Official lightening the mk3 thread!!!!

[j3pz]

Originally Posted by Isphius

An btw, all targa/T-top cars are flexy like that. The roof is a big piece of structure.

the reason i would never own a convertable

[Isphius]

Ive been thinking about the subframe connectors, Someone should market some noone seems to care how their supra handles. Aside from ridiculously overpriced coilovers, and strut bars, Which btw wouldnt do anything cause the mk3 does not have struts and there is no lateral force on the shocks, There isnt really any suspension parts available. Im sure the SF connectors would tighten the car up a lot. Its the same unibody construction as most rwd sports cars, And they do wonders on other cars for traction. Im sure the car has potential to handle great. As it already does, Stock.

[j3pz]

Originally Posted by Isphius

the mk3 does not have struts

huh? arent struts and shocks the same? if not someone enlighten me

[Isphius]

shocks just resist the movement of the suspension, and give the spring a place to act, in the mk3 anyway. A strut is actually a structural piece of the suspension. It takes the place of the upper a arm and shock/spring. Which is why strut bars and camber plates are useless on supras. Camber plates are for whne you lower a front wheel drive car, it moves the struts out, so the camber isnt so far in. And stut tower braces stop the struts from moving closer and away from each other, which also doesnt happen on a supra, because it has shocks. Mk3 btw, not too sure if mk4 is struts or shocks

[Isphius]

BTW, Someone should make a "Lightening your Supra" sticky, because it seems to be something a lot of people want to do.

[joel w]

A lot of people try and lighten the car up, but it will always be a heavy car... imo..

I upgraded the turbo and added supporting mods which added weight, but now makes more power, so it just seems the car is lighter..

To add to this thread now, My favorite answer is to take out the spare tire and replace it with a AAA card..

[Isphius]

AAA is really good actually. My friend got a flat tire at school and they were there and had it changed in under an hour. Im gona fab up some subframe connectors before i do anything else to the car just to see if they work good. And next is welding the entire inside of the car up. Its a targa...so it needs the stiffness.

[no more fart cans!]

The MK3 supra has McPherson struts in all four corners. and on the topic of sub frame connectors, you really have nothing to connect them to. if you want to eliminate flex then you need larger sway bars, a 6 point cage, and ACTUAL strut braces. That cheap crap you see in magazines and movies does nothing. Actual strut braces must be triangulated and have gussets placed on the bends for structural support. welding seams works as well and realistically for any other cars that you do put sub frame connectors on, remember one thing, bolt on sub frame connectors are absolutely useless. all the tension is applied to the bolts. If you want to modify a chassis the only way to go is welding and fabrication.

[Dis_traction7m]

I've removed quite alot of weight from my supra (even my rear window screen wiper and motor) i'm hoping it will pass a WOf without it.. Also removed sound deadener rear seats and carpet. Removed plastic from inside roof tyre and rear panels. have yet to see how much it has changed the handling or performance of my car as it is in the shop getting a turbo rebuild. 'm wanting someone to do a 1/4 mile time before and after weight reduction to see how much performance is actually gained from doing this.. i've been told by my girlfriend and everyone elce that it will do nothing but i want to prove they are wrong for once so please anyone out there who has gained an increese in acceleration and handeling from weight reduction with time slips please show

[theWeezL]

Originally Posted by Isphius

shocks just resist the movement of the suspension, and give the spring a place to act, in the mk3 anyway. A strut is actually a structural piece of the suspension. It takes the place of the upper a arm and shock/spring. Which is why strut bars and camber plates are useless on supras. Camber plates are for whne you lower a front wheel drive car, it moves the struts out, so the camber isnt so far in. And stut tower braces stop the struts from moving closer and away from each other, which also doesnt happen on a supra, because it has shocks. Mk3 btw, not too sure if mk4 is struts or shocks

I was going to differ with you, but then I went and looked again and sure enough we do have upper control arms! I had just kinda assumed that since the shock/spring combo on the mk3 LOOKED like a strut it WAS a strut, but now I see your point.

however I will beg to differ on the strut bar not helping. It all depends on the type of strut bar you use. If you have a simple crossover bar, its doing very little if anything. But if you have a triangulated bar tying in the firewall you have created a triangle at 90 degrees from your frame/fender/firewall triangle. This will infact reduce chassis flex and most definately improve a "loose frame". These triangle bars are especially useful on Targa's, where chassis flex is a real problem.