Weight vs. Performance, Adding 100lbs
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Weight vs. Performance, Adding 100lbs
Hi all, Im hoping someone can help me answer a question. I am contemplating an interior modification that will add roughly 100lbs to the weight of the car evenly spread throughout the floorpan and rear hatch area. My question is about speed. By adding the 100lbs how much slower will my car perform 0-60, for example. Also, if I want to counteract the increase in weight, how much horsepower will I need to add to compensate and bring the performance back? Thanks all. 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
complete, over the top, sound and heat insulation. It goes beyond what is found in the threads on this forum. I have to weigh the performance loss with the benefits of quietness and audio performance. I appreciate all the feedback. This weight is before any increase in audio gear by the way.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
They say reducing "rotating weight" by 10 lbs. has the same effect as reducing a cars weight by 100 lbs. (100 lbs. = 1 tenth) rule of 
So if you got some wheels and/or tires that reduce the rotating weigh by 10 lbs. you may recover the lost performance.
That's why on paper a Z06 with the approx. 22 lb. lighter CC rotors may be a tenth or two quicker in the 1/4 mile over a regular steel rotor Z06.
Personal Example: I borrowed a lighter set of rear wheels/tires at the track for my 2010 Grand Sport one time. My 60 ft. stayed the same from the one pass to the next pass with the lighter set of rear wheels/tires but I picked up approx. a tenth and 2 mph in the 1/4 with the lighter rear wheels/tires.
So if you got some wheels and/or tires that reduce the rotating weigh by 10 lbs. you may recover the lost performance.
That's why on paper a Z06 with the approx. 22 lb. lighter CC rotors may be a tenth or two quicker in the 1/4 mile over a regular steel rotor Z06.
Personal Example: I borrowed a lighter set of rear wheels/tires at the track for my 2010 Grand Sport one time. My 60 ft. stayed the same from the one pass to the next pass with the lighter set of rear wheels/tires but I picked up approx. a tenth and 2 mph in the 1/4 with the lighter rear wheels/tires.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Oct 18, 2015 at 01:52 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 247
From: Merritt Island Florida
Going the wrong way when in the same sentence mention performance and weight increase.
Everybody else talking performance is talking about reducing weight, Z06 is heavy
Just adding HP might give you back acceleration but handling NOT.
But each to his own i guess, so best of luck with your project and let us know how it worked out...
Everybody else talking performance is talking about reducing weight, Z06 is heavy
Just adding HP might give you back acceleration but handling NOT.
But each to his own i guess, so best of luck with your project and let us know how it worked out...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
complete, over the top, sound and heat insulation. It goes beyond what is found in the threads on this forum. I have to weigh the performance loss with the benefits of quietness and audio performance. I appreciate all the feedback. This weight is before any increase in audio gear by the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Hi all, Im hoping someone can help me answer a question. I am contemplating an interior modification that will add roughly 100lbs to the weight of the car evenly spread throughout the floorpan and rear hatch area. My question is about speed. By adding the 100lbs how much slower will my car perform 0-60, for example. Also, if I want to counteract the increase in weight, how much horsepower will I need to add to compensate and bring the performance back? Thanks all.
NO the car is almost too heavy as is. Another 100 pounds?
Like 2 people all the time. Can't counter act it there is a penalty
of some effect. Remember this is a performance car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
Are you only a drag racer or do you go around corners as well?
All the answers you have received address only straight line acceleration. The weight will affect braking and cornering as well.
It would be complicated to calculate the total additional lap time penalty, but I have seen interviews with the Z28R drivers who were complaining about the weight penalty for winning too much having the effect of making it impossible for them to race aggressively. They were reduced to just driving around waiting for a lucky break.
But I would think that if you were placing your priority on track performance, you wouldn't even consider adding this much weight to the car, so why even worry about it?
All the answers you have received address only straight line acceleration. The weight will affect braking and cornering as well.
It would be complicated to calculate the total additional lap time penalty, but I have seen interviews with the Z28R drivers who were complaining about the weight penalty for winning too much having the effect of making it impossible for them to race aggressively. They were reduced to just driving around waiting for a lucky break.
But I would think that if you were placing your priority on track performance, you wouldn't even consider adding this much weight to the car, so why even worry about it?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Im clearly in the compromise camp. however that doesnt mean I cant learn what my checks and balances are and make modification decisions based on the information I am trying to acquire. I dont track the vehicle, or at least I havent yet. So I havent caught that bug...yet. But the majority of driving I do regardless will be on the street. I just need to make sure I know what Im getting myself into regarding the consequences of my actions. I feel better understanding that Im not going to crush my performance with the 100lbs or so plus I can make some reasonable engine mods to compensate. I believe I will be happy. Thanks everyone for all the feedback. Most appreciative.
Scraping the splitter.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,111
Likes: 1,029
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Unless you are routinely drag racing the car or running laps and are a very solid driver running at tracks on a regular basis you probably won't even notice the weight addition.
S.
S.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 980
Likes: 106
The ZO6 has 200 to 300 lbs more weight and 12 more horsepower than the ZR1 and everyone claims it is a lot faster. No one mentions the weight of the driver that could also add to the total weight of the car. Remember a few years ago with Danica ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Scraping the splitter.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,111
Likes: 1,029
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
And check your facts. The Z06 is about 171# heavier than a ZR1 according to GM's own numbers.
S.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 1,002
From: WI
I think that member's numbers are closer than what you are saying.
My 2011 3ZR MSO shipping weight showed 3278. Mine is the "heavier" 3ZR ZR1 package. A 1ZR packaged ZR1 is lighter than my 3ZR. Thus, the lightest quoted Stage 1 Z06 coupe from what I have seen from the factory for shipping weight was 3524 (I believe). Thus, that is a 246 pound difference. I do not know how much lighter a 1ZR ZR1 is, but I would assume it could be 20 - 30 pounds, which puts it closer to 300, as he stated.
My 2011 3ZR MSO shipping weight showed 3278. Mine is the "heavier" 3ZR ZR1 package. A 1ZR packaged ZR1 is lighter than my 3ZR. Thus, the lightest quoted Stage 1 Z06 coupe from what I have seen from the factory for shipping weight was 3524 (I believe). Thus, that is a 246 pound difference. I do not know how much lighter a 1ZR ZR1 is, but I would assume it could be 20 - 30 pounds, which puts it closer to 300, as he stated.