C7 Weight Issues
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
Oh boy have you just reopened a can of worms. I'd love to see an analysis showing exactly what items, and how many lbs. for each, offset the 200lbs lower starting point in your C4 PLUS the lighter aluminum frame, engine block and heads, CF body panels, no spare and jack, etc. We can surmise it is airbags all over the place, passenger compartment reinforcements in doors and A-pillars, extra sound insulation, interior coverings, steel torque tube, much bigger brakes, and other items. Problem is, we're all conjecturing and nobody really knows except the C7 team.
The comparison would be very interesting. I hold to the belief that GM could have made a great Vette sticking to a no-compromise "it will be less than 3K lbs" mandate even given the safety and usable space requirements. But, they had their reasons not to...and they are smart people.
The comparison would be very interesting. I hold to the belief that GM could have made a great Vette sticking to a no-compromise "it will be less than 3K lbs" mandate even given the safety and usable space requirements. But, they had their reasons not to...and they are smart people.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
I'm in the habit of weighing everything in my car when I remove it. I happened to have both seats out of my 86 one day and compared the weights: the electric driver's seat was 15# heavier than the manual passenger seat. That's just the seat, then you add the wiring and relays and switches. You're looking at at least a half percent of the vehicle empty weight. Multiply that by probably a dozen other systems on the C7, and you end up heavier than desired.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 614
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,355
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Drivers' weights can vary by 150 lbs EASILY (100 lb woman or jockey vs. 300 lb 6'2" powerlifter. Those that include driver could be meaningfully affected by that variable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 614
Like I said, the curb weights of American cars are always spot on in these magazines.
