This morning I finished removing the actual sound deadening from the entire floor. This is what's left:
And what went in to the bag:
It weighs about 8kgs, but the main reason I did it was because the roll cage needs clean metal to be able to weld to, and with no rear seats I didnt want what was left to be that ugly sound deadening stuff. Looks awful.
Can't wait to see how the car sounds with all this stripped out..
Anyway next job is to use some of that adhesive remover, maybe some acetone, maybe a wire brush. Not sure yet but have to get the crud off. I'll repaint the floor when the cage is in, I think I'll go with a gun metal or silver.
I've been told the leather front seats I have in my E46 weigh about 23-25kg each! Two bucket seats will weigh under 20kg. So at least a 30kg saving there. Take out the rear seats, probably another 5-8kg, and you're closing in on 40kg weight saving.
Are you going full track mode now?
Somewhat. It's a long process to say it's a fully ready track car, but my focus is on that, yeah. I still want it to be tidy though and not look like a beater. So I'll be putting the plastics back in for the side of the interior, sills, centre console, door trims, dash, although it will have a bare floor, no carpet, a cage, harnesses. No plastics in the boot, no rear seats, either a single racing seat or a passenger one also. Outside will look stock still, just replacing the SSR wheels with Enkei RPF1s and semi slicks. Will be cutting a slot in my front bumper for the tow strap. Eventually a front lip and splitter. On the inside of my bonnet the scoop will be blanked off. Playing with the idea of an ST184 bonnet with a large vent for a radiator exhaust, but might look at getting a carbon group A bonnet (genuine ones are like hen's teeth). Bigger brakes. That's the extent of it for now. Later on if I get more serious it may get a fuel cell so I can make a diffuser and rear wing, but for that I'd need a car trailer and de-register the thing and make it a dedicated car. That's my current vision for it.
Sounds like a long but really fun journey! And you've really thought it all out, which is impressive! I'm assuming you're not using this thing daily at the moment?
Gram Lights. All day. Every day.Inspiration shot:
Other option which I'm actually being more and more tempted by is the Gram Lights 57DR:
I can get that in a 17x9 and run a 255 tire all round.
What stud pattern does the ST185 have? I'm reading 5x100 or is it 5x114.3?
Because it's going to be a brand new setup and I'm going to have to experiment with camber etc I figure I'm better off running a cheaper tire that I know works ok than blowing big money on better semis. Advan A050s would be the ducks nuts but would just be wasted on my car as it's still in development really.
It's 5x100.
I think that's an old list.
That makes sense. The GT86 is a well supported car and having the 5x100 stud pattern vs the normal 5x114.3 typical JDM tuner car would force manufactures to make them to fit. Good for your cause.
Yeah 215 is a good size but 235 will give you a bit more grip but maybe make it harder to turn in with more rubber.
I think the 215s are a good size currently, I had plenty of front grip, so yeah I might stick with 215s. I worry about larger tires on the skinnier room bagging out too much and making the car feel a bit floaty. Ideally yeah I'd love a 235 or 245 on a 9 inch rim, but front clearance is going to be a drama.
