I have seen alot of cars running tubular bracing in the rear trunk with the sheet metal removed (pictured below)
My question is: I have heard people claim that this reduces weight but has any one actually weighed the sheet metal removed during this "process"? I would like to make my car as simple as possible to work on, I really don't care about storage space but I am not at all willing to add weight to my car.
Any info out there? Has anyone actually lost weight by doing this?
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I also want axcess to the tranny area but I want to make a easily removed floor. I'm afraid an open area will cause terrible lift at speed unless a belly pan with diffusers is built. I'll probably end up with the tube braces and a floor that attaches on top of them that seals in the front where the original trunk floor sealed. Just a smaller trunk. Or maybe a space for a spare. I don't see any possibility of saving any weight.
Charliew

I didn't think so either. I hear about people doing this to save weight although no one has posted actual weights. As for the down force issue I already have a belly pan and a diffuser so aerodynamics are not really an issue

Where would you keep the top?

The racecar we did this to, was going to get the bracing tubes to the trans mount cross bar anyway. So we were only adding 1 cross bar to acount for cutting out the trunk floor. We did not weigh the cross bar vs the sheet metal.
Jim

If I remember correctly Dana was removing the top entirely, ala 914 Speedster....Hows progress on that Dana?

I dare to say that if one uses well welded conduit like the above setup, it will hold up, do the job and reduce weight. Thats right, conduit!

Hey, it won't rust.

and you can get it at home depot!

Ya and don't forget its the metal one.

I have been really loaded down by school, I am never taking 17 engineering credit hours again! I am currently raking and chopping the windshield, doing a lot of custom fiberglass around where the targa top was, and building a belly pan to tie into the Ferrari F430 diffuser I just picked up. I figured it would be nice to have an accesible trunk area but since I have worked hard to shave off 366 pounds so far I really don't want to add any back on!
After the semester is over in 5 weeks I will start a detailed build thread.

Also If anyone has pictures of how they did, or think this trunk mutalation should be done please post them. Thanks!

So I hate searching the forums and finding that someone has asked exactly the same question I want answered but the question was never answered in the thread.
So in the interest of future searchees I will answer my own question

By cutting out the floor and welding in 0.125" wall 1.5" diameter tubing with 1/8" thick mounting plates I dropped 7.2 pounds.

Here is how it ended up:
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How much will it add back in when you chrome the tranny case?

You said you would keep that a secret!

You could eliminate another pound or so by trimming some of the excess sheet metal around the shock towers. Keep a diagonal section down to the side wall, but cut away anything that doesn't actually contribute to strength. You'll need to look at it with your engineer eyes to figure out the best line, but somewhere around the red line below. Maybe more - I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple 914 race car pics with more than this removed...

Here is mine.

First pic is rear trunk sheetmetal removed. I think some guys go overboard with the big tubing welded in an "X" to the tranny mounting points. I kept it simple.

Second pic is the current set up. If you're going to cut out the floor why not cut the WHOLE DAMN TRUNK OUT. This is keeping it very simple.

I bet it was quite a workout. But not to worry... You will gain that back over Thanksgiving and Christmas

Your car never ceases to amaze me!
I see that you have removed your drivetrain for optimum weight savings, keep up the good work!

This was 2 years ago. A few things have changed...

Damn, whenever I feel like I am making good progress in my quest for weight savings you have to show me porn like this. Your title of lightest 914 is safe my friend!

Holy COW!!!! man your car is sweet! I am seriously going to try to emulate your creation with one of my 914's.

Thanks!

I'm still making minor changes. This is my latest project, I'm going to enclose the card intakes in the big air scoop.

Paul is on the right track, I just using too much Heavy Metal.....

All the pieces around the carbs in that picture is very thin f-glass.