Weights Savings - Individual Parts (strip it!)

Aardwolf · Mar 10, 2009

Occasionally it's very helpful to know how much things weight. Also it's nice to add up the savings when your lightening a car. Post all you've got! Here are some things I've weighted:

Stock '88 leather seat 40 lbs

Corbeau A4 26 lbs, mine shaved 25, bracket 8 lbs

32 lbs Die Hard silver battery was in the car
replaced with Braille 11.5 lbs

18 lbs c5 rear thin spoke, part # 9593799

TPIS header 10 lbs
6.5 lbs pounds stock ex man

stock '88 rim 17x9.5" 25 lbs

stock water pump 6 pounds
Wieand water pump 6

my harness bar 4
g-force five point harness 6

c5 rotor 16 lbs
c4 rotor 12 lbs

SR lid 6
SR plenum 6
SR runner each 2

stock front 88 sway bar 26T 4.5 lbs
new 1.25"T front sway 10 lbs
sway bar hardware (brackets etc.) 4 lbs

redmen031 · Mar 10, 2009

Interesting info, thanks! Would be cool to make this a running list with any other parts and their appropriate weight.

Ultimo_Posto · Mar 10, 2009

Thanks, aardwolf. I'm going to get a Braille battery!

Here is my info so far for my stock '85. All weights are pounds. I removed everything below except of course for the seats and the wheels:

Spare wheel/tire/jack 34.8
Spare wheel cover & retaining bolt 8.6

Manual leather passenger seat 30.2
Motorized leather driver seat 36.8

Sumitomo HRTZ P255/50ZR16 x 1 tire (excluding wheel) 27.4
Stock FE1 1985 wheel with worn tire 46.4

Cargo space floor carpet 12.2
Cargo space left side carpet 4.1
Cargo space right side carpet 4.1
Cargo space insulation (floor & sides) 8.2
Front floot mats 5.4
Carpet for front of cargo space behind seats 4.4
Insulation for above carpet 0.8
Driver's floor carpet 8.0
Insulation under driver's floor carpet 1.4
Passenger's floor carpet 6.0
Insulation under passenger's floor carpet 1.2

TOTAL WEIGHT OF CARPETS & INSULATION: 57.2 lbs

Aardwolf · Mar 10, 2009

My battery died after four years, I think it had a few years on it before I bought the car. The Braille has been working well! It cost more but 20 pounds of weight savings is worth it to me. What are you doing with your car? 57 pounds on the carpet really makes me want to gut it!

Ultimo_Posto · Mar 10, 2009

I want to do some track days just for my own pleasure, so I figured a weight reduction program would help me to keep up with the C6es a bit. I was thinking that the battery should be installed in one of the trunk compartments to lower the center of gravity. Even BMW sedans have the battery located under the back seat.

Lifting the carpets revealed a half inch hole in the floor in the driver's foot well. I still need to get that patched. It was damp in there. It's a little bit ugly too - there is a faint coat of the exterior paint on the floor and in the trunk, so I'm going to just paint it all a dark color to match the seats.

***WARNING! I do have to warn people about removing the carpet from the driver's foot well. It allows the accelerator pedal to travel further than 100%, which in my case, broke it. The solution is to mount a travel stop underneath it, such as a block of wood.

Here's what I've had done so far since I bought the car 18 months ago:

New tranmission
Repaired power steering
Replaced fuel pump which died
Wheel locks removed & replaced
4 new tires with balance & alignment
Replaced valve cover gaskets
Replaced gas struts under hood

I'm avoiding horsepower improvements at the moment. My initial goal is to get the stock parts roadworthy enough to drive hard. I figured it would be illogical to upgrade the headers when there is still oil leaking out the valve covers!

Here's what I plan to do next:
Replace rear window struts
Replace front air dam
Replace engine hoses
Replace exhaust system
Fix cruise control
Repaint front bumper
Repair driver's door trim & sun visor, passenger mirror, etc, etc.

It's just a long list of mainly mundane (but not cheap) repairs, and it seems like it will never get done, but even so, you just can't beat the value of the C4 for performance on a budget.

redmen031 · Mar 10, 2009

Can you post pics of your progress, it would be neat to see:thumbsup:

MetsC4 · Mar 10, 2009

http://www.exoticmuscle.com/webpage.php?EMCAT=vette&MENU=SHOWPARTS&CATSEL=BODY

Exotic Muscle Has a Carbon Fiber Hood That Is Only 28.5LBS.

:thud: $2,500:thud:

Met

Aardwolf · Mar 10, 2009

Less weight helps a lot. I take parts off the car and sell them for track time.

I've passed many different cars and have found that bravery and skill make more of a difference then the car. At least in the intermediate groups. I haven't been in the advanced groups due to not using race tires. I like to drive to the track and haven't found that race tires increase the fun that I have. They do increase the cost of events, in themselves plus in extra wear on the car like wheel bearings.

Here's a video from the National Corvette Museum event, intermediate group:

http://vimeo.com/2377766

Some general pictures:

New front end links

Lowering

Headlights that weigh less

Under drive pulleys, less weight setup

Removed the A/C, I'll bend up a cover to fit the blower

Road America!

stock sway bars:

New sway bars:

Harness bar and race seats with harness

Ultimo_Posto · Mar 10, 2009

What air dam is it that you have?

Aardwolf · Mar 10, 2009

When I got the car the front air dam was pretty worn so I replaced it with the MAM kit with brake cooling ducts. If it would have been in good condition I would have just added NACA ducts in. It's been working well!

I'd really like a light weight hood, I think it's 70 pounds for a stock hood. I started cutting out sections on the under side. The blocks are thick and heavy!

MSEVEN · Mar 11, 2009

alll ac removale netted me just about 73lb
12lbs for upper reservoir tank, braille battery etc. I still need some lighter seats.

aardwolf, what did you use to hold the blower motor (heater) to the firewall ?

Aardwolf · Mar 11, 2009

My '88 A/C was only 50 lbs. That's everything even the bracket, plus condenser, evap core, lines, dryer, compressor.

The blower motor is untouched there in the picture. It's still held on by the stock screws. I nibbled away the housing and plan to use a piece of sheet aluminum to make a cover between the opening and blower so that it can still be used. It doesn't weight a whole lot and will really help for rain events. A little closer pix:

MSEVEN · Mar 11, 2009

sounds like the 90 complete w/box brackets, etc.etc. weighs a bit more. I considered leaving the blower but ended up just making a block off plate for the firewall.

Dan85Vette · Mar 11, 2009

Great thread Aardwolf :thumbsup:

I've been on the verge of stripping the rear hatch carpet out and doing something different back there. Only use it for luggage and that old thick carpet is an eye sore let alone heavy.

Hey do you have the part numbers/prices on the harness bar, harness and seats. Curious to see what exact parts you used. On the seats, how was install/fitting and do you use them much for longer trips? Asking because I need to do new seat belts and I'm interested in other options to switch over to a harness.

Thanks!

ADDED THIS THREAD TO OUR C4 Info Sticky Thread

artyon:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=682832

Aardwolf · Mar 11, 2009

Dan85Vette said:
Hey do you have the part numbers/prices on the harness bar, harness and seats. Curious to see what exact parts you used. On the seats, how was install/fitting and do you use them much for longer trips? Asking because I need to do new seat belts and I'm interested in other options to switch over to a harness.

The harness bar I made, it weighs four pounds and is gas welded to federal aircraft specs. It was easy to make but the welding takes a long time. Pay very close attention to mounting it as you need to get into the frame not just the light strap metal by the targa mounts. This is what it cost:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/me/steel.html

03-55300 4130 SHEET 6" X 12" X .125" $8.28 end flanges
03-10800-4 4130 STEEL TUBE 2X.065 4FT $26.40

The harnesses are from here:
http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-pro-series-5pt-latch-link-harness.html?productid=937

I then spray painted it and use long bolts for mounting.

The seats are Corbeau A4 that I had the bases max shaved for more head room. Stock with a helmet on was nearly impossible for me. Now I have some head room! I gained about an inch of head room compared to stock. I got them with free shipping from Street or Track. Make sure to get the sub belt hole. They were the only place I could find with free shipping and that allowed the bases to be shaved. I called in and asked for max shaving! That turned out to be around 1.5". They called that into the factory for me, their link is here:
http://www.streetortrack.com/Corbeau-A4-Seats-FREE-SHIPPING-pr-17628.html

I spent a LOT of time getting them installed down low. I even cut the carpet out to gain room.

I remove the harness bar with attached harnesses for street use. The lap and sub belts just tuck under and to the side of the seats and are mounted under the stock belts so I can use those. I went with sliding double locking mounts for some adjustment. I think they are very comfy.

I couldn't stand to track the car without a harness. It makes a huge difference! :thumbsup:

iburke · Mar 11, 2009

If you want a real weight savings Dump the entire A/C system. I just removed it from my 71. I will have to weigh it an see what it comes to.

88BlackZ-51 · Mar 13, 2009

That's a big weight savings in regards to the battery. Interesting post.

If memory is correct, my car weighed 3220. It would be cool to get it down into the 31xx.

MSEVEN · Mar 13, 2009

The only thing I'm not sure of is the accuracy of the original curb weight listed on the car. If it is reasonably close mine should then be 3100 or under w/skinnies. I would like to get down to 3k w/out carving it up .

Posting the weight/s of all of the emmisions equip. would also be good. I never weighed all that stuff, compared headers and stainless exhaust to stock, or front sway bar, cruise etc. etc.

95PoloVert · Mar 19, 2009

MSEVEN said:
Posting the weight/s of all of the emmisions equip. would also be good. I never weighed all that stuff, compared headers and stainless exhaust to stock, or front sway bar, cruise etc. etc.

Don't know about the L98, but I netted a 44 lb. savings on the LT1 going from stock manifolds / cats to Hooker 2151's.

We had a thread going on the "other site" a few months ago in an attempt to build a consolidated list. It's worth checking out if weight reduction is an area of interest.

-Scott

Aardwolf · Mar 13, 2009

I weighted mine at 3100 lbs last season with a quarter tank of gas. I have the speakers and radio removed, emissions, cruise, A/C, cats, antenna, and lighter rims. I think that's it! It looks fairly stock still until the hood is open. I'd like to lose the carpet weight but since I drive to the tracks I don't know if my head could stand the drone.

Ultimo_Posto · Mar 14, 2009

Aardwolf said:
I'd like to lose the carpet weight but since I drive to the tracks I don't know if my head could stand the drone.

The boom is the same. I guess the carpet is mainly masking higher frequency sound. Without the carpet you pick up more exhaust clicking, while resonances from the differential and road noise are more immediate. The car talks to you more, like a proper track machine :thumbsup:

Batman572 · Mar 15, 2009

Greatest post yet my Fbody friend tells me how they have a list of weighed parts we should try and put one together

sammy121 · Mar 15, 2009

i just bought lexan side windows and back hatch window for my zr1 that i want to turn into a drag car.dont know the weight savings but the lexan pieces are light as a feather . found them in the back of a buddies shop . next i want the carbon fiber hood ,then take out the radio,speakers , center console , factory seats ,, car has coil overs but dont know if they save any weight .,remove the rear view mirrors, who needs those when drag racing , also just bought heim jointed rear end suspension pieces from gulstrand . he says that saves 25 lbs . headers on a zr1 saves about 60 lbs as the factory manifolds have cats attached

T.M. · Mar 15, 2009

what about removing the power window motor and regulator.As well as the power lock motor.Lightweight distributor get "real" z06 rims because there magnisium.Carbon fiber drive and half shafts.Of coarse the headlight motor weigh alot,but thats if you can put up with the kits they have out. A full aluminized exhaust.

MSEVEN · Mar 15, 2009

lexan windows will drop some weight ....the only thing that stopped me so far was I 'm not sure I want to deal with the fact that they get hazy rather quickly.
The next project on mine is to "mod" the impact pieces behing the bumpers.
If I knew which manual window rollers would work I would do that.
My old race car (BB car @2800lbs.) I had bought a fiberglass dash, that also dumped a lot of weight out of the car.

sammy121 · Mar 15, 2009

there is a product we use on our planes called plexus. it sprays on just like window spray we use it once a month and keeps things crystal clear

T.M. · Mar 15, 2009

what about having some carbon fiber door panerls made and toss the heavy stock ones?

Aardwolf · Feb 19, 2010

I weighed some more things over winter. And I found some optional equipment info:

Stock glass head lights 2 lbs each
stock plastic .5 lbs each
stock light assembly 10 lbs each w/plastic lens
upper front wheel well covers 2 lbs each

dash screws, big can full from gutting the dash 4 lbs
door panel stock 1988 6 lbs each

Hatch carpet including part that goes behind seats 25 lbs
radio, boxes, antenna, speakers, 25 lbs
dash pad 7 lbs

Stock 1988 electric leather seat 40 lbs each w/bracket
Corbeau A4 seat 25 lbs
Corbeau bracket 8 lbs

die hard silver battery 32 lbs
braille 11.5 lbs

tpis header 10 lbs
stock exhaust manifold 6.5 lbs

stock '88 rim 17x9.5 25 lbs
c5 rear thin spoke part#9593799 18 lbs

stock water pump 6 lbs
Wieand water pump 6 lbs

my harness bar 4 lbs
g-force harness 5 point 6 lbs

c5 rotor 16 lbs
c4 rotor 12 lbs

sr lid 6
sr plenum 6
sr runner each 2
stock plenum 5
stock runner 1 lbs each

stock front 88 sway bar 26mm tubular 4.5
new Addco/VBP 1.25" tubular front sway 10
new Addco/VBP 1" rear tubular 8
stock 24 s
sway bar hardware 4

stock muffler
Hooker aero chamber 14

dampener fluidampr 6 lbs
dampner stock 8.3 lbs

canton 240T oil pan 13 lbs

A/C parts 50 lbs
compressor, condenser, evaporator plus shroud, lines, accumulator, and bracket, bolts, no charge

Melrose roof skin (heavy version, light = 6 lbs) 9 lbs
carbon fiber top and frame weight 12 lbs
carbon fiber skin 2 lbs
stock clear plastic lens 11 lbs
stock top frame 10 lbs

wave shaped metal frame behind dash 8 lbs

'88 starter 10 lbs

'88 700r4 flex plate 5 lbs

'88 Z52 PS rack plus inner rods, no ball joints 15 lbs
'88 PS pump with pulley 5 lbs
'88 ball joints 1 lbs for both

alternator 10 lbs

injectors 2 lbs

throttle body 2 lbs

trans cooler, B&M plate 11x10" 2.5 lbs

lifters, all 16 hyd roller 4 lbs

Frisbee early 9 lbs - late 3.5 lbs

Spare tire and carrier 40 lbs

air pump and parts early 10 lbs

cruise control parts 2.5 lbs

evap system 2 lbs

windshield washer 9 lbs FULL

stock 12" torque converter 45 lbs

9.5" converter 30 lbs

cat 10 lbs

Magnesium valve covers are 2 lbs

Radiator 9 lbs

A/C condenser 5 lbs
A/C compressor 21 lbs w/pulley

700r4 135 lbs

dizzy 5 lbs

EGR valve 1 lb

Underhood lights 1.5 lbs

intake with K&N filter and cut lid 6 lbs

crank 50 lbs

bare block 143 lbs

head 22 lbs

piston 21 oz each 595.339 g

cam 9 lbs

rim 17x8.5 sawblade 19 lbs

rim A mold 21 lbs 11" - 9 1/2" 20 lbs

cargo shade 8 lbs

connecting rod stock 603-604 g, big end 424 +/- 2 g, pin 179 +/- 2 g

ABS 16 lbs

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT WEIGHT

Custom adjustable sport seats (RPO AQ9): +16 lb. (power adjust for backrest, lateral restraints, lumbar support and back angle, special cloth trim)

Power door lock system (RPO AU3): +1.8 lb.

Leather seat trim (RPO B16): +3.5 lb. (as required; special contour bucket seat)

Removable plastic roof panel (RPO CC3): -4.0 lb. (Acrylic plastic. Lighter, blue tinted for glare and sun load control, coated for scratch resistance. Not available on convertible.)

Automatic speed control with resume speed (RPO K34): +2.6 lb. (with manual or automatic transmissions)

Radio delete (RPO UL5): -11.0 lb.

Radio AM/FM stereo (ETR) with cassette player (RPO UM6): +0.8 lb. (includes power rear antenna plus two front and two rear speakers)

Custom two-tone paint (RPO D84): +0.9 lb.

Automatic transmission (RPO MD8): +13.6 lb.

Delco-Bose premium audio system (RPO UU8): +15.4 lb. (includes specific AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player, Bose power amplified, direct-reflecting speakersone in each door and at each side of luggage area. Also features Dolby sound, dynamic noise reduction and automatic suppression system.)
Heavy-duty cooling (RPO V08): +4.9 lb. (includes HD radiator, auxiliary boost fan, and oil cooler
Electric defogger systemhatch and outside rear view mirrors (RPO Z6A): +0.8 lb. (mirrors only on convertible)

Performance handling package consists of FE7, FG3, GZ0, V01, KC4, B4P (RPO Z51): +35.7 lb. (includes left-right 16x9.5" wheels, fast steering, HD cooling, and 3.07 axle ratio for automatic.)

Automatic air conditioning (RPO C68): +2.205 lb. (automatic temperature control)

Weights Savings - Individual Parts (strip it!)

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