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how light can you get it?

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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 03:55 PM
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From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
Default how light can you get it?

I'm looking to build a 74 to 80 vette to drag race. Anybody strip one down. I plan on removing the heavy bumper supports and air tube in the nose and also the rear bumper supports and shocks. All a/c and heating will be removed. I just want to leave the dash alone. Add race seats and a roll cage. Will be changing over to manual steering and brakes. I'de like to get it down to 3000 lbs with an aluminum headed small block.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 04:29 PM
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So far, I have mine to 3,220 pounds. It's a 76'. I removed the following things...


Spare tire carrier - about 15 pounds

AC components - about 75 pounds

rear leaf for fiber glass spring - maybe another 10-15 pounds

various metal heat shielding under chassis - seriously....about 40 pounds of it, lol

speakers, radio, various other electrical things in the car - maybe 25 pounds, altogether.

New wheels - about 40-50 pounds


All in all, I have managed to shave off about 200 pounds or so, give or take. Only thing that really cost me anything were the new wheels. With aluminum heads, I would have to think that would be worth another....40-50 pounds. Couple that with the aluminum intake, and you are looking at yet another 20 pounds or so, not really sure. Do some lighter disk brakes made for drag racing, lexan glass, and the things you mentioned, and I would have to think that you could get her down to a little UNDER 3,000 pounds.


Not sure how balanced it would be, though.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 05:53 PM
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Look for Panics car here on the forum. His is still street driven but it is around 2800 pounds. He has a list of stuff he has lightened or taken off.
Try here for some good info.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...loss-plan.html

Last edited by Gordonm; Dec 28, 2008 at 05:55 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 05:58 PM
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From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
Look for Panics car here on the forum. His is still street driven but it is around 2800 pounds. He has a list of stuff he has lightened or taken off.
Try here for some good info.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...loss-plan.html
Thats where I want to be. Thanks.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 08:57 PM
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My yellow '81 is 2800# with me in it. Full 2x3 frame with at least a 14-pt rollcage. 598ci bbc w/powerglide and a Dana 60 rear. Still has the factory dash, power windows and doorlocks and all glass. No lexan.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:50 PM
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From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
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Originally Posted by Nobody.
My yellow '81 is 2800# with me in it. Full 2x3 frame with at least a 14-pt rollcage. 598ci bbc w/powerglide and a Dana 60 rear. Still has the factory dash, power windows and doorlocks and all glass. No lexan.
Could you send me some pictures of your vette. I would like to see your interior and rear set up. Did you also cut all the floors out and rear tube and replace them with tin? You can post them here or email me at L79racer@aol.com Thanks, Vinny
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 10:47 AM
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If I wanted to race a car from 1974 to 1981, I'd pick either the 74 or the 81, as a starting point. There is a big weight difference between the years and it used to be estimated that for every ten pounds you take off is like adding 1 horsepower
1974=3388, 1975=3529, 1976=3541, 1977=3534,
1978=3572, 1979=3503, 1980=3336, 1981=3307, 1982=3342. Those weight figures are from the Corvette Black Book. Hope it helps.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by L79racer
I'm looking to build a 74 to 80 vette to drag race. Anybody strip one down. I plan on removing the heavy bumper supports and air tube in the nose and also the rear bumper supports and shocks. All a/c and heating will be removed. I just want to leave the dash alone. Add race seats and a roll cage. Will be changing over to manual steering and brakes. I'de like to get it down to 3000 lbs with an aluminum headed small block.
Reducing rotating unsprung weight will get you the most performance increase per pound removed. Tires, wheels, brake disks to start. Then reducing the weight of any thing that rotates (drive line, axles, engine components, etc.). Finally general weight reduction, block, a-arms, suspension components, carbon fiber body panels - what ever your wallet can stand. But rotating UNSPRUNG weight first.

Last edited by mapman; Dec 29, 2008 at 08:33 PM.
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