SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SLs on a diet.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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06 Z06
SLs on a diet.
I was thinking about power upgrades which naturally makes me think about weight loss so I thought I would ask some of you experts on the SLs. I am new to them but eager to learn.
My question is how much wieght can they realistically lose and how much is it to lose it? I think the seat 200LBS each. WHat about the wheels? I know Carlsson makes light weight pieces. I didn't see a weight on their site and I don't know how much stock wheels weigh. Anyone know? Thanks for the info.
I just read on Carlsson's site that the wheels weigh 21LBS a piece. Anyone know the stock wheel weight?
My question is how much wieght can they realistically lose and how much is it to lose it? I think the seat 200LBS each. WHat about the wheels? I know Carlsson makes light weight pieces. I didn't see a weight on their site and I don't know how much stock wheels weigh. Anyone know? Thanks for the info.
I just read on Carlsson's site that the wheels weigh 21LBS a piece. Anyone know the stock wheel weight?
Last edited by 355Spider; May 4, 2005 at 05:23 PM.
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From: Central California Coast
2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon
Originally Posted by 355Spider
My question is how much wieght can [SLs] realistically lose and how much is it to lose it?
That said, reducing unsprung wieght is always good, and wheels are good places to start. Smaller wheels and higher aspect ratio tires can often weigh less than big wheels and tires that look like big rubber bands.
You could start with an SL55, put in racing seats, take out all the sound-deadening material, toss the air conditioner, the nav, the radios, and I bet you'd still have a 3600-pound uncomfortable, noisy, unpleasant vehicle. Why not start with a 3100-pound Porsche?
Jim
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From: South Florida
ML350
That being said, i kinda agree. But instead of increasing the horsepower and possibly voiding your warranty, losing the weight will give you the best bang for the buck IMHO. The usual racers mentality is that the best substitute for horsepower is weight, or lack thereof. You just have to weigh the pros and cons of what you want.
T
T
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06 Z06
Originally Posted by CASL55
Before you go too far down this road, you might think hard about what kind of a car you want. The SLs aren't sports cars, and there's no way you're going to take enough weight out of them to make them sports cars.
That said, reducing unsprung wieght is always good, and wheels are good places to start. Smaller wheels and higher aspect ratio tires can often weigh less than big wheels and tires that look like big rubber bands.
You could start with an SL55, put in racing seats, take out all the sound-deadening material, toss the air conditioner, the nav, the radios, and I bet you'd still have a 3600-pound uncomfortable, noisy, unpleasant vehicle. Why not start with a 3100-pound Porsche?
Jim
That said, reducing unsprung wieght is always good, and wheels are good places to start. Smaller wheels and higher aspect ratio tires can often weigh less than big wheels and tires that look like big rubber bands.
You could start with an SL55, put in racing seats, take out all the sound-deadening material, toss the air conditioner, the nav, the radios, and I bet you'd still have a 3600-pound uncomfortable, noisy, unpleasant vehicle. Why not start with a 3100-pound Porsche?
Jim
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06 Z06
Originally Posted by Doctodd33
im not sure about the seat weight, but there is a thread on here with a pic of lightweight AMG seats which are gorgeous.
Do a search and find it for us if you can.
T
Do a search and find it for us if you can.
T
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
There's no magic bullet for weight reduction, a little here, a little there and the lengths people "in the know" go to are incredible - things like thinner window glass, carbon fibre panels. The SL seats are a problem because they are built strong enough to provide seat-belt anchorages which naturally makes them heavy. And, actually, if you increase the power, the SL's achilles heel is traction which suggests putting more weight over the back wheels, not less.
One of the major sources of weight is the combination of the roof and the additional stengthening required in the body shell to stop it twisting. So you could put in racing seats, a roll cage, dump the roof and all associated stuff.
I don't think you'd have a desirable car at the end of it, so there's no point. Best to regard the SL as a gorgeous GT for road use and buy something else for the best sports car performance. Ferrari of course, or Porshce GT3 or else look at www.noblecars.com to see how a single-minded Englishman is doing it.
One of the major sources of weight is the combination of the roof and the additional stengthening required in the body shell to stop it twisting. So you could put in racing seats, a roll cage, dump the roof and all associated stuff.
I don't think you'd have a desirable car at the end of it, so there's no point. Best to regard the SL as a gorgeous GT for road use and buy something else for the best sports car performance. Ferrari of course, or Porshce GT3 or else look at www.noblecars.com to see how a single-minded Englishman is doing it.
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I had a similar 'challenge' with my 348. All I did for increased power was change the exhaust and a little ECU work which just gave me around 45RWHP.
However, what made the 348 a killer was weight reduction...and it wasn't that hard. Changing the exhaust alone saved almost 70 pounds. The seats were changed for some factory Ferrari carbon fiber seats that saved an additional 75 pounds. Then the wheels were swapped for factory 'Challenge' racing wheels that are extremely light weight...those saved around 20 punds/corner. Finally a lightweight brembo brake set up saves 8 pounds/corner and increases braking performance. Total savings is around 257 pounds. That combined with the extra hp has made the 348 a 355 eater at the track.
Judgeing by how heavy everything is in the SL, I would think it would be easy to shave 500+ without loosing the charachter of the car.
However, what made the 348 a killer was weight reduction...and it wasn't that hard. Changing the exhaust alone saved almost 70 pounds. The seats were changed for some factory Ferrari carbon fiber seats that saved an additional 75 pounds. Then the wheels were swapped for factory 'Challenge' racing wheels that are extremely light weight...those saved around 20 punds/corner. Finally a lightweight brembo brake set up saves 8 pounds/corner and increases braking performance. Total savings is around 257 pounds. That combined with the extra hp has made the 348 a 355 eater at the track.
Judgeing by how heavy everything is in the SL, I would think it would be easy to shave 500+ without loosing the charachter of the car.
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From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by 355Spider
I am not too biga fan of Porsche. I drove the new turbo cab before I bought my Ferrari and it was just boring. I like the SL55 and Sl600 much better. My buddy has a GT2 that is pretty fun to drive but it's a bit raw for a daily driver. I dont want to take too much from the SL. Maybe seats, wheels, hood and trunk. That might get you 600 pounds. That's alot.
~ Ian
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The good thing about weight saving is that it affects braking. cornening and acceleration instead of just one.
Changing the seats would be a good option. There are light comfy ("non-racing") seats but you might loose some features like seat warming and electronical adjustment.
Changing the seats would be a good option. There are light comfy ("non-racing") seats but you might loose some features like seat warming and electronical adjustment.
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G55, SLS, smart eq
I have a Lorinser SL600 video in which a stripped SL is shown. They say they saved 300lbs on the chairs alone. I don't want to host it, but if someone does I can upload it to a location.
