Ever wonder why your convertible weighs so much?

[Hijacker]

Chassis bracing. And lots of it

[240 drop top]

Where did you get the great diagrams.Are these shop manual stuff?

[Hijacker]

the convertible FSM supplement

[AZhitman]

On ebay all the time, $29.99.

GREAT bathroom reading!

[Hijacker]

yes it is! i always feel like i'm reading a porno mag when i pull the foldout out.

[240 drop top]

Hi Bart,

Does the convertible FSM contain a diagram of the mechanics of the top?

[AZhitman]

Yep.

The 'vert spplemental FSM does. It's on ebay.

[240 drop top]

I must be Ebay challenged I cannot find it even in completed items. Does anyone have a link, or possibly have a diagram of the mechanics of the top, cause I'm taking it into the shop tomorrow and they haven't seen alot of these cars out here. Thanks !!!

[Hijacker]

the whole supplemental is about the mechanics of the top.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=WDVW

with a buy it now for $29.99

[240 drop top]

Hey thanks for the link I guess I'll buy it now.

[Beemen550]

so how much does a convertible weigh compared to a hatch s13

[TrunkMonkey]

not sure how much a hatch weighs, but ebony weighed in at 3160lbs. that's bone stock, a full tank of gas, and without me in it.

-demetrius

[[Zero-S]]

Still weighs less than a 3000gt. Be glad.

[Hijacker]

hatches come in at around 2800 without options like AC and power win/locks etc, i think

[Onizuka]

the lightest 240 is a base model 89 coupe, they weigh about 2650.

[silkk]

what about 89 coupe with no ac but power options?

[MECPInstaller]

If you guys happen to have a grain mill around yoru areas you can check the weight of yoru car easy. The one in my town has a nice drive up scale and has a digital readout in the window of the mill. Works anytime of the day or night. pretty accurate and its free. my 2 cents.....

[drifter_for_life06]

thats a lot of bracing! FSm makes a great bathroom book.

[andrave]

coupes weren't available without AC, IIRC it was standard.

[Altiman94]

as a comparison. My 89 hatch with a/c and p/s weighed in at 2745 without me in it. No power windows or locks. Also a 5spd transmission.

[Jarret]

Stats:

coupe - 2641hatch - 2689convert- 2800

Source: Nissan (bear in mind that depending on options, this weight is +/- 50 pounds or so)

-Jarret

[TrunkMonkey]

Stats:

coupe - 2641hatch - 2689convert- 2800

Source: Nissan (bear in mind that depending on options, this weight is +/- 50 pounds or so)

-Jarret

what nissan document did you get weights from? those figures look like the ones you would find just about anywhere on the internet. the coupe and hatch are close, but not the convertible's.

-demetrius

[Hijacker]

one thing to remember is that those weights are always done with the baseline models. Not all convertibles came with the A/C option. Some may have not come with cruise control, and I'm not certain if ABS was an option for the vert either. I really need to weight mine out to see what it weighs in. Manual trans, no AC, no cruise.

[dcdcdc]

just dug up some old car & drivers and found a couple of stats... in 11/92 they tested a convertible with a curb weight of 3158 lbs. a 7/89 issue has a SOHC spd weighing in at 2798 lbs for a difference of 360 lbs!

anyone know what the weight difference is between a E/DE and an auto/5spd?

[nab911]

So... what would happen say... if i got grinder and drill happy and pull out most of that bracing? I would loose the weight but would the car fold like an empty beer can around turns?

[Hijacker]

There's a reason why that stuff was added. Unless you happen to be a structural engineer who can fabricate new bracing that weighs less but does the same amount of work, then you could go for it, otherwise I would suggest leaving it alone

[nab911]

Well what about if i rollcaged it and go some REAL strut bars (not ebay crap, im talking cp racing 4 points). If i got that could i pull some of the bracing out. 300 lbs is a HUGE difference on a car with ~150 hp

[AZhitman]

Coupe door conversion is good for 85 lbs.

Manual swap is good for another 40-50.

Most of the bracing is not "tacked on" but integrated into the frame. Not real easy to remove.

I think ASC did a great job, as my vert with S-Techs, GR-2's, CP bar handles as well as any coupe or hatch I've driven.

[nab911]

Well as long as its not too heavy and feels like its throwing its *** around ill be alright. I already plan on putting on coupe doors and the 5 speed swap.

[AZhitman]

Better add about 6 lbs of boost if you want it to sling anything around.

These cars aren't fast by any means.