Seats and Weight
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
Seats and Weight
After doing a bit of research, I found out that Recaro has a kevlar molded seat (model name- "profi SPA") that weighs only 4 pounds. Before I get ridiculed for my persistent motivation of taking weight off my car, does anybody know the approximate weight of stock '68 seats? I am guessing that they are probably about 30 - 40 pounds. Fear not, beloved fans; this does not insinuate that I have abandoned my aspirations for owning titanium rotors! However, if I can take off about 40-50 pounds of weight in seats, plus another 50 pounds in titanium brakes and aluminum calipers, that adds up to about 100 pounds. I consider that significant.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Alexarz
After doing a bit of research, I found out that Recaro has a kevlar molded seat (model name- "profi SPA") that weighs only 4 pounds. .
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
They are not $4000! They also have a fiberglass version which looks exactly the same as the kevlar seat. They weigh about 10 pounds per seat and cost about $800 each. The kevlar ones weigh only 4 pounds and cost about $2300 each.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 3
From: San Jose California
Alexarz, have you thought of possiby purchasing an aluminum big block instead and lose more weight in the front of your car? or how about polycarbonate windows? custom chromoly tube chasis? There might be other areas to consider that could be a better value.
I always thought it would be cool if somone could make a mold and someone could cast some bumpers out of aluminum then possibly polish or chrome plate it? Is that even possible? OR would the aluminum make it too costly?
I always thought it would be cool if somone could make a mold and someone could cast some bumpers out of aluminum then possibly polish or chrome plate it? Is that even possible? OR would the aluminum make it too costly?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
Aluminum big block is a great idea. However, I just got finished building up the LS6 454 so I am going to stick with that. Perhaps, in the future an aluminum version will be too much temptation to resist. I have never heard of aluminum being chromed. It must not be feasible. How about anodized aluminum bumpers? This post was about the seats, however. Seats are often overlooked when discussing weight reduction. There is some significant potential to exploit in this area.
Last edited by Alexarz; Oct 5, 2005 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
Originally Posted by Graemeinvette
Oh God!! Hear he goes again, playing fantasy vette!!
My car needs the seats to be recovered anyway. Rather than do that, I would like to replace them with something more modern and lightweight. It is not fantasy at all. These things are readily available. There are plenty of others here at this community who are interested in methods of weight reduction. My interest is not exclusive.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Originally Posted by Alexarz
If you are going to criticize me, Graemeinvette, please work on your elementary spelling, beforehand.
My car needs the seats to be recovered anyway. Rather than do that, I would like to replace them with something more modern and lightweight. It is not fantasy at all. These things are readily available. There are plenty of others here at this community who are interested in methods of weight reduction. My interest is not exclusive.
My car needs the seats to be recovered anyway. Rather than do that, I would like to replace them with something more modern and lightweight. It is not fantasy at all. These things are readily available. There are plenty of others here at this community who are interested in methods of weight reduction. My interest is not exclusive.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
Ok, so you are insinuating that I do not own a corvette. I must confess that you are correct. I don't own one. I own 2. They are made of titanium frames, kevlar bodies and aluminum 632 cubic inch behemoths. Is that fantasy enough for you?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Have you weighed your vette on scales ? If you do all four wheels (using four scales) at least you know what your weight bias is....then you will know where to adjust...if you do it right,the last thing will be shortening up the battery cables ....to save weight..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Originally Posted by Alexarz
Ok, so you are insinuating that I do not own a corvette. I must confess that you are correct. I don't own one. I own 2. They are made of titanium frames, kevlar bodies and aluminum 632 cubic inch behemoths. Is that fantasy enough for you?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
I have not purchased the rotors or the wheels yet. I am planning on buying these in the near future. I don't have anything to prove to you.
Last edited by Alexarz; Oct 5, 2005 at 09:49 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Originally Posted by Alexarz
I have not purchased the rotors or the wheels yet. I am planning on buying these in the near future. I don't have anything to prove to you.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by Alexarz
I have done lots to my vette. Just not those things yet. I plan things before I implement them. Get over your obsession with me, please. You are bordering on homosexuality.
d
I agree with that..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Originally Posted by Alexarz
I have done lots to my vette. Just not those things yet. I plan things before I implement them.
Get over your obsession with me, please. You are bordering on homosexuality.