Start with the interior and those over weight seats, lol, look at the ford gt. The seats in the gt are fugly but weigh alot less then the std viper seats. The dash and side doors could also be done to lower the weight. JMHO, what do all of you think ? The next Viper needs to be lighter and it can be done without CF. I would like see your opinions on a way to do it that would NOT add cost to the Viper.
Easy Way To Lower Weight
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What's that engineering iron triangle again... oh yeah...
Fast, Cheap, Reliable, pick two and the third is dictated to you.
I'd like to see the Viper shed some weight too, but it'll cost you for sure. Aluminum is more expensive than steel, just as CF is more expensive than fiberglass or plastic.
I just don't see much that can be done without significantly adding to the total cost or detracting from safety.
Fast, Cheap, Reliable, pick two and the third is dictated to you.
I'd like to see the Viper shed some weight too, but it'll cost you for sure. Aluminum is more expensive than steel, just as CF is more expensive than fiberglass or plastic.
I just don't see much that can be done without significantly adding to the total cost or detracting from safety.
Agree with the seats + rails could be lighter, or go fixed back for even lighter weight. But disagree w/ the comment of the FGT's seat being fugly. Have you seen the back of these seats? They are made of carbon fiber.
bushido
Viper Owner
A quick, easy -20lbs 
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It'll be tough to get lihgter seats that are anywhere near as comfortable. I've driven for 3200 miles and then 3200 miles back in my Viper with neither wy wife's or my ass being sore. I've had the seats out and the covers off. They aren't going to get any lighter. They're extremely well made and comfortable.
The seat tracks are also extremely well designed and if they were made any lighter they'd bend since there are a lot of 200+# guys driving these cars. I'm sure that the seat tracks are like every other piece in the car and cost megabucks to pass safety certifications.
I like the ACR's brakes. Lightweight rotors and I had them on my car first. Lightweight forged wheels on my car first as well. I think that our cars are as perfect as the Government will allow. I have a set of Jazz racing buckets, but they're racing seats and extremely uncomfortable. When performing with my car I never take the wife and that saves 136#.
Just be happy that we don't have another computer running sunsors, wires and switches for Traction control (5#?), the dash requires those heavy "knee bolsters" as safety equipment so they have to stay, as does the airbags and certified inner doorpanels. Radio, A/C and heater could be tossed except that I think a defroster is required?
I suppose we have enough technology that we could go back to the 4 cyl turbo'd Shelby Charger of the mid 80s. Unfortunately, not to many people considered it very spectacular even though it did weigh only 2200# and won Pike's Peak.
Nah, I'm loving my monster motored V10 Viper and 14" wide tires.
Ted
Ted
The seat tracks are also extremely well designed and if they were made any lighter they'd bend since there are a lot of 200+# guys driving these cars. I'm sure that the seat tracks are like every other piece in the car and cost megabucks to pass safety certifications.
I like the ACR's brakes. Lightweight rotors and I had them on my car first. Lightweight forged wheels on my car first as well. I think that our cars are as perfect as the Government will allow. I have a set of Jazz racing buckets, but they're racing seats and extremely uncomfortable. When performing with my car I never take the wife and that saves 136#.
Just be happy that we don't have another computer running sunsors, wires and switches for Traction control (5#?), the dash requires those heavy "knee bolsters" as safety equipment so they have to stay, as does the airbags and certified inner doorpanels. Radio, A/C and heater could be tossed except that I think a defroster is required?
I suppose we have enough technology that we could go back to the 4 cyl turbo'd Shelby Charger of the mid 80s. Unfortunately, not to many people considered it very spectacular even though it did weigh only 2200# and won Pike's Peak.
Nah, I'm loving my monster motored V10 Viper and 14" wide tires.
Ted
Ted
Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
I'll take exception to the seats. Stock seat is OK, but aluminum racing shell seats are form fitting (have to purchase by selection width across your rear end), comfortable for long trips, weigh a lot less, can be attached to standard seat adjusters, and still be lower. Kirkey road racing intermediates.
BTW, if a Lotus Elise uses an aluminum frame and CF components, weighs 2000 lbs, and costs less than $50,000 that should give SRT some targets.
BTW, if a Lotus Elise uses an aluminum frame and CF components, weighs 2000 lbs, and costs less than $50,000 that should give SRT some targets.
SylvanSRT
Enthusiast
for very light seats look at the seats in the 911 GT3 RS, I believe the very light weight seats may not be available in the USA except as a part number. They are beautiful
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mjorgensen Woodhouse
Enthusiast
I put the Aluminum Road race seats in my 08' and saved over 60lbs. The only trouble is I doubt they would ever pass scrutiny by the government. The Porsche seats are awesome BUT it would be hard to put such a seat in the Viper and have them fit any of the larger drivers. the seats have to fit in a 19" space near the floor and can only have shoulder bolsters that are MAX 20" wide before you get door interference.
Nine Ball
Enthusiast
Lose the big stereo system stuff.
Factory wheels are very heavy, except for Sidewinders/ACR.
As mentioned, the factory rotors weigh a lot too.
I know it is blasphemy, but a V8 can make the same power and weigh less too.
Factory wheels are very heavy, except for Sidewinders/ACR.
As mentioned, the factory rotors weigh a lot too.
I know it is blasphemy, but a V8 can make the same power and weigh less too.
SilveRT8
Enthusiast
My 08 came with the 5 spokes wheels that weighted 232.4 lbs complete with the PS2 tires .
I replaced with the 09 6 spokes wheels and PS2 at 215.2 lbs, for a total weight saving of 17.2 lbs of rotational mass.
The 1" seat lowering kit weighs 8.5 lbs vs the OEM part at 13.5 lbs, saves 5 lbs.( 2" kit weighs even less)
The round shifter bezel is very heavy for a simple ring, XViper has a light version.
I replaced with the 09 6 spokes wheels and PS2 at 215.2 lbs, for a total weight saving of 17.2 lbs of rotational mass.
The 1" seat lowering kit weighs 8.5 lbs vs the OEM part at 13.5 lbs, saves 5 lbs.( 2" kit weighs even less)
The round shifter bezel is very heavy for a simple ring, XViper has a light version.
redtanrt10
Enthusiast
Hey Mark, if you ever get a free moment, can you post your seats as well as any install info? Looking at a Sparco set up from Ross Murray (the guy who builds the SRT Coupe roll bars for Dan @DC). Like to see what you have including the mounting hardware.
thanks! Mike
if you want lightwieght seats then replace the stock ones.
Race seats arnt for everyone that owns these cars. Prob less than 10% would actually prefer these as the majority people just cruising around are just fine with comfy Leather.
and like Tom said, they come in diff sizes to keep anything from a skinny to wide a$$ planted. so its better to pick one tailored to you.
Race seats arnt for everyone that owns these cars. Prob less than 10% would actually prefer these as the majority people just cruising around are just fine with comfy Leather.
and like Tom said, they come in diff sizes to keep anything from a skinny to wide a$$ planted. so its better to pick one tailored to you.
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Nixon's SRT
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Does anyone have experience with the Carbon Fiber hood and trunk lid that are from Seibon? Those could save some weight but I would be worried about fitment.
mjorgensen Woodhouse
Enthusiast
I checked everything and could not find a seat that would fit. Racetech makes a seat for the Viper but it is nearly impossible to mount and still rubs a hole in the door panel. I wanted a set of Carbon seats but just could not get it done with the car as is.
I chose the 17" model and it fit fine. They go up to 19" I believe. The nice thing about the aluminum seat is you can tweak it a little using some force to fit you better. My method of mounting would not be for everyone as I basically mounted them to the floor with just a touch of rake and height. I used aluminum, but may switch to steel mounts for added stiffness and longevity. You can use some universal slider if you wanted to and even though they are not listed for the custom ones in the Viper the SRT4 Neon ones will also work.
I chose the 17" model and it fit fine. They go up to 19" I believe. The nice thing about the aluminum seat is you can tweak it a little using some force to fit you better. My method of mounting would not be for everyone as I basically mounted them to the floor with just a touch of rake and height. I used aluminum, but may switch to steel mounts for added stiffness and longevity. You can use some universal slider if you wanted to and even though they are not listed for the custom ones in the Viper the SRT4 Neon ones will also work.
Newport Viper
Enthusiast
hmmmm no one mentioned diet and excercise...
If a 19" base fits then what about Cobra seats? They have a model called Imola with a base width of only 19" wide and even though the wings are wider than 21" but since they are made of fiberglass, it can be trimmed back to clear the window.
Here are the dimensions:
REDTANRT10,
Subie Sport in HB is a Cobra distributor, care to check them out with me after C&C one day?
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Here are the dimensions:
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REDTANRT10,
Subie Sport in HB is a Cobra distributor, care to check them out with me after C&C one day?
mjorgensen Woodhouse
Enthusiast
Might work but as I said it is nearly impossible to get wrenches down along side to mount them. If you use sliders then the seat sits high and won't help the taller guys, not to mention the rear of the seat width is only 13"!!! That's a tight fit for most people.
Being the lean, meaning, driving machine that us Viper owners are...
Wait, the real reason is it is always better to cut elswhere than on one's own body.
redtanrt10
Enthusiast
REDTANRT10,
Subie Sport in HB is a Cobra distributor, care to check them out with me after C&C one day?
Bruce, sure, I'd like to stop by Sparco too, they're at the 405 & 55. I made a friend there went they had the garage sale.
Take a look at the Kirksey site too. Lightweight and reasonable pricing
As Mark said the "brackets" get to be an issue with some of the seats. Ross can build custom Sparco brackets, he did a set for the guy from Monarch Beach that has an ACR like Dan's. I sat in it at Spring Mountain and it was very nice. While it would be great to save weight, I really want to stop braceing myself with my left knee on the speaker. Mike
Subie Sport in HB is a Cobra distributor, care to check them out with me after C&C one day?
Bruce, sure, I'd like to stop by Sparco too, they're at the 405 & 55. I made a friend there went they had the garage sale.
Take a look at the Kirksey site too. Lightweight and reasonable pricing
As Mark said the "brackets" get to be an issue with some of the seats. Ross can build custom Sparco brackets, he did a set for the guy from Monarch Beach that has an ACR like Dan's. I sat in it at Spring Mountain and it was very nice. While it would be great to save weight, I really want to stop braceing myself with my left knee on the speaker. Mike
Tom F&L GoR
Enthusiast
Mark, as mentioned I have the aluminum Kirkey that has about 3/4 foam padding. So the total thickness of stuff that is under my a$$ is about an inch. The OEM seat bottom is probably 3-4" thick. I suggest that one could put a "shell" racing seat on the OEM seat tracks (perhaps a little fabrication needed) and the driver's head would still be 2" lower. No?
I mounted my seat brackets onto the floor first, then lined up pre-drilled holes to attach my seat to the brackets. If you thread the brackets, you don't need to reach under or around the seats to mount them.
Of course, don't ever drop anything next to the seat. It'll be there a long time.
I actually use the storage space and pockets behind the stock seats. I keep my publications and Viper Vec laptop there. The GPS and camera go in the mesh pockets at the front of the seats during trips. I keep other stuff under the seats so I like the stock seats. Not sure if any of your lightweight alternates fold forward? My 72 Charger I used a set of Austin Mini bucket seats. They were comfy, but extremely ugly.
You ******** guys could easily save 20# by removing the carpet and insulation. It'd look ugly and there'd be a lot of noise, but it'd be lighter. Throw out the passenger seat if you don't need it.
Aluminium oil cooler would be lighter. Removing driving lights if you don't use them. Go from HIDs back to ordinary healdight bulbs would save a pound or two.
I have to diagree with you on the Lotus Tom. If the Viper used a 4 cyl and all the lightweight driveline components it wouldn't be a Viper. If the body got shortened and narrowed to the size of a Lotus it would be lighter, but the aero wouldn't be very good. With tons less power less structural integrity would be needed. What does the defunct Saturn Sky weigh? or the Miata? It's easy to make a lightweight little underpowered car. Not so easy to build a car that's comfortable with 1000hp like the Viper.
Ted
You ******** guys could easily save 20# by removing the carpet and insulation. It'd look ugly and there'd be a lot of noise, but it'd be lighter. Throw out the passenger seat if you don't need it.
Aluminium oil cooler would be lighter. Removing driving lights if you don't use them. Go from HIDs back to ordinary healdight bulbs would save a pound or two.
I have to diagree with you on the Lotus Tom. If the Viper used a 4 cyl and all the lightweight driveline components it wouldn't be a Viper. If the body got shortened and narrowed to the size of a Lotus it would be lighter, but the aero wouldn't be very good. With tons less power less structural integrity would be needed. What does the defunct Saturn Sky weigh? or the Miata? It's easy to make a lightweight little underpowered car. Not so easy to build a car that's comfortable with 1000hp like the Viper.
Ted
weight savings, some things that come to mind are-
seats
hood (corvette did this starting in 2004, CF)
glass (Z06 windshield is lighter than the stock corvette)
battery
carpet
door panels
stereo (maybe offer a ******** pkg like with the ACR...?)
spare tire, design a solution that offers temporary fix a flat and offers safety from fuel tank
stock rotors
flywheel
wheels
seats
hood (corvette did this starting in 2004, CF)
glass (Z06 windshield is lighter than the stock corvette)
battery
carpet
door panels
stereo (maybe offer a ******** pkg like with the ACR...?)
spare tire, design a solution that offers temporary fix a flat and offers safety from fuel tank
stock rotors
flywheel
wheels
I did this modification to my 72 Charger. Lexan windows and removal of the winders saved over 100#. The Viper has smaller side windows but electric motors and a seat belt strap would save quite a bit. Lexan side and rear/Hatch window would save a lot of weight as well, although I'm nor sure I'd want the Lexan windows in a street car.
Weight saving in the Hurst Hemi Darts and 'Cudas was 14# saved from the removal of the manual winder mechanisms. These cars also came with .1" side glass. I'd be willing to upgrade to a side and hatch glass at half the present thickness.
Ted
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Weight saving in the Hurst Hemi Darts and 'Cudas was 14# saved from the removal of the manual winder mechanisms. These cars also came with .1" side glass. I'd be willing to upgrade to a side and hatch glass at half the present thickness.
Ted
mjorgensen Woodhouse
Enthusiast
Why do most of you guys care when most aren't pushing the limits of the car? Are you guys actually tracking your cars? I know what 100lbs equates too in a 1/4 mile, but no clue on road racing things. Just seems people are focusing on these things for no reason other than saying they did it. Which is fine, just find it odd.
