[Z06] Z06 Weight Reduction?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Z06 Weight Reduction?
Hey folks! I realize that our Z06s are pretty light to begin with, but are there any reasonable weight savings to be found? The Vette still has to be practical afterwards, so don't suggest body panel removal! 
Here's what I came up with:
Headers- gotta be lighter than cast manifolds...
AIR system- worth a few pounds, correct? Will removal throw a code?
Wheels/tires- any reasonably priced options out there? How about factory magnesium rims?
Underdrive pulley- not sure if this is a good Z06 mod. It was worthwhile on my 2000 Z28. What brand?
Any other advice/suggestions would be great. How about hollow swaybars? I've got to keep the A/C, so that easy savings won't work...
Thanks in advance!
Here's what I came up with:Headers- gotta be lighter than cast manifolds...
AIR system- worth a few pounds, correct? Will removal throw a code?
Wheels/tires- any reasonably priced options out there? How about factory magnesium rims?
Underdrive pulley- not sure if this is a good Z06 mod. It was worthwhile on my 2000 Z28. What brand?
Any other advice/suggestions would be great. How about hollow swaybars? I've got to keep the A/C, so that easy savings won't work...
Thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
weight reduction ................
The front sway bar is already hollow.http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/agility.htm
Last edited by dieseldave56; Nov 22, 2007 at 03:14 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Removal of the air pump will throw a code but it can be tuned out.
An Odyssey 680 or 925 battery will save about 20-25 lbs
Race seats will save another 30-40 lbs
As you mentioned replacing any exhaust component except the cat backs will save weight.
An aluminum flywheel and lightweight clutch assemble is good for about 20 too.
An Odyssey 680 or 925 battery will save about 20-25 lbs
Race seats will save another 30-40 lbs
As you mentioned replacing any exhaust component except the cat backs will save weight.
An aluminum flywheel and lightweight clutch assemble is good for about 20 too.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Non-popup headlights (~40 lbs)
Braking rotors with an aluminum hat, or titanium rotors (unproven on street cars) (~20-30 lbs)
Long tube headers (~20 lbs)
Halltech aluminum alternator & bracket (10 lbs)
Carbon fiber driveshaft (~2 lbs)
Newer torque tube
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
BCM’s
fuel rail covers
Replace
stock crank pulley with aluminum aftermarket pulley
steel dampener with aluminum dampener
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 ****
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)
Floor mats
I already have a carbon-fiber hood (Z16). Does the Haltech bracket really save 10lbs? What is a good, light-weight replacement battery? Any preferred pulley brand? Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
The front sway bar is already hollow.http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/agility.htm
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Removal of the air pump will throw a code but it can be tuned out.
An Odyssey 680 or 925 battery will save about 20-25 lbs
Race seats will save another 30-40 lbs
As you mentioned replacing any exhaust component except the cat backs will save weight.
An aluminum flywheel and lightweight clutch assemble is good for about 20 too.
An Odyssey 680 or 925 battery will save about 20-25 lbs
Race seats will save another 30-40 lbs
As you mentioned replacing any exhaust component except the cat backs will save weight.
An aluminum flywheel and lightweight clutch assemble is good for about 20 too.
I'm not due for a clutch yet, but will upgrade when the factory one quits.
Thanks again for all the help!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
The OEM Z06 wheels are fairly lightweight and well designed, but there are appreciable differences in tire weights between models/manufacturers. I have noticed Michelins (NON-runflats) are lighter than many others.
Other thoughts:
Baer's 2-piece, stock sized rotors.
Shop around for lighter battery (proven for daily usage?)
I never use my windshield washer fluid, so removed the tank.
Yes, retain the stock Titanium mufflers--get rid of the rest.
Research aftermarket seat options.
Oh yeah, steer away from the DRIVE-THRU.
Other thoughts:
Baer's 2-piece, stock sized rotors.
Shop around for lighter battery (proven for daily usage?)
I never use my windshield washer fluid, so removed the tank.
Yes, retain the stock Titanium mufflers--get rid of the rest.
Research aftermarket seat options.
Oh yeah, steer away from the DRIVE-THRU.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Seats, light wt batter and get rid of the speakers. Over 100# savings here
Light wt wheels and tires saves more then 50#s
air condenser and any related parts for the AC
and dont forget to get on the scale yourself. Cut out the Big Macs
One of the funnest pictures is several 250 lb guys talking about wt savings on their vettes.
Light wt wheels and tires saves more then 50#s
air condenser and any related parts for the AC
and dont forget to get on the scale yourself. Cut out the Big Macs
One of the funnest pictures is several 250 lb guys talking about wt savings on their vettes.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I don't race my car, but I'm always thinking about at least maintaining the same weight as oem...the car, not me 
I get a kick out of people who love their Z06 performance, but continue to add more and more weight to their car with larger tires/wheels/sound systems/googaws & widgets...
I get a kick out of people who love their Z06 performance, but continue to add more and more weight to their car with larger tires/wheels/sound systems/googaws & widgets...
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Last edited by Last C5; Nov 22, 2007 at 03:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
The OEM Z06 wheels are fairly lightweight and well designed, but there are appreciable differences in tire weights between models/manufacturers. I have noticed Michelins (NON-runflats) are lighter than many others.
Other thoughts:
Baer's 2-piece, stock sized rotors.
Shop around for lighter battery (proven for daily usage?)
I never use my windshield washer fluid, so removed the tank.
Yes, retain the stock Titanium mufflers--get rid of the rest.
Research aftermarket seat options.
Oh yeah, steer away from the DRIVE-THRU.
Other thoughts:
Baer's 2-piece, stock sized rotors.
Shop around for lighter battery (proven for daily usage?)
I never use my windshield washer fluid, so removed the tank.
Yes, retain the stock Titanium mufflers--get rid of the rest.
Research aftermarket seat options.
Oh yeah, steer away from the DRIVE-THRU.
A light-weight battery seems like a great idea, so I'm hoping that folks with advice on a good one will chime in.
I'm working on losing some fat myself...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Seats, light wt batter and get rid of the speakers. Over 100# savings here
Light wt wheels and tires saves more then 50#s
air condenser and any related parts for the AC
and dont forget to get on the scale yourself. Cut out the Big Macs
One of the funnest pictures is several 250 lb guys talking about wt savings on their vettes.
Light wt wheels and tires saves more then 50#s
air condenser and any related parts for the AC
and dont forget to get on the scale yourself. Cut out the Big Macs
One of the funnest pictures is several 250 lb guys talking about wt savings on their vettes.
Same question on rims/tires...
Gotta keep the A/C.
Yah. I weigh about 205lbs and am trying to get down to about 195 for appearance reasons, rather than for the Z06, but point taken.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
I'm all over that set-up! How often do you drive it and is it reliable? Need a battery-tender on it often? Thanks in advance!