400 pound weight loss??

[johnnyblack]

If the GT comes in at 3380 lbs I would shit myself. Imagine what the GT350 could weigh, with all the talk about how the GT350 will get a smattering of carbon fibre

Sponsored

 

[Pablo GT350]

If the GT comes in at 3380 lbs I would shit myself. Imagine what the GT350 could weigh, with all the talk about how the GT350 will get a smattering of carbon fibre

What he said! and what is a GT R? and did you make that up pill?;)

 

[Grimace427]

Wait, what? That would be incredible. This is a confirmed fact?

This in the internet, there are no confirmed facts!

I would expect the GT350 and any other special editions to weigh more than the regular GT like they've always been. I would also expect any carbon fiber to be relegated to trim and look pretty stuff and not for weight savings.

 

[jjw]

I would expect the GT350 and any other special editions to weigh more than the regular GT like they've always been. I would also expect any carbon fiber to be relegated to trim and look pretty stuff and not for weight savings.

Re:GT350…. I think your expectations are off. The areas in which the GT350 could lose weight "outweigh" the areas where it could gain weight. We should also see legit use of carbon fiber. Where would you expect to see it gain weight?

 

[Grimace427]

Re:GT350…. I think your expectations are off. The areas in which the GT350 could lose weight "outweigh" the areas where it could gain weight. We should also see legit use of carbon fiber. Where would you expect to see it gain weight?

Bigger wheels will likely be the source of any extra weight. The engine might be similar, trans and diff might add some weight for durability. Where could it lose weight compared to the GT?

 

[jjw]

Bigger wheels will likely be the source of any extra weight. The engine might be similar, trans and diff might add some weight for durability. Where could it lose weight compared to the GT?

Maybe taking a "less is more" approach? Bigger wheel then what? 19's would make sense (like the PP), and you would think they would go with as light a 19 as practical. Maybe AL knuckles up front that will make their way into the rest of the line next refresh? Rear seat delete, special door cards, more AL and CF in the body. Possibly CF driveshaft to offset gains in trans and diff? Engine weight likely similar or slightly less… but then add on larger radiator and possibly dry sump/larger oil cooler. Lighter crank and flywheel maybe? Saw something going on with AL hats/hubs on the supposed GT350 prototype. I see your point, but I certainly don't see it being heavier then the GT PP. It depends on how serious they get with the CF and AL, which I would think will be tied to refresh plans (further weight loss across the whole line) and the alpha camaro.

 

[Grimace427]

I am hoping Ford doesn't do to the GT350 that Chevy did with the Z28 in that they just threw expensive parts at the car to overcome deficiencies in the chassis, not that I think there are any. Keeping the GT350 on the same level as the Boss(which was heavier than a base GT) would be the best route in my opinion. Steel brakes, manually adjustable suspension, and maybe lighter driveshaft. Any extensive use of CF would unnecessarily increase the price of the car. Leave that for the GT500.

 

[Stuntman]

I am hoping Ford doesn't do to the GT350 that Chevy did with the Z28 in that they just threw expensive parts at the car to overcome deficiencies in the chassis, not that I think there are any. Keeping the GT350 on the same level as the Boss(which was heavier than a base GT) would be the best route in my opinion. Steel brakes, manually adjustable suspension, and maybe lighter driveshaft. Any extensive use of CF would unnecessarily increase the price of the car. Leave that for the GT500.

What's wrong with the Z28? I think it was faster around Nurburgring than a Porsche GT3 -which is astonishing in such a huge car.

 

[Grimace427]

What's wrong with the Z28? I think it was faster around Nurburgring than a Porsche GT3 -which is astonishing in such a huge car.

Don't ask thePill that question! Look at it this way, Chevy threw everything at the Z28 to make it fast. Just like people say, you can make anything fast with enough money. Ford has the opportunity to make a car as fast or faster than the Z28 for far less money because they are starting with a much lighter platform. Would you be ok with the GT350 costing $75,000?

 

[Stevefreestyle]

What's wrong with the Z28? I think it was faster around Nurburgring than a Porsche GT3 -which is astonishing in such a huge car.

There is no guarantee of veracity of the GM claim, or that they presented a totally standard car for the test, on standard fuel, tyres and tune. They were also caught out fudging the times. There was also no independent verification.

 

[nametoshowothers]

Don't ask thePill that question! Look at it this way, Chevy threw everything at the Z28 to make it fast. Just like people say, you can make anything fast with enough money. Ford has the opportunity to make a car as fast or faster than the Z28 for far less money because they are starting with a much lighter platform. Would you be ok with the GT350 costing $75,000?

Agreed well said

 

[nametoshowothers]

There is no guarantee of veracity of the GM claim, or that they presented a totally standard car for the test, on standard fuel, tyres and tune. They were also caught out fudging the times. There was also no independent verification.

Pretty much guaranteed that the times are not representative of the car. They were testing caged cars and modifying tires, suspension, etc just like the gt500 testing, hence why ford has ethics and not releasing times

 

[Trackaholic]

Bigger wheels will likely be the source of any extra weight. The engine might be similar, trans and diff might add some weight for durability. Where could it lose weight compared to the GT?

I'd like to see a two piece brakes with aluminum hats. That would save some weight. Maybe some lightweight manual seats for the front (the optional Recaro seats may have already milked that). Maybe a lighter exhaust? I'd still like the rear seats to exist, but perhaps they could have a rear seat delete option like the 302 L/S. Maybe less sound deadening material. Slightly thinner glass could be a possibility. CF hood and trunk lid? Lightweight wheels (maybe they could get 18's around the brakes, and save some weight there, or at least go to some even lighter 19's). Maybe a simpler stereo system (just a couple good speakers, rather than 8 or more) still enough to have the tunes going, but nothing too crazy. CFRP driveshaft - basically plastic with carbon reinforcement. My 350Z has this, so definitely not cost prohibitive and able to handle over 150 MPH.

I really is pretty tough to make something lighter once the architecture has been fixed.

Would be nice if it could happen.

-T

 

[Stuntman]

Don't ask thePill that question! Look at it this way, Chevy threw everything at the Z28 to make it fast. Just like people say, you can make anything fast with enough money. Ford has the opportunity to make a car as fast or faster than the Z28 for far less money because they are starting with a much lighter platform. Would you be ok with the GT350 costing $75,000?

GT3 performance for half the price? Heck yes!

Are there any links to the claims about fudging the lap time? The in-car video seems like enough proof. Cages add weight and Nurburgring is a dangerous track so I don't blame them. I think the Z28 comes with ridiculously wide R-compound tires and a race suspension from the factory...

 

[JohnZiraldo]

...Chevy threw everything at the Z28 to make it fast... Ford has the opportunity to make a car as fast or faster than the Z28 for far less money because they are starting with a much lighter platform. Would you be ok with the GT350 costing $75,000?

If Ford gave me a vote, I sure would vote against chasing the Z/28 or Hellcat cars. If the GT350 were to beat the Z/28 on the track because of reduced weight, GM would just come back with the Camaro on the lighter Alpha Chassis with more high cost pieces and the race would be on for the fastest highest cost car that few of us could afford. That is not the right race for pony cars.

I think the right races are for the best most affordable track/street car that can race in sanctioned races, and the best most affordable strip/street car. Everything above that should be specialized race cars that are not street-able.

Sponsored