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Performance: The Other Side of the Equation

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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 02:05 PM
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'09 C63 Performance Package - Steel Grey/Sahara Biege
Performance: The Other Side of the Equation

Weight...

The forum has talked at length about horsepower increases on the C63, which I hope to make as well, but what about weight? Any quick wins here?

Thus far, I'm thinking when I get my '09, I'll immediately remove the spare tire and jack and rely on the 800 number if needed. Any unncessary documentation comes out as well. An xpipe should help remove a few pounds, as may some other exhaust upgrades. Dymag wheels, albeit pricey and not all that attractive, would help increase HP to the ground and reduce weight big time.

Any other quick wins with weight? Every bit helps, I believe I remember that every 100 pounds is another .1 second and/or one car length in the quarter mile, not to mention the better handling. I feel like new cars have 10,001 components of which 7 make them go. These things add up, what else should be on the list?
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 02:14 PM
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I think that is going a little crazy.
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 02:18 PM
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Theres a ton of stuff but it depends on how much of the stock look and components you care to keep and your budget on very small weight loss gains on certain parts.

I believe you guys can get the base model with manual seats which will save weight over power or get a pair of aftermarket lightweight seats.

I'm not sure how lightweight many of the AMG parts are like rotors for example. Maybe a two piece free floating set-up is lighter?

Did you load the car up with folding rear seats etc. as all that adds weight.

How heavy is the small trunk lid as a carbon fiber one could be made.

The list goes on with lighter headers maybe opposed to factory exhaust manifolds. Not sure of the weight difference again.

Did you get a sunroof as you can have that removed and install a CF roof.

Last edited by racetested; Jun 12, 2008 at 02:21 PM.
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by RJR
I think that is going a little crazy.
Agreed!

At some point the cost and point of the matter just don't add up and I have been guilty myself. But this is a free country so go crazy by all means!
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 02:37 PM
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'09 C63 Performance Package - Steel Grey/Sahara Biege
Not quite sure what was crazy, performance is a simple calculation; power-to-weight. As mentioned, I was mainly looking for things like carrying around a jack and a spare (50lbs?) That would pick you up half a car length already. Looking for easy things that one might not think about. If you're saying crazy to spend too much money doing so...I'd say you're right! ...but I certainly wasn't talking about cutting up the car or anything to take away the joy or comfort of this awesome machine.
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by clktoc63
Weight...

The forum has talked at length about horsepower increases on the C63, which I hope to make as well, but what about weight? Any quick wins here?

Thus far, I'm thinking when I get my '09, I'll immediately remove the spare tire and jack and rely on the 800 number if needed. Any unncessary documentation comes out as well. An xpipe should help remove a few pounds, as may some other exhaust upgrades. Dymag wheels, albeit pricey and not all that attractive, would help increase HP to the ground and reduce weight big time.

Any other quick wins with weight? Every bit helps, I believe I remember that every 100 pounds is another .1 second and/or one car length in the quarter mile, not to mention the better handling. I feel like new cars have 10,001 components of which 7 make them go. These things add up, what else should be on the list?
Buy a lighter car. It is a 4k lb car not a 2700 pound race car. I mean I like less weight but asking the car to go on a diet seems a bit drastic. IF you dont want all the creature comforts you can get a less luxurious car that will be lighter and drive better!

An M3 would maybe be a better car for you? How aobut a Caymann S?
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
Buy a lighter car. It is a 4k lb car not a 2700 pound race car. I mean I like less weight but asking the car to go on a diet seems a bit drastic. IF you dont want all the creature comforts you can get a less luxurious car that will be lighter and drive better!
+1. If you want a slim C63 you're fighting a losing battle IMO.

How much do you weigh yourself? Most Americans are overweight.

I say start with the driver. Eat less fried food, and go to the track to improve your driving skills. That will make up plenty of time over "the other guy" OK I'm being sarcastic, sorry.

Yeah it's a free country as said above, so more power to ya.... but this car is a fast luxo-cruiser IMO, that's what I bought it for, and that's why I'm fully satisfied with my purchase.
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 04:13 PM
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I've got a track car that weighs about 2680 or so and has about 312 or so at the crank. (the RS America) lbs/HP = 8.6

The C63 using 3900/451 = drumroll ...8.6

I have a traqmate data logger. I'm looking forward to see how this big ole hammer of a car compares. It'll be fun.
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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'09 C63 Performance Package - Steel Grey/Sahara Biege
Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck
+1. If you want a slim C63 you're fighting a losing battle IMO.

How much do you weigh yourself? Most Americans are overweight.

I say start with the driver. Eat less fried food, and go to the track to improve your driving skills. That will make up plenty of time over "the other guy" OK I'm being sarcastic, sorry.

Yeah it's a free country as said above, so more power to ya.... but this car is a fast luxo-cruiser IMO, that's what I bought it for, and that's why I'm fully satisfied with my purchase.
How much do I weigh? I'm a very hungry 122 lbs. Can you spare a cheeseburger? Just kidding, I'm 180 lb gym rat. I'll have to keep the old lady at home when it's time to really have fun with the car.

I brought up the topic as I, like many of you are enthusiasts. We're the kind of guys who, simply by the feel of the car and without looking, know when the air conditioner is on, if there's stuff in the trunk, or if a tire is low or out of balance, etc. I've been reading this board for a long time...I think we're all cut from pretty much the same cloth If power/weight isn't important to us gearheads, we'd all be lighting up the C240 thread (no offense to the 240 owners...everyone needs a car for the snow.)
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Old Jun 12, 2008 | 10:55 PM
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... Don't worry, when they make the 'Black Series' of this car it will be several hundred pounds less, with maybe a little over 500hp. The weight reduction will contribute more to performance than the additional HP.


Originally Posted by clktoc63
How much do I weigh? I'm a very hungry 122 lbs. Can you spare a cheeseburger? Just kidding, I'm 180 lb gym rat. I'll have to keep the old lady at home when it's time to really have fun with the car.

I brought up the topic as I, like many of you are enthusiasts. We're the kind of guys who, simply by the feel of the car and without looking, know when the air conditioner is on, if there's stuff in the trunk, or if a tire is low or out of balance, etc. I've been reading this board for a long time...I think we're all cut from pretty much the same cloth If power/weight isn't important to us gearheads, we'd all be lighting up the C240 thread (no offense to the 240 owners...everyone needs a car for the snow.)
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 01:19 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by clktoc63
How much do I weigh? I'm a very hungry 122 lbs. Can you spare a cheeseburger? Just kidding, I'm 180 lb gym rat. I'll have to keep the old lady at home when it's time to really have fun with the car.

I brought up the topic as I, like many of you are enthusiasts. We're the kind of guys who, simply by the feel of the car and without looking, know when the air conditioner is on, if there's stuff in the trunk, or if a tire is low or out of balance, etc. I've been reading this board for a long time...I think we're all cut from pretty much the same cloth If power/weight isn't important to us gearheads, we'd all be lighting up the C240 thread (no offense to the 240 owners...everyone needs a car for the snow.)

Mmmmmm cheeseburger... Make mine "animal style"

I totally agree with you... we're all enthusiasts and I appreciate what you're trying to do.
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 01:47 AM
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I am going to remove the spare and tools, and put in a lightweight battery to replace the massive oem one. That should shed close to 100 lbs. That is about as far as I will go to reduce weight though. Any other reduction in weight will be indirect(ie. wheels, exhaust mods), however if I can save a few lbs this way all the better. You take away 100-200lbs, add 30 hp, it adds up.
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by nrgy
I am going to remove the spare and tools, and put in a lightweight battery to replace the massive oem one. That should shed close to 100 lbs. That is about as far as I will go to reduce weight though. Any other reduction in weight will be indirect(ie. wheels, exhaust mods), however if I can save a few lbs this way all the better. You take away 100-200lbs, add 30 hp, it adds up.
I said the same thing on my last car but it only adds up to about 60lbs as the spare is small and not that heavy.

Seems like an easy loss of 60lbs and very promising but the problem is "that's all as there is" and nothing else easy to remove. Those 60lbs are pretty much zilch if that's all you are going to do. Not to mention I got stuck 35 miles from home with a flat and no spare.
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 10:05 AM
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Completely agree with the desire to improve power:weight, just not sure this is the car to do that in to any significant effect. Sure you can forgo some all of the options and even take out the spare but the likely impact is very very small. The best suggestion I've read here is lighter wheels - likely save quite a bit there, but it makes me think that it will only serve to raise the center of gravity?

You could go crazy and remove the rear seat, passenger seat, center console housing, door trim, replace the hood and trunk with CF custom pieces, replace the windows with plastic and remove the electric operation, strip out the non-essential electronics such as speakers, subwoofer and cabling, remove all of the carpets, remove the roof trim, replace the sunroof and mechanism with a fixed plastic panel, sand off the paint, remove the badges - ok, hold on, it's an AMG. That for me means luxury and power. For pure track performance I think we'd all agree that there are better options. Actually for handling, we're getting real lucky with the C63 compared to any previous AMG. I for one have owned an M3 which was great. Drove the new one which wasn't as much fun as the old. The c63 just feels special to me.

Again, sully support the desire to improve power:weight, just not sure this is the car to do it in. OK, maybe I'll get my big *** into the gym.
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 10:44 AM
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"Completely agree with the desire to improve power:weight, just not sure this is the car to do that in to any significant effect. Sure you can forgo some all of the options and even take out the spare but the likely impact is very very small. The best suggestion I've read here is lighter wheels - likely save quite a bit there, but it makes me think that it will only serve to raise the center of gravity?"

Well yes. But, from what I've read, weight saved off your wheels is even more advantageous relative to other weight savings. One of the biggest things that spin on your car are the 4 wheels. The're like huge flywheels. Reducing that effect is a very good thing. Decreasing the mass means decreasing the rotational inertia that your engine has to overcome (physic majors plz correct if incorrect), ie., you go faster. Also, reducing the unsprung weight improves (theoretically) the ability of your suspension to react to the road.
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 10:59 AM
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'09 C63 Performance Package - Steel Grey/Sahara Biege
Originally Posted by Familycar
"Completely agree with the desire to improve power:weight, just not sure this is the car to do that in to any significant effect. Sure you can forgo some all of the options and even take out the spare but the likely impact is very very small. The best suggestion I've read here is lighter wheels - likely save quite a bit there, but it makes me think that it will only serve to raise the center of gravity?"

Well yes. But, from what I've read, weight saved off your wheels is even more advantageous relative to other weight savings. One of the biggest things that spin on your car are the 4 wheels. The're like huge flywheels. Reducing that effect is a very good thing. Decreasing the mass means decreasing the rotational inertia that your engine has to overcome (physic majors plz correct if incorrect), ie., you go faster. Also, reducing the unsprung weight improves (theoretically) the ability of your suspension to react to the road.
Very true on the wheels, I've read the same thing somewhere (Maybe a thread here). I looked into those Dymag wheels and they were an outrageous 10 grand for a set! They also don't look quite agressive enough for me either. I imagine other manufacturers or production techniques are right around the corner for some light-weight CF wheels. Need to increase the supply to bring down the price to a manageable level.
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Old Jun 13, 2008 | 11:18 AM
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Consider CCWs. The've got quite a following amongst the p-car crowd. $2700 or so for custom spec rims, can't beat it (no affiliation) just a happy customer. Vette guys tend to like them too.

http://www.ccwheel.com/files/home.php

Last edited by Familycar; Jun 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM.
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