Worth it to Build a New 1.6 Motor?

We did this to a 94 NA 1.8 back in the speedvision/motorola cup days in 1999 when the NB's first came out.  Made the car much less, nervous and easier to drive at the limit.  In NASA they let you space out the steering rack to achieve almost the same geometry.  Many say it doesn't affect the car, but I beg to differ.  Made the car easier to drive so over a 4 hour race many fewer mistakes.

I am 6-1  235 pounds.. I have lost 15 pounds since start of season.. I have taken every single half pound ounce I could find out of my 1.6.  I still come in at 2320 with about 1.5 Gal of fuel left.  The only thing I have left is to remove the cage and try to cut weight on cage.. I spent 2 weeks straight and removed 47 pounds of additional stuff on my car.  To include the ABS Pump, lines, corrosion stuff, and every single little mount or bolt not needed.  Was amazed at all the stuff I could take off, reduce, trim, etc..   could probably loose 50 pounds around my waist and get there..  Haven't weighed 180 since I finished Airborn School in 1988..  Im open to any other recommendations to find additional weight out of car.  I can promise you...  I have gone over every single inch..  Nothing gets added unless I can take it off.   Just recently I had to replace the skid plate..  The Skid Plate for the NA 1.8's I found to be a little thinner..  About 1 pound lighter..   That's the insanity I am chasing.  If you want any details on how much about any part weighs...  I have it...     

2320 - 235 = 2085 pounds which asks the question, what diameter and wall thickness is the roll cage and how many cage tubes beyond minimum do you have?

My 1990 car and you:

2020 + 235 = 2255 pounds

65 pounds difference - drivers gear = 50 pounds

Do you have a MazdaComp diff. or Torsen?

Do you have the 4 OEM tow loops?

Weight of exhaust system?

Weight of drivers seat?

Full fire system or hand held fire bottle?

Cool suit system?

I would expect any SM motor to be about the same price, $5500-7000 depending upon builder

  Just recently I had to replace the skid plate..  The Skid Plate for the NA 1.8's I found to be a little thinner..  About 1 pound lighter..   That's the insanity I am chasing.  If you want any details on how much about any part weighs...  I have it...     

Skid plate????

Rossini = best bang for the buck. Mike rebuilt my old motor and it's a peach.

http://www.rossinira...ata-engines.htm

Skid plate??????????

Yes.  the belly pan under the engine....   But..  Here in Kentucy everything on the bottom of the car is a skid plate..  That's what I was told.. 

2320 - 235 = 2085 pounds which asks the question, what diameter and wall thickness is the roll cage and how many cage tubes beyond minimum do you have?

 

My 1990 car and you:

2020 + 235 = 2255 pounds

 

65 pounds difference - drivers gear = 50 pounds

Do you have a MazdaComp diff. or Torsen?

Do you have the 4 OEM tow loops?

Weight of exhaust system?

Weight of drivers seat?

Full fire system or hand held fire bottle?

Cool suit system?

I have CUSCO

Fabric Tow Loops

Springfield Dyno

Seat is Metal.  I took out and weighed it.  It weighs less than the Kirky in the garage by 1.2 pounds.

Aluminum Fire Bottle.  Lightest one i could find that was in GCR compliance

Hell no.  Just sweat your ass off.  I need to loose weight so why waste opportunity.. 

Agree... the weight is in the cage... 

That plate under the engine?  We're supposed to leave it on?...        DOH!!  

Apparently it's called a splash shield, NA0156111F.     I knew what he was talking about just didn't know what the hell it was called nor could I find it in the FSM...

On a somewhat more serious note, could that be considered a body trim piece?

And doubtful it would pass as a body trim piece.

That trim piece, in theory, helps channels air through the radiator. I've always heard that it needs to be in place to assist proper cooling.

it runs hot without it in most cases

And doubtful it would pass as a body trim piece.

Perhaps with SCCA though Mazda lists it as a body component in the parts catalog.  Retail from the dealer is about $70.

I can see how it would channel airflow.  It's pretty obstructed to begin with particularly for a high duty cycle use like a race car.

Body – All parts of the car licked by the air stream and situated above the belly / floor with exception of the roll bar or cage.  For Formula and Sports Racing cars, further exceptions are those units definitely associated with the function of the engine or transmission.

Other than IMHJ being illegal to remove, the real reason for using is as two time commented.

"licked" ?

"licked" ?

Technical term.  Newey uses it all the time...    

Cats tongue = air     Ice cream = body part  Results, body part licked by air.