Weight Reduction for C3s
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla California
Weight Reduction for C3s
I know this topic has probably been discussed before, but I couldn't find it in the archives (Is the search engine even working? I got no returns on "weight reduction".).
I'm trying to slim down my '79 as much as possible w/out making any major visual or structural/stability changes. Currently I have its weight down to 3500lbs w/ 1/3 tank of gas with the following weight reductions:
Removed all A/C components and emissions equipment
Aluminum cylinder heads, accessory brackets, and radiator
Headers
Removed jack/spare/carrier
Now I've heard of all the following reductions but haven't done them (anyone know how much weight they save?):
Fiberglass Monospring
Aluminum Radiator Bracket
Larger lightweight rims w/ lower profile tires
Removing bumper reinforcements
Anything else? Ideas?
I'm curious to see what weight some of you are running at and what you had to do to get there.
Thanks
I'm trying to slim down my '79 as much as possible w/out making any major visual or structural/stability changes. Currently I have its weight down to 3500lbs w/ 1/3 tank of gas with the following weight reductions:
Removed all A/C components and emissions equipment
Aluminum cylinder heads, accessory brackets, and radiator
Headers
Removed jack/spare/carrier
Now I've heard of all the following reductions but haven't done them (anyone know how much weight they save?):
Fiberglass Monospring
Aluminum Radiator Bracket
Larger lightweight rims w/ lower profile tires
Removing bumper reinforcements
Anything else? Ideas?
I'm curious to see what weight some of you are running at and what you had to do to get there.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
About the only thing I can think of is replacing the Urethane bumpers for the fiberglass ones. I believe they're a bit lighter. And header/sidepipes are lighter then dual exhaust.
Scott
[Modified by Scott78, 10:50 PM 7/30/2002]
Scott
[Modified by Scott78, 10:50 PM 7/30/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Scott78)
Passenger seat, CD player, carpet and mats should be worth another 100lbs. :lol:
No seriously, see here how GM saved 250lbs in going from 1979 to 1980 (from Vette Magazine, 1980 - rest of the article on my site):
No seriously, see here how GM saved 250lbs in going from 1979 to 1980 (from Vette Magazine, 1980 - rest of the article on my site):
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
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From: La Jolla California
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (SuperFast80)
Most of those things seem rather hard to adapt to a '79, but not all. Do the '80 t tops fit on a '79? What about the bumpers - are they compatible also (thinking about painting soon anyway)?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
I have a Sparco 12 pound racing seat and five point harness. Centerline 17 inch wheels. My roll cage and 700R4 added some weight. I gutted the area behind the seats and went with custom carpet and thin sound/thermal matting.
I have all my bumpers and a reinforced frame.
The lighted I've seen is 2800 in a more pure drag car.
I have all my bumpers and a reinforced frame.
The lighted I've seen is 2800 in a more pure drag car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (gkull)
i knew I saw a webpage on this topic - took me a minute to find it....
http://www.vettenet.org/lighter.html
MJ
http://www.vettenet.org/lighter.html
MJ
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Palm City Fl
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
I would look at Battery, Intake, Water pump, Stereo, and any of the hundreds of small redundant steel brackets that could be replaced with Aluminum. :yesnod: You are thinking along the way I do ( :eek: ) ie make it eisier for the car to perform. Colin Chapman; Mr. Lotus; was right!! :cheers: Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
See my thread from a few weeks back on "wheel and tire weigh in"
Also - the Steeroids conversions saves about 12 lbs.
W.
[Modified by flynhi, 8:25 PM 7/31/2002]
Also - the Steeroids conversions saves about 12 lbs.
W.
[Modified by flynhi, 8:25 PM 7/31/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (QuickVet)
An aftermarket hood can save a few pounds.
The bumper supports can be replicated in aluminum for a big weight savings.
Ditch the big steel air tank behind the headlights.
The bumper supports can be replicated in aluminum for a big weight savings.
Ditch the big steel air tank behind the headlights.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
Wheels---American Racing Torque thrust II's---17lb. Stock ---25-30lb. Aluminum water pump & intake.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
Most of those things seem rather hard to adapt to a '79, but not all. Do the '80 t tops fit on a '79? What about the bumpers - are they compatible also (thinking about painting soon anyway)?
As for the bumpers, I am not sure, but believe a lot of integration work is involved, as the 80's bumpers extend further into the body than earlier ones do.
-Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
It costs a lot of money to pare down your curb weight through component replacement. You can only go so far in removing items since there just aren't that many extraneous components to remove. You got the big one...the air conditioning. That saves about 100 lbs. I'll suppose you've got deep enough pockets to go further, but replacing the rear with the aluminum '80 rear is doable and shaves quite a bit. Replacing the heavy iron calipers with aluminum makes quite a difference in sprung and un-sprung weight. A lighter wheel and tire combo...ditto. Essentially replacing just about anything made of iron with aluminum or magnesium is going to make a difference as it all adds up. Things like the master cylinder. Of course you can easily drop about 125 lbs by going to a lighter engine like an aluminum block. All of this stuff is real pie in the sky stuff for me but if you've got those deep pockets you can achieve a significantly lighter but still streetable C3.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
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From: La Jolla California
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (1979toy)
How much does the vacuum reservoir weigh? Will the headlights still pop up if you just run vacuum tubing to them?
Anybody have any idea how much it costs to get aluminum bumper supports made? For those who have done this, how much weight did it save?
About removing the bumpers to remove the reinforcements, I'm worried about them sticking and messing up the paint. If I pull the bumper off, is this a possibility?
Anybody have any idea how much it costs to get aluminum bumper supports made? For those who have done this, how much weight did it save?
About removing the bumpers to remove the reinforcements, I'm worried about them sticking and messing up the paint. If I pull the bumper off, is this a possibility?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
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From: La Jolla California
Re: Weight Reduction for C3s (Langadorf)
Also, I always thought the stock seats were rather light but some people have suggested racing seats. Anyone know how much the stock ones weigh?