5 Ways to Drop Weight on a Budget

It is no secret that weight is a huge factor in any type of performance-based sport. Motorsports and drag racing in particular are no exception.
When dropping weight from your race car, it is always best to start with the low hanging fruit in terms of cost to benefit. This type of weight loss usually includes lightening the body, chassis, removing components, etc.
Once the obvious items are addressed, dropping weight becomes a bit more of a challenge. Instead of finding 5lbs here and 10lbs there, it’s more like 1/2lb or 10 ounces at a time. Sure, you can spend thousands of dollars on titanium and carbon fiber parts and Tim McAmis Performance Parts would be more than happy to sell them to you.
However, if you fall into this category and have a tube chassis or highly refined race car, consider these 5 ways to drop weight from you race car while staying within a reasonable budget.
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The information contained in this video is based on the opinion of Tim McAmis and his 30+ years in the motorsport and manufacturing industries. Any action you take based upon the content provided shall be done at your own risk. TMRC and its affiliates are not liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of this information.

[@user-gp6sw]

Now you need to make a video reading the iamafatfuck emails 😂

[@Donovaan]

Most people don't even think about their own weight when it comes to performance cars or racing. Great point!

[@hihihihihello]

yeah, theres a reason most horse jockeys are around 135 140 pds, if youre trying to min max and youve got the lighest parts possible in your ride, the only other way you can get it lighter is if you yourself lose weight haha.

[@richardfitzwell6579]

I always laugh at guys climbing into high dollar, super lightweight cars, and their stomach is touching the steering wheel. Haha

[@srage9188]

😹

[@bobroberts2371]

In the early days of Formula One racing, the drivers were fat and the tires skinny, now the drivers are skinny and the tires fat. Apparently the drag and oval track guys didn't get the memo.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Was going to make that same comment ..... EAT A SALAD , GO FASTER !!

[@socalex]

Hahaha

[@RubberChickenMan007]

Same with motorcycles. What sucks is I'm also one of those "heavyweights" 😂

[@muskyelondragon]

"Nothing weighs less than a hole. I put them everywhere." Uncle Tony's Garage

[@sbfguy7793]

Love that guy

[@rockroll9513]

UTG!

[@mrnobody8540]

Old school

[@FusedAdventures]

Yessss lmao I love UTG haha

[@TravisAndrew1]

wish he would quit smoking

[@mikeleschber33]

I lost 270lbs......I sure do miss her lasagna!

[@edspencer7121]

Bet you saw a fuel savings going from track to track too.

[@mikeleschber33]

@@edspencer7121 for sure the food bill went way down!

[@edspencer7121]

@@mikeleschber33 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BBBILLY86]

Weighed 358 on January 7th. As of today I've lost 69 pounds. Trying for 110 lbs. Also bought a fiberglass clip for my car 2 weeks ago.

[@Timmcamis]

Nice job! Keep it up!

[@thxman1968]

Yeah buddy, almost a free tenth :)

[@bobfalfa76]

Bill Antalek jr 10yrs ago I lost 168lbs and have managed to keep it off. Saved my life not to mention getting in and out of the car and wrenching on it is way easier.

[@thxman1968]

@@bobfalfa76Nice, but failed to mentioned it didnt help you get that 55 past me 😂

[@bobfalfa76]

john milner Well at least I don't have to pull over just to let a funeral go by😁

[@craigorsomething7533]

A pre-race dump also helps shed the lbs 👍

[@mrnobody8540]

Yes Sir it saves you time cleaning up the mess from having the ass end of the car past your back side... Don't believe me, ask this man in the link below... www.nhra.com/videos/2017/don-garlits-1986-englishtown-blowover

[@Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

Jesus!!! How much do you eat!!?

[@chriswillis6752]

8 minute video had me laughing for 10 minutes

[@quartermileprivateer]

Tim you never fail to make me laugh at myself! I do enjoy your videos for the delivery, content and humor! Never change sir.

[@N2Otorious]

Tells it like it is! I want to work for this guy, Dream job!

[@jeremyeubanks2387]

Great video Tim. . I absolutely love your delivery on all your videos. . No nonsense guy .. I'm digging it . Looking forward to more

[@BramBiesiekierski]

I put a lithium battery in my car. Went from 16KG wet cell down to 1.6KG litium for same CCA rated battery. Thats 10% of the weight.

[@X739LEG]

this guy rules. i love his explanation on things. get that shit off. i watched videos on weight reduction to make my daily driver more nimble and this race car guy gave me more no frills facts then the past 14 videos i just watched. good work!

[@bigredracer7848]

Thanks for taking the time for us thanks again guys

[@427n20]

Tim, you are the best! Straight shooter. No BS. Gotta appreciate a business owner like you. Keep it up.

[@bretlambky]

Tim I appreciate your time and advice you give. Wish this was available back in the mid eighties when I was in high gear on drag racing. We had lots of trial and error. More errors...lol keep up the great videos.

[@jg102xc]

Hey Tim, thanks for another great video. I’m 5’4” 125 Lbs. Put me in coach! I’m not afraid.

[@joedm]

Great video man

[@gregrichardson5306]

Hi Tim , thankyou so much for sharing your experience , I run a modest HillClimb car here in the Channel Islands and will take a lot from your videos and run those ideas on my car , oh and I'll be on a diet after x-mass .... thanks again Greg #4 Ford Puma

[@Howie262]

The end is always absolute gold on these videos.

[@pauljanssen2624]

Rewiring and wiring one of my favorite things to do keeping it clean and neat

[@americanpride9733]

Looks sick as tits when youre done tho

[@jh5881]

I like your style, keep it coming. Subbed

[@twinturbogt]

I like how the video starts off with a disclaimer now. lol

[@canadianmarauder1923]

That was good and funny too. If I lose 20-30lbs I’m in big trouble. I weigh 150lbs. Gives me an advantage I’d never thought about though

[@philstrohm4181]

Says all the right things. Love it.

[@jcjohnson4495]

Tim im a dirt track racer but i love watching your videos and getting some info on some similar things and your dont give a shit attitude love it man keep it up and tell it how it is

[@skitv8780]

Love your videos, everyone needs to hear the truth!

[@Adhdroamer]

Absolutely loved the last part

[@MatthewScott]

Tim you fucking are too cool. Your sense of humor is on point. Keep that shit up.

[@black88coupe]

Another great video.

[@oneshotracing2147]

Love it! Best video yet! 🤣

[@alvarofiti8275]

G'day from down under. I watch all your stuff and try and apply it to a dragbike I'm building. In your travels can you suggest to someone in the two wheel fraternity to do a similar thing. Keep up the good work mate. Thanks.

[@jimzivny1554]

8 minute video but it'll take 10 minutes to get the coffee out of my nose. This was great, and a good video

[@mjl7681b]

Excellent motivational speech!

[@BeforeItsTooLate1]

Subscribed after I heard the honesty.

[@oldmenruleracing]

Yup, preach it brother!

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Good common sense video. Thank You for all the the videos for guys like me! Last time at track 1985. -900 lbs and 100 ci with 500 more hp. Things have changed alot since 1985 except weight loss is better than free horse power. Your best at truth in set up and operation. Thank You for Sharing!!!

[@revivalcycle]

Finally we have a John Wayne/Clint Eastwood/Al Bundy again. Keep it up, you're better than any late night host.

[@skippysvr4586]

Great video. Love the no bullshit attitude.

[@johnolson7430]

Best info videos ever.

[@RyanSammutRacing]

Omg I'm crying laughing. Love your vids Tim, no more cheese burgers lol

[@monkeyarturo9984]

He was straight up I love that!!!

[@JordanHoltHalthiem]

Me: Hey this video might help me with my Lexus SC400! Video: 6:04 Me: oh

[@racinford1]

On a diet right now. Thanks I needed that.

[@americanpride9733]

One of the most knowledgeable motor-related channels ever

[@deebo4271]

I hear ya Tim but god dammit those track nachos are the shit son!😅😅

[@lunkydog]

See my post about the bad chicken......

[@ltn97]

Say word son

[@ezradixon239]

Thanks u 4 using "git da shit off there" we really talk that way.

[@kopicblaz]

I like last advice the most!!!! ;D

[@justinrebrovich3238]

Good information as always. Please keep it up. Switching between cameras made it a little hard to watch.

[@DJhenderlong]

Loved the last bit. Lol

[@tbl8560]

Great vid! BTW - I didn't get a reply after sending in a complaint email. WTH! Keep the vids coming!

[@woodrowdelozier1]

Absolutely correct

[@dialed-in-automotivewestmi8891]

Good videos

[@nopenope9411]

Dude, you had me laughI got all the way through this video.

[@lunkydog]

I once got food poisoning from some bad chicken Thursday night before a Saturday dragbike race and came in 11# lighter, but it's not a technique I'd recommend, because most of Friday was spent near porcelain and i had very serious concerns about even being able to hang on before my first lap

[@metrolean1552]

1. Battery 2. Tires and wheels 3. Driveshaft 4. Wiring 5. Bodyweight

[@rodwright225]

Great advice as usual , just think what 50 lbs or more off your self would do . A+++ . Try 100lbs😎👍👍

[@dub537h5]

These are excellent ideas, but if I lost 30 lbs, I'd probably be on my death bed lol

[@krazziee2000]

good info, and free is good ,,,

[@sorryimajerk735]

Tim if I lived closer to your shop man I’d come and work in the shop for free just to be able to shake your fuckin hand sir I love your attitude and vision and methods and approach to the game . FUCKIN love you sir and I’ll be callin u soon for a chassis kit. I don’t mess around Tim I’m gunna do a full build here in Canada and I just can’t wait to get started

[@zackthomas2982]

Tim your awesome

[@forcedair92gt94]

The last tip was the best tip.

[@dirtymuleracing5321]

Just pulled a poorly performing harness out of my street/race car, i change my ignition component mount, new ignition module mount weighs less with an extra ignition booster than old mount by itself. Car was rewired, relays couldnt really be any further away than needed, so mount new relays next to where they are used instead of a small inept panel with wires criss crossing the car. Next up was dirt, old country car, plenty of solidified dirt where you cant see it, 29 pounds in 1 year. Thanks Aaron

[@MrLangleylad]

Hahahahaha ! I love your style Tim !

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Thank You and buying drive shaft, and one those weird battery. Heavy red battery is going! Smart advice! Thank You! Sub Too!

[@chickenwrap5616]

Last one is good 🤣

[@jenky1044]

Great video. Very helpful. Now I need some new clothes.

[@barneymiller7894]

Ive been slowly (and tediously) replacing non stress/weight bearing mild steel hardware with low mass stainless or plastic, always looking for advantages in a full interior car. Got the trick from an article about a mopar super stock clone belonging to an old school guy from New York he built for street racing, dont remember what magazine it was in though.

[@rdostercamp]

Lol, i love this guy!

[@Piercemxpx]

I like that this dude casually cusses rather than be a frilly youtuber

[@scottfritz4988]

Think about how much a couple layers of paint and body filler add.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Part of the reason an airplane paint job is sort of crappy looking in most small single engine planes. Paint it just enough to cover it in color , orange peel and thin spots don't matter...when they look nice and show quality , thats not what you want.

[@mrnobody8540]

It adds up fast - weight a can of paint and some filler.

[@DhirC35]

Yeppp When in building my car im stripping all the paint to the bare metal and priming it and then wrapping it to save some weight that way

[@jessgilliam1698]

haha Tim is a savage

[@xCloverdalesFinestx]

Lol I fuckin love you Tim funniest and most knowledgeable guy in drag racing

[@hirampratt7995]

I feel like this guy would be great for coaching people on losing weight lmao

[@edspencer7121]

And there's a pork chop in every can of beer!

[@jerrylancaster4386]

Oh dang. He got real with me, lol.

[@ThePeopleVerse]

I have thought that about #5 since I went to my first race and the drivers could hardly fit into the door.

[@Altonivel93]

7:38 lmfao 😂😂😂 cruel reality i like that just being real lol

[@5150madawg]

god i love a cheese burger at the track ...........

[@jackclark5220]

Lucky guy are track burgers are shit.

[@jerrycoon4504]

I agree. I like the sausage grinders with peppers and onions too. LOL

[@thxman1968]

Fry guy myself, especially if they are crinkle cut.

[@bracketracer2000]

What about Monster 🍟

[@MrTheHillfolk]

That cheeseburger just cost ya .0001 on your run 🤣 Be sure to take a dump before a pass too, not only to save weight but in case you wreck you can't s**t yourself!

[@Reject06]

Cant wait to see some videos of the emails sent hahaha

[@AmaroqStarwind]

Ditch the power steering. You save weight, you save horsepower, you get more tactile feedback, and you get some good exercise.

[@carbonconnection2480]

I can't afford to lose any weight Tim, I'm probably one of the most fit leanest guys I've ever seen or heard about...

[@shawnmenzenberg6442]

Great tips. I have spent as much as $200 a pound to drop weight on Titanium parts only to replace it with lard in the seat. At that rate I easily could save $4000-$8000 in light weight parts. In a 1600 pound car that is doing 1.101 in 60 on sand would you give up 40-60 horse power to loose 100 pounds switching to an aluminum block?

[@MartinMcMartin]

Fucking brilliant as always

[@nobodynoone2500]

Can we get a Part 2? These are great, and I know you have more on your mind! I always find bolts in holes, doing nothing. Bolts way too long. Anything in front or behing the axles is suspect. Anything above the beltline is suspect. I notice on oem-converted and non-drag cars, full-size alternators, starters, and so many random fasteners to nowhere. And fat F$&ks too. Diet time.

[@darrenmoore1762]

Uncle Tim !

[@RaceRabbit]

I knew being a fat ass would be on the list. So funny!! On the wiring do you recommend the power management units over traditional fuse and relay panels? What brands?

[@bmkolb]

Yep your right

[@charlesmcmillian3778]

Tim just tells it like it is

[@irvingsantiago6701]

Got to love it! I'm sitting here minding my own business learning a few tips on your site ( Love your content by the way) then my wife in the other room.. "SEE! IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT NEEDS TO LOSE A FEW!"..... 🤐 "I'M NOT SAYING YOUR FAT, YOU JUS GOTA LOSE A LITTLE WEGHT!" My response to her was I'm 62 years @ a buck 52 wet and can outrun 90% of the people I know aaaand my sons and grandkids fhat the wuck you talking about woman! 😎

[@marlo916]

He said get that shit off there lol

[@sosebee12nadc13]

I'm 6'4 and 160 pounds. After watching this I plan on shedding 25 pounds by the end of the week! Thank for the advice! Jk you're awesome tim!

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

Maxwell makes a supercapacitor that only weighs 6 lbs. They are easy to charge and are very powerful

[@darrenkastl8160]

Maybe some carbon fiber wire jacketing! Lol!

[@tomcampbell4414]

I’m beautiful just the way I am- hoooow dare you! Best advice ever tough

[@kelbaez]

Came here for car couching came out if life coaching.. welp... Time to hit the threadmill

[@curtism3439]

Now that's how you end a video

[@Dudemieser]

So what you're saying is I should probably take my air conditioning and custom stereo system out?

[@nathanbrodeur]

Tim you can correct me if I'm wrong but don't you want front weight on the car to prevent the car from becoming a airplane on a runway about to take off and if I wanted to say go 800 plus mph wouldn't I need lots of front downforce to still be able to steer and would I not be using a transmission or just a driveshaft from the rear axle to the motor?

[@imcool-rh1xg]

Is there a way that I can have a pull out wheelie bar on a 1972 Nova