C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Reduce weight

Old Oct 11, 2003 | 09:15 PM
  #1  
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Default Reduce weight

I'd like to hear about anything anybody has done to get some weight off their cars. I've ditched the spareand frisbie, and I'm looking for more fat.


[Modified by rkessel, 2:39 AM 10/12/2003]
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Old Oct 11, 2003 | 10:35 PM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (rkessel)

Factory seats are pretty heavy. Ditching those for a lighter weight option could probably save you 20-30 pounds or more...
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Old Oct 11, 2003 | 11:40 PM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (Rearview)

Does anybody make carbon-fiber replacement parts for our cars. Driveshaft, hood, crossmember. I've heard of carbon fiber wheels for motorcycles, does anyone make them for cars?
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Old Oct 12, 2003 | 12:19 AM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (rkessel)

Somebody had a thread a few months back about a group purchase on carbon fiber drive shafts, for some reason Austrailia as point of orgin sticks in my mind. Sorry I can't find the thread.

If you dont have a clear top get one, it's lighter than the painted one.

Drop your mufflers, replace with straight pipe or muff elims, drop reasonator and replace with x-pipe, should loose another 35 lbs and add great deep loud rumble for about $300 max in mods.

Let us know what you are trying to accomplish so we can be of more help.


[Modified by Beautiful Beast, 11:24 PM 10/11/2003] :seeya


[Modified by Beautiful Beast, 11:26 PM 10/11/2003]
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Old Oct 12, 2003 | 12:59 AM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (Beautiful Beast)

This is a street car that may see some autocross racing for fun. Don't care if I bump myself into a tough class couse the only person I care about beating is my wife and she would be driving the same car. I need it to stay street legel or at least close enough I don't get in trouble. It's 1991 L98 A4 so I don't have a resonator and I already have aluminum heads.

I've heard the glass tops will crack under hard cornering due to chassis flex, doesn't look to too hard a part to fab if I ever get place where I can lay up some carbon fiber though. That would lower the CG too. :)


[Modified by rkessel, 6:05 AM 10/12/2003]
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Old Oct 12, 2003 | 07:49 AM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (rkessel)

Depends on how crazy you want to go. My race car even with a full cage only weights 2620 lbs. There are carbon fiber parts from a company called Toledo Pro. I have their door skins on gutted doors, interior and exterior latchs, fixed Lexan windows. The doors weigh 8 lbs each. They make a roof section that replaces all body parts from the bottom of the windows up that can be grafted on weighs 12 lbs. Lose the flipping lights and go to the low profile fixed C5 lights. Carbon fiber hoods are great but expensive, custom made thin fiberglass works also. Pull the front bumper get that 30-40lbs of impact foam out of it. Toledo Pro http://www.toledopro.com
Jeffy'
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Old Oct 12, 2003 | 11:17 AM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (rkessel)

For a street car, I'm sure you want to keep carpet in it. There are 2 types of replacement carpet available, oem rubber backed and a kind of woven back. The cheaper of the two, the woven type is much lighter than stock.
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Old Oct 12, 2003 | 03:53 PM
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Default Re: Reduce weight (okinawa86vette)

Thanks guys, knew there had to be a C.F suplier for these cars. I'll probably replace as many body pannals as possible when I get it repainted, and since the inside isn't in much better shape then the paint new seats will be going in too. looking forward to loosing, ohh say 500#. :hat

Will the woven back carpet last, or does it wear out quickly.

Also considering new aluminum block from DART but it says it has no oil filter provision. Can you just mount a remote filter or is this strictly a race engine?

I suppose all this will also require suspension mods to get it back down. I think the previous owner had it lowered but I'm not sure, I like it where it's at. how much clearence is there supposed to be between the front spoiler and the ground? I've got about 4"


[Modified by rkessel, 8:56 PM 10/12/2003]
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