C5 track prep weight reduction

[Jabo]

Hey guys

So far we have ~40kg stripped from its natural weight including spare wheel and tools, airbag covers, trim from inside the doors, everything from the boot and more.

What metalwork is there that's not structural?

Don't know what's behind the door cards but they'll be coming off in a couple of days to see.

What would you remove or cut from the 2001 C5?

[evilally]

Drop a wheel size if you can, large wheels degrade handling as it increases unsprung weight. 1kg saved on suspension components is worth 5kg on the chassis, or so they say. Whereabouts in WD are you?

[Jabo]

That's good thinking!

I'm in Renton, usually under the motor lol. You go to Clydebank Cruise?

[bxzx16v]

A C5 as a track car , a bit of an odd choice , you must post some pics up when done .

Mark

[Jabo]

you must post some pics up when done

I will do. I'll try to post some of the first stage I've done too.

a bit of an odd choice

Anything that's not a small hatchback e.g. Clio, 205, MG ZR, Micra, Mini etc. will be out of the ordinary. Plus, turning a bog standard family sized car into a weapon is fun!

[evilally]

I'm over in Drumry mate. No, I have never been to a cruise. I'm at Knockhill a lot, it will be interesting to see this going round. Have you removed the rear seats etc? I would have expected more than 40kg if so. You could get yourself along to the weigh bridge and see where you're at. You should be able to drop another 25kg moving down a wheel size I would have thought.

[Jabo]

Nah I haven't removed the seats yet. They're only a few bolts each so staying in until it gets some track time. Also looking at a couple of lightweight front seats for my birthday from the wife

[andy5]

There are supposed to be some C5 wheels which look like steels but are actually pressed alloy. The boy racers are keen on them for Saxos and small Peugeots and so on

You probably already know this, but if not then look into it, as if you already have them it's not going to be worth swapping as mentioned above

Some had a cracking issue around the fixing holes and were subject to recall, so there's more than one part number, and I don't have the details

[Jabo]

Some photos of the current stage of weight reduction



These are going on shortly, CANNOT WAIT! Chose 38mm Honda CBR600's for the early peak torque. Should get close to the gains this 206 got with 40mm's http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarr ... 6_gti.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



'Custom' inlet manifold - really just a chopped up stock manifold. Only needs hoses to connect!



Goodbye roof lining



No carpets



Boot with emergency tool bag. Spare is only in as I'm off to get a tyre



No door cards - taken at the car wash



Still to do: Lighten the seats, remove airbags, remove audio, remove air con, lexan window replacement, dashboard and centre console out to get the rest of the foam and rubber out

[Jabo]

Where is the nearest weigh bridge?

I'm over in Drumry mate. No, I have never been to a cruise. I'm at Knockhill a lot, it will be interesting to see this going round. Have you removed the rear seats etc? I would have expected more than 40kg if so. You could get yourself along to the weigh bridge and see where you're at. You should be able to drop another 25kg moving down a wheel size I would have thought.

[old'uns]

hole saw the doors where they sit parallel to the sill and uprights, not too much agreed but seen it done on race cars.

[KP]

Sound proofing on the bonnet, all plastics in the engine bay, fog lights if fitted, Also some standard 15" steel wheels for the C5 are ubber lightweight and the difference between them and aan alloy is very noticable they must be a good kg lighter than a Xantia steel wheel from my own lifting and swapping of hem in the past.

Rear boot hatch trim panels, Black mouldings on front bumper, undertray sometimes can weight a bit, less fluid in washer bottle as well.

Is this to be road legal or track only?

[oscar]

Hi but spec are you building it to?
And as said road legal or a trailered there type which some track cars still have to conform to.
The ultimate light weight is custom looms or chopping out what you don't need(which is most)
but i sure wouldn't go down in rim size but down in tyre profile and up a rim size as lower profile handling out performs the weight plus id go for some proper alloy wheels from Compomotive they do in GrpN which is showroom class so can use your normal wheel bolts you get light weight heat treated with steel inserts for wheel bolts and don't crack like s**t alloys on market and the Bruciey bonus is? they have a shallow wheel well so a can get larger calipers inside but if you have a flat the tyre stays on rim so in control.
I had Compomotive MO's on my sierra twice i had a flat and didnt notice one was on a fast right something in road sliced tyre Rhd/R in sidewall did a mile with it flat so do work plus sometimes save tyre.
They worked out cheaper than johnny go faster and sure lighter.
There are a couple of wheels makers Revolution was another speedline/BBS and the ones they had on mittzy lancers rally cars can't remember name do a range of clubman wheels.
Grp A/works type are magnesium ultra light but have a shelf life so unless you have a big pit/Pocket wouldn't look too far that way but they do come up for sale motoring news has lots of gear for sale from race/rally cars dealers etc.

do you need a rollcage? as that also makes chassis alot more stiffer plus if your using harnesses 3/4/6 point and if you stuff it and it ends up on it's top theres a big risk of a broken neck from roof coming down or car coming up which everway you like to think? but your trapped in seat by harness and head gets turned to one side of other then breaks neck. and yes does happen with boy racers on road etc.

you can dump fuel tank and rest of gumpf that lives that way then put a bag tank in rear then dump rear seats then cross brace between the turrets and build an alley sheet firewall between tank and P compartment which is still lighter than seats and crap.
All leccy mechs outta windows etc rears do in perspex rivet in.fronts lexan with side vent dump oe mirrors you can get low profile mirrors that are light.Door cards can be stripped or replace on front doors with thin ali sheet with a handle or strap to close with.Central locking out and door locks? Many don't like you having a steering lock left in.
not sure if your going with a custom loom if using those throttle bodies but don't forget to ditch inertia switch!!! (there i was flat out in fifth on the limiter just took the lead on a flat right over kerb then car stopped on the best race of my life!) yes they don't like bumps.
Underneath theres all that plastic crap in arches/belly etc and nice light weight exhaust or race CAT if needs MOT?.
Dump left side wiper motor/blade.
Cooling side might want to look at a custom rad so get rid of rubbish not needed plus better cooling you can get off the peg from the likes of EARS/Demon(f'in expensive)tweeks.Cars and car conversions is a good mag plus motoring news for info plus Good ole citroen have a motorsport department AKA works cars that Loeb threw round forests. Ere MR Citroen..... yes sir...... 300 plus bhp turbo in a C5!!! Pug do the sports coupe.

Not sure on how rigid C5 shell is? but might want to do some seam welding on main parts as most cars now have half the toot structural in the car(screens are)
but i'd find what your allowed/limited to and regs also as some times if you go that way you move into another classwhich needs Y instead of X if that makes sense to you.
Plus don't forget the fire extinguisher!!! some regs want them plumbed in.
Get poly bushes for suspension makes it nice and positive handling and won't get ripped to bits like rubber bushes will.
Ive got some books around on prepping motors.

ultimate is acid dip shell!

Anyway feel free if you need any info/help.

[KP]

Rear turrets don't exist I don't think, though a front brace might help.

I'd be more tempted to get a cheap activa and use that on the track as that will out corner anything you'll come across

[Jabo]

Awesome, thanks for the tips lads. It's staying road legal for now but might eventually build for entry into the SMRC Sports & Saloons class. Wife is paying for my National B licence after Christmas hopefully.

Won't be spending lots of money on things like suspension etc, but and a minimal cage and front strut brace is planned. No turrets in the rear to mount a brace but a cage could do similar strengthening there.

Will keep this thread up to date as more and more work gets done!