308 weight reduction

Euro bumpers, remove a/c, remove seats and replace with racing seats, lose the spare tire, there are also replcements for the glass and some body panels(or you could just cut the body completely off and got with the frame and engine look )

 

What's the point? To make the car faster? Changing the weight/hp by reducing weight is really hard. With euro bumpers, no AC, race seats, no spare you're looking at 150 lbs, so not a 5% change and there is really nothing left and you have lost some nice-to-haves. Upping the hp by 10 -20% is pretty staight forward and will provide a much more noticable improvement. Just a thought.

 

What cars are you comparing? A GTB to a GTS is about 150 by itself, they had to add metal to match the strength. Euro to US veries with year, the US bumpers are bumpers and weight 50 lbs each, the euro bumpers are fiberglass and really more of a turnsignal bracket than a bumper..which didn't stop me from putting a set on my car...the US exhaust and emissions stuff adds maybe 50 more lbs. The fiberglass body to steel added something like 150 lbs. So, a fberglass GTB can be almost 500 lbs lighter than a US GTSi.

I haven't had my car weighed, but it has euro bumpers -80lbs (because I like the way they look), a fiberglass gto valance -20lbs (looks again), , aluminum radiator (better cooling)-10 lbs, no spare(didn't fit with the new radiator) -40lbs, aluminum shocks and smaller springs -15 lbs, borla exhaust -30 lbs, so almost 200 off, but the supercharger and intercooler add 50 back, probably 20 for the bigger wheels, and I have bigger rotor waiting for me to pick calipers, so that will add 10...so net -110

300 lbs is a number that can be hit, 500 would be hard.

I have seriously thought about a fiberglass or carbor rear deck lid because it would be easier to handle (I end up pulling mine way too many times) and the same for the roof, there is a company that makes a carbon fiber roof that is 1/2 the weight (again ease of handling is what I'm after) and gives more head room. I've seen some really cool look CF/leather seats I'd love to have because they're cool looking, but would also save about 30 lbs.

 

Hi,

I think you are referring to the carbon targa roofs made by Garapan in Japan. We are the US distributor. The Carbon targa panel actually reduces weight by about 30%. Unfortunately, it is a pricy part due to the complexity of the molding. Our retail price is $1900. But a better deal is to get the targa roof and rear deck spoiler for a combined price of $2350. We usually charge $900 for the rear spoiler alone. I'll have the spoiler for inspection on my 308 at Concorso Italiano in August.

We've also done the whole 328 rear deck in carbon but the cost is a bit prohibitive to bring over.

We have not yet added the 308 parts to our website but will soon. We do have the complete catalog that can be downloaded under the carbon fiber section.

I've attached a few photos to this post.

John Borchelt
Maranello Auto
650.520.4822

 

Here is what i have systematically done for weight reduction so far:

Already have Euro spec bumpers

Remove Air Conditioning bits

Replace seats with Sparco Roadster or the like

Replace lackluster stock Koni shocks/springs with Alden Eagle/Blistein/Eibach/etc. that are much better and lighter

Replace stock brake calipers/rotors for Brembo or Tar*ox

Get sexier, lighter weight girlfriend (just kidding)


Wish there were more carbon fiber bits for the 308 available. Replacing the entire door with a lighter alternative could easily shave about 70 lbs. or more without upsetting the weight balance too much. The rear deck lid (on non fiberglass cars) is another piece that could be replaced with a lighter alternative.

Other ideas is to remove ALL carpeting and interior "comforts" (leather, etc).

 

Would also add that Steve probably lost 10 - 20 # or so when he went from the stock muffler to his 'bespoke' supersport exhaust set-up.
Stock mufflers are extremely heavy.

 

That looks similar...the one you posted looks like a direct replacement, I was thinking about one that's curved a bit to increase headroom... more GTBish, as I recall they made both. What is your web address?

 

Many thanks... forgot about mentioning replacing the lousy stock exhaust.

 

Hello, I do like the carbon fiber panels and wings are you also offering Enzo type carbon fiber mirrors? These would more that likely sell like "hotcakes"....

 

Our Web address is:

www.maranelloauto.com

I don't have the 308 parts listed out on their own page. However, if you download the catalog (Carbon Parts->Carbon Catalog) then you can look at the full range of 308/328 parts. If anyone is really interested, I can check into bringing over the carbon 308/328 rear decklid. I'm guessing it will be a little cheaper than the new girlfriend mentioned above. But just a little. At a minimum I can post some pictures.

John Borchelt

 

Thanks for the timely update my friend. Please let me know when you will have a complete line of carbon fiber parts for the 308/328 series.
Thanks!

 

Yes please....mine has a little rust spot, maybe I can convince my wife that it is just danerously worth out and I need a new one.....the '04 car budget went to a carbon-carbon clutch, but the '05 budget isn't lock yet, I was thinking seats, but I may go deck lid and targa.

 

Personally, i only desire CF if it has a worthy positive effect to LIGHTEN the car versus "bling" factor. Door sills, instrument panel and the like are too small a weight loss for the $$$ justification IMHO. Changing the roof piece or the entire boot (engine/trunk) cover would make a significant difference... but then one must wonder what the change may do to the structural integrity of the car.

Still, wish someone has DOOR replacements as those things weight A LOT and i can easily see saving over 65 lbs there. Perhaps fiberglass doors with a proper metal tube "frame" would be more doable versus CF???

 

Yeah, no bling for me either...I would almost certainly paint the top and I would absolutely paint the deck lid.

I can't see anyway the deck lid or top provide and structure, replace away. Doors are another matter, particularly in a side impact....fiberglass door skins are available from Butch at italian design, and I'm sure other places too.

 

MANY thanks Verell, you are indeed a G-dsend of wonderful knowledge my friend. i really would like to replace those HEAVY doors at some point. ALL help is ALWAYS appreciated.

 

Hi All,

I got the 308/328 products up the website. Just choose
Carbon Fiber->308/328 from the left navigation pane. www.maranelloauto.com

I also checked with Japan on the carbon rear deck. They've made two so far for friends. It only saved about 18kg compared to stock. Plus it takes an experienced bodyman to install...... So the above advice on attending a driving school is probably sound. But I figured it would be fun to post some pics.

john

 

Resuscitating this ancient thread in the hopes that there has been progress in lighter aftermarket weight-saving parts ... I am particularly interested in a more spartan interior with some CF parts ... and in getting rid of the automatic window wind motors.

 

Formula GT in Germany lists lightweight and other hot rod parts for 308s.
Formula GT München