Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Varche on 30 August 2008, 17:49:16

Title: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Varche on 30 August 2008, 17:49:16
I don't mean the driver!

Was the omega one of the last cars built where weight didn't seem to be a consideration?  Just one example seems to be the rear gearbox cross member. I suppose on the plus side it is low down so will aid the centre of gravity. ;D ;D

Has anyone done any serious weight reducing on their road car?

varche
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 30 August 2008, 17:54:59
Power to weight ratio is extremely important.
I think that a V6 Omega weighs about 1600 KG ,If we could strip about 400kg (if possible) of ,then it would become a very quick car. :y
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Weds on 30 August 2008, 18:07:46
Strip out all the electric controlled luxuries like windows/seats. Remove all the Air con system. Take out the trim,  its the cheapest way to make your Omega go faster..
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: jereboam on 30 August 2008, 20:01:28
Quote
Strip out all the electric controlled luxuries like windows/seats. Remove all the Air con system. Take out the trim,  its the cheapest way to make your Omega go faster..

What's the point of having an Omega if you remove the comfortable bits and the toys?
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 August 2008, 20:13:01
Quote
Power to weight ratio is extremely important.
I think that a V6 Omega weighs about 1600 KG ,If we could strip about  400kg (if possible) of ,then it would become a very quick car. :y

 ;D  I'm worried bare metal will be left only :y
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 30 August 2008, 20:36:17
Quote
Quote
Power to weight ratio is extremely important.
I think that a V6 Omega weighs about 1600 KG ,If we could strip about  400kg (if possible) of ,then it would become a very quick car. :y

 ;D  I'm worried bare metal will be left only :y
I did say (if possible) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 August 2008, 21:38:25
if some carbon-fiber body parts  could be made for omega and if some parts of main body or chasis could be changed with lighter alloys serious drop in weight can be  achieved I think, but this means nearly re-production.. :-/

Another subject is the body design for omega is really good even in old models..also if some engineers work out on engine for fuel efficient methods like hemi style in chrysler, I think Omega can be started on production line again..Cause still they couldnt fill the gap for omega  :-/
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Jay w on 30 August 2008, 21:48:57
i put mine 2.6 CDX on the weighbridge a few weeks ago

me, half a tank of petrol, tank of LPG - 1700Kgs

Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 August 2008, 22:01:15
Miggy and me together without any fuel 1680 Kgs ;D
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Bandit127 on 30 August 2008, 22:20:06
Fuel = 70 l at a density of about 0.7. 50 kg for a full tank.

50/1650 = 3% of the weight of the car.

Force = Mass x Acceleration.
Force is constant and about 210 bhp for the 3.0. (It's more to do with torque, but it means the same thing).

So a change in acceleration depends on a change in mass (assuming no tyre spin).
Published 0-60 is 8.1s for the manual.
8.1s * 3% = 0.25s. quicker to 60 by having a nearly empty tank!

For a free performance gain, fill up in tenners not tankfulls.  :y




Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: woodsy_mv6 on 01 September 2008, 12:09:43
I've lost over 250 kgs from one of mine.....only the Ex-polac on mind.

Mainly sees track duty though.....still runs cold air-con, lecy front windows and up and down on the bucket seats, as I used the existing sub-frame :y

Still lots a WIP though...will evenually take  to the insides of the doors, but AC will be the first to be ditched. O' for time :(


I also way the grand total of bugger all, so performance is pretty damn good :) not that it was shabby before hand!!!

Added power to weight ratio with the bonus of LSD = good times :D
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 September 2008, 13:13:47
I have always wondered about Aircon, I would have thought that a cooler driver would be a faster driver and a small amount of power running an aircon pump is not wasted
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Ian_D on 01 September 2008, 13:34:24
I should empty my boot... prob a couple of dead bodies in there! ;D
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: woodsy_mv6 on 01 September 2008, 13:36:34
Quote
I have always wondered about Aircon, I would have thought that a cooler driver would be a faster driver and a small amount of power running an aircon pump is not wasted
Not lifted all the associated AC bits in a while then?? ;D

There's a fair bit of weight there ;)
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: albitz on 01 September 2008, 14:56:39
A new business venture for Debs - carbon fibre wings/doors /bootlids/bonnets etc; for omegas :y ;D
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 September 2008, 15:27:08
Condensor is all aluminium, compressor is heavy bit - I'd rather have the cool and a slight slow down
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: woodsy_mv6 on 01 September 2008, 16:02:59
Quote
I'd rather have the cool and a slight slow down
O', likewise. I couldn't do without it on a road car.
I even insist on a daily runner having full leather and air-con. However, the question was asked, and so I added my bit.....I even added that it only saw track duty to clarify ;)

Because its such a heavy car to begin with, if you desire, there is alot to be lost :y
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 01 September 2008, 16:08:13
Quote
I'd rather have the cool and a slight slow down

Now, that attitude isn't going to win races. ;)

I like this attitude to weight reduction:

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Colin_Chapman

I like his quote about adjustable suspension too. Very appropriate.

Kevin
Title: Re: Improving performance by weight reduction?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 September 2008, 16:50:40
BTH my main way to lose weight would be a diet.

As to lightening - there is tons of sound insulation to go, the underseal is pretty heavy too - and often overlooked.