Camaro Weight Reduction Thread

[Remhe]

I think part upgrades are the way to go over time. Doc said it better then I could. The camaro comes pretty nice from the factory, but lightweight upgrades to suspension, exhaust, wheels, rotors, etc. will give amazing performance with both handling and speed.

[b4z]

Read on the cadillacforum that my favorite tire, the Bridgestone RE11, weighs 3-4lbs more each than a Michelin PS2.

Saw on a GM site that most of the exteior body panels are mild steel but there is a lot of ultra high strength steel in the unibody. Can't do much about that.

[BlaSSt Off]

Engine cover = about 8 - 10lbs
muffler delete = 40lbs+/-
trunk floor carpet and inflator kit = 10 - 15lbs
LMR cold air intake = 3 -5lbs
Kooks long tubes = not sure

Its pretty easy to drop about 50 to 70lbs and mine is daily drivin with no problems.

[Bell040]

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ons/index.html

Weight Savings Chart

Antisway bar 8.5 pounds
GMPP shorty headers 9 pounds (4.5-pound savings each)
GMPP mufflers 22 pounds (11-pound savings each)
Fidanza aluminum flywheel 13.3 pounds
Clutch Masters Stage 1 clutch 3 pounds
Engine cover 4.6 pounds
Nitto 555R drag radials 5 pounds
Tire pump 6 pounds
Wiper fluid reservoir (filled) 9.7 pounds
Total weight reduction 81.1 pounds

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by Matt TuneTime

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ion/index.html

Here is some info from us for drag racing , This is on our stage 2 L99 package stock converter and gears

We will remove and weigh the sway and seats on our quest to be first stock bottom end in the 9's

Why not do a convertor and Gears before a power adder? It might break into the 10's with those two changes.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by IRONMAN/SS

Is it possible to replace all body panels with carbon fiber panels fitted for the car? if so where could i get this done? and i know its expensive but i want it done.....

and if i remove the rear seats, won't that upset the balance of the car, i think its like 52/48, but would it make a significant difference?

Sorry if this has already been covered. Just wanted to add our experience.

Working with multiple Camaro race teams, there certainly are options out there but they are all so low-volume that they are not cost effective whatsoever for the average Camaro enthusiast. Teams like Gardella Racing with their Red Bull drift Camaro are running a $5k roof that I believe was sourced from Spectreworks. Teams like Autohaus Motorsports with their Grand Am Camaro are running a Pratt and Miller built body that, well lets just say gets close to the price range of a new Camaro. Riley Technologies is the same story; all lightweight high quality body parts, extremely low volume and out of reach for most people who are not running in a professional series with sponsors.

So as far as proper lightweight panels, not just fiberglass clones of parts, the options are limited and expensive. This is something we have seriously considered and revisit it constantly as our Camaro business grows.

In reagrds to the rear seat delete, this is something we featured on our Pfadt Ring-Spec Camaro build that debuted at the Camaro5Fest II! Check the pic! We have the reaer seat delete, and added a chassis bar for interior stiffening with 6-point harnesses. Just removing the rear seat will save you a massive 40lbs For racing purposes if you remove the factory seat belts, you loose another large chunk of weight.

Do not worry about upsetting the balance by removing those components. A full tank of fuel weighs in around 100lbs, and I am sure you will agree that is not affecting your ride quality and balance in a negative way. Even if it did, that is why there are aftermarket sway bars engineered to dial in the balance you need with adjustments!


/blair

[PfadtRacing]

Oh, and dont forget about our suspension components, we always design with strength/weight optimization as the primary concern. In most cases our parts are lighter than OEM, with a few exceptions.

[bklyn_tap]

I took out my window washer fluid and tank. Besides it was blocking the air flow for my -k&n cai. It had to have weighed 10-15lbs. It def gets better air now. Who needs clean windows lol

[The other panic]

I have two questions:

How come white bodies are said to be lighter? I that was a joke sorry I didn't get it...

Nobody has talked about an alu rad...?

Thanks.

[CGR]

We got down to 2839 pounds with our Hankook Camaro that competes in Formula Drift. There is still room for a bit more weight reduction with a carbon roof and tubular rear control arms. Other than that you would have to start cutting up the unibody. That being said, its pretty far from a street car.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by CGR

We got down to 2839 pounds with our Hankook Camaro that competes in Formula Drift. There is still room for a bit more weight reduction with a carbon roof and tubular rear control arms. Other than that you would have to start cutting up the unibody. That being said, its pretty far from a street car.

What all did you do to it? Do you have a project link? I'd be interested to see what was done.

[CGR]

Sorry Doc. There is no real build thread for the car as we had to complete it in 6 weeks for SEMA in 2009. Then in the off season from 2010-2011 we did a ton of upgrades and lightening to the car.

I will see if we can get some information up on the website about the car http://www.conradgrunewald.com or try the formula drift website for car specs http://www.formulad.com/drivers/prof...-grunewald.php