Coupe Weight-saving Ideas

[MikeNZ]

Someone on here (Booty?) suggested that shedding 100kg or more on a Coupe quattro was quite do-able. So I got to thinking as I am thinking of doing some weight reduction foir performance enhancement, and am intrested in any BTDTs from anyone.

Some of these ideas are more viable than others due to the cost/weight/benefit issue, but these are a few I've thought of:

Using non-height adjustable seat frames as they are definitely lighter. Not so good for tall people unless they can be lowered/cut down a bit.

Replacing seats with lightweight Recaros as factory seats are heavy.

Installing a factory fibre boot lid as used on later Ur-qs (though the weight loss might be a bit marginal, especially given the stupid prices quoted for these - anyone know what is the actual weight difference?)

Lighter exhaust when it needs replacing anyway.

perspex rear side windows

Stereo delete (incl speakers, but leaving grilles in place to cover holes)

Fibreglass bonnet (anyone know what is weight saving?). Aftermarket fibreglass panels sometimes don't fit right though.

Lighter wheels (wheel choice is limited enough even without considering weight saving!)

Using a space saver spare, or even replacing that with can of foam like new cars. Bit risky for longer trips.

Lighter radiator (aluminium?).

Anything else in engine bay that could be replaced with something lighter - brackets for alternator or ps pump??

Removing towbar if your car has one. Mine does (very corroded) and it is coming off soon.

Carbon sunroof panel (would also avoid corrosion issues between the 2 skins of the steel sunroof panel) Better to find car with no sunroof to begin with, as no drains to cause A-pillar corrosion.

Eat less, do more exercise!!!!!!!!!

These might start the ball rolling, am interested in what others think.

Along the same lines of subtle improvement, to reduce drag and smooth airflow underneath, use slightly trimmed Ur-q ducts under radiator and the matching one on the opposite (driver's) side (on non-turbo Coupes there is big hole underneath on drivers side behind bumper - smoothing this might help drag slightly). Or use a B4 plastic undertray suitably trimmed to help smooth airflow underneath.