Weight Reduction - Smart?

[Darkane]

I searched and found 5 threads, all of which weren't super helpful. I was bored earlier and did some research on Gen5 Camaro's and their Carbon-Fibre aftermarket pieces. I couldn't quite get all the weights they saved but I got a decent idea about things.

Here's where I'm at right now - 3760lbs Base model.

1) Neil4Speed 19" wheels - Save 40 lbs

2) Catback exhaust in the future - Save 30 lbs

3) Rear seat delete (Useless anyway, baby seat didn't even fit properly FORD!) Conflicting information but Save 31-42lbs (Seat itself 30+ and cushions 10lbs)

4) Light weight Battery - Save 12 lbs

Now it gets interesting, and where my research came in. A BMW M3 Carbon fibre roof saves 11lbs over a stock Aluminum roof, and more importantly lowers center of gravity by 2". That's huge.

11lbs you say? Useless? I agree, however our roofs are made of Steel! I verified with a magnet, I mean Ford that's a CHEAP upgrade to make on the manufacturing line, and I estimate it would save our cars 15 lbs or more, and drop the center of gravity. Now add an aftermarket carbon piece and we're talking 25-30 lbs.

5) Carbon Fiber roof - Save 25lbs

On the car the trunk is also steel. The Camaro 5G saves 22lbs with a carbon fiber lid. (30lbs stock, 8 lbs CF)

6) Carbon Trunk lid - Save 22lbs

Now additional body components that I was surprised to see are the doors. STEEL. Here we have some potential. This is purely speculative since I can't find concrete information on weight. What I did find was an Imprezza front door with window weighs ~70lbs. The Seibon carbon equivalent is 30lbs.

Lets just assume for numbers and size sake our doors are 100lbs each. The equivalent Carbon door will be 40-50lbs.

7) I don't think I would ever do this because of safety concerns BUT Carbon Fibre doors - Save 100 lbs

8) Carbon fibre seats - Save 50lbs (Both)

9) Driveshaft? - Save 15lbs.

Anyway all said and done I would realistically only do Wheels, Exhaust (Maybe headers, resonators) and maybe rear seat delete. It's neat to see how far you can take a vehicle though. I hope FRPP releases some additional aluminum lightweight suspension pieces.

So let's tally up out weight savings with an unlimited budget:

3760
-40
-30
-40
-12
-25
-22
-100
-50
-15

=3426

Thoughts?

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[Nataphen]

I'm bored, so why not?

-- Gorilla glass would drop significant weight and COG.

-- Catless down pipes would remove about 15-20.

-- Lithium ion battery would save more than 12lbs.

-- Stereo equipment removal, 20-30lbs. probably.

-- AC removal isn't an option in Dallas, but that would be 20-30 I'd think.

 

[Darkane]

I'm bored, so why not?

-- Gorilla glass would drop significant weight and COG.

-- Catless down pipes would remove about 15-20.

-- Lithium ion battery would save more than 12lbs.

-- Stereo equipment removal, 20-30lbs. probably.

-- AC removal isn't an option in Dallas, but that would be 20-30 I'd think.

I got the Battery already. You think I'd save more than 12? Stock is like 31lbs, 19lbs is reasonable for a Lithium, maybe 16lbs but that's stretching it.

I didn't include Long tube headers, but that would eliminate the Cats etc.

Stereo and AC all would be left. It still has to be daily drivable, the goal is not making a track car, but a super nimble street car.

Damn hard to find information about materials used, I assume - however - anyone know for sure if the bumper bars on the 350 are made from aluminum or steel? #17906

 

[Nataphen]

I saw that you mentioned the lighter battery already. You'd drop more than 12lbs. with a lithium ion battery is all I was saying.

 

[krt22]

I don't think the roof panel is a separate piece

 

[Darkane]

I don't think the roof panel is a separate piece

If that is the case, then yes Ford would have to re-tool for the panel on the manufacturing line.

I'm curious how BMW does it then. Even Porsche has different materials for the roof. Aluminum VS Magnesium

 

[Spacebird]

In all seriousness, if I get to the point where I'm looking to drop 10-20lbs from the all-up weight of the car, I'm going to start by losing my own spare tire.

 

[Coaster]

You can also lose the hood liner, intake cover, and keep your washer fluid minimally filled.

Probably about 15lbs total in all that.

 

[Nataphen]

I just did a quick search, and typical Li-ion batteries weigh 10-15lbs. So, you'd be losing more like 20-25lbs. compared to a lead acid unit.

 

[Nataphen]

You can also lose the hood liner, intake cover, and keep your washer fluid minimally filled.

Probably about 15lbs total in all that.

The IM cover is already trashed on the GT350 from the factory.

 

[Coaster]

The IM cover is already trashed on the GT350 from the factory.

Oops missed this was in the 350 section... :headbonk:

 

[Darkane]

I got the Battery already. You think I'd save more than 12? Stock is like 31lbs, 19lbs is reasonable for a Lithium, maybe 16lbs but that's stretching it.

I didn't include Long tube headers, but that would eliminate the Cats etc.

Stereo and AC all would be left. It still has to be daily drivable, the goal is not making a track car, but a super nimble street car.

Damn hard to find information about materials used, I assume - however - anyone know for sure if the bumper bars on the 350 are made from aluminum or steel? #17906

I think I figured out FORD's legend for colours. The bronze is typical of Aluminum parts on the body side, hood, fenders etc. The rear bumper bar seems to be made of Steel (assuming blue = steel).

There's gotta be 20 pounds of savings there too.

 

[Nataphen]

In all seriousness, if I get to the point where I'm looking to drop 10-20lbs from the all-up weight of the car, I'm going to start by losing my own spare tire.

I'd tend to agree with that, but that's just not an option for some of us. I'd blow away if I lost 20lbs. Haha!

 

[Mattrix]

I was able to cut 20 lbs off my car by going to the gym every day for the last 3 months lol. I still have 10 lbs to lose. It sucks but it has its benefits.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

not sure how youll youll do a CF roof on this car, the stock roof is welded to the upper pillars. Not seperate like they were before.

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