[JimGnitecki]

I'm trying to build a database of the WEIGHTS of the various parts on the SSR that could theoretically either be taken off or replaced with a lighter weight version.

If anyone has any of the following items off of their SSR right now, or does in the future (maybe after ordering a part and prior to actual installation, or during painting or repair), please either post the weight or email me the weight ([email protected]).

What got me thinking about this is that during my trip to New Mexico, I had about 195 lb of luggage in the SSR, and for laughs I used my computer modeling software to determine how much it was affecting my acceleration. It turns out that with my specific SSR with its particular combination of factory options, me, and fuel, adding the 195 lb lengthened the 0 to 60 time by 0.27 second.

Here's the list of candidate parts for potential or optional removal or lightweight replacement:

Bed (NOT Tonneau) cover
Hood
Running boards
Battery (factory battery)
Front factory wheels (each, withOUT tire)
Rear factory wheels (each, withOUT tire)
Front factory tires (each)
Rear factory tires (each)
Bed carpet kit (floor and tonneau underside)
Trailer hitch & ball
COMPLETE catback factory exhaust system (05 model)
COMPLETE catback factory exhaust system (03 and 04 model)

Please ADD to the list any items that occur to you as potentially replaceable or removable.

Also feel free to add the weight and source for any replacement parts.

Also, here is one piece of data that I was able to get myself when MTI Racing replaced stock exhaust manifolds & cats with Supermaxx headers and hi-flow cats: The weight saving was 9 lb.

I was not able to get the weight saving on the MTI Dual Shptgun exhaust versus stock catback exhaust because MTI did not record the weight of components welded into the new system, and mixed the stock parts taken off with other scrapped stock parts in their shop.

If we can start logging the above sort of data, and if Buffy or Marc can ensure that we save it and keep it easily accessible at all times (maybe by making it "sticky"?), we can start equipping ourselves for an SSR weight reduction initiative.

To give you guys the potential magnitude of the impact, removing 300 lb drops the quarter mile time by close to 0.4 second. After you do the high impact/low cost regearing, all other mods to increase power instead are very costly, so the weight reduction approach, which also gives you some neat aesthetics, AND better handling, if done right, makes sense.

Jim G

 

[kwhopper89]

ASC did that didn't they - carbon fiber everywhere? (Diamondback) - and I'm sure pulling off the retractable top and replacing it w/ a non retractable carbon would shed 300 to 500 lbs. Slapping in the 500hp engine I'm sure didn't add too much weight over the stock powerplant?

So, 200 lbs of luggage adds only .3 seconds to the 0-60 - I can live with that in my boulevard cruiser! Good thing my honey only weighs 120lbs! :lol

Sorry - but I have no data you need... :flag

 

[WOW_FCTR]

This is confusing

Jim,
I know this is sort of confusing (because we've had previous threads discussing it)... but for some reason GM is calling the cover over the truck bed the BED COVER and the Tonneau cover is the part that raises up when raising/lowering the roof. So in your request for weights you really want the Bed Cover weight.

 

[hdflstf]

Hotchkis swaybars are lighter than the stock ones. Unfortunately I don't have and weights. Should be able to get approx numbers for the stock ones later though.

 

[JimGnitecki]

looking for an SSR: Yes, you are correct! I just edited my original posting to make clear it is the BED cover weight I am looking for.

Jim G

 

[REBEL]

....

I'm about ready to swap out the hood on my SSR for the custom one. I will weigh both when the factory one is off.

 

[beer100]

You are so lucky with the cat back question...

To remove one complete requires dropping the left rear axle.

43# COMPLETE catback factory exhaust system (03 and 04 model)
29.5# Stock front wheel sans tire

(The scale measures in 1/2# increments.)

 

[JimGnitecki]

THANK-YOU Beer100 and Rebel!

Beer100: Sounds like that was "information for which a high price was paid"!

Jim G

 

[JimGnitecki]

On the wheel weight: It has greater significance than most people realize.

Not only do heavuy wheels greatly hinder good handling, but they also represent a TREMENDOUS amount of inertia that has to be accelerated ROTATIONALLY as weel as linearly whenever the vehicle is accelerated linearly. Lighter wheels make a vehicle accelerate NOTICEABLY quicker.

On my Ducati S4 Monster, when I replaced the already light alloy wheels with carbon fiber ones, it knocked 0.2 second off the 0 to 60 time. The original alloy wheels on the bike weighed TOTAL (BOTH) around 27 lb, so imagine the impact of 4 wheels on the SSR, where the LIGHTER of the wheels are 29.5 lb EACH.

Jim G

 

[beer100]

Duke, (DRTRCER) has some other unmounted items. Drop him a line if you want him to be sure to see the request.

PS, I'll bet the chrome wheels weigh less than the painted ones. But I'm not sure a bathroom scale can measure the difference.

The painted rims have a what looks like a heavy gel coat between the cast alum and the paint. I suspect his is how the painted rims are smoothed without having to mechanically work them.

 

[Bill Scott]

JIM
I have an extra set of stock wheels and the fronts weigh 29# each and the rears are 35# each. :thumbs

 

[JimGnitecki]

Wow! 29x2 + 35x2 = 128 lb for the 4 wheels without even the tires on them yet!

That's a lot.

When Butler Tire in Atlanta did the exchange on my painted wheels for chrome wheels, Barry there said that one of the huge negatives associated with those popular 20 and 22 inch custom SUV wheels is their incredibly high weight. He said that it notably hurt the handling, and in some cases, created overload problems on associated suspension parts.

Jim G

 

[WOW_FCTR]

Tires

The front OEM tire weighs 28lbs.
The rear OEM tire weighs 32lbs.

(weights according to UPS...just picked up my new tires).

 

[JimGnitecki]

Ok, guys, we have 248 lb in just wheels and tires on our SSRs (5% of the total vehicle weight). This is a TARGET for weight reduction. The benefits would include:

- Better handling (less unsprung weight)
- Better acceleration due to less weight being accelerated LINEARLY
- Better acceleration due to less weight being accelerated ROTATIONALLY

The thrid factor above is HUGE in comparison to what most people think. The moment of inertia for a rotating round object is proportional to the mass but also to the SQUARE of the average radius of that mass about the center of rotation. Tires therefore have very large moments of inertia even when not paticularly heavy from a static perspective.

Jim G

 

[REBEL]

...

Stock factory 03 hood, hood mat, and hood "Chevrolet" plate is 45.5 lbs. Taken on a 330 lb digital scale. These scales weigh me with in 1 pound of government inspected, factory 2400 lb scales.
Custom hood, 3/4 stick of lead, 5 pieces of metal added, and extra epoxy prime, paint is 55.5 lbs. I better add a few more holes in the braceing.

 

[Axiom]

Another Possible?

Not sure of the actual weight empty, but that monster oil pan (including setup for 4WD) could stand to be replaced with maybe a Moroso pan?

Suggested by Al anwho used to do the Fabrication R & D for the performance/Horsepower division of Stillen Motorsports. They mainly did the Nissans, Benz SUVs, Durangos, Escalades, Sierras, etc.

He was amazed when under the Enduro looking at the massive oil pan under there! That was one of the first things we considered in modding our SSR.

It may be a good one to add to the list

 

[JimGnitecki]

I have been wondering especially what that hood weighed! Thank-you!.

One the oilpan: Because our engines run so hot, I am reluctant to reduce oil capacity!

Jim G

 

[Axiom]

I think you can purchase a larger quart pan, and still eliminate the added weight of the cast formed one. You get the extra oil capacity and still get lighter!

We also took out them comfy seats, and went with racing ones, BIG difference in weight - but also major loss in comfort (and no heating :mad )
Out of the truck those seats weigh at least 60lbs a piece (or they at least felt like it)

 

[JimGnitecki]

Axiom: COULD you actually weigh them? That would be useful information.

Jim G