why are the f bodies so much heavier than the vettes?
12-05-2011, 06:13 PM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
why are the f bodies so much heavier than the vettes? Hey yall I'm new to the forum and was wondering wht makes the f bodies so muchg heavier than the c5? And wht can you do to lighten them cheap. Also would you recomend an fbody over a c5. I want the most bang for the buck but I want the best I can get though too. Please give me all your opinions. Thanks!!! 
12-05-2011, 06:28 PM
#2
TECH Fanatic
Corvette's are built of lighter weight materials overall. Aluminum, magnesium, etc.
Corvette's are great in a straight line and handle great, big difference between them and an f-body. Vette's are sports cars, f-body's are more straight muscle.
To lighten an F-body you can remove the rear seats, delete EGR/AIR/AC, get aftermarket suspension and other parts, for example a tubular k-member can save up to 70 pounds I believe.
A C5 will cost you at least $10,000 (for a beat on / heavily used one). I got my '99 Formula of which only 1,420 were made back in July with only 21,450 miles on it for $9,300
Corvette's are great in a straight line and handle great, big difference between them and an f-body. Vette's are sports cars, f-body's are more straight muscle.
To lighten an F-body you can remove the rear seats, delete EGR/AIR/AC, get aftermarket suspension and other parts, for example a tubular k-member can save up to 70 pounds I believe.
A C5 will cost you at least $10,000 (for a beat on / heavily used one). I got my '99 Formula of which only 1,420 were made back in July with only 21,450 miles on it for $9,300
12-05-2011, 06:45 PM
#3
8 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: grove city oh
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vette fiberglass and plastic. Hydroformed frame 2 seater. F body part plastic part glass steel rear 4 seats steel regular unibody chassis.
F body for straight line vette corners
F body for straight line vette corners
Trending Topics
12-05-2011, 07:57 PM
#8
I don't think carbon fiber was used on Corvettes until the C6's. But the C5's were basically 100% fiberglass.
And to the OP although there lighter there really not that much lighter. If I remember right corvettes weight around 3200 and most F bodies weight between 3400-3600.
And to the OP although there lighter there really not that much lighter. If I remember right corvettes weight around 3200 and most F bodies weight between 3400-3600.
12-06-2011, 05:10 AM
#9
I don't think carbon fiber was used on Corvettes until the C6's. But the C5's were basically 100% fiberglass.
And to the OP although there lighter there really not that much lighter. If I remember right corvettes weight around 3200 and most F bodies weight between 3400-3600.
And to the OP although there lighter there really not that much lighter. If I remember right corvettes weight around 3200 and most F bodies weight between 3400-3600.
C5 coupe - 3260
SS vert - 3640
12-06-2011, 05:42 AM
#11
TECH Addict
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Port Saint Lucie,Florida
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
No not really my 02 Camaro SS w/ Weld Pro Stars and just no front Pass Seat weight was 3265 and my 2008 Vette w/ GTO Spares & 17x9.5 rears weight was 3135 so thats not a big difference !
12-06-2011, 07:10 AM
#12
Corvette's are built of lighter weight materials overall. Aluminum, magnesium, etc.
Corvette's are great in a straight line and handle great, big difference between them and an f-body. Vette's are sports cars, f-body's are more straight muscle.
To lighten an F-body you can remove the rear seats, delete EGR/AIR/AC, get aftermarket suspension and other parts, for example a tubular k-member can save up to 70 pounds I believe.
A C5 will cost you at least $10,000 (for a beat on / heavily used one). I got my '99 Formula of which only 1,420 were made back in July with only 21,450 miles on it for $9,300
Corvette's are great in a straight line and handle great, big difference between them and an f-body. Vette's are sports cars, f-body's are more straight muscle.
To lighten an F-body you can remove the rear seats, delete EGR/AIR/AC, get aftermarket suspension and other parts, for example a tubular k-member can save up to 70 pounds I believe.
A C5 will cost you at least $10,000 (for a beat on / heavily used one). I got my '99 Formula of which only 1,420 were made back in July with only 21,450 miles on it for $9,300
12-06-2011, 08:40 AM
#14
12-06-2011, 10:04 AM
#15
TECH Fanatic
A stock LS1 K-member with engine stands weighs approx 58lbs. My new MWC k-member in mild steel weighs in at 22lbs with engine stands. Don't know how you came up with 70lbs weight savings lol but realistically a k-member will save 25-35ish+ lbs, still a good chunk though.
Bang for the buck though, F-body. A bolt on A4 with tires, converter and nitrous (best bang for the buck go fast mod) = straight line monster
12-06-2011, 10:40 AM
#16
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,251
Likes: 0
Received 1,685 Likes
on
1,207 Posts
F-bodies aren't "so much heavier" at all. Curb weight for a 2002 Corvette is 3214lbs, and curb weight for a 2002 V8 Camaro is 3410lbs. An extra 200lbs isn't much when you consider the extra steel found in an F-body vs the C5, and also the fact that the F-body is an overall larger car. Here are the exterior dementions of both:
2002 Corvette Coupe:
L: 179.7"
W: 73.6"
H: 47.7"
2002 Camaro Coupe:
L: 193.5"
W: 74.1"
H: 51.2"
The Corvette is not a better overall car for every purpose. If you need a back seat, then the F-body would be better. If you want to build a drag car, then the F-body would be a better platform. It all depends on your priorities and purpose. In many cases, the Corvette is superior, but that's also why you're paying more for it; you're not getting any advantages for free with the Corvette.
2002 Corvette Coupe:
L: 179.7"
W: 73.6"
H: 47.7"
2002 Camaro Coupe:
L: 193.5"
W: 74.1"
H: 51.2"
The Corvette is not a better overall car for every purpose. If you need a back seat, then the F-body would be better. If you want to build a drag car, then the F-body would be a better platform. It all depends on your priorities and purpose. In many cases, the Corvette is superior, but that's also why you're paying more for it; you're not getting any advantages for free with the Corvette.
12-06-2011, 12:45 PM
#17
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Gulfport, MS / Columbus, OH
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fbodies aren't as heavy as people like to think....and weight can be cut a lot easier/cheaper in an Fbody than a C5. As far as straight line performance potential for the price, the Fbody by a longshot. I love C5s but can't justify paying an extra $5k+ to have something equally as fast than costs more to mod.
12-07-2011, 03:54 PM
#19
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fbodies aren't as heavy as people like to think....and weight can be cut a lot easier/cheaper in an Fbody than a C5. As far as straight line performance potential for the price, the Fbody by a longshot. I love C5s but can't justify paying an extra $5k+ to have something equally as fast than costs more to mod.
