Like many people do in January i decided the car should go on a modest diet. Seeing as the air-conditioning system was finally binned in November i saw no reason why the boot shouldn't be stripped out. My girlfriends Clio 172 Cup has no spare wheel so why does the RA?!

So one Sunday morning i removed the space-saver spare wheel and all the trim. The wheel weighed in at 12.5kg and the trim (including boot carpet) at a shade under 2.0kg... not bad for five minutes work.

I also picked up a lightweight battery this month. Supplied by Bob at Aztec Performance the Odyssey PC680 weighs in at 6.0kg, 9.0kg lighter than the standard battery. I plan to mount it on the N/S chassis leg against the bulkhead and have designed a nice deep tray to hold it in place. Hopefully the tray will be finished next month and i'll be able to see if a trickle-charger is required or not!

I've also been working on flipping the alternator in order to allow for a larger inlet manifold plenum chamber. After debating using a modified OEM bracket i've decided to make a custom one based on a friends design. This will land the alternator exactly where i want it as well as saving a little more weight!

The last picture is the Fuelabs regulator that my parents kindly picked up for me while they were in the States... gotta love Mum! This will replace the SX Regulator and give my Defi fuel pressure sender a home once the alternator is mounted.