Fiberglass body parts

[MikeBock]

Try cutting out the "carbs" during the day and increase the fruits and vegetables and don't eat at all after 6pm......this is a sure way to shave the lb's
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"Every day above ground is a good day.....keep it all in perspective!"

"There's no such thing as bolt-on"

My 57 Ragtop and 65 Sunroof
http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt270/Timbockhold/

[veedubcrazy]

Looking to save some weight? Try using shorter than stock length fender bolts and smaller washers. They are cheap and easy to put in. You can also use the same method replacing the pan bolts but still retain the channel washers.
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1967 Deluxe Sedan
1971 Squareback - "The Silver Surfer"

[Ellis' Bug]

I already have a bung in my header. I also have 3/8 fuel line from front to back...... never considered it might be too small. Something to think about though.

[[email protected]]

That's kind of what my buddies were thinking. One went from a 1/4 inch dead end fuel line to a 1/2 inch dead end, and went from 12.70 to 12.20. The other went from a 3/8 dead end to a bypass system with a dash 10 (5/8 inch) feed, and a dash 8 (1/2 inch) return, and went from 12.05 to 11.65. These were the only changes in each car. See if you can find a chassis dyno shop that has a way to monitor A/F ratios, and weld an O2 bung into your header to measure the A/F on your engine. The other guys thought there cars were running quite well, but were leaning out on the top end.

[Ellis' Bug]

Good point, I need to find a dyno somewhere locally. I guess I was thinking that 12.44 in a heavy Super with a NA 2276 was an indication the state of tune was pretty close....... but I'd like to know for sure and a dyno could tell me that.

[[email protected]]

Not to say you haven't done so allready, but have you done anything like dyno tunning to make sure you're getting everything out of your engine? I know of at least two people that drastically stepped up their fuel system delivery, and gained roughly a half a second in the 1/4.

[freednighthawk]

Dont forget lightweight racing seats. Not only do they reduce weight, but if you pick up good, real racing seats, they can help protect you in the event of a crash.

OHh, I know! Pull the pans!... Wait, nvm...

[Ellis' Bug]

I have one of those four point roll bars but it must be for a regular beetle, not a Super because the back of my helmet hits it. I need to get a real cage. My fastest time so far is 12.44 @ 105 mph. I'm really wanting to get into the 11s. I guess you never can go fast enough.

I've got a buddy that's going to help with the cage but right now I don't even have the four point installed. So on one hand I'm trying to lighten the car and on the other hand I need to install a cage which will add weight. Gotta stay safe though.

[broncbob]

This a drag only car right???

Cut the bracing out of the trunk and deck lid. You may have to go to hood pins or the likes to attach them.

I trust this thing is caged?? Remove as much body bracing as you dare. You can all ways add a aluminum rod or strap to help retain a shape if you have to. Go old school, drill holes in any thing and every thing!!!!

Get a friend that works at Boeing......They have bolts that will blow your mind as far as weight and strength!

[Ellis' Bug]

All good advice, thanks. In reference to the lighter wheels though....... With budget in mind, it seems I would gain the most by replacing the rear wheels....much more than the front. (rotating mass) Having disk brakes in front seems to limit me in choices anyway.

I'm going to go ahead and purchase the Lexan windows all the way around and then cut the guts out of the doors. I'll take the car down to weigh it before, and then after just to see.

[speedyshift74]

Once you start replacing glass things lighten up. There is alot of weight in the door glass and regulators. The rear 3 windows are a start to the weight savings. Those stock Chromies are heavy. You have all winter to shave pounds. Look some race cars over on the forums and get a few ideas. Take a good look at the doors under the panels. I got 9lbs a door out by removing the factory braces.

[rgdedge]

You can loose a lot of weight in the doors by swapping them for some 68-69 door that dont have the heavy safety brace in them and removing as much metal under the door panel and window regulator.
Tim

[mynameistory]

The point of those wheels is not that they are shiny (though it does help). It also is a HUGE reduction on unsprung AND rotating weight, which is a big factor on your ability to accelerate. The weight reduction here is a lot more influential than simply dropping weight elsewhere. Exactly by how much is not known, and varies from car to car. Some say that dropping a pound off your wheels is akin to losing 8 pounds of unsprung mass. Let's say your wheels are 5 pounds lighter, that's like 40 pounds per wheel or 160 off of the car! Not necessarily accurate but you get the idea. Not to mention the tighter handling and response.

[Mike Fisher]

[[email protected]]

[Ellis' Bug]

man alive, this shit is getting expensive. I guess I need to start thinking in terms of cost per pound...... I'll start with the Lexan windows. Seven or eight hundred bucks for wheels that may trim about 30 lbs is very costly. They are beautiful though........its a drag only fat chick, not a show car. I wish I had all the money in the world, or if I wasn't married.....

[mynameistory]

The website's not that great, but here:

www.custommetalspinning.com

I suggest calling instead of emailing, after you get an idea of what you want. You can pick from a list of inside and outside halves, and whether you want them bolted or welded together. I went for welded so they'd be easier to keep clean, also I gotta think there's some weight savings too. Mine are 5.25" front and 6.25 rear, both with a 1.75" outside. The center hole for the 4-lug style is 3.300", so they're easy to find caps for.

[EMPIImp69]

These guys have them:

http://www.pacificcustoms.com/6CMS.html

http://www.funrunr.com/cms.htm
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1963 Ragtop Bug
1966 Vert Bug

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[Ellis' Bug]

They are beautiful, where did you get them? Got a web link?

[mynameistory]

I like my CMS's. I picked them up directly for about 7 bills.

They're so light, I threw one at my Dad's head and he just laughed and laughed.