Weight Reduction (Nose Weight)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Weight Reduction (Nose Weight)
I have been constantly working on a weight reduction ideas for my 1984 and I am curious about a few things:
Do you know of any lighter weight front brake assembly for drag racing not road racing that is a direct bolt on. If there aren't any available are there any light weight rotors (2 piece) that I could use from another application that will bolt on.
Any other "creative" ideas to reduce weight off the nose so the car will weight transfer faster (ideas other than wheels and tires). I already have aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, small battery, light weight starter, lightweight Toledo Pro Hood.
Thanks,
Sam
Do you know of any lighter weight front brake assembly for drag racing not road racing that is a direct bolt on. If there aren't any available are there any light weight rotors (2 piece) that I could use from another application that will bolt on.
Any other "creative" ideas to reduce weight off the nose so the car will weight transfer faster (ideas other than wheels and tires). I already have aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, small battery, light weight starter, lightweight Toledo Pro Hood.
Thanks,
Sam
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
I have been constantly working on a weight reduction ideas for my 1984 and I am curious about a few things:
Do you know of any lighter weight front brake assembly for drag racing not road racing that is a direct bolt on.
Thanks,
Sam
Do you know of any lighter weight front brake assembly for drag racing not road racing that is a direct bolt on.
Thanks,
Sam
http://www.reddevilbrakes.com/page/page/898389.htm
Red Devil told me at Carlisle they expected to have a C4 package soon....33pound weight reduction on C5..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Weight
I feel bad we never got to meet up at the track this year. My real estate business was crazy busy and the time just flew by. We should make plans to get out early this year.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
I feel bad we never got to meet up at the track this year. My real estate business was crazy busy and the time just flew by. We should make plans to get out early this year.
Looking forward to it!!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Originally Posted by LT4BUD
Early.....nice cool weather....means great times....plus I just got some drag radials......maybe I can launch at more than off idle...
Looking forward to it!!!!
Looking forward to it!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
........ Last I had heard you had really stepped up the horsepower ..........
http://www.powerhouse-performance.com/bud_dyno.mpg
http://www.powerhouse-performance.com/bud_track.mpg
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Dyno and Dragstrip Run
Originally Posted by LT4BUD
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Fixed Headlights
Who has converted their C4 to fixed headlights and do you have any idea how much weight you lost in the process? I have heard claims of roughly 50 pounds savings and that sounds like a lot but it also sounds very promising at the same time. 
Thanks,
Sam
Thanks,
Sam
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Originally Posted by LT4BUD
Early.....nice cool weather....means great times....plus I just got some drag radials......maybe I can launch at more than off idle...
Looking forward to it!!!!
Looking forward to it!!!!
Drag radial.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
Who has converted their C4 to fixed headlights and do you have any idea how much weight you lost in the process? I have heard claims of roughly 50 pounds savings and that sounds like a lot but it also sounds very promising at the same time.
Thanks,
Sam
Thanks,
Sam
Other front end weight reduction ideas:
-That heavy welded steel square tube assembly that goes from the front frame, under the radiator for radiator support. No reason that could not be aluminum round or square tube!
Last edited by Mr6spd; Dec 20, 2005 at 11:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Originally Posted by Mr6spd
GM's Snakeskinner ZR1 eliminated the stock headlights (just fixed the flat covers in place). They replaced the front driving lights / turn signal lights with the short rectangular headlights and turn signals from a 91-96 pontiac grand prix GTP (I think the grand prix SE and some other models as well). They appear to fit nicely! These lights are available cheap on ebay or from salvage yards.
Other front end weight reduction ideas:
-That heavy welded steel square tube assembly that goes from the front frame, under the radiator for radiator support. No reason that could not be aluminum round or square tube!
Other front end weight reduction ideas:
-That heavy welded steel square tube assembly that goes from the front frame, under the radiator for radiator support. No reason that could not be aluminum round or square tube!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
I installed a blown set of shocks in the front and got much better weight transfer.
I would remove the front bumper valance and take out the honey chomb impact piece I think mine weighed 6 or 8 lbs but the shims and extra bolts were about 11/2 lbs.
I also installed plastic head lights saved more than 2 lbs.Those lights sure are expensive for being plastic.Dump the washer fluid and extra coolent in the bottle up front.
If you remove the motors for the head lights just install a piece of alum across the center to hold in the panels.
Dump the wiper motor .I also dumped the starter and went to the high tork minnie starter.
I would remove the front bumper valance and take out the honey chomb impact piece I think mine weighed 6 or 8 lbs but the shims and extra bolts were about 11/2 lbs.
I also installed plastic head lights saved more than 2 lbs.Those lights sure are expensive for being plastic.Dump the washer fluid and extra coolent in the bottle up front.
If you remove the motors for the head lights just install a piece of alum across the center to hold in the panels.
Dump the wiper motor .I also dumped the starter and went to the high tork minnie starter.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Originally Posted by Mr6spd
GM's Snakeskinner ZR1 eliminated the stock headlights (just fixed the flat covers in place). They replaced the front driving lights / turn signal lights with the short rectangular headlights and turn signals from a 91-96 pontiac grand prix GTP (I think the grand prix SE and some other models as well). They appear to fit nicely! These lights are available cheap on ebay or from salvage yards.
That actually looks pretty cool. And I imagine it would save real weight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by 86VX1
The grand prix lights sound like a good Idea, do you guys think there are any legal issues since the lights will be placed so low?
Last edited by Mr6spd; Dec 21, 2005 at 10:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
Originally Posted by Mr6spd
I Don't think so, you can always prove that they are DOT approved headlights. I haven't heard of a minimum height requirement. After all, it looks like GM was seriously considering it.
im pretty sure there is a leagal light minimum when it comes to height. i dont remember what it is or if it even just refers to manufactures though. if you modify it urself it may be legal. kind of like auto manufactures cant tint windows 30% from teh factory but in florida its legal. im not sure. it would look really damn sweet though. or if you wernt even interested in weight savings, you could set up those grand prix headlights as ur regular driving lights and stuff and have like 170w beams in ur regular headlamps for when u need to see through thick fog or pitch black country roads or whatever.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
I have been constantly working on a weight reduction ideas for my 1984 and I am curious about a few things:
Do you know of any lighter weight front brake assembly for drag racing not road racing that is a direct bolt on. If there aren't any available are there any light weight rotors (2 piece) that I could use from another application that will bolt on.
Any other "creative" ideas to reduce weight off the nose so the car will weight transfer faster (ideas other than wheels and tires). I already have aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, small battery, light weight starter, lightweight Toledo Pro Hood.
Thanks,
Sam
Do you know of any lighter weight front brake assembly for drag racing not road racing that is a direct bolt on. If there aren't any available are there any light weight rotors (2 piece) that I could use from another application that will bolt on.
Any other "creative" ideas to reduce weight off the nose so the car will weight transfer faster (ideas other than wheels and tires). I already have aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, small battery, light weight starter, lightweight Toledo Pro Hood.
Thanks,
Sam
if you dont mind my asking, how much weight did u save with that toledo hood? do you happen to know if the older C4 hoods are heavier or lighter than the late model C4 stock hoods?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Originally Posted by 1996man
if you dont mind my asking, how much weight did u save with that toledo hood? do you happen to know if the older C4 hoods are heavier or lighter than the late model C4 stock hoods?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
Roughly 20 lbs savings plus I gained 4 inches of added clearance. I am unaware of the weight savings between the early models and late models. My factory hood is HEAVY. I bought bumper updates also and they are lighter than factory also.