?Converting a C5 into stripped down bracket car?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 97
From: Bucks County PA
?Converting a C5 into stripped down bracket car?
I know this will draw a lot of heat (Flame suit is on) but I am contemplating getting rid of my old bracket car and getting into something more interesting. Anyone remember the old HotRod article called Caddy-Hack where they totally stripped down a big block Caddy and trimmed a few seconds off the 1/4 mile times by removing a bunch of weight?
What can be done with the C5? I am talking minimal mods to the LS1 engine but do everything else. Gut the interior, carpets, seats, dash material, add a roll bar, single race seat, get rid of glass and replace with lexan, slicks out back- skinnies up front, possibly a drag race rear suspension instead of IRS, and upgrade the rear end. Also remove smog stuff, A/C, electric water pump and P.S. if possible. Open headers/no exhaust of course. Anyone done anything like this? What do you think a stripped C5 has in it for quarter mile times? There are quite a few cheap C5's out there and a bunch of cash can be regained by selling off the removed parts.
Just getting cabin fever here in snowy Pennsylvania and my mind is racing away!
Jim
What can be done with the C5? I am talking minimal mods to the LS1 engine but do everything else. Gut the interior, carpets, seats, dash material, add a roll bar, single race seat, get rid of glass and replace with lexan, slicks out back- skinnies up front, possibly a drag race rear suspension instead of IRS, and upgrade the rear end. Also remove smog stuff, A/C, electric water pump and P.S. if possible. Open headers/no exhaust of course. Anyone done anything like this? What do you think a stripped C5 has in it for quarter mile times? There are quite a few cheap C5's out there and a bunch of cash can be regained by selling off the removed parts.
Just getting cabin fever here in snowy Pennsylvania and my mind is racing away!
Jim
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 23,340
Likes: 379
From: Marietta Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06-'07, '13, '15
Sounds fun! I think every car guy dreams of doing this to every car in some form or fashion. But I second finding a salvage car, there are a number of good sites online that do salvage auctions and are very reputable....
The first one that comes to mind is www.copart.com, they get just about every type of car/bike/truck/boat/motorized vehicle you can imagine, and they're nationwide.
Just a thought...
The first one that comes to mind is www.copart.com, they get just about every type of car/bike/truck/boat/motorized vehicle you can imagine, and they're nationwide.
Just a thought...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 97
From: Bucks County PA
I will use a salvage car but if I find the right candidate at the right price. 97/98's are getting pretty cheap also. Either way I was hoping to get more input and ideas. What does a light, stripped down race car have in it 1/4 mile time wise? Mild mods- freshen short block, new heads & cam, open headers, etc. Hopefully lighten it by 300lbs or more.
Jim
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 1,217
From: Wisconsin
Did you see this article, here's your idea to the extreme 
http://www.hotrod.com/projectbuild/h...est/index.html
http://www.hotrod.com/projectbuild/h...est/index.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 97
From: Bucks County PA
Did you see this article, here's your idea to the extreme
http://www.hotrod.com/projectbuild/h...est/index.html
http://www.hotrod.com/projectbuild/h...est/index.html
Of course I don't want to go that extreme but I will do what I can do. Where can I save a few pounds? Gut the interior- no carpets, no glove box door, no radio, no door panels, no console, no passenger seat, plastic drivers race seat. Say goodbye to the glass, all lexan. Say goodbye to the fuel tank and go to a plastic 3 gallon fuel cell. Battery in the back. Smaller radiator. Say goodbye to all the A/C stuff, compressor, hoses, lines, evap stuff, condenser, wiring. Say goodbye to heater ducts, blower, etc. Say goodbye to fat front tires and go to light skinnies. Say goodbye to headlights and related mechinisms. Go to smaller, lightweight alternator. The exhaust system and cats are gone- just lightweight tubular headers. What else am I forgetting? Any guesstimates on how much weight will be lost. Some will be put back with the roll bar or cage depending on how fast I get this thing to go. What does a C5 actually weigh?
I cant wait to get out the saber saw!
Jim
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: chandler az
I'd start with a target goal of how fast you want to run and build your car around that. The rules start to get stricter the faster you get. You can get an NHRA rule book from summit. I'm not sure if its free or you get it free if you order enough junk from them. Mines was free.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
Jim there is a place in Bristol PA called contemporary corvettes that always has salvaged cars of some form or another. I'd start there. On the plus side they probably have every part you may need.
Tom
Tom
I know this will draw a lot of heat (Flame suit is on) but I am contemplating getting rid of my old bracket car and getting into something more interesting. Anyone remember the old HotRod article called Caddy-Hack where they totally stripped down a big block Caddy and trimmed a few seconds off the 1/4 mile times by removing a bunch of weight?
What can be done with the C5? I am talking minimal mods to the LS1 engine but do everything else. Gut the interior, carpets, seats, dash material, add a roll bar, single race seat, get rid of glass and replace with lexan, slicks out back- skinnies up front, possibly a drag race rear suspension instead of IRS, and upgrade the rear end. Also remove smog stuff, A/C, electric water pump and P.S. if possible. Open headers/no exhaust of course. Anyone done anything like this? What do you think a stripped C5 has in it for quarter mile times? There are quite a few cheap C5's out there and a bunch of cash can be regained by selling off the removed parts.
Just getting cabin fever here in snowy Pennsylvania and my mind is racing away!
Jim
What can be done with the C5? I am talking minimal mods to the LS1 engine but do everything else. Gut the interior, carpets, seats, dash material, add a roll bar, single race seat, get rid of glass and replace with lexan, slicks out back- skinnies up front, possibly a drag race rear suspension instead of IRS, and upgrade the rear end. Also remove smog stuff, A/C, electric water pump and P.S. if possible. Open headers/no exhaust of course. Anyone done anything like this? What do you think a stripped C5 has in it for quarter mile times? There are quite a few cheap C5's out there and a bunch of cash can be regained by selling off the removed parts.
Just getting cabin fever here in snowy Pennsylvania and my mind is racing away!
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Im guessing you are going to drop more than 300 lbs, heck just the door panels are going to drop you about 40lbs then with all the ac and smog stuff gone. You might be able to get it in the 2800 lb range. You would be better starting off with a Zo6 as if Im not mistaken they have an aluminum frame which would drop even more weight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 983
Likes: 36
From: Middle Of Kali CA
Im guessing you are going to drop more than 300 lbs, heck just the door panels are going to drop you about 40lbs then with all the ac and smog stuff gone. You might be able to get it in the 2800 lb range. You would be better starting off with a Zo6 as if Im not mistaken they have an aluminum frame which would drop even more weight.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 97
From: Bucks County PA
Thanks again.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 97
From: Bucks County PA
Im guessing you are going to drop more than 300 lbs, heck just the door panels are going to drop you about 40lbs then with all the ac and smog stuff gone. You might be able to get it in the 2800 lb range. You would be better starting off with a Zo6 as if Im not mistaken they have an aluminum frame which would drop even more weight.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 97
From: Bucks County PA
I'd start with a target goal of how fast you want to run and build your car around that. The rules start to get stricter the faster you get. You can get an NHRA rule book from summit. I'm not sure if its free or you get it free if you order enough junk from them. Mines was free.
I am more concerned with reliablity and consistency for bracket racing. Thats why I am going light with mild driveline mods rather than higher horspower in a heavy car.
Thanks for everyones input.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Bracket racing is the goal so speed is not as much of a concern. I am thinking low 11's. If it breaks into the 10's I believe the rules get way more strict.
I am more concerned with reliablity and consistency for bracket racing. Thats why I am going light with mild driveline mods rather than higher horspower in a heavy car.
Thanks for everyones input.
Jim
I am more concerned with reliablity and consistency for bracket racing. Thats why I am going light with mild driveline mods rather than higher horspower in a heavy car.
Thanks for everyones input.
Jim
Jim, to get into the low 11's you don't need to strip the car down like you are talking. Many racers in our Corvette Challenge series at Etown can easily run 11.2's with almost, if not all the factory stuff in the car (my own 98 did that back in 99 and still drove 100,000 miles), and that is with a 346 engine. In fact most of "those" cars actually run in the high 10's (and they drive to and from the track each week) but detune them to run a specific "heads up" class....(anyone know who I mean???) so you can achieve your goal and keep the car in "street" trim for eventual resale.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
I'm signed up to run the 10.5 index at E-town (for points).
346 ci n/a . . . for the heat of summer will probably spray a 50 shot. Now for the rentals with great air I might have to change the jets to 100 - 125 - 150 - 175
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: chandler az
If 10's and 11's are your goal, put a roll bar and a big engine. No need to gut it silly. You still have to beef up the drive train, but you can still run an IRS rear. I saw somebody around here who makes hoops for the half shafts in the back.
I was thinking you were wanting run a full tube frame in like an 8.90 index.
I was thinking you were wanting run a full tube frame in like an 8.90 index.