[Onekwik7]

one of the reasons I bought the cx3 was because of its light weight. Like anything else there is always a way to improve on things so I was wondering if anyone has any weight saving tips? I already did the wheel trick and the car responded well to some lightweight rims. I did notice the hood or (bonnet) weighs a ton!

 

[plepak]

How far are you willing to go? What's your ultimate goal? The easiest weight savings would be to remove extra seats, floor mats, spare tire, cargo tray, and cargo cover.

 

[anchorman]

The bonnet is designed to save your life if you rear end somebody by absorbing energy.

 

[Craigh]

What is your end game ?

Why do you want it lighter, is it to drive fuel economy ?

Its not bad in that respect already.

Cant imagine it would be to improve performance, not the car to start with that in mind.

Taking out seats, carpets etc etc may help but just removes from the usability and comfort factors.

 

[Cyclone1410]

What is your end game ?

Why do you want it lighter, is it to drive fuel economy ?

Its not bad in that respect already.

Cant imagine it would be to improve performance, not the car to start with that in mind.

Taking out seats, carpets etc etc may help but just removes from the usability and comfort factors.

Have to agree. Manufacturers these days go all out to save weight to drive fuel consumption improvements. They do however have to balance said weight reductions with the need for structural integrity as suggested by Anchorman.

 

[Smarties CX-3]

Have to agree. Manufacturers these days go all out to save weight to drive fuel consumption improvements. They do however have to balance said weight reductions with the need for structural integrity as suggested by Anchorman.

At the end of the day it is going to come down to how you drive the CX3 when it comes to fuel consumption and not weight alone. Now if you were obsessed with weight you would not be in the market for a CX3 rather the MX5 Miata/Roadster with the latest model very light.

Now if the original thread starter wanted to modify the CX3 by stripping out all the trim, front driver seat and rear seats amongst any other engine and safety parts you think are not needed you might get the weight down but I don't think the driving experience would be that good. You would be effectively turning the CX3 into a rally car and I doubt everyday car insurance companies will be willing to insure your car if the intention is to kick the guts out of it on a racing track than drive it on suburban streets or highways.

 

[MiikkeyyRSRB91]

If you want to go extreme, and have the money to play that game, the usual options are available. Find someone to custom craft you a carbon hood, or buy one if available (highly doubt at this time). What you say is true, and the hood weighs a considerable amount, so going carbon should drop weight exponentially. Also try carbon fiber options for other panels, or the likely needlessly heavy doors.

I see you've gone with lighter rims, in tune with that, the spare tire can go entirely, and if in the case of GT (or Grand Touring is it elsewhere? Top Trim?) drop the sub in place of the spare wheel.

You could look into lighter options for front seats. There are universal front seats (Assuming, once again, that no aftermarket options are available directly for the CX3) that would also weigh far less than the stocks do. You won't have much luck with the back ones, other than removing them.

There's a whole host of smaller weight reduction options too. For example, an exhaust system made of lighter materials. Even with aftermarket swaps of engine components, find lighter options.

Of course, all of this is entirely under the assumption you have money to blow. In which case, kudos to you, I take pleasure in seeing creativity in others. Or Id suggest, if money isn't an issue (and weight and power is important), trade your CX3 in for an Evoque? (reliability aside)

Realistically, considering I'm sure Mazda have already gone out of their way to save as much weight as possible (I mean, they are the makers of the Miata), only serious option is the stock hood for a carbon one. That is the largest weight loss that could be had.

PS - I don't mean to be an ass with that last bit about the trade in, it was a serious option. As I've mentioned in other threads, I consider myself to be at the forefront for modifying the CX3 beyond Mazda's original intentions.

 

[anchorman]

When these things are crash tested under very strict conditions, it really does depend on all of the panels deforming in a predictable way and changing to carbon fibre might well reduce weight but it will effect the way the car behaves in a crash. As long as you understand what you are compromising, fill your boots.

 

[Smarties CX-3]

When these things are crash tested under very strict conditions, it really does depend on all of the panels deforming in a predictable way and changing to carbon fibre might well reduce weight but it will effect the way the car behaves in a crash. As long as you understand what you are compromising, fill your boots.

I think doing major modifications like this might also impact on the airbag deployment in a crash. As has been said Mazda technical engineering team would have tested various materials for the hood to gain the optimum performance.

Also I think one poster mentioned about putting in lighter seats. The CX3 has airbags that deploy from side front seats so you would have to get the seats re-tested for safety or disengage the system. I am not sure if the Mazda Airbag System will operate correctly if the modifier starts disconnecting various systems. You might needs some computer engineering skills to override or choose which system you want to work.

 

[Soraia]

Rear seats weight almost next to nothing. Ask me how I know. The fronts are pretty light, save for the steel base made to save you in a massive crash.
Airbags don't weight much, pulled one out of RX-8 seats.
Real weight will be the massive steel hood, and steel suspension arms, etc. The latter will be hard to replace. Not sure but the drive shaft might be CF like RX-8 and Miata NC/ND.
Best place to save is the hood and wheels. Mazda wheels are light, but www.TireRack.com has even lighter. Sort by weight and you will see.

 

[Vipre77]

If you wanted to start getting extreme about it and go to a full-on race conversion, here's a few more ideas:
Remove all door window regulators and glass. Install plexiglass/lexan windows. Door locks too, unless security is still a concern.
Strip off all plastic cladding and rear spoiler on the hatch.
Air conditioning? Who needs it? Pull that compressor out of there.
All extraneous cargo trays (tonneau cover and the covers over the spare) and the foam tray thing by the spare also.
Lose the spare tire if you have one, along with the jack and tire iron.
Carbon fiber or aluminum (aluminium to some folks) propshaft or delete it altogether and convert it to FWD only.
All unnecessary plastic bits under the hood and under the engine.
Pull factory air intake system and install a short ram intake.
If you don't need emissions controls in your area, you can delete catalytic converters and muffler/resonator and go to all straight pipes, maybe consider a single exhaust outlet to elminate extra branches.
Remove any/all speakers and amplifiers.
All carpet, ceiling, and door upholstery. Also remove any unneeded seats.

 

[Cyclone1410]

If you wanted to start getting extreme about it and go to a full-on race conversion, here's a few more ideas:
Remove all door window regulators and glass. Install plexiglass/lexan windows. Door locks too, unless security is still a concern.
Strip off all plastic cladding and rear spoiler on the hatch.
Air conditioning? Who needs it? Pull that compressor out of there.
All extraneous cargo trays (tonneau cover and the covers over the spare) and the foam tray thing by the spare also.
Lose the spare tire if you have one, along with the jack and tire iron.
Carbon fiber or aluminum (aluminium to some folks) propshaft or delete it altogether and convert it to FWD only.
All unnecessary plastic bits under the hood and under the engine.
Pull factory air intake system and install a short ram intake.
If you don't need emissions controls in your area, you can delete catalytic converters and muffler/resonator and go to all straight pipes, maybe consider a single exhaust outlet to elminate extra branches.
Remove any/all speakers and amplifiers.
All carpet, ceiling, and door upholstery. Also remove any unneeded seats.

There is one thing that you would have to add to the cars weight - ear plugs as it would be really loud inside!!

 

[Geezer]

Back in 1966 I bought a Rover 2000 TC (car of choice for the English constabulary). It was one of the first cars to use crumple zone engineering in its design. As such it was touted as the first real "Safety Car." One of the outstanding design features was also the use of aluminum (or Al-U-minium as the English pronounce it). The entire hood and boot (uh, trunk) were made of it as well as other sheet metal areas. As a result, the car was one of the lightest of its class ever made while at the same time was one of the safest to drive in. I sure wish the use of structural aluminum would make a return to the production line. It would raise the cost a bit, but in terms of gas consumption and corrosion problems it would be worth it IMHO.

Unfortunately because like many British cars it used Lucas electrical equipment which was prone to failure so it was not one of the most reliable cars on the road.

 

[VANDAL]

not driving passengers is your best option.