Lowest Weight MK2 Jetta

[Aero Rotor]

There was a thread about the lowest weight MK2, some sort of hall of fame years ago. It was posted on a different site and linked to from here. It has since died, can't follow the link.

What is the record for weight reduction on a Jetta? Anyone know?

[Dave926]

I nearly **** myself a few years back when I scaled my helios at 2790lbs. Thats with me, my usual routine of **** in the trunk and about a half tank of fuel.

I'd say even after cleaning it out it would still be close to the same with all the turbo stuff.

[Aero Rotor]

We're building a Lemons Racer for the Campaign to Prevent Gingervitis, April 16 at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI.

Shooting for 1800lbs. wet with cage. Not sure if we'll get there.

Stripped as can be in the interior, no glass, etc.

[wantacad]

bust out the sawzall

[Turbo3]

holly hell 1800......

[Capt.Dreadz]

Swap the windows out for Lexan.
Cut and drill holes in every flat surface you can
Fiberglaas doors/ trunk/ Hood


MAYBE..2400 after all that. Anything else will be exotic metals. Full factory race/rally production cars (all GTI's) are down to 2100 and this is with lightweight EVERYTHING.

[Aero Rotor]

No need to replace with lexan, we don't need windows, only choosing to run the front glass.

I thought these cars came in 2200-2400 from the factory? I can guarantee we've already removed 400 in material, and that's not even getting creative yet. Perhaps what people were quoting for factory weight was off, but in the weight reduction hall of fame there was a 1200 lb. difference between a fully gutted GTI (1700 lbs.) and a fully loaded with every option Jetta GLI (2900 lbs.)

The gutting is going to be substantial. We're going as far as reducing the wiring harness down to the core 40 or so wires required for the Digifant II.

[ValveCoverGasket]

I thought these cars came in 2200-2400 from the factory?

but in the weight reduction hall of fame there was a 1200 lb. difference between a fully gutted GTI (1700 lbs.) and a fully loaded with every option Jetta GLI (2900 lbs.)

you wont find a mk2 jetta that weighs 2200 stock. thats mk2 scirocco territory...

i have some pictures of a loaded helios gli on the scale at around 2700 or so, a stock mk2 16v gti at around 2400 or so, and a gutted mk2 16v with glass at around 2000.

you guys should have no issues getting under 2000 without glass though. my turob 16v gti is just under 2000 with euro bumpers, no interior and all the stock glass

[TehLonz]

you guys should have no issues getting under 2000 without glass though. my turob 16v gti is just under 2000 with euro bumpers, no interior and all the stock glass

Finally a man with experience!

[ValveCoverGasket]

Finally a man with experience!

i hear rumors on the internet, and promptly repeat them.

boom

[skidplate]

That was what my gti weighed with a half tank of gas and a sub in the back. It was actually flickering between that and 2300.

[wantacad]

bust out the sawzall

bust out the sawzall

bust out the sawzall

My buddies drag car (85 GTI) weighs in at 2050 with him behind the wheel. (16vt, o2a, cage and working sunroof) figure 1800# ish. and honestly it's not as stripped down as it could be. I'm willing to bet if we got even more hard core with the trimming it could be 1700#

[Turbo3]

Everybody is posting weight of GTIs, the OP has a GLI. There's a good bit more metal on a Jetta ass end.

Lets see some Jetta weights

[thepaintcanman]

Mine was under 2000. With new cage additions I'm not sure what it is now. I will be putting her on the scales again since I raised it up and installed all new bearings again.



Blownsixdub got his GTI VR6 down to 1700 w cage.

[justin717]

My Jetta GL weighed in at 2300# with a half tank of gas, a powerwasher in the trunk, and the 8v. I need to see what it weighs now with the VR.

[Flipdriver80]

2650 with me in it at the strip last year. that was full interior and full size spare in the trunk and my back pack for the track.

so i'm guessing with me out of the car and the needles crap out its about 2400.

[wantacad]

Everybody is posting weight of GTIs, the OP has a GLI. There's a good bit more metal on a Jetta ass end.

Lets see some Jetta weights

It's more being proved that you can take drastic weight out. If a GTI can get to 1700 then a jetta should be able to hit 1800-1900#.

[Doogal]

According to carfolio, my 1.3 comes in at 855KG/1885lbs. Golf though, doesnt have that big arse.

[dubbinmk2]

4 door golf vrt, no carpet! 2250

[Turbo3]

It's more being proved that you can take drastic weight out. If a GTI can get to 1700 then a jetta should be able to hit 1800-1900#.

Yea should, but has anyone got one that light?

[thepaintcanman]

I do

[Black92EightValve]

Just as an FYI, since I was the person with the lowest weight in that thread, I can tell you that just a bare shell of a 92 GTI that has undergone natural weight reduction (rust) and I do mean a bare shell, nothing left on it, no little clips, nothing, weighs in at about 420 lbs.

[Aero Rotor]

Thank you for all of the information guys. I will post a picture of it sitting on the scales in the next couple of weeks.

It may only have 100 hp or so with the 8V, but I think it's going to do quite well with the little weight it has.

[VDub2625]

I can't imagine driving a car that light... i just stripped the interior out of my 92 (Jetta, front seats and dash only) and man it was so light to drive.

Cut out the passenger and rear seat frame (base and backrest), parcel shelf (install a brace), door frames (no glass means no regulators or anything besides door latches to hold them shut), you can take out the roof struts and sunroof (the braces just support the skin... the edge is structural but that's it, hell you could cut the skin out completely and make it an always-open ragtop style!.), could probably remove the bulkhead and secure the gauges to the firewall...

May I ask what the purpose of the light weight is? If you don't care about aero you can remove a lot more.

[ValveCoverGasket]

May I ask what the purpose of the light weight is? If you don't care about aero you can remove a lot more.

hes running it lemons or chump car, low budget and trying to get it to go as fast as possible.

[thepaintcanman]

400whp and sub 2000 is a blast

[VDub2625]

hes running it lemons or chump car, low budget and trying to get it to go as fast as possible.

I ****ing read that part too. i was just too into the idea of lightening a Mk2 to pay attention

[Shaz8389]

Surely a coupe would be lighter, removing the weight of the rear door mech.

[etta gli]

my full bodied big bumper golf with a G60 (o2o) gti interior and a small rear mounted battery weighed 2420 with me in it (170lbs)

[Seax_Smith]

We're building a Lemons Racer for the Campaign to Prevent Gingervitis, April 16 at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI.

Shooting for 1800lbs. wet with cage. Not sure if we'll get there.

Stripped as can be in the interior, no glass, etc.

WHAT!?! a Mark II at Lotus Europa weight? Once you get the all glass body, are you going to take the adhesive approach or the bolt on approach securing that all glass body to the back bone. At 1,800, you'll need a back bone because unibody, frame rails and a cage are not going to make the cut.

Lofty goal and good luck with it. Time to add a whole lot of lightness and make it strong.