Passenger seat removal. Anyone actually do this? How quicker was your 1/4 Mile ET?

NavyKnight · 11-04-2009, 08:58 PM

I am at 13.145 secs in the 1/4 Mile, which is frustrating that I am soo near 12's. If I was high 13's then I wouldn't be soo desperate. Only when dragsters hit the point 1's then all the crazy tactics start coming into play, just to hit the lower digit. Isn't it funny how that works?

Anyway, has anyone actually removed the passenger seat? How many tenths of a second did it shave for you?

Do you think I am crazy? let me know what you think.

Carbon Sky · 11-04-2009, 09:11 PM

How easy is it to remove? Way easier then it should be. 4 very easily accessible bolts. I believe maybe 14mm? A simple ratchet, with an extension and it's less then a minute of spinning bolts. You do need a somewhat unique torx bit driver. T-40 sized I believe. That is to remove the single bolt for the seat belt. Then just one wiring harness for the passenger side airbag.

By the way. The driver side seat is significantly heavier then the passenger seat if it has the motorized seat height adjustment.

NavyKnight · 11-05-2009, 05:43 AM

I took the seat out last night. It's freaking heavy. I think 60lbs maybe more? I'm gonna look at how complex the motor is on the drivers side, to see if it is doable. How's your heated seats? I guess you also had to also remove the seats to install the heating elements right? I'm wondering if seat removal would upset the weight distribution negatively on the drag strip or lapping. On the drag strip might the car veer to the left when the tires are spinning because the right side is lighter? In Lapping might the car have an imbalance when it's weight shifts side to side due to lack of a passenger seat?

kennysabarese · 11-05-2009, 08:43 AM

I've heard 100lbs gives you about a tenth off your 1/4 mile. Remove your air compressor, get a cheap kirkey drag racing seat and you're off to a good start.

Also those 16's brentil has for sale will shave off some lbs.

Carbon Sky · 11-05-2009, 08:52 AM

Exactly, if you're trying to improve your 1/4 mile performance, reducing rotational mass is far more effective then unsprung weight. Light weight drag wheels with appropriate tires will definitely get you into the 12's if you already ran a 13.1 in your current setup. Conversely, it would also help if you put on light weight skinny wheels and tires up front.

But yes, if you are gonna track regularly, I'd say get a lightweight racing driver's seat, and remove the passenger seat when you race.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennysabarese

I've heard 100lbs gives you about a tenth off your 1/4 mile. Remove your air compressor, get a cheap kirkey drag racing seat and you're off to a good start.

Also those 16's brentil has for sale will shave off some lbs.

NavyKnight · 11-05-2009, 09:57 AM

I think that after I hit 12's I may have "released" all this tension, just like a fun night with a hot model. I much prefer the road courses rather than drag strip, so after I hit it with the same parts I would be using during lapping, then I would be in a happy state. there are probably different philosophies at play at the drag strip. Some people give merit to their driving ability, some people give merit to their parts, but others like me just want a baseline to compliment other activities like lapping. If I don't hit 12's this Sunday, then I may just have to swap with slicks, just to get the 12 second timeslip that I will frame : ), then return back to a lapping config and never drag again.... Unless of course Carbon Sky has a new idea and wants to test the new tune on my GXP on the track : )

wspohn · 11-05-2009, 10:02 AM

What is the smallest diameter wheel that will clear the calipers on the Sols? A special set of the smallest lightest wheels and tires used just for racing might get you what you are after.

snaponbob · 11-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Twelve pound battery, Kirkey seat (about 15 pounds after you fab the mounts), remove the compressor in the trunk, 1/4 tank of fuel, street legal drag slicks on light wheels, light weigh exhaust, and you should be where you want to be.

davytudope · 11-05-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

Twelve pound battery

do you mean somehting like these

kennysabarese · 11-05-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wspohn

What is the smallest diameter wheel that will clear the calipers on the Sols? A special set of the smallest lightest wheels and tires used just for racing might get you what you are after.

According to discount tire direct, there is ONE 16" wheel that fits on the FRONT. So maybe you could fit a 15 on the back. But brentil has 16's that fit fine, so I'd assume most 16's are ok.