weight reduction

[navyryan]

i am just starting my first rally car build. i am wondering what systems can be removed from a production class sti and which are not worth removing? i am trying to remove all the systems that will reduce weight while saving up for the big parts. i removed the ac and all of its components except the heater and blower, will be removing the rear door components when i can figure out a good way to keep the window up (aside from zip ties), and am currently removing all the sound dampening in the car.

just so i dont get shuned, i am going to be buying a built group 2 but the sti has always been my dream car, figured i would start with what i could and build from there. but any help would be great.

[kreitz3]

Cruise Control.

You won't need that on the stages.

[GodSquadMandrake]

The A/C has to be there if you want to run in the production class, but I'm not certain the belt has to be connected. You can't touch the interior components at all except where trimming is necessary to make safety equipment fit. I don't really think there is that much you can do for weight reduction.

[navyryan]

if i read it right, you only need the heater to be in working condition. i always call it production but it's PGT class.

[409industries]

The A/C has to be there if you want to run in the production class, but I'm not certain the belt has to be connected. You can't touch the interior components at all except where trimming is necessary to make safety equipment fit. I don't really think there is that much you can do for weight reduction.

Not entirely true. Depending on what class you will be running in (you mentioned production class), the AC system can be removed (condenser, hardlines in the engine bay, compressor, etc) but the heater core and all the big fat plastic boxes behind your dash will need to be retained.

Only in Open class can you remove these pieces, but the must be replaced with a working heater core.

On a side note, i removed just about everything I could from my car.

-AC compressor, condensor, lines
-Cruise control system
-Airbags and Airbag wiring / control module
-ABS system and related brakelines
-Radio and speakers

Keep your stock door cards and interior pieces you will need them in the front of the car. I think you have to retain on the stock interior pieces from the seats forward.

[KevinWelker]

As mentioned on Special Stage, you can't run an STI in PGT due several factors (brake size not allowing gravel tires, and engine displacement exceeding the turbocharged limit of 2 liters).


You want to be in Super Production in which case Aaron's info above is accurate. the rear seat area can be stripped completely, probably not worth the headaches to removed the window regulators since they weigh very little in the grand scheme of things and are a headache to remove. basically you need to keep the dash, center console and door cards, everything else can go. take a look at interior photos of Group N or PGT cars and you will see what they have, that is what you want to do.

As for the asphalt sound deading, use dry ice to freeze it (let it sit for 20-30 minutes then tap it with a hammer and it will come off. Don't try to scrape or grind it off, you'll just make a big mess. If you are still daily driving the car don't bother doing most of this stuff until a couple of months before the cage goes in. Driving a stripped uncaged car sucks.

[Gravel Crew Rally Team]

If its an STI there won't be any sound deadening, those cars are cool enough that the factory doesn't put them in. Must be nice cause the rest of us that don't have the pleasure of owning an STI get to do the dry ice thing and hope it all comes of in one shot. No such luck for me I have a lot of work to clean up all of the black tar/ glue crap all over my floor board.

BTW driving a stripped roll caged car does not suck:eek:

[UP2MTNS]

BTW driving a stripped roll caged car does not suck:eek:

my car sounds awesome in the cabin with no sound deadening behind the drivers seat and no rear seats.....all engine roar, baby! (and that's with a Borla HUSH muffler!)

[navyryan]

thats not true, there sure is sound deading material in an sti, i am going through the joy of removing it as we speak. thank you for the tip on the dry ice, i have been peeling it off and man is it a pain.

[subyspawn]

i think only the 05 sti doesn't have it? mine didn't have any of that on the inside

[driveclimbslide]

None on my 04 either. Are you talking about the seam sealer?

[navyryan]

no its sounds deading. it is only up by the rear window, im lucky its a small area but still a pain.

[carl]

my 04 sti had zero sound deadening.

[Daniel B]

... it is only up by the rear window ...

Can you elaborate this bit?
________
BMW R32 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/BMW_R32)

[navyryan]

that black tar with the thick aluminum foil over it, it is only up by the rear window glass where the rear center seat belt retractor is. but the black latex like paint is from the rear seat, back doors and completely covering the in side of the trunk.

be thankful if you didnt have this in your car, mine wont come off even with dry ice. i have been stuck peeling it or scraping it off.

[carl]

previous owner must have put sound deadening in

[aresbykes]

i think your sti might have been used as a heroin mule.

thats not sound deadening, thats drugggssss....

[Daniel B]

be thankful if you didnt have this in your car, mine wont come off even with dry ice. i have been stuck peeling it or scraping it off.

Everything in the cabin/floor area of the shell that isn't blue was covered in tar. 5-10% needed to be sraped, picked, brushed, wiped, etc. to remove. If you can get one near it, a wire wheel is your friend (edit: after using a heatgun and scraper)...

Edit #2: use the wire wheel to spread the goop around, make it as tin as you can. Then spray some brake cleaner on a cloth and wipe the rest off. Works like a charm.

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr78/123124125/rally%20car/pro11.jpg
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RC172 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_RC172)