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Chevrolet Camaro 2010-2015: Weight Reduction

Due to additional safety measures, the fifth generation Camaro weighs significantly more than previous models (on the order of some 500 pounds extra). There are some steps you can take in order to reduce this weight and in turn, give it the speed and handling you expect from a Camaro vehicle.

By Jeffrey Bausch - March 7, 2016

This article applies to the Chevrolet Camaro (2010-2015).

A slew of new safety regulations led to a nearly 500-lb. increase in weight from the fourth generation Camaro to the fifth generation. This particular model is all metal, has more air bags, bigger brakes, reinforced chassis, and more, all of which makes it very hard for the car to do an accelerated stop, turn, and other maneuvers normally do-able for a sports car. Fortunately, there are a number of adjustments you can make to reduce the car to give it the speed and handling one normally associates with the Camaro brand. The following are 10 suggestions for weight reduction of your 5th gen Camaro.

5th Gen Camaro
Figure 1. 5th Gen Camaro.

Replace the Wheels

You can shave approximately 55 pounds by replacing your current wheels with light-weight forged wheels. Go with smaller 18-19” tires, and the weight reduction is even more. Shop right and this could shed 100 pounds! Keep the OEM wheels in the garage just in case.

The Camaro's wheels are heavy
Figure 2. The wheels are quite heavy.

Replace the Battery

The battery that comes with the V5 is a hefty beast – go to the store and drop a few bucks on a lighter, alternative model.

Camaro battery
Figure 3. Replace the battery to shed a few pounds.

Replace the Exhaust System

You can shed 75 pounds by removing the OEM exhaust with longtubes, exhaust pipes, and lighter mufflers.

The exhaust system weights nearly 80 pounds
Figure 4. The exhaust system accounts for nearly 80 pounds.

Remove the Back Seats

If you’re not really looking to drive people around in your Camaro, take the back seat out. It’s easy enough to do and will subtract 15 pounds from your vehicle.

Back seats removed
Figure 5. Remove the back seats.

Update the Speaker System

And by update, we mean remove the factory speakers and replace with two better speakers, located only up front. This should cut 10 pounds.

Replace factory speakers to cut weight
Figure 6. Replace the factory speakers to cut weight.

Update the Driver/Passenger Seats

These seats are heavy at about 55 pounds each. Replace one or both with racing seats instead.

Racing seats in camaro
Figure 7. Racing seats installed.

Remove the Airbags

This is at your own risk, but there are six airbags in the V5 Camaro—side, curtain, seats, and dashboard. Remove them all and that’s about 14 pounds off your car’s total weight.

Altogether, the airbags contribute almost 15 pounds
Figure 8. Altogether, the airbags contribute almost 15 pounds.

Remove Crash Support Components

Again, do this only at your own risk, but if you remove the tubular front and rear crash support components, you will rid your vehicle of nearly 40 pounds.

crash support component
Figure 9. Crash support component.

Take Out the A/C

You'll have to get used to keeping cool by rolling the windows down, but if you remove your entire air conditioning system, you’ll cut 50 pounds off your Camaro’s total weight.

Air conditioning unit
Figure 10. Remove the A/C unit.

Remove Sound-deadening Materials

There is sound-deadening material lined under the seats, backseats, trunk, and within the hood/truck liner. Strip the Camaro of all this, and you’ll cut 10 more pounds.

Sound-deadening material removed
Figure 11. Sound-deadening material removed.

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