Cascade Crew

blue89 · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:27 pm Post subject: Weight

I hope i dont get flamed for this, but is there any weight to save by cutting out the stock frame anywhere? I read posts where people drop a couple hundred by tubbing the rear but what about other areas? I was mainly thinking the front. Im sure it would violate some rules somewhere but i dont plan on doing anything but drift autocross or drag. I was hoping to tube the entire front and tie it in with framing to the rear subframe.

Or am i just thinking too big and should get a lighter car?

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:48 pm Post subject:

Drag guys run tube chassis cars all day.

If you're worried about getting weight off the front I hate to break it to you but I know of a big 700lb savings to be had. Wink

blue89 · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 2:07 pm Post subject:

I know. Iron block heads and intake come in at 650 lbs dry. So mine weights 625. Lol. If i go with a small block im only saving 200 pounds unless i get something with aluminum heads. With my v6 and bare minimum interior it still was 2950. I was hoping to mainly cut chassis weight before i think about another engine swap.

QwkTrip · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:29 pm Post subject:

Just make more HP. It's so easy with your engine. Smile

IROCDave · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I cant help it. I wouldnt touch anything on the sub frames with a BBC sitting between the tires. Alluminum heads, intake, water pump, smaller raidator, relocate battery etc would all be better options.

What Aaron was leading youn into is the weight difference between an all cast iron BBC and a late model LS2+. You would save about 300+ pounds and have the same power potential with the latter.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

I know, this is the last engine i play with before going to lsx.

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:57 pm Post subject:

chevymad · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

Fullsize? It's malibu/s10 stuff. The chevelle/malibu are mid-size cars. Razz

And the 1st/2nd gens were nova, which was the "small" car.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject:

Is the nova the best small vehicle with a V8 RWD? I kick myself for not picking up the Nova my friend had for sale. I love the camaro, don't like the weight.

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject:

You want to autocross the Nova?

*Edit: So I take it back Laughing

chevymad · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

The full size cars impala's and such all had their steering behind the crossmember. not in front like the chevelle/malibu/nova.

Here's a pic of a 68.. notice the arm for the tie rod end behind the rotor. Also the front end uses radius arms forward of the lower control arm. By this time the chevelle was allready using the suspension we are used to.

And a pic of the lower control arm itself.

I just happen to have owned a 68 impala and chevelle. Wink

blue89 · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:57 am Post subject:

The malibu front looks way more enticing than the camaro. Sigh. Maybe the best i could do is a tubular k member and just accept the weight.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

I guy on TGO redid his whole front end. I don't know how much wieght he loss though

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:51 pm Post subject:

Alright alright B, beat me up on the technicalities. Laughing

I stand by my basic argument though. They recycled antiquated technology into an alleged "sports" car to save money.

Alphius · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

Solution to too much weight: higher intake pressure. Wink

chevymad · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:44 pm Post subject:

Or a 502 boss hog. Not much more weight savings can go on there.

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject:

Those are truly the stupidest things ever.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject:

How about an LS3 with ~500hp?

Dude riding it was about 6'5" and in his 60's.... loving life!

-Schultzy

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:22 pm Post subject:

For when a lifted diesel crewcab isn't enough to express your inadequacies? Laughing

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject:

LOL... that is one small winkie there Wink

-Schultzy