Weight Savings

[03Z33]

Seems like everyone is always after more power, more handling, and more braking. A great way to improve all of these for little to no cost is "weight savings". The benefits of removing weight from your car can be felt in acceleration, turns, and braking as well as helping the car save fuel, use less tires, and brakes.

Since the Yaris is my daily commuter and not a pure track car, I will be more conservative in stripping this car compared to my others Here is a list of things I've removed and kept track of as well as some planned changes.

Removed/Replaced:
(132) qty 4-15" stock steel wheels and tires 33lb each.
(24) stock steel spare wheel and tire.
(37) rear seat back rest
(11) rear seat lower bench
(6) rear seat bench steel support
(33) stock battery
(8) luggage tray/cover
(2) rear luggage and passenger carpets
(4) sun/privacy shade mechanism
(13) stock steering wheel with airbag
(20) qty 2 - stock front strut 10lb each
(10) qty 2 - stock front spring 5lb each
(6) qty 2 - stock rear shock 3lb each
(6) qty 2 - stock rear spring 3lb each
(9) stock rear rebar/crashbar
(24) stock axle back exhaust
(7) under seat jack and tool kit (track only)

(352) Total weight of removed/replaced parts


Added/Replaced:
104 qty 4 -15x7 Watanabe wheels and Bridgestone 195/55/15 tires 26lb each.
3 Nardi 330mm steering wheel with Works Bell hub and quick release
13 Odyssey PC680MJ battery
18 qty 2 - Cusco front coilover strut 9lb each
11 qty 2 - Cusco front spring 5.5lb each
6 qty 2 - Cusco rear shock 3lb each
8 qty 2 - Cusco rear spring and height adjuster 4lb each
5 C-One rear bumper bar
3 C-One rear strut brace
18 Tanabe Touring Medallion axle back exhaust

189lb Total added/replaced parts


163Lbs. = Total "weight savings" so far

According to Toyotas literature the manual hatchback weighs in at 2293lb wet. I haven't weighed mine yet, but will do so shortly when I install my new coilovers and corner weight the car, but according to the specs my car should now weigh approximately 2130lb. Many of my measurements are approximations and I welcome others to correct me if you feel I've made any errors.

I also plan to remove/replace/install the following parts which will change my numbers:
Bucket seats (hoping for 20lb combined savings for both)
C-One front sway bar (probably a couple pounds more than stock)
C-One front under brace (probably + 3-5lb)
front strut brace (probaby 2-3 lb)
Progress rear sway bar (probably + 10-15lb)
header (probably same as stock?)
aerokit with paint (probaby + 5-7lb)
JDM front rebar (~ 5-8lb less)
remove rear wiper and motor (~ 10-14lb less)

At this time I don't plan to remove the stereo, speakers, A/C, heater, interior, etc... But I may do so in future if I decide to take it further. If I do remove these items, any weight savings will be negated by the addition of a roll cage.

I'll do my best to continue to weigh stock and replacement parts as I continue to modify the car. Please feel free to add any comments or ideas as to where else weight can be saved