Official lightening the mk3 thread!!!!

[86_sports_1jz]

good info to know

[xTomKx]

Originally Posted by cars4me89

one thing about drastically changes the weight of the flywheel and size of pullys is that it will make you car run differently and you have to be careful. the flywheel is the rotating mass that keeps the crankshaft and whole engine moving inbetween strokes so if you lighten this you won't have as much mass rotating.. it'll change the balance of the engine.

Lighter flywheels are a popular upgrade. Usually flywheels are balanced separately and then the the whole rotating assemby (crank, flywheel, journal weights - instead of rods and pistons) are balanced.
Therefore in most cases it won't affect the ballance if you use a lighter flywheel assuming it is prebalanced. It will change the critical frequency of the assembly though but most engines never hit their critical frequency anyway.
Besides the decrease in overall weight a lighter flywheel will make the engine spool up much faster. Faster engine spool = more hp.
Does anyone know the weight of a stock flywheel?

[Irish_Mechanic]

I'll admit that in previous cars i've eliminated weight to try to augment the overall performance. The weight I eliminated usually came with drawbacks, like having to shift while using both hands to pray i dont get a flat (because the spare and hardware was removed), or hoping that i dont pick up more than one girl at a time (because the rear doors were gutted and rear seats removed, and A/C system eliminated).

I'll say this for the supra, if you want to increase performance, horsepower is not hard to come by. Maybe you want to augment the motor, trans, or rear end? Perhaps just a high flow air filter? A high flow (legal) cat and less restrictive exhaust all together would help the base motor run better and stronger. After your pedigree restrictions in intake and exhaust have been aleviated, you're ready to tune. Find a stand-alone engine management system and work out any factory fuel curve kinks you may have.

Before you go replacing hard parts on ANY car to try to get more out of it, start putting quality fuels and lubricants in it. Just like your body, you need to treat your car well. Eat healthy foods, feel better. Run quality fuels, get better milage and performance. Avoid fuels spiked with ethanol, as alcohol yields far less BTU's than gasoline, and as it damages fuel systems not designed to run alcohols. Use a synthetic motor oil, or at least a branded petroleum quality oil. In short, you get out what you put in.

[87MGE]

"get the underdrive pulley for the crank (it's lighter than stock too), ect..."

Plz explain what you mean... thanx

[illusive38]

Don't forget the near even balance front/back of the supra either. The ratios are great because of the weight on the steer tires and the traction tires.
A wider stance and endless power options for this wonder car make weight a minor issue. But the seating could be lightened and allow for minor weight lessoning while maintaining balance...

[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