Weight distribution after ESS TS2 install & Spare tire removal

I was wondering how these mods affect the 50/50 distribution and handling of our cars. Obviously it won't be 50/50 anymore.

Spare tire (saver) is around 30 lb

ESS TS2 (all parts together): 83.6 lb

So, by removing the saver tire in the trunk, I take off 30lb from the rear but ADD 83.6 lb in the front. Is there a way to compensate for this using sways or some suspension work?

It would be a good idea to remove 113.6 lb (weight of TS2+spare tire) from the front end to compensate but I have no idea from where

Haven't found any relevant topics

you could try either a M3 hood OR a CF hood to offset the weight directly in the front.

As mentioned, a lighter hood would probably be the single biggest change (edit: in mass distribution) you could make. Helps that it's up high too.

On a side note, I think the weight you listed for the TS was the shipping weight. I weighed the manifold/SC assembly and it was more like 60 lbs. Remember you remove the stock manifold which offsets part of the 80+ lbs of kit parts, so in reality we've probably only really added less than 70 lbs total. That said, I could definitely feel the extra mass in my stock suspension even with H&R sways.

Are you looking for a numerically balanced car or just to restore the handling balance? I honestly don't think you can remove enough weight from other places to fully compensate. A CF hood and/or stripping out the a/c, washer fluid reservoir, etc were also not options I was willing to consider.

I have successfully restored the pre-TS balance and generally all around improved the handling of my car with a suspension upgrade. I installed AST 4100 coilovers a few weeks ago and absolutely love my car's ride and handling balance. I went with 500 lb/in springs up front and 550 lb/in in the rear, as recommended by Vorshlag for a primarily street driven car. Between the higher rate springs and the use of linear as opposed to progressive springs, the car no longer feels nose heavy. In fact, if it weren't for the added power and the TS whine, you would completely forget the TS was there.

If you're still running a stock suspension, I think your best bet would be to upgrade to something stiffer. I believe in previous threads that others have reported being happy with a PSS9 setup as well.

hmmm not a bad idea, how much is the difference in lb between the 2 hoods? Might as well use a CF bumper bar instead of the stock

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

As mentioned, a lighter hood would probably be the single biggest change you could make. Helps that it's up high too.

On a side note, I think the weight you listed for the TS was the shipping weight. I weighed the manifold/SC assembly and it was more like 60 lbs. Remember you remove the stock manifold which offsets part of the 80+ lbs of kit parts, so in reality we've probably only really added less than 70 lbs total. That said, I could definitely feel the extra mass in my stock suspension even with H&R sways.

Are you looking for a numerically balanced car or just to restore the handling balance? I honestly don't think you can remove enough weight from other places to fully compensate. A CF hood and/or stripping out the a/c, washer fluid reservoir, etc were also not options I was willing to consider.

I have successfully restored the pre-TS balance and generally all around improved the handling of my car with a suspension upgrade. I installed AST 4100 coilovers a few weeks ago and absolutely love my car's ride and handling balance. I went with 500 lb/in springs up front and 550 lb/in in the rear, as recommended by Vorshlag for a primarily street driven car. Between the higher rate springs and the use of linear as opposed to progressive springs, the car no longer feels nose heavy. In fact, if it weren't for the added power and the TS whine, you would completely forget the TS was there.

If you're still running a stock suspension, I think your best bet would be to upgrade to something stiffer. I believe in previous threads that others have reported being happy with a PSS9 setup as well.

Thank you!

I'm running OEM sport shocks with eibach pro-kit & meyle CA and bushings. not much done to tell the truth.

I am looking to "to restore the handling balance" TBH, numeric values are not that important. They 50/50 number I said was to explain what has changed, I should had better said handling balance.

Removing weight from the car is much harder than removing weight from the rear. If you want to restore your car to 50/50 weight disribution, get some coilovers and get your car corner balanced. A good mod to remove weight from the car (even though its not completely from the front) is to get a pair of racing seats, this could save you about to 150lbs! Or if you want to go really extreme, you can remove your AC

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

I believe in previous threads that others have reported being happy with a PSS9 setup as well.

Yeah, I'm running PSS9's with TC Kline 400# springs up front. The handling feels just the same as it was before the TS.

Put the space saver back in and add 83 lbs to the back...50/50

^^cheap solution

Thanks for the responses. seems that a decent coilover is my next mod, PSS9 considered No way to get rid of the AC here, I'd rather get rid of the s/c!

Originally Posted by Dirtboy

Yeah, I'm running PSS9's with TC Kline 400# springs up front. The handling feels just the same as it was before the TS.

How would the TC Klines work with Koni FSDs? Yeah, I think the best solution is to change to stiffer front springs and maybe a CF hood...

Just get coilovers and have the car corner balanced.

Originally Posted by Lemonsqr

How would the TC Klines work with Koni FSDs? Yeah, I think the best solution is to change to stiffer front springs and maybe a CF hood...

The Koni FSD is designed to run with stock-ish springs. I doubt it's got enough damping to control a spring that much stiffer.