS for Fall/Winter fun

I think we've taken this baby astray.

[BruceK]

Quote: Originally Posted by modmanmini

I am sure some of you know this, but on a whim I removed my spare ...

I'm looking for a spare MINI tire. Do you want to part with it?