Project weight loss

[MNGT350]

So spring and Covid gave me time to move forward on making this car feel more nimble. Track oriented gearing and power at higher revs in a 3700 pound car has its negatives darting around town in day to day driving.

Losing these anchors:

Replacing with these:

(was shocked how heavy those iron rotors are!)

Didn't go with rotor change for back wheels, just under 7 pounds saved per rotor wasn't enough to justify cost. Already did enough mental gymnastics to justify money spent on the SV502s and front rotors/pads.


Did some light driving when done, apparently need to do that for a couple hundred miles before bedding the ceramic brakes.

First thing I noticed was lighter steering feel. Always drive in sport, love the heavier feel in general. I hope I adjust to the feel over time. Immediately got me on the forums trying to figure out how to add some weight back to the steering with other mods. Doh!

Anyway, once I get some more time and let her loose a bit more will report back.

Went with extreme contact sports. 295/35/19 in back, 285/35/19 in front. (oem staggered non-R wheel size in the SV502)) Did a lot of research on sizing, measured widths on tire rack, and finally decided to go a bit smaller than OEM after reading Billy Johnson's article on sizing and handling. They fit perfectly, better than the stock supersports which always look like they don't quite fit right.

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[Andy13186]

How much weight did those rotors save? Also, how much lighter was the new wheel and tire combo? Looks good.

 

[MNGT350]

How much weight did those rotors save? Also, how much lighter was the new wheel and tire combo? Looks good.

Rotors roughly 16 pounds each side. Wheels around 9 or 10? Didn't weigh the tire/wheel combo. 50+ pounds off front rotating mass, 20 off rear. Conti tires a pound or two lighter than PSS I think too.

 

[sublime1996525]

Damn man! That’s off to a good start.

 

[Tomster]

Rotors roughly 16 pounds each side. Wheels around 9 or 10? Didn't weigh the tire/wheel combo. 50+ pounds off front rotating mass, 20 off rear. Conti tires a pound or two lighter than PSS I think too.

I was looking at carbon ceramic for the 500 that's coming. Current prices are expensive. What did the rotors set you back?

 

[MNGT350]

I was looking at carbon ceramic for the 500 that's coming. Current prices are expensive. What did the rotors set you back?

I got them through Tony Brakohiapa at TBR performance. 4500 front only, with pads included. His are only GT350 sized I think. (same ceramic rotor as ZR1/Z28/McLaren, but with GT350 specific hats). I think it's over 5 grand from racing brake for their GT350 spec.

FYI, Ceramic rotors are 2600 if you buy the GM version through AC delco online, but you'd have to come up with a solution to the hats.

I know racing brake is doing GT500 carbon cermaics as well, there was a thread about it recently here, might be on their site.

 

[Tomster]

I got them through Tony Brakohiapa at TBR performance. 4500 front only, with pads included. His are only GT350 sized I think. (same ceramic rotor as ZR1/Z28/McLaren, but with GT350 specific hats). I think it's over 5 grand from racing brake for their GT350 spec.

FYI, Ceramic rotors are 2600 if you buy the GM version through AC delco online, but you'd have to come up with a solution to the hats.

I know racing brake is doing GT500 carbon cermaics as well, there was a thread about it recently here, might be on their site.

Yes, I saw the thread, the prices are still nuts. I will have to wait until the world gets back on track before I can start my projects.

If you want to save another 20#, look into an antigravity lithium battery.

 

[MNGT350]

Yes, I saw the thread, the prices are still nuts. I will have to wait until the world gets back on track before I can start my projects.

If you want to save another 20#, look into an antigravity lithium battery.

Likely will do the battery when I need a new one down the road. Also once they have the bracket totally set up to go with it. I think you helped them with that some. ;)

 

[Tomster]

Likely will do the battery when I need a new one down the road. Also once they have the bracket totally set up to go with it. I think you helped them with that some. ;)

I wouldn't wait. Just get a piece of sturdy plastic and cut it to shape. I used a black cutting board. It wedges into the OEM battery tub and you can use the OEM wedge battery bolt to secure it. If you do get the battery, get the Ctek charger. The battery comes half charged and needs to be topped off before use.

Edited to add:

Nice choice of wheels, you saved a lot of weight there...... Over 30 pounds of weigh savings is huge for the brakes. Another 20#?. Wow.

Some Cup 2s would be huge in performance gains.

 

[MNGT350]

I wouldn't wait. Just get a piece of sturdy plastic and cut it to shape. I used a black cutting board. It wedges into the OEM battery tub and you can use the OEM wedge battery bolt to secure it. If you do get the battery, get the Ctek charger. The battery comes half charged and needs to be topped off before use.

Edited to add:

Nice choice of wheels, you saved a lot of weight there...... Over 30 pounds of weigh savings is huge for the brakes. Another 20#?. Wow.

Some Cup 2s would be huge in performance gains.

Yeah, it's a lot of weight off. On some initial mild driving, really lighter on turns. Steering feel lighter too, but I'm getting used to it. Do wish I could just dial up the steering weight on a knob or something, now that there is so much less rotating mass to turn.

I think over time I'm really going to like the change in how the car feels, will see how goes once I start pushing it some more on back roads.

edit: on the wheels, really no reason to go anywhere other than signature on aftermarket wheels. I guess forgeline if money no object, but the quality/price ratio on signature can't be beat

 

[Tomster]

Yeah, it's a lot of weight off. On some initial mild driving, really lighter on turns. Steering feel lighter too, but I'm getting used to it. Do wish I could just dial up the steering weight on a knob or something, now that there is so much less rotating mass to turn.

I think over time I'm really going to like the change in how the car feels, will see how goes once I start pushing it some more on back roads.

Not to plant a seed after the battery, but the next step would be an R wing and splitter. I think there is a thread out there where @galaxy got a CF R wing from one of the carbon manufacturers. Anyway, where does the madness stop?

 

[Vettel-ish]

Expensive but man they are beautiful! Keep us posted on more.

 

[MNGT350]

Not to plant a seed after the battery, but the next step would be an R wing and splitter. I think there is a thread out there where @galaxy got a CF R wing from one of the carbon manufacturers. Anyway, where does the madness stop?

Ha! madness is right.

Not trying to make an R clone, already have too much trouble with scraping the splitter. Not a wing/spoiler guy either, so OK there.

 

[Tomster]

Ha! madness is right.

Not trying to make an R clone, already have too much trouble with scraping the splitter. Not a wing/spoiler guy either, so OK there.

Im more a function over form kind of guy. I get it, but if/when you want more performance, there it is.

 

[50 Deep]

Excellent work with the upgrades. Carbon ceramic rotors are in my future for sure.

How much weight did those rotors save? Also, how much lighter was the new wheel and tire combo? Looks good.

OEM GT350 wheels = 33 lbs

Signature Wheel SV902 = 20/21 lbs

roughly 48 lbs lost on the wheel upgrade.

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