C7 Aluminum Frame for all models?
12-11-2012, 09:10 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
C7 Aluminum Frame for all models?
We have all heard of the possibility that the C7 Corvette will have an aluminum frame for all models of Corvette.
How is this going to work out as far as rigidity with a removeable roof panel on the Coupe and soft top on a Convertible?
How is this going to work out as far as rigidity with a removeable roof panel on the Coupe and soft top on a Convertible?
12-11-2012, 09:22 PM
#2
Team Owner
With the C7, and the decision to use aluminum across the board, the frame can be designed for across the board use. In the very high horsepower versions of the C7, GM still might want to use the bolted in roof panel to stiffen things up a bit for track use. All depends on the final design of the frame that GM comes up with. I have no doubts that GM can design an aluminum framed open air car that is at least as strong/stiff/etc as the C6's steel frame.
12-12-2012, 05:23 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
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It should be no problem with better bonding techniques and and clever usage of different aluminum alloys and it looks like the C7 is going to use Carbon Fiber in structural areas like the floor and the bulkhead so that boosts frame rigidity.
12-12-2012, 06:10 PM
#4
Drifting
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Shouldn't be a concern. For the C6, GM didn't want to put all their eggs in one basket, so they engineered both the steel frame and the aluminum frame to have the same design other then heavier wall sections in the aluminum frame. Because both the steel frame and the aluminum frame were to be used in identical cars(other then body panels and engines), all exterior points on the frame had to be the same. The aluminum frame was an engineering exercise to gain the manufacturing processes of using aluminum.
With the C7, and the decision to use aluminum across the board, the frame can be designed for across the board use. In the very high horsepower versions of the C7, GM still might want to use the bolted in roof panel to stiffen things up a bit for track use. All depends on the final design of the frame that GM comes up with. I have no doubts that GM can design an aluminum framed open air car that is at least as strong/stiff/etc as the C6's steel frame.
With the C7, and the decision to use aluminum across the board, the frame can be designed for across the board use. In the very high horsepower versions of the C7, GM still might want to use the bolted in roof panel to stiffen things up a bit for track use. All depends on the final design of the frame that GM comes up with. I have no doubts that GM can design an aluminum framed open air car that is at least as strong/stiff/etc as the C6's steel frame.
A couple of years ago, the then CE for the Vett went on an interview program to talk about the up coming C7. While he did NOT state the chassis would be aluminum, he did state several times that GM had developed the technology necessay to join differing metals and to do so with no loss in strength and at very light weigts. In fact, he stated that this was to be one technique GM was using to reduce the weight in the C7. Perhaps the chassis will be a mix of materials, properly joined, to optimize material use - strength/weight.
12-12-2012, 07:26 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
12-12-2012, 10:42 PM
#8
Team Owner
While the use of an aluminum frame (which many believe has been completely confirmed at this point but I want to see the 'official GM/Chevrolet release' first before I make the same claim LOL 
) will certainly save weight over the current steel one of course. But based on some of what was mentioned above (targa/convertible tops, structural rigidity etc.) I don't think we will see the full 135+ pound savings that the C6 Z06's aluminum frame saved over the base C6's steel one. I believe it will be a little thicker/heavier with more gusseting in high stress areas so I suspect the savings will be closer to only 100 pounds or so.
Hopefully other elements of the car will be lighter as well though.
) will certainly save weight over the current steel one of course. But based on some of what was mentioned above (targa/convertible tops, structural rigidity etc.) I don't think we will see the full 135+ pound savings that the C6 Z06's aluminum frame saved over the base C6's steel one. I believe it will be a little thicker/heavier with more gusseting in high stress areas so I suspect the savings will be closer to only 100 pounds or so.Hopefully other elements of the car will be lighter as well though.
