Drop 50 MORE lbs off the front! PICS!
03-24-2008, 10:04 PM
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Drop 50 MORE lbs off the front! PICS! Everybody knows the easy weight reduction in the front is removing the bumper support and sway bar, going to a pin-on hood, and lighter k-member, a-arms, brakes, shocks etc. But what do you do when you've already done that? Well you cut, cut, and cut some more. Then you throw in a few pieces of aluminum to tie it all together. It's mind boggling how much each bracket and section of metal adds up in the front end. I cut close to 60lbs off (all in front of the k-member). My estimate for the entire front aluminum support is 8-9 lbs. I will weigh to verify shortly. The radiator is a 22X14 Afco, which weighs about the same as the stock radiator.
I wasn't sure how it would end up, but I hacked away and started brainstorming for ideas to put it back together. With the help of some friends we did a number on it and MAN is it SWEEEEET!
Pictures really do all the talking. This front-end is completely removable in less than 5 minutes, bumper and all right off the front. Talk about engine swap friendly!
It's not quite done. I still have to add a thin sheet to tie in the lower bumper support and keep the air from trapping under the car.
The car should be near driveable in 2 weeks, so updated pics with the engine bay painted are coming shortly.
I wasn't sure how it would end up, but I hacked away and started brainstorming for ideas to put it back together. With the help of some friends we did a number on it and MAN is it SWEEEEET!
Pictures really do all the talking. This front-end is completely removable in less than 5 minutes, bumper and all right off the front. Talk about engine swap friendly!
It's not quite done. I still have to add a thin sheet to tie in the lower bumper support and keep the air from trapping under the car.
The car should be near driveable in 2 weeks, so updated pics with the engine bay painted are coming shortly.
Wow ... nice work Trending Topics
03-25-2008, 12:24 AM
#8
That looks awesome! You keep giving me more and more ideas on how to chop up my 93. That reminds me of 9sec93's car (Old picture):
I might just do this now to my 93. Is it all bolted to the frame? I'd think that the bolts might vibrate out over time. What did you use to secure them?
I might just do this now to my 93. Is it all bolted to the frame? I'd think that the bolts might vibrate out over time. What did you use to secure them?
03-25-2008, 12:36 AM
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Thx for the comments guys!
The frame has nuts welded on the back side where I boxed it in. I will locktite them so they don't back out. The sides, inner fenders, radiator etc. will all have locknuts.
I'm not quite ready for the tube chassis idea yet, although it seems I'm rapidly approaching.
Just a note to anybody that would consider doing something like like. The majority of the weight in the front end (bumper skin, headlights, etc.) is actually supported by the metal coming down the side fenders. It actually takes very little to hold the nose up.
The frame has nuts welded on the back side where I boxed it in. I will locktite them so they don't back out. The sides, inner fenders, radiator etc. will all have locknuts.
I'm not quite ready for the tube chassis idea yet, although it seems I'm rapidly approaching.
Just a note to anybody that would consider doing something like like. The majority of the weight in the front end (bumper skin, headlights, etc.) is actually supported by the metal coming down the side fenders. It actually takes very little to hold the nose up.
03-25-2008, 12:46 AM
#10
How are you going to have the top of the bumper attached to your new support? I see tabs there, but they aren't hooked up in any of the pictures. I'd be concerned if you just bolted through the plastic that it would crack or rip. Are you using the factory plastic push pins in there? I'm going to be checking out my 93 tomorrow about how to mock something like this up.
EDIT: I like how you also welded the factory fuel line hole shut.
EDIT: I like how you also welded the factory fuel line hole shut.
03-25-2008, 02:22 AM
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How are you going to have the top of the bumper attached to your new support? I see tabs there, but they aren't hooked up in any of the pictures. I'd be concerned if you just bolted through the plastic that it would crack or rip. Are you using the factory plastic push pins in there? I'm going to be checking out my 93 tomorrow about how to mock something like this up.
EDIT: I like how you also welded the factory fuel line hole shut.
EDIT: I like how you also welded the factory fuel line hole shut.
03-25-2008, 05:16 AM
#16
That's an intresting way of doing it. Im not sure what your raceweight goals are, but I'd guess that you're aiming to have the absolute lightest car you possibly can, for a run @ the stock internal record.
@ the point you're at, I would seriously run a tube off the 10 pt thru the firewall, across the top of the shock tower and then cut the shock tower out. It would to alot for rigidity of the frame, what is left anyway, and then you could do like 93's car and cut off 99% of the shock tower. Use 90 degree bends there though, it would be stronger
@ the point you're at, I would seriously run a tube off the 10 pt thru the firewall, across the top of the shock tower and then cut the shock tower out. It would to alot for rigidity of the frame, what is left anyway, and then you could do like 93's car and cut off 99% of the shock tower. Use 90 degree bends there though, it would be stronger
03-25-2008, 12:17 PM
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That's an intresting way of doing it. Im not sure what your raceweight goals are, but I'd guess that you're aiming to have the absolute lightest car you possibly can, for a run @ the stock internal record.
@ the point you're at, I would seriously run a tube off the 10 pt thru the firewall, across the top of the shock tower and then cut the shock tower out. It would to alot for rigidity of the frame, what is left anyway, and then you could do like 93's car and cut off 99% of the shock tower. Use 90 degree bends there though, it would be stronger
@ the point you're at, I would seriously run a tube off the 10 pt thru the firewall, across the top of the shock tower and then cut the shock tower out. It would to alot for rigidity of the frame, what is left anyway, and then you could do like 93's car and cut off 99% of the shock tower. Use 90 degree bends there though, it would be stronger
I will do a write-up but it's going to take me some time to put together.