Gary G Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 I took a friend out in my 1990 1700ss yesterday. He weighs around 14 stone and I found that the performance of my car was seriously affected by him. 2 questions: 1) What cheap mods can I make to the car to improve acceleration/speed? (Could this be combined with an unleaded head conversion?) 2)I'd like to get a 1.6 Superlight in a couple of years, but given that it's speed/acceleration relies greatly on low weight, will it be similarly affected by having a passenger? C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 I've also got a 1700ss and you do notice the weight of a passenger - it's simply down to him/her being a relatively high percentage of the overall weight of the car. The lighter the car the more you will feel the difference with a passenger, unless the limiting factor in acceleration is traction. If its any consolation, a 1700ss is normally plenty quick enough for the passenger! Bob Stark Supersprint first-timer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 All 7's are affected by heavy occupants..... Diet for occupants. Remove all unneccessary items from the car. Carpet, spare wheel and carrier, go JPE screen... see my JPE screen posting about removing heater and wipers... Aero's or JPE screen remove the airbrake big screen too, really noticeable above 50mph on lower powered cars. You have have to decide if you want this type fo machine or not... My frist 7 was a live axle 4sp 1600 xf and that was weighed on a weighing bridge at 510kg... 5 sp & De dion are heavier. Wheels are another target... I can't afford R500 ones nor Carbon seats... I can dream though. Fogot to say... you could stick a bike engine in if the XF expires... Vast expense and the car will never be worth the money you put in it but that may not be a consideration. Edited by - stevefoster on 20 Jan 2002 19:45:48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 I drive a 1700 SS and am currently on a diet! Cheap upgrade - miss a meal and go faster!teeth.gif Steve www.Se7en-Up.co.uk id=limegreen> Edited by - steve motts on 20 Jan 2002 20:57:05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 Chep weight losers - Bellhousing from cast to ally. and if you change to a race seat you might as well have thrown your seat(s) away. You'll be surprised at the difference. also - wheels (not cheap necessarily but lose you alot of weightif you go from 16" to 13". Nigel Mills - 2.0 Zetec carbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 to get a noticeable improvement, you're going to have to do something to the engine. Best bet is to talk to Roger King. Even with 240BHP, I notice a big difference with and without a passenger. Edited by - Alex Wong on 20 Jan 2002 22:02:04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andygriffiths Posted January 20, 2002 Share Posted January 20, 2002 At Oulton Park last year i noticed a massive difference when i took a passenger out.I was having great difficulty keeping up with cars that i was going past before,but as people have said it is a large proportion of the cars weight. Andy G GRIFF id=red> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary G Posted January 21, 2002 Author Share Posted January 21, 2002 Thanks for your replies. Looks like I will remove the passenger seat then. Two-fold benefit: 1) Weight saving of seat. 2) Stops heavy passengers getting in!! Seriously though, I reckon I could change from 15" Prisoners to 13" Superlites for an instant weight saving that wouldn't cost too much. Then I could look to the engine... C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 My car acclerates better with a passenger in.... Thin Arn The NOW PROVEN R500 Eaterid=red> See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website hereid=green> Edited by - Fat Arnie on 21 Jan 2002 09:19:03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 It doesn't corner or brake as well though........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 Teaching granny to suck eggs maybe Arnie..... It will get the inital power down better due to traction but at anything above the 0-60 dash you will be slower... physics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FH Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 Excuse the interruption from a heavyweight thicko eek.gif - but If with/without a passenger makes such a difference, would people who normally either drive alone or mainly use their cars on track, get better stability from some "ballast" on the near side or do people adjust thingys on the near-side to compensate for the lack of 'person weight' question.gif Just curious and confused.gif FH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 You normally 'Flat floor' a car in the state it is driven - either on track (stripped out) or road with a few spares, etc. If you don't normally have a passenger then just you will sit in the car for the set-up. This will make a big difference to the car's handling and worth spending time (as long as you are not paying) on getting it close as possible. Of course, with a passenger throws it all out the window - its just a best-fit solution. Phil Waters 2000 Zetec is in, waiting to start it up wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FH Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 I thank you smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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