Sin City

I wouldn't go that far. The problem for Chevy is cost of production and development. You can work little by little to take weight out to save a few hundred pounds but that means almost every component is custom to the product. McLaren insisted on this from each of it's suppliers, including it's engine supplier.

To produce a product that is in limited production and at a low cost, you have to use a lot of standardized parts and systems. That means more weight.

But, you are correct in that the Feds and insurance companies require things that Chevy has little control over when it comes to standards and testing.

It's easier to add back in HP but they also have to do battle with emissions and federalized fuel regulations.


As with everything, it's a compromise. I frankly don't think the car is a porker at all. The Ferrari 458 weighs in dry at almost 3,300 lbs --- about the same as the C7 and that's if the 458 is WITHOUT the electric seats that most order. True, it has over 100 more HP but it's not much different in weight than the C7. You have to put things in perspective.

User24

The big fuss is because GM made a big deal out lightweight technology and the C7 being the lightest modern Corvette. Why do I get the feeling I have been lied to?

If 3130 to 3300 is no big deal, neither is 3400-3600, 3800-4000.

Yes everybody, even with 505 hp you can tell when you carry a 150 pound passenger or 200 lb in the trunk.

With 2015 pony cars slimming down, corvette bulking up, just a matter of time before they reach equilibrium. What would be the point of a dedicated sports car platform, that weighs the same as a shared budget sedan platform?

Paulchristian

Lied to? No. Did you ever consider that the new light weight technology made it posssible for GM to firm up the structural rigitity to provide better handling, ride quality, sterring feel, a more upscale interior, etc without letting weight get out of hand? Obviously, GM felt that the added benefits of what was accomplished, from an engineering standpoint, outweighed the addition of the weight gain.

GM did not add weight just to **** people off. There was an engineering goal that was accomplished.

lt4obsesses

I would have to agree with this statement.

blackcorvette06

Is that with the Z51 option?

B747VET

All of this weight fanaticism is just plain nuts folks. People are ranting about a $50,000-$60,000 highly sophisticated sports car that weighs pretty much the same as any number of $130,000-$320,000 sports cars including Porsches and Ferraris.

But, they don't stop there. Some lament the tragedy that this porker doesn't weigh as little as a few $500,000 -$1,000,000 super cars.

Bottom line, this has nothing to do with what the C7 does or doesn't weigh. Such illogically based arguments have more to do with posters personal egocentric issues.

The C7 ZO6/ZR1 cars will very likely continue to kick the butts of Ferraris, Porsches, Audis and all the others at the annual Laguna Seca showdowns. If that proves to be the case, then where is the logic or value of any of these critical rumblings?

Various Chicken Littles in very small numbers have been clamoring that the sky is falling with respect to tail lights, tire size, HP, and weight since day one of the C7. They will likely continue unabated. But, again, to what purpose beyond self aggrandizement?

Weary of self promoting C7 rants by many folks whose driving skills couldn't approach the performance limits of the C7 on any given day.

RC000E

@blackcorvette06

I took that pic earlier today...along with a ton others and all kinds of specifics in my other thread. Scan through my posts in that thread, you'll likely learn a lot because a lot was said.

Those weights are without the z51 option. The z51 option will add possibly 100 more lbs. you're one of those weight watchers though I recall, who revolves your opinion around one factor. The end result is though, Jim Mero, in a z51 optioned c7z51, with a rollbar and 100+lbs of datalogging equipment, beat his best C6 GS time by a substantial margin at VIR.

So...its a substantially faster car, even though it weighed 3500lbs+ as it did when Mero tested it.

Sin City

Classic!

And, like every engineering exercise, there are limitations -- many of which are out of your control. Some are regulations, some are marketing demands, some are bean counter demands, and some are just too risky to undertake.

Why do race cars cost as much as they do? Well, to get weight down and performance up, you simply add $$$$$$.

B Stead

Well, if you plan to de-activate the cylinder-deactivation-sytem anyway then weight can be saved by going to a lighter weight exhaust.

Then the wheels. The BBS RS-GT wheels are 21 lb each front and 23.5 lb each rear. Also, save weight by avoiding run-flat tires.

Next the battery. Take the fuses out of un-needed accessories and try the Braille B3121 AGM battery.

And possibly replace the power seats with mechanical Recaro seats
.

Sin City

Yes, and Titanium exhaust and headers would help!

Cost... oh, maybe 10-12 grand!

B Stead

Headers are becoming available for some cars that include the first cat.
That will save weight but then large mufflers are needed.

Cat-back systems with smaller mufflers might save enough weight. I would definitely get touring exhausts and not sport exhausts
.

Sin City

If you add these, does that affect the warranty? Cast iron headers just bother me.

B Stead

There are laws, court cases, and aftermarket FAQ's that say that warranties not not affected (and I would suppose meaning for un-related situations). The next step is simply the position of the dealer so look for mod-friendly dealers. Also, there is a warranty contact above the dealer.

I think that cat-back exhaust systems, wheels, and suspension systems are safe positions concerning the warranties.

The headers with the first cat are not emissions legal in a few states but legal in others
.

Daekwan06

People aren't ranting on about it. You have the same group of butt-hurt individuals who either hate the C7, just bought a C6 or are forever in love with their C6Z who start the same threads over & over & over. The C7 could weigh 2500lbs, come with 700hp, get priced at $30K and they would still find something to complain about.

Their beef isnt with the C7. Because the C7 could never be "good enough" in their eyes. Their beef is that a new Corvette is now the talk of the town & the C6 they are so emotionally attached to is now yesterday's news.

Drumhawk

[QUOTE=B747VET;1583749029]All of this weight fanaticism is just plain nuts folks. People are ranting about a $50,000-$60,000 highly sophisticated sports car that weighs pretty much the same as any number of $130,000-$320,000 sports cars including Porsches and Ferraris.
QUOTE]

pewter99