cagotzmann

I am looking at building a C3 corvette 78-79 year for track days.

My question is about weight. What weight can I get the car down to.

Items I except to be removed.

all interior parts except for dash & driver seat. No glass.

No heater core, or AC Parts.

No spare tire or holding case.

Anyone have some numbers of your current C3 cars and how low you can get it.

I would like to get ~ 2800-2900 Lbs.

DaveL82

Getting to those weights shouldn't a be a problem. I also saw your post about the 5 link suspension setups vettes used to run in the late 70's/early 80's.

I did a A-arm rear suspension on my 80 but now thinking about going back to trailing arms so I can run some vintage events if I back date the car. If I run the A-arm suspension if puts me into a GT category which I don't have the engine funds for.

Dave

redvetracr

how does one "back date" an 80 model to make it appear to be a pre 73?

DaveL82

Lots of Bondo and a big file

Dave

69427

Mine's at 2780# (with 1/8 tank of fuel). Licensed street car (no cage currently) with all factory interior and F/R bumpers, but no spare tire&tub. I just replaced as much steel and cast iron parts with aluminum substitutes as I could afford, fabricate, and justify (without additional safety risks). Part of the weight reduction (and handling improvement) was installing a C4 suspension on my spare C3 frame, and using as many lighter weight later model underhood parts as possible.

Learning to TIG aluminum was also a big help.

cagotzmann

What did the car start at ?

69427

I never had the chance to weigh it when I first got it (and it was pretty much factory stock), but a few years later and after a couple minor mods (headers, L88 flywheel, composite rear spring, aluminum wheels) it was 3310# IIRC, so I'm guessing the original weight was about 3400# (cast iron BB, M21, no A/C, ps, pb).

rfn026

There's a whole thread on weight. Try this.

I hope you've driven a lot of track days before you embark on this project. Most people only run 1 or 2 track days and never come back. There are a lot of reasons for this but I'm not going there.

Ok, budget is a major reason. Right now track days cost about $1,500 a day when you add everything up. A dedicated track day car means you're going to need a truck and a trailer. I know all of this too well.

I always suggest that you should run at least six events before you modify your car.



Richard Newton
Track Days 101

cagotzmann

Tracks days started in 2012 and on average get in 6 a year.
Previously I used both my 2010 GS Convert and my 78, but the group since has required Convert's to have a roll cage which isn't going to happen. So I have been thinking of a 2nd 78-79 so I have interchangeable parts, (when I break one). I like to play / learn / make changes for track days. The current 78 car is my first corvette bought back in 1981. I am still on the fence if to keep changing the current car or give it a brother.

My preference is to have a track car that I can drive to the track.
I need to check with our local DMV office what is required to make it streetable. I review the other thread but not much on C3's.

rfn026

You know what you're doing then.

I would try to keep the car street legal if I could. That was a mistake I made. Dealing with a track car is one thing. Having to deal with a track car, a trailer and a truck is a little much.

Richard Newton

Robert Thomas

Here's a thread about C3 weight reduction. Beejay is the subject matter expert.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...loss-mods.html

rfn026

I'm at 3025 lbs with my C4. I could get lower but I finally gave up.

Those last 200 lbs are tough and you're not going to gain much on the track. I'm not racing so I decided there was no point.

The biggest mistake I made was removing the side windows. Now I have to worry about rain at the track - and on the way to the track That's because I have an open trailer.



I should have left the windows in place.

Richard Newton
Brake Rotors 101