Weight Reduction

[Bicycle Bob]

I only install the back seat occasionally. I haul more stuff than people. Having the passenger seat out makes the space much more versatile. I also don't have to worry about an audio system being stolen - I use hearing protectors with speakers. My cheap ones don't actually cancel sound, but apparently the Bose products do.

[IsaacCarlson]

cars and cars with small engines. If you have a lightweight car AND a small engine, you will most likely see BIG improvement. If you drive a tank, then you might not see much. it is not just about eliminating a certain percentage of weight. it is about how much power your engine can easily produce(larger engines can produce 100 HP easily but a small engine has to work hard to put out that much. and if you want to say that most small engines only need to develop 50 HP then remember that 50 HP is a drop in the bucket for a large engine) and how much less power it will take to get the lightened car up to speed. Our sunfire had to work pretty hard to cruise down the road at 55 mph, but the Green Dart is barely cracking idle!!

[busypaws]

I've been lightweighting my 97 Protege 1.5L for the last 4-6months. I've hit 159 lbs so far. (Using WalMart fish scale on everything). Including a rotating mass of 17lbs.
I'm concentrating on lightweighting because of my commute. It is 5.5 miles one way with 22 lights. Top speed 35, actual average speed on a single tank is 22mph. So since I am starting/stoping 15-20 times weight is where I am concentrating.
Some numbers:
PS pump and hoses = 15lbs, A/C = 45lbs, backseat = 7bs, passanger seat =37lbs, sparetire/jack = 27lbs, passanger airbag and glove box = 13lbs. 155/80/13 on VX rims saved 6lbs per rear wheel. (I'll do the front ones later).
Future ideas:
LED lights everywhere, smaller alternator, small battery.
Smaller radiator.
Remove 13 gallon tank (Takes 2 months between fillups, carring around 36lbs of fuel first month) replace with 5 gallon spare tire well tank. Belly pan at same time.
Lexan for rear windows, permanently up.
Remove heater core, replace with small electric defrost for winter. Car is in San Jose CA
Lightweight muffler, flywheel, crank pulley, waterpump pulley, alternator pulley.