BiZ

What are the routes one could take to drop the ZR1's weight. These cars make great power, but they are also some heavy SOBs.

FastZR1

Drop the spare tire. 20-25 pounds maybe.
Remove all that loose change under the driver seat. 1-2 pounds

Just a thought, :yesnod:

Jeffvette

Lexan ear hatch 40lbs, lexan side windows. Remove all A/C components, dump the seats for lightweight buckets few other ways, but not a whole lot can be done with out removing the comforts.

Rkreigh

lexan hatch, windows, race seats, remove insulation, AC, lighter hood, remove headlight buckets and go to fixed headlamps, lexan top, dynamag or other light weight wheels, hollow sway bars, lightweight flywheel, lighter rotors, it all adds up. I think 400 lbs can be taken away without destroying the car, but it will cost ya.

or go full boogie with a tube frame. the snake skinner was a factory effort to put porky on a diet. It was right around 2800-2900 lbs as I remember which delivered excellent performance with 475 hp.

it's pretty expensive to make the car lighter OR build more HP. you have to ask yourself if you want to cut up a ZR1 or build a race car. I'm interested in getting mine lighter too, but the cost is pretty high from a $$$ and comfort standpoint.

a little at a time is my approach. :D

The Dingo

Ron, I really like the way you think ;).

I think one of the Black Widow ZR1's was put supposed to have been put on a diet that saved about 300 pounds so I'd have to agree that your estimate appears very realistic.

IMO, the starting points for a lighter street Z (or any C4 for that matter) would be:
- Spare tire delete (remember, the spare is apparently designed as a structural member in the event of a rear end collision and there are parts you can install to "substitute" the spare's role in a rear end collision should you choose to do so).
- Lighter wheels (I LOVE Dymags but their prices are insane - for my budget anyway...) The next lightest should be Fikse then OZ I think.
-Single mass flywheel
- Lexan or clear top instead of "solid" panel.
- Lighter hood
- Lighter seats

The seats, and flywheel will start to encroach on comfort how much depends on you...

I wonder if the "cheaper to build hp than to drop the equivalent amount of weight using lighter parts" idea still applies to the LT5 given the cost of modifying it for more power. Not being smart, just thinking out loud.

Imagine how a modded ZR1 would pull in the top end carrying a few hundred pounds less... :D Actually, I better not. :)


[Modified by Red 90 L98 Coupe, 1:01 AM 3/9/2002]

555ciC4

13 pound battery. http://www.performancedistributors.com/batteries.htm. I use one in my car. 3000LBS with drag wheels and tires.


[Modified by 555ciC4, 5:54 PM 3/8/2002]

The Dingo

555ciC4, Just wondering, is that a Toledo Pro hood? If so, is that the 2/3/4" version. I've been thinking about one of those but can't see too many good pics on the web.

555ciC4

Yes, it is.

ZR1

I don't believe the Snakeskinner got down that light. I thought it was around 3200 lbs. at best. I remember DRM LeMans effort only got down to 2700 lbs and that was with a body that weighed less than 100 lbs total.

Lexan windows? Your just begging for misery aren't you :)

BTW, I have a carbon fiber hood for sale. Original cost, $1700. My cost to you is $1000.

BiZ

What is the weight difference between the stock and carbon fiber hoods? Do you have any pictures you can send me?

Jason

The Dingo

ZR1, I'm also interested in the hood. Do you have pics you can e-mail me? Who manufactured it? Does it have bracing on the underside or is it the shell type?

[Modified by Red 90 L98 Coupe, 3:20 PM 3/9/2002]


[Modified by Red 90 L98 Coupe, 8:08 PM 3/9/2002]


[Modified by Red 90 L98 Coupe, 8:11 PM 3/9/2002]

OldZR-1Guy

I got a carbon fiber hood from Callaway the year after I bought my car. It weighed around 30 pounds without the brackets, as opposed to over 100 for the stock hood. It was so light that the struts would push it up once you got it unlatched and moving. It had to be pushed down to get it closed. All that said, it was miserable to have on a street car; shook so bad some of the fasteners came loose. However, if you only use your car for track events, go nuts. It's one of the easiest ways to drop weight from the car.

The Dingo

Just a thought, would race regulations have had an effect on the Rippie Le Mans cars weight (maybe there was a minimum weight for its race class). Just thinking out loud.


[Modified by Red 90 L98 Coupe, 9:17 PM 3/9/2002]

zrracer

I redid the side windows with Lexan also. Replace the carpeting with the juteless backing and save 25 pounds. Remove the rear speakers and the shade. When you replace the rear glass with Lexan you remove the struts also. Seats make a big difference. I think the stock seats and mounting weighed in at 41 pounds. I got Carbon Fiber seats and manual sliders. I have the Toledo Pro Carbon Fiber hood and love it. :cheers:

Rkreigh

zrracer, what wheels are those??? very schweet.

I'm looking for a good lightweight seat that is confortable.

the toledo pro CF hood sounds good. I think the lexan windows might be a pain, but worth it!!! I'd like to get my porky 95 down to 3K, that's AT LEAST a 5-600 lb reduction. tought to do.

:troll

BiZ

zrracer, are you going to be bringing the Z to any future Misfit events? I would like to get a closer look at it. I didn't get that good of a look at the car at the december gathering.

zrracer

The wheels are made by Complete Custom Wheels in Daytona. 3-piece and very light. John makes a great wheel! I will get to more Misfits gatherings. I would be happy to show you guys everything I did to make the car lighter. :cheers:

Rkreigh

I'm very interested!!! any POC info you have on those wheels would be appreciated. I really love your car, looks schweet!!! I am interested in doing a twin turbo snake skinner. it would be awesome!!! :yesnod:

zrracer

I will forward this to John, The guy that builds the wheels. I am sure he will email you pack. I have 325/35/18 fronts and 335/40/17 rears. :cheers:

ZR1

The carbon fiber hood I have is from DRM. I think that Melrose T Tops makes the hood. The hood is painted black but it would need repainting no matter what as it was scratched during transport. There is no hardware on the hood.