30% less weight, or 30% more power?

[FilibustaRhymes]

Definitely weight

[RockerBox]

How about a compromise? 10% weight reduction and 20% Power increase.

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by RockerBox

How about a compromise? 10% weight reduction and 20% Power increase.

Well this is certainly the reality isn't it? We cant cut 30% of weight, even 10% would be REAL tough, so we have to do what we can by doing some power, weight, suspension..whatever we can right?

Of course this is just a hypothetical thread and I think the OP was intending to get peoples stance on power vs weight is all.

[NJScorpio]

Originally Posted by ST1LE

Well this is certainly the reality isn't it? We cant cut 30% of weight, even 10% would be REAL tough, so we have to do what we can by doing some power, weight, suspension..whatever we can right?

Of course this is just a hypothetical thread and I think the OP was intending to get peoples stance on power vs weight is all.

Yep, pretty much. I realize that 30% is extreme, both for cutting weight, and for adding power. That'd bring the $24k 1LS either down in weight from 3,720lbs to 2,604lbs (Miata = 2,447lbs) or the power from 323hp to 419hp (just 7hp shy of the current SS).

[Camaro_Corvette]

You can always add power. It takes a much more serious racer to start tearing weight out.

[TheGhosty]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

You can always add power. It takes a much more serious racer to start tearing weight out.

I think this guy nailed it. If we could have 30% less weight without giving up the comforts in our cars it would be a game changer.

But here is the real question you are asking. (assuming SS)

127 more HP or 1158 pounds less. No doubt the weight would be harder to accomplish.

[JR 1]

Originally Posted by ST1LE

Well this is certainly the reality isn't it? We cant cut 30% of weight, even 10% would be REAL tough, so we have to do what we can by doing some power, weight, suspension..whatever we can right?

Of course this is just a hypothetical thread and I think the OP was intending to get peoples stance on power vs weight is all.

10% weight reduction on an average car would be really tough, on a Camaro not as much because it's vastly overweight right now

[Red2014SS]

I answered power because it does not specify how the weight loss would be achieved. Do I have to give up safety, comfort or any luxury? If so, then I am not willing to settle for that.

[EFI]

Less weight by a far far far margin.

Removing weight improves all aspects of the car's performance (straight line, cornering, braking, fuel economy). More power just improves straight line speed and most likely reduces fuel economy.

So a 30% reduction in weight would probably equal a 30% increase in power in terms of straight line acceleration. But that's where it all ends, the first car will handle better, brake better, get better mileage while the second car will have none of those.

[gofastwclass]

Originally Posted by Red2014SS

I answered power because it does not specify how the weight loss would be achieved. Do I have to give up safety, comfort or any luxury? If so, then I am not willing to settle for that.

To play Devil's advocate...
Depending on how the power is increased, you could take the car from being very friendly and fun to completely unbearable.

However, the OP said if all models "...could come from the factory..." which would imply all safety, reliability and reasonable comfort requirements were in place.

I realistically feel many would be willing to lose some things like heated seats, power seats, onstar, leather, 20" wheels, etc. even on a daily (or frequently) driven vehicle. I highly doubt those same people would give up things like HVAC, carpet, interior panels, headliner or some sort of radio. As a person who has tried to do both at various times in the past I learned removing weight is FAR more difficult and expensive than increasing factory power by the same percent. Especially when you are trying to keep the vehicle street livable.

[rozay]

weight

[Dirtdog]

Trick question, since a reduction in weight creates an increase in "power"

[mikeinmobile]

We travel in our SS a lot, and I like the heaviness of the car as it adds stability in high winds and other situations. So I'd keep the weight and add more horses!

[BigBlock69RS]

Less weight and more power kind of like the 6th gen ��