Ls3 Build Lightweight Upgrades This Time
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,963
Likes: 709
From: WI
Yes post 30. Those braces are very heavy. Take them all off and drive the car see if you can tell or care. Some are very picky about the flex feeling and will try to fix it even if it doesn't make the car (or driver) faster.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 39
you suggesting removing all the braces? Including the ones that run from the frame rails to the firewall? I’m 100 percent open to trying that. I know a lot of people are really caught up on having zero frame flex. But at what expense? Is it worth adding tons of weight to the car?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 39
So i went a little crazy on weight loss this week. But lbs add up . ounces add up and grams add up.
Ive got some more stuff coming in later this week.
My new rear rotors. Probably not gonna run these at the track. but man they are light
Gun Drilled Roller Bearing Main shaft for my transmission. 3lbs lighter plus the benefit of roller bearing over bushings.
Aluminum front seal retainer for my trans from a nascar a little weight savings over the cast iron one.
My new Starter for the inew clutch and bellhousing set up . I was happy to see it was lighter too.
and finally LED tailights. Not really much weight savings but.
Ive got some more stuff coming in later this week.
My new rear rotors. Probably not gonna run these at the track. but man they are light
Gun Drilled Roller Bearing Main shaft for my transmission. 3lbs lighter plus the benefit of roller bearing over bushings.
Aluminum front seal retainer for my trans from a nascar a little weight savings over the cast iron one.
My new Starter for the inew clutch and bellhousing set up . I was happy to see it was lighter too.
and finally LED tailights. Not really much weight savings but.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 859
Likes: 17
From: Houston TX
Lexan Windows all around would be significant.
Can't see what top you have but a glass top is a little lighter than a fiberglass top. There may still be carbon available from EM if you're looking to spend more.
Can't see what top you have but a glass top is a little lighter than a fiberglass top. There may still be carbon available from EM if you're looking to spend more.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 152
Likes: 38
From: Washington State, USA
Crazy Idea.... How About Adding Weight?
I really like your build and see that you have gone to great lengths to lighten your car. It will certainly be a fun car! 
I feel that the easy weight has all been removed, so here is a radical idea...
How about adding some weight in the form of a supercharger?
Not sure if this will affect the class that you might be trying to race in, but given the power gains and your light platform, it would make for a very fast ride.
Unfortunately this has new problems since your compression ratio is likely not optimized for this, and it will likely also mean using a Dana 44 which although stronger is also heavier.
If that is out of the question, then maybe you could save a few grams by switching your dog bones to a partially composite set like on the 1996 cars?
I have no idea if they are lighter but perhaps a forum member can help out with a weight comparison??
The best part is that this would be an inexpensive swap - but the weight savings (if any) might not make it worthwhile.
Best regards,
Mr. Bear
I feel that the easy weight has all been removed, so here is a radical idea...
How about adding some weight in the form of a supercharger?
Not sure if this will affect the class that you might be trying to race in, but given the power gains and your light platform, it would make for a very fast ride.
Unfortunately this has new problems since your compression ratio is likely not optimized for this, and it will likely also mean using a Dana 44 which although stronger is also heavier.
If that is out of the question, then maybe you could save a few grams by switching your dog bones to a partially composite set like on the 1996 cars?
I have no idea if they are lighter but perhaps a forum member can help out with a weight comparison??
The best part is that this would be an inexpensive swap - but the weight savings (if any) might not make it worthwhile.
Best regards,
Mr. Bear
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 39
I really like your build and see that you have gone to great lengths to lighten your car. It will certainly be a fun car!
I feel that the easy weight has all been removed, so here is a radical idea...
How about adding some weight in the form of a supercharger?
Not sure if this will affect the class that you might be trying to race in, but given the power gains and your light platform, it would make for a very fast ride.
Unfortunately this has new problems since your compression ratio is likely not optimized for this, and it will likely also mean using a Dana 44 which although stronger is also heavier.
If that is out of the question, then maybe you could save a few grams by switching your dog bones to a partially composite set like on the 1996 cars?
I have no idea if they are lighter but perhaps a forum member can help out with a weight comparison??
The best part is that this would be an inexpensive swap - but the weight savings (if any) might not make it worthwhile.
Best regards,
Mr. Bear
I feel that the easy weight has all been removed, so here is a radical idea...
How about adding some weight in the form of a supercharger?
Not sure if this will affect the class that you might be trying to race in, but given the power gains and your light platform, it would make for a very fast ride.
Unfortunately this has new problems since your compression ratio is likely not optimized for this, and it will likely also mean using a Dana 44 which although stronger is also heavier.
If that is out of the question, then maybe you could save a few grams by switching your dog bones to a partially composite set like on the 1996 cars?
I have no idea if they are lighter but perhaps a forum member can help out with a weight comparison??
The best part is that this would be an inexpensive swap - but the weight savings (if any) might not make it worthwhile.
Best regards,
Mr. Bear
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 39
Some Minor updates. I started rebuilding the transmission but I ran into a few hiccups with the new internals and had to order different parts than i originally had. I almost got it back together tonight. I also relocated the drain plug for more clearance and got a lightened and rem treated reverse gear.
the gundrilled mainshaft ended up being alot lighter than i thought. Plus the roller bearings should be alot better than the bushings.
the gundrilled mainshaft ended up being alot lighter than i thought. Plus the roller bearings should be alot better than the bushings.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 554
From: Glenbeulah Wi
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Years ago when my DN 4+3 took a crap, I put a Richmond 6 speed in my C4. I find it's more gears than I use on road courses, and I've been kicking around putting a four speed back in it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
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Havent had much time to work on the car lately but I do have the transmission in. Also got more titanium hardware for the suspension. Every gram counts. Also I think i have the exhaust figured out. Going dual 3 directly down the center with a single dual in dual out muffler at the rear center.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 39
Been Working on a bunch of time consuming stuff, wiring, plumbing etc. Motor is running now. Had to change up the tune with everything i changed. Hopefully going to get it on the dyno really soon.
Also Trying to figure out the exhaust. I bought 3 mufflers. I currently have 2 bullet 3 inch mufflers mounted in the center before the diff. Sounds awesome but very loud. I have a dual in dual out muffler I planned on mounting behind the rear axle but I cant decide.
Also been working on finishing up all the bushings. I hate doing them. haha
Also Trying to figure out the exhaust. I bought 3 mufflers. I currently have 2 bullet 3 inch mufflers mounted in the center before the diff. Sounds awesome but very loud. I have a dual in dual out muffler I planned on mounting behind the rear axle but I cant decide.
Also been working on finishing up all the bushings. I hate doing them. haha
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,682
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
Nice to see this project.
this is giving me ideas on weight savings though I imagine titanium bolts arent cheap!
while ive added a carbon fiber hood with lightwight vents & bolt in headlight blankout panels, ive been forced to sometimes go opposite of your strategy - and im not happy about it
For example, ive been replacing aluminum parts that break (like halfshafrs & driveshafts) with steel ones
-added halfshaft safety loops
-going to thicker (heavier) 32 spline 300M outer stub ends.
-adding bracing (ex. Rollcage)
-thick , heavy z07 front sway bar
-coil packs and their mount (funny how 8 coil packs weighs more than ‘1’ coil in the stock setup)
-canton road race oil pan with swingouts
-1 7/8” ARH equal length headers
-heavier shaft mount rockers
all this stuff, while celebrated - adds weight
this is giving me ideas on weight savings though I imagine titanium bolts arent cheap!
while ive added a carbon fiber hood with lightwight vents & bolt in headlight blankout panels, ive been forced to sometimes go opposite of your strategy - and im not happy about it
For example, ive been replacing aluminum parts that break (like halfshafrs & driveshafts) with steel ones
-added halfshaft safety loops
-going to thicker (heavier) 32 spline 300M outer stub ends.
-adding bracing (ex. Rollcage)
-thick , heavy z07 front sway bar
-coil packs and their mount (funny how 8 coil packs weighs more than ‘1’ coil in the stock setup)
-canton road race oil pan with swingouts
-1 7/8” ARH equal length headers
-heavier shaft mount rockers
all this stuff, while celebrated - adds weight
Last edited by dizwiz24; Feb 5, 2025 at 08:27 PM.
