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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#1353969
11/16/13 03:16 AM
11/16/13 03:16 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 345
Nebraska
451Cuda
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 345
Nebraska
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Quote:
Better yet, Keep it American and Mopar with a small block powered 1970 Dodge Colt. Thing would be simple and fly with a mild 360 utilizing W2's or even iron RHS head while keeping very lightweight.
Actually the Colt was a Mitsubishi, same as what I'm building (1997 Eagle Talon). Will be 470" B engine, pg, 9" and hopefully sub 2500#s. Right now I'm debating whether to do mild steel or 4130 for chassis, as I'll street drive this fairly often.
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: 451Cuda]
#1353970
11/16/13 10:56 AM
11/16/13 10:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
fullmetaljacket
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
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I sit corrected. I just like their styling and weight advantage, though the wheelbases may be a challenge to keep tamed on the large end.
Last edited by fullmetaljacket; 11/18/13 07:04 PM.
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#1353971
11/16/13 11:22 AM
11/16/13 11:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,160
Texas
dannysbee
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,160
Texas
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I have a 72 colt wagon that I think would be neat with a third gen hemi.
Getting old just means you were smarter than some and luckier than others.
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: dannysbee]
#1353972
11/16/13 11:54 AM
11/16/13 11:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,668
Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,668
Buford, GA
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Back in the late 80s I met a gentleman who had, at that time, the "Worlds Fastest Buick GS". Owned a parts store/shop near a dealership I worked at. We were there one day at lunch while they were prepping the car for a race and I noticed a lot of aftermarket bolts on it. He said he had replaced all the bolts with ones just long enough to do the job. It took 22 lbs. off the car, IIRC.
I haven't followed the whole thread so if this has already been mentioned, sorry.
Tim
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car  )
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: I_bleed_MOPAR]
#1353973
11/16/13 04:11 PM
11/16/13 04:11 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
fullmetaljacket
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
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I bleed mopar, Lots of people including some of my fellow Moparites laugh at the notion of weight reduction in fasteners alone only until they see a reduction of 10 pounds in my case alone. I have not even exploited every option just yet cause this is micro weight reduction climate, and it can get expensive.
Of course when attaching important components like doors, hoods, bumpers and a diet is at hand, Titanium should get the nod. Fenders and some brackets can get away with Aluminum fasteners. Some minor and non-important interior items can even get away with super light weight plastic fasteners.
Yes, done and then some. Try special shorten alloy bolts, washers, Lock washers, nuts, machine screws and more.
Here's a flick of my Felix the Cat's magic box attached to this forum way back. This box in itself weighs a combined 3 or so Lbs, so imagine if it were full of steel fasteners.
Last edited by fullmetaljacket; 11/18/13 06:13 PM.
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#1353975
11/20/13 12:50 AM
11/20/13 12:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
fullmetaljacket
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
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My friend "The Rickster" ace metal body scientist working over one of the A990 gems.
Fenders are lightly infested with pen-dents from their fragile state, but other wise straight and lightweight indeed. So no bondo lightweight or featherweight being introduced here, just polyester skim coat to straighten them out for the black paint.
Last edited by fullmetaljacket; 11/20/13 12:53 AM.
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#1353978
11/20/13 01:49 AM
11/20/13 01:49 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,890
Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,890
Spahn Ranch
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I'm getting close to being done with my Duster which has been apart for about a year. Though it pales in comparison to some of the things described here, I did put my car through a pretty big weight loss program. Unfortunately I didn't keep a tally on everything but I know that I had to have taken a significant amount of weight off the car while keeping the mostly stock appearance. Only outward cue to what lies underneath are the old Centerlines with drag radials but looks factory otherwise. In fact, it is kind of a survivor car. Its all steel with a full interior, no roll bar, iron headed small block, 904. Here's most of what was done. Except for the bumper brackets and seats, I'm just guessing at how much weight was actually saved. aluminum front bumper brackets - 9 lbs
aluminum radiator - 30lbs?
aluminum master cylinder - 10 lbs?
aluminum brake calipers (ditched OE 10" drums but stayed with the small bolt pattern, rotors are small and light) - 50 lbs?
aluminum tie rod sleeves - 2 lbs
aluminum trans cooler lines - 5 lbs?
aluminum diff - 40 lbs?
lightweight Denso 60A alternator 10 lbs?
removed bench seat, replaced with lightweight, fixed buckets from an '85 Jeep mounted on S/S seat brackets (21 lbs ea. w. brackets) - 60 lbs
removed creature comforts - heat/radio - 40 lbs?
replaced carpet, no padding - 20 lbs?
rebuilt column, ditched column shift parts/linkage - 5 lbs?
Dr. Diff offset spring hangers (weigh half as much as the porky MP ones thus removing unsprung weight) - 10 lbs?
Calvert rear suspension with split monos (more unsprung weight - S/S springs are heavy!) - 40 lbs?
removed unnecessary wiring from engine bay/dash - 10 lbs?
where possible, switched out hose clamps/brass fittings for AN style with black braided hose - 5 lbs?
cleaned grease and dirt, had to have been 10 lbs Should be worth a a couple tenths.
'71 Duster
'17 Ram 1500
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: fullmetaljacket]
#1353980
11/20/13 12:42 PM
11/20/13 12:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,890
Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,890
Spahn Ranch
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Quote:
Some of your calculations may be a little fat but never the less, the less is better. You've done more then most folks care to think about.
Yeah, I agree, some of those numbers are optimistic. I was guessing based on wrangling this stuff out of the car and handling the parts.
But hey, thanks for the encouragement - coming from the Jedi Master of weight reduction, I know I'm on the right path to 'lightenment'.
Quote:
If you continue down the path of reduction, you may incidentally find yourself in the Micro weight neighborhood. This is where it gets silly putty pricey, but the ounces can amount to counts of pounds off.
It makes my head hurt to think about how much money I've spent already. Funny thing is, it would probably make my wife's head hurt more than mine if she actually knew how much I've gone through on top of what I spent to get the car initially. You only go around once though, gotta act on your dreams and realize those visions whatever they may be.
Quote:
A Duster is a great platform to start with especially with a small block. Half the battle is right there alone.
I agree. Besides the '60s 2 door sedans, '70-'72 Dusters are the lightest A bodies. Plus, they have two significant advantages over those older cars - more room in the engine bay and larger wheel wells. So yeah, probably the best platform to start with. I looked for a long time to find the one I have, its a keeper.
Quote:
Maybe some night/day we'll meet at the hangouts with the cars and chat about kite flying.LOL.
Mos 'def.
'71 Duster
'17 Ram 1500
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1353982
11/20/13 04:28 PM
11/20/13 04:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
fullmetaljacket
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
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RMCHRGr
The micro side of enlightenment seems expensive to a short term thinker like most out there, but if you are invested in the car for the long marriage, then it will eventually pay off because a lighter car will break less parts and the motor does not have to be a Killer whale to make good steam.
Me personally, I'd rather have less maintenance with a lighter and less HP package then always having to regroup both parts and money and pulling motors in and out more than your average Dentist pulls teeth.
I think the early A-bodies (Valiants, Signets, etc.)could give the later A-bodies Darts, Cuda's Dusters) a run for their money in the weight department, but the Dusters have an advantage over hang in the rear like no other and a little more room for a bigger tire like you said.
My friends 72' Duster had trimmed down to a featherly 2900 or so pounds a few years back with out driver, since then he has added a few features to it, but still light. If I had a longer involvement in its diet, that thing would need to be anchored to keep from floating away.
Like you said, you only live now and at least your dreams are always there for the experience now and further.
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Re: Real world weight loss program and it` cost..........
[Re: Crizila]
#1353983
11/20/13 04:52 PM
11/20/13 04:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
fullmetaljacket
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,849
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Crizila
That's rather impressive on the front bumper. A friend just tried to give me a 1980 Mirada (not the one pictured below) with the Nascar inspired sloped nose piece. Very aerial piece but maybe just as heavy.
Heavy looking cars are the best sleepers to put on an extensive diet.
I always thought of doing a 1967 Chrysler New Yorker 2 door with all the best lightweight tricks of the trade and a simple 470 hydraulic roller motor. Full steam ahead.
Last edited by fullmetaljacket; 11/20/13 05:02 PM.
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. Wish I had one. Unfortunately, not much in the way of light weight pieces for late B's. 
