Just got back from the shop after a looong session of corner balancing and alignment. We tried a number of different setups and this is what we ended up with as a baseline for this weekend's autox:

LF : 833lbs RF : 812lbs

LR : 419lbs RR : 370lbs

LF/RR cross : 49.4%
RF/LR cross : 50.4%

Front : 67.5%
Rear : 32.5%

Total weight including driver : 2434lbs


Alignment:

LF:
Camber -0.5
Caster 2.2

RF:
Camber -0.9
Caster 2.8

LR:
Camber -1.2

RR:
Camber -1.2

Total Front Toe: -1/16"
Total Rear Toe: -1/8"


I know the numbers aren't ideal, but we were trying to find a compromise with setups. I originally wanted more toe out in the front but was advised to start at -1/16" and work out from there to get used to running toe out (previously I had run toe in).

How do you guys think this looks so far? I never knew my NX was so front heavy! After this event I think we're gonna strap the car up again and see if any improvements can be made. Opinions? Suggestions? TIA :)

How much do you weigh? Looks like you stripped the crap outta your car from the weight. Mine weighs 2210 with a full tank of gas.

Tom

Originally posted by gsr20det
How much do you weigh? Looks like you stripped the crap outta your car from the weight. Mine weighs 2210 with a full tank of gas.

Tom

That's light! My car alone with a 1/4 tank weighed in at 2304lbs. This is at fighting weight, with no back seats, no interior behind the driver's seat, not front passenger seat, stock wheels on 205/55/14 Kumho Victoracers. Now how can I get rid of another 90lbs from the car? :)

The back seat doesn't weight much, I wouldn't bother talking it out, it's mostly foam anyway. If you're serious about weight reduction, go after all the soundproofing (50+ pounds) and get a carbon hood (although I doubt there's a really light one for the NX - mine weighs 9 pounds - stock is almost 40!!) that should be another 30 pounds. 10 more to go.

The passenger seat was a good place to start, now replace the drivers seat with a really light one, too. Power steering, air conditioning, light Wesco battery, and you're well into having 100 plus pounds removed from the car.

Originally posted by Son Of Skyline


That's light! My car alone with a 1/4 tank weighed in at 2304lbs. This is at fighting weight, with no back seats, no interior behind the driver's seat, not front passenger seat, stock wheels on 205/55/14 Kumho Victoracers. Now how can I get rid of another 90lbs from the car? :)

Originally posted by gsr20det
The back seat doesn't weight much, I wouldn't bother talking it out, it's mostly foam anyway. If you're serious about weight reduction, go after all the soundproofing (50+ pounds) and get a carbon hood (although I doubt there's a really light one for the NX - mine weighs 9 pounds - stock is almost 40!!) that should be another 30 pounds. 10 more to go.

The passenger seat was a good place to start, now replace the drivers seat with a really light one, too. Power steering, air conditioning, light Wesco battery, and you're well into having 100 plus pounds removed from the car.



Thanks for the suggestions :)

I've actually weighed by back seat and yes, the cushion only weighs about 4lbs, but the folding back weighs about 10lbs. My sound deadening removed added up to close to 20lbs (scraped off the floor and trunk). I have an aftermarket seat which weighs less than 10lbs by itself but add about another 10lbs for the rails and brackets. Realistically I can see alot of weight saved from the CF hood and a smaller battery like you mentioned. I'm not sure if I want to get rid of the power steering, but I'm lucky my NX never came with AC.

A very fast, multitime US National A-Mod champion driver recently scolded me. He asked me why certain things were still in my car while I raced. When I told him I just didn't bother to remove them, he asked me..."Does it make you go faster?"..."No"..."How hard is it to remove?"...."It's not"...."Then why is it in there!?"

His philosophy is "An aluminum panel is lighter than a steel one. A plastic panel is lighter than an aluminum one. NO panel is lighter than all of them. Find 10 things in your car that you can remove that weigh 2lbs each, and you have 20lbs off the car."

I haven't adhered to that philosophy just yet, but I'll never again think "Nah...I won't bother" or laugh at someone that takes the ash tray out of his car before he races :)

I was just wondering why you are running so much toe in the rear. Our cars are notoriuos for understeering. Set the rear toe to 0 . the car will then rotate when you want it to (ie lifting in the corners etc.)

Originally posted by dgerryts
I was just wondering why you are running so much toe in the rear. Our cars are notoriuos for understeering. Set the rear toe to 0 . the car will then rotate when you want it to (ie lifting in the corners etc.)

Actually the toe settings are toe OUT, so it should rotate even more than when at 0. I actually drove around and decided to reset the rear toe at 1/16" toe out, and the front 1/8" toe out.

I like the carbon hood idea... but where did you get it??????

Originally posted by Son Of Skyline


Actually the toe settings are toe OUT, so it should rotate even more than when at 0.

Yup. :D

Originally posted by Son Of Skyline
LF : 833lbs RF : 812lbs

LR : 419lbs RR : 370lbs


I had very similar readings when I weighed my Classic 2 years ago. I relocated my battery to the right rear and it nearly made the left to right balance perfect both front and rear.