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C3 Corvette floor change why?

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Old Aug 17, 2023 | 04:15 PM
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Default C3 Corvette floor change why?

Just curious as to why GM changed from the fibreglass floor in the earlier versions to steel? Was it just so they would rust out like all the other cars when the carpets got wet
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Old Aug 17, 2023 | 04:45 PM
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When they had to put the catalytic convertors on them , they got so hot that GM was worried about melting the floors.
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Old Aug 17, 2023 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by bazza77
When they had to put the catalytic convertors on them , they got so hot that GM was worried about melting the floors.
no way!



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Old Aug 19, 2023 | 07:56 AM
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the fiberglass has a 250lb weight limit as well....and road debris can and will find its way though the floor as well, not that car companies care about car safety until they are told they have to
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Old Aug 19, 2023 | 12:26 PM
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The black book says...

"Engineers put a partial steel underbody in the forward section of Corvettes starting in '76 for added rigidity, weight reduction, & to better isolate the cockpit from heat generated by catalytic converters"
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Old Aug 19, 2023 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by SEVNT6
The black book says...

"Engineers put a partial steel underbody in the forward section of Corvettes starting in '76 for added rigidity, weight reduction, & to better isolate the cockpit from heat generated by catalytic converters"
Weight reduction? That's curious...

Just how much fiberglass had to be replaced by heavier steel to effect a weight reduction?
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 03:05 AM
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Really, since when is fibreglass feather weight stuff?
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 06:19 AM
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My 68 is a featherweight coming in at only 3500 lbs as a convertible when i had a small block in her. I expect now that she runs a big block, which is more steel she should be a bit lighter
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
the fiberglass has a 250lb weight limit as well....and road debris can and will find its way though the floor as well, not that car companies care about car safety until they are told they have to
Where did you find that bit of info? Does that also include the weight of the seat, meaning that the average adult male could not safely sit in a C3?
Were there death reports of people driving along and suddenly falling through the floors of their '68-'75s and getting ripped to pieces?

I have 3 fiberglass ladders with weight limit warnings...maybe a previous owner of my '75 ripped off its weight limit warning label!

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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 10:02 AM
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I looked it up years ago....remember in 1968 the average male wasnt the fat lazy pig we have all become....
In the 1960s, the average man weighed 166.3 pounds and stood at 68.3 inches (just over 5 feet 8 inches) tall.



https://www.healthline.com/health/me...refixedContent

I have to see if i can find the Heffer specifications...its been a while since i looked. My buddy was pushing maximum density so i wanted to be sure he didnt go through. There is no support under there on a 68, just metal seat track mounts on fiberglass
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
I looked it up years ago....remember in 1968 the average male wasnt the fat lazy pig we have all become....
In the 1960s, the average man weighed 166.3 pounds and stood at 68.3 inches (just over 5 feet 8 inches) tall.



https://www.healthline.com/health/me...refixedContent

I have to see if i can find the Heffer specifications...its been a while since i looked. My buddy was pushing maximum density so i wanted to be sure he didnt go through. There is no support under there on a 68, just metal seat track mounts on fiberglass
I was young back then, but I do remember those days when no one humans weighed 250 lbs.
So where did you look it up? I REALLY need this information as I'm not sure if that's 250 per occupant or combined. At 165 lbs, I'm concerned that I may not be able to safely take on a passenger weighing more than 85 lbs! It gets worse if that includes the seat weight...myself and both seats would be right at that 250 lb limit.
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 11:34 AM
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I have kayaks ....and several of my neighbors would be over the max weight rating...

(they're the 9.5'-10.5' variety...not real large kayaks)
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 12:10 PM
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It was 250 per seat. Since i bought the car ive added 15lbs atleast and i am 205 in my shorts. My buddy is 200lbs as well. I wouldnt worry about until you have to. I wish i could find it again. Its been 8 years since i found that info....i did find weights per seat for c6s and i believe it was 388 per seat

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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 12:15 PM
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Did find an old thread. It stated C3s is 450 total including luggage but no link
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...in-the-c3.html

Still looking
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 01:02 PM
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Back in the Fall of '78 in Ames IA. I got to drive around with the largest human to ever ride in my Vette.
Mike Stensrud, defensive lineman ISU and future Houston Oiler.
Mike was 6'ft 5" and around 300 pounds. Our shoulders touched...still the only person that's ever happened with.
I guess it's a good thing I had that steel floor...
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Catfish4818
Weight reduction? That's curious...

Just how much fiberglass had to be replaced by heavier steel to effect a weight reduction?
Twenty pounds or so.
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