I want to put the C5 on a diet with zero compromises.
I have the Ti catback so thats a start.
Next I plan to put on non-runflats.
Then maybe 2 piece front and rear rotors.
What else is there?
How about C6Z06 seats with their aluminum frames?
Are there any heavy parts on the vette that can be replaced with lighter parts?

 

read the first sticky at the top of this forum, alot of weight reduction tips depending on how far you want to go.

 

LOL! Yes, it can get crazy. The question is, how crazy do you want to reduce weight? And what do you mean by zero compromises? Does that mean you want to remove as much weight as possible? Or does that mean you want to keep all of your creature comforts, but still make it as lightweight as possible?

Removing the AC system can save several pounds.
I'd guess that SLP loudmouths weight less that Z06 ti exhaust because the loudmouths don't really have a muffler
you could remove the plastic cover over the air filter and keep the air filter in place with zip ties - saves a few ounces and gains some hp; just watch out for water injestion
carbon fiber hood saves 10lbs over stock fiberglass hood
you could remove the passenger seat (I went to one of the cruise-ins like that)
you could remove the stereo and speakers
you could strip off all the paint
you could remove the airbags
you could put in a z06 windshield (they're a few lbs lighter because they're thinner than coupe/vert glass)
drive around with only half a tank of gas or less (just don't go too low; the fuel helps keep the fuel pump cool)
you could remove the floormats and carpet
if you have a coupe, use the transparent top; it is a pound or two lighter than the painted top.

 

Couple more-headers instead of cast iron manifolds, Magnesium rims instead of aluminum.

 

Ok yeah I forgot about the headers.
I want to lose NO creature comforts first. I will spend money replacing existing parts with lighter ones.

On the camaro you could do a carbon fiber driveshaft too.

 

...remove body side moldings.

 

There is a carbon fiber driveshaft for vettes. I know that LGMotorsports and Lingenfelter sell them; probably a few others.

Some have replaced their pop-up headlights with fixed headlights. Weight and aero reasons were why the C6 has fixed headlights instead of pop-ups. Some of the kits look better than others, but none of them really appealed to me.

You don't need a full tank of windshield washer fluid; you could dump half of it.

Keeping all of the creature comforts reduces the list of what you can do to it.

 

Have you read the Sticky Thread at the top titled Weights, measurements, ratios, strengths, etc? You will find a wealth of information courtesy of the hard work of forum member leaftye and others. The thread can be found here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927

The section on weight reduction references the following:

Weight reduction
You can achieve substantial weight reduction with the following modifications, while still having a car that's very comfortable to drive. Most of these modifications will directly increase (and decrease in a few cases) the safety of the car, while safety is indirectly improved due to the better handling and limits of a lighter car. Fighter pilots say "speed is life". Acceleration, deceleration, and lateral acceleration are all forms of acceleration, and lighter cars accelerate better in each of these ways because the tires have less mass to control....thus a lighter car is a safer car. Lighter cars have better moments of inertia which allows them to turn in more easily and roll less. Lighter cars are also easier on the tires and gas.

All the stage weight estimates are typically wild butt guesses, but it makes it easy to see what is possible. The weight listings in the separate weight posting is MUCH more reliable.

Stage I: Streetable weight reduction mods

Non-popup headlights (~40 lbs)
Braking rotors with an aluminum hat, or titanium rotors (unproven on street cars) (~20-30 lbs)
Carbon fiber hood (~12 lbs)
Z06 (thinner) windshield and side windows (~5.7 lbs)
Non runflat tires (~20 lbs)
Slicks (~30 lbs)
Z06 wheels (~4 lbs est.)
Corsa titanium exhaust (~35 lbs)
Long tube headers (~20 lbs)
Halltech aluminum alternator & bracket (10 lbs)
Carbon fiber driveshaft (~2 lbs)
Newer torque tube
Less options [HUD, elec AC, Active Stability, seat/mirror/steering wheel memory, cd changer] (~50 lbs)
Less gasoline & wiper fluid (No wiper fluid=9lbs, 6 lbs for every gallon of gas in that 18 gallon tank....~81 lbs for autocrossing)
Remove
cargo net
targa top (~20 lbs)
BCM’s
C5 "appearance mods" - exhaust plates, doorsill covers, etc.
fuel rail covers
all loose change, CD's, golf clubs, misc. items, from center console, hatch area, and glove box
Replace
stock crank pulley with aluminum aftermarket pulley
steel dampener with aluminum dampener
stock targa top with lexan piece (coupes)
water pump with electric water pump
battery with smaller battery
non-stressed fasteners with aluminum or titanium fasteners
leaf springs with coil over shocks with titanium springs
steel shifter with aluminum shifter and delrin or titanium shift ****

Empty your pockets of extra change, PDA's, cell phones, keys, lead plates, or whatever other junk you lug around
Go on a diet =p

Stage II: Hardcore semi-streetable weight reduction mods
Aluminum flywheel (~10 lbs)
Lighter clutch like Exedy or Quartermaster (~10 lbs)
Racing buckets (40-50 lbs)
Off-road x-pipe (10 lbs)
Replace stock hood, fenders, doors, roof, hatch and bumpers with aftermarket carbon fiber pieces
Remove
Tire repair kit (Z06)
Floor mats
Fog lights

Stage III: Track only weight reduction mods
Racing steering wheel & delete both airbags (~30 lbs, but get a 4-6 point harness)
Use unpadded aluminum or carbon fiber steering wheel
Run open headers
Replace stock front and rear glass with polycarbonate “glass”
Rebuild motor with Al or Ti connecting rods, Ti valve spring retainers and pushrods
Port the heads
Replace valve covers with magnesium or carbon fiber parts
Strip entire car, acid wash chassis, put car back together.
Remore
Column locking hardware
Interior – passenger seat, carpets, speaker panels, head liner, dash, center console, glove box, door panels, sun visors, rear view mirror, insulation, etc.
A/C Compressor
A/C controls and ducting
AIR pump system
Factory radio, speakers, and/or CD changer, and unnecessary wiring
HUD projector
Windshield wiper fluid reservoir and pump
Windshield wipers and motors
Stock cat back
Power steering pump
Front sway bar (drag only)
ABS, TC, AH hardware and sensors (drag only)
Fender wells
Headlight assembly, turn signals, taillights and reflectors
Shave side mirrors
Torque tunnel cover
OEM seat belts
Parking brake
Side windows and motors
Power locks and power windows
Side impact beams
Casting flash from engine, then polish

Reducing unsprung weight—not all is streetable
Forged 1-piece wheels
Use 3-piece wheels by Jongbloed, Kodiak, CCW, BBS
Skinny front wheels (drag only)
Ti fasteners on 3-piece wheels (~1 lbs per wheel)
Lighter non-runflat tires, or even track only synthetic corded slicks
Lighter calipers
2-piece, unvented or titanium rotors
Titanium wheel studs
Aluminum or titanium lug nuts
Remove tire pressure sensors
Remove rubber valve stem cap
Balance the wheels without tires or balancing weights, and then mount tires

Also make sure you check out post #2 which references many OEM and aftermarket part weights for comparison and further reduction here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...16&postcount=2

Paul

 

Get a gym membership it's good for 20 pounds

 

Take a look there on the sticky and you'll find what your looking for!

Thanks,Matt

 

Get a drill with a big bit in it and get underneath the car and go to work!

 

Jackalope - cool idea. Can I practice on yours first?