Club Cobra - Removing Weight

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Removing Weight

Discussion Tools

10-24-2009 05:20 PM - permalink

Ralphy

Name a safe and performance enhancing way to remove weight?

Started thinking about removing glass as in fiberglass.

WHAT.......?

10-24-2009 06:12 PM - permalink

Tommy

There are some things you could do if cost and time are not limitations. Reducing weight can be expensive because it is less about removing things than it is about replacing existing things with new, lighter weight components. The components most likely to produce significant weight reduction and performance enhancements are the engine, wheels and tires. ... When I did my car, I took it completely apart and evaluated every single component before installing it.

10-24-2009 06:25 PM - permalink

Ralphy

Heads? WIN WIN!!!!!

Removes, front, higher weight whilst adding performance. WOW, I gots ta use the word whilst!

10-24-2009 06:44 PM - permalink

Ralphy

Tommy,
Which generation Corvette rear do you have? Mines a C3, I have been viewing and talking with VanSteel. Have you any ideas?

http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1957

10-24-2009 08:07 PM - permalink

Tommy

Ralphy,
My EM has 1987 (C4) suspension pieces front and rear. I have no experience with the Van Steel coilover kit you mentioned. I do a have a 1963 Corvette coupe (similar to C3 suspension) with the VBP fiberglass monospring kit front and rear ( http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=474 ).

The primary advantages of the VBP rear kit are lower spring weight and greater adjustability of the suspension components and the spring action. To be honest, I haven't driven the Corvette on the track and I don't notice any great difference between the stock rear suspension and the VBP on the highway.

10-27-2009 03:40 AM - permalink

Hotfingrs

Are you sure you have a C3 and not a C4?? I've used VanSteel before, they do great work. Had both trailing arms rebuilt by them on a C3 suspension.

I found that after switching to the fiberglass spring, after using the Daytona springs on a C3 suspension, and using the highest spring rate on the glass spring, it was much more compliant on the road. Coil over are the only way to go for racing. Just keep building the engine bigger and you won't have to worry about the weight....lol That's what I did.

10-27-2009 05:02 PM - permalink

Atlantacobra

I've got the fiberglass spring on my rear.....what would that mean that I have - C3 or C4?

10-27-2009 07:32 PM - permalink

Tommy

You can't tell by the spring alone. In this picture below the C3 is on the top and C4 is below. One of the easy ways to tell the difference is the structure that connects the differential assembly to the chassis. On the C3, there is a long steel piece with round ends. On the C4 it has been replaced by a triangular cast aluminum piece with triangular reinforcements molded in. The C4 units looks much lighter.

10-27-2009 09:20 PM - permalink

Ralphy

I was put in contact with VanSteel through Hyperco. I inquired about their composite spring and they gave me VanSteels number. It appears my rear was narrowed app. 5". VS said they can custom order a leaf. However Paul at VS suggested the coil overs. The C4 also uses a four link at the wheel I believe. C3's use a single trailing arm.

C4 coil over
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1906

10-28-2009 03:47 AM - permalink

Hotfingrs

You're right on four link vs trailing arms. Does this mean that you have C4 instead of the C3 as previously stated?? Not saying it's not, but 5 inches is a lot to take out of the rear suspension...I've yet to see a cobra with a narrowed vette rear. That's the reason you don't see the deep dish rims on an EM.

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