How To: RSX Weight Reduction

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If you're trying to go faster in the 1/4 mile, you're in the right place. Whether you need to lose every pound possible for racing or track use, or you just want to cut some extra weight and decide what's really worth living without in your daily driver, this guide will help you.

RSX Curb Weights

So you know what you're working with, here are the curb weights of the various Acura RSX models. This weight assumes a full tank of gas, all fluids, and no passenger or cargo included. It's a good number for comparison.
  • 2002-2004 RSX Base Manual:       2,721 lbs
  • 2002-2004 RSX Base Auto:           2,789 lbs
  • 2002-2004 RSX Type-S:                2,778 lbs
  • 2002-2004 DC5 Integra Type-R:   2,579 lbs
  • 2005-2006 RSX Base Manual:      2,734 lbs
  • 2005-2006 RSX Base Auto:           2,809 lbs
  • 2005-2006 RSX Type-S:                2,840 lbs
  • 2005-2006 DC5 Integra Type-R:   2,623 lbs

RSX Wheel Weights

2002-2004 RSX 16" x 6.5" Wheel - 16 lbs (each)
2005-2006 RSX 17" x 7" Wheel - 22 lbs (each)
A-Spec Trim Package 17" x 7" Wheel - 21 lbs (each)

Comments:

The earlier 16" x 6.5" wheels are great for most normal drivers. Yeah, they aren't super flashy, and they don't fill the wheel well up, but they're really light considering they're cast and come with the car. You should upgrade if you're increasing horsepower and need more grip to hold it down though.

Rear End Weight

  • Spare Wheel - 28.6 lbs
  • Scissor Jack - 2.8 lbs
  • Bose Subwoofer (Type-S Only) - 6.8 lbs
  • Rear Wiper & Motor - 2.75 lbs
  • Trunk Contents Cover - 3 lbs
  • Rear Seat Back (Base and Type-S Only) - 20 lbs
  • Rear Seat Bottom - (Base and Type-S Only) 8 lbs
  • Rear Seat Back (Type-R Only) - 19 lbs
  • Rear Seat Bottom - (Type-R Only) - 7 lbs
  • Rear Carpet - 2 lbs
  • Trunk Rubber Seal - 5 lbs
  • Trunk Lid - 40 lbs
  • Trunk Lid Trim - 4.25 lbs
  • Taillight Trim - 4 lbs
  • Rear Center Trim - 1 lb
  • Trunk Window Trim - 5 lbs
  • Rear Window - 23 lbs
  • Trunk Lid Vibration Dampening Weight (2005-2006 RSX Only) - 1.2 lbs
  • Rear Bumper Support (Base & Type-S Only) - 11.5 lbs
  • Rear Bumper Support (Type-R Only) - 2.5 lbs

Comments:

The easiest weight to remove from the rear of the car is the stuff in the spare tire area, and the rear seat and carpet. The trunk lid weight is listed because you can replace it with carbon fiber, and the glass can be replaced with Lexan or similar, but that's typically only done in purpose-built racecars.

I would avoid removing the rubber seal for the trunk and the trunk vibration dampening weight (05-06 only). You don't want the chance of water in your trunk, and those weights are there for a reason. Besides, they're a pretty minimal part of the weight.

Front End Weight

  • Cruise Control - 3 lbs
  • Intake Air Box - 11 lbs
  • Sun Visors - 1 lb
  • Hood Liner - 3.25 lbs
  • Hood - 27 lbs
  • Plastic Fender Liners - 3 lbs
  • Battery - 25 lbs
  • Sunroof - 31 lbs
  • Sound Deadening Material - 30 lbs
  • Bose Amplifier (Type-S Only) - 2.3 lbs
  • Bose Head Unit & Plastic Trim (Type-S Only) - 7.5 lbs
  • Speakers - ~3.2 lbs
  • Driver's Airbag - 1.5 lbs
  • Passenger Airbag - 6 lbs
  • Air Conditioning Refrigerant -1.3 lbs
  • Air Conditioning Compressor, Brackets, & Bolts - 12.8 lbs
  • Front Door Rubber Seals - 8 lbs
  • A-Pillar Trim - 1 lb
  • Front Lower Control Arms (Steel; Base & Type-S Only) - 17 lbs
  • Front Lower Control Arms (Aluminum; Type-R Only) - 10.4 lbs
  • Front Bumper Vibration Dampening Weight - 1.2 lbs
  • Front Subframe Vibration Dampening Weight - 1.2 lbs
  • Windshield-Base Vibration Dampening Weight - 1.2 lbs
  • Intake Manifold Cover & Sparkplug Cover - 2.6 lbs
  • Exhaust Header & Heat Shield - 10 lbs
  • Catalytic Converter - 17.6 lbs
  • Front Bumper Support (Base & Type-S Only) - 10 lbs
  • Front Bumper Support (Type-R Only) - 4.6 lbs
  • Driver's Seat (Cloth) - 50 lbs
  • Driver's Seat (Leather) - 52 lbs
  • Driver's Seat (Type-R Only) - 43.8 lbs
  • Passenger's Seat (Cloth) - 40 lbs
  • Passenger's Seat (Leather) - 44 lbs

Comments:

There's significantly more weight to remove from the front of the car. In a daily, I like keeping the speakers and radio and just going with a lighter radio without a CD player so it's not a big and I keep my ability to play music. A well made aftermarket exhaust system should save some pounds on the stock unit, especially with removal of the catalytic converter (cat). The biggest easy weight savings here is probably the passenger's seat and installation of a lighter exhaust. I personally chose to replace my driver's seat with a lightweight bucket seat with provisions for a 6-point harness, but you do lose your side airbag in the process.

I would keep as many airbags as possible. Air conditioning is so nice to have, and its ability to remove humidity from the interior is important for safety. I personally wouldn't compromise on that, since the only other option to stay cool is adding a tank of water and ice and circulating it through cool suits, which probably weighs more and definitely is more cumbersome. If your AC doesn't work, you could go to an AC repair place and have them extract the refrigerant for you if you really care about the extra pound in the system, but I don't think that's the first place I'd look for weight savings.

The Type-R lower control arms seem like they could be an attractive option to save weight where it matters.

Conclusion

Thanks for checking out my article on RSX weights. I'll add more to this as I measure more parts when they're off the car.

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