Door weight removal

[dugeman]

I just finished converting my doors from power to manual windows . I'm removing as much weight as possible from the car, so I started with the doors. I'll post as it get's lighter. I was going to pull the 383 and go to 396 , but Iwas presented an opportunity to build a Dart 427 SBC , profiler heads , solid roller, forged motor. I'll be pulling the 383 and complete exhaust out soon . I'll post the build thru to dyno'ing the 427

[BonzoHansen]

Nice.

You didn't take the crash bar out did you?

[LS1ow]

http://thingsintowhichonemightstickonesfingers.files.word press.com/2008/09/emmentaler.jpg lol


but seriously, ive been wanting to remove some wieght from my car too. you do anything special to the doors besides man. windows and a holesaw?

[1QWIKBIRD]

Did you weigh the manual stuff you put in versus the motor you took out? And how about the total of stuff you hole-sawed out? We need cold hard numbers.....

[sweetbmxrider]

x2 weight differences would be awesome. likin the swiss cheese though!

where'd you find the manual stuff? and if you did take the crash bar out, how did you do it?

[98tadriver]

i read on LS1tech that manual windows for f-bodies weigh around the same as power windows. not much of a difference, if any. definately not worth the trouble IMO. only time it will save a decent amount of weight (roughly 25lbs/door) is if u convert to lexan side windows and do away with the heavy glass and the window hardware. and that 25lbs is with leaving the doorbars in

[1QWIKBIRD]

i read on LS1tech that manual windows for f-bodies weigh around the same as power windows. not much of a difference, if any. definately not worth the trouble IMO. only time it will save a decent amount of weight (roughly 25lbs/door) is if u convert to lexan side windows and do away with the heavy glass and the window hardware. and that 25lbs is with leaving the doorbars in

That's kinda what i had been told/read also and was looking for someone to confirm it.

[198esp1]

the door bar was 7.5 per side and the door panel was 9.0 replaced the panel with .040 alum that was 3.0 with full cage 1.75x.120 car is 3195. i still need to loose 145. one day it will lose the side glass

[BonzoHansen]

LOL, you are saying the door panel weighs more than the crash bar? That's awesome.

[FlyingDutchman]

i read on LS1tech that manual windows for f-bodies weigh around the same as power windows. not much of a difference, if any. definately not worth the trouble IMO. only time it will save a decent amount of weight (roughly 25lbs/door) is if u convert to lexan side windows and do away with the heavy glass and the window hardware. and that 25lbs is with leaving the doorbars in

although, no window motor to fail...

[Tru2Chevy]

Yes, I have also heard that the 4th gen power / manual setups were near identical in weight, but haven't seen any hard evidence of it.

Holesaw FTW though!

I assume that the car has at least a 6pt bar in it based on the engine setup you are describing, so I won't harp on you for taking the crash bars out (if you did).

- Justin

[BonzoHansen]

He did not say he took them out. I asked. Of which you correctly assumed the follow up question. :) Besides, as 198esp1 pointed out they don't weight that much. I use one in the garage as a 'persuader' bar.

[Tru2Chevy]

Fixed my post.

He did not say he took them out. I asked. Of which you correctly assumed the follow up question. :) Besides, as 198esp1 pointed out they don't weight that much. I use one in the garage as a 'persuader' bar.

It's still 15 lbs for both, and every ounce counts when you are trying to go fast ;)

- Justin

[dugeman]

I removed the door bars ,I have a 6 point cage and the car will see very limited street time . I would not advise doing this on a street car! door motors are 3lbs. , speakers are 3 lbs, door bars with mounts are 9lbs., holesaw pieces 2.5 lbs . I also removed .5lbs. from regulators, wires and switches are 1.5 lbs =18.5 lbs per door

[dugeman]

I found this list , hopefully it will be help to anyone interested.

Front Bumper Support = 25.375 lbs
Fog lights and brackets = 4.0625 lbs
Cruise control, cable, and throttle cable cover = 4.4375 lbs
Air pump and brass fittings = 5.9375 lbs
Stock horns = 1.875 lbs
Stupid siren and loud horn = 2.5 lbs
Stock Y pipe and single cat = 21.1875 lbs
Frame horns = 5.125 lbs
Fender metal = 1.25 lbs
Rear Seatbelts = 4.1375 lbs
Aftermarket Speaker Wiring (will be added to considering there is a ton more of it) = .25 lbs
Carpet = 29.0375 lbs
Windshield washer fluid resevoir with water = 8.0625 lbs
Heat shields beneath the car = 2.1875
Soon to be useless exhaust hangers = 2.00 lbs
Rear Seats = 22.4375 lbs
Random exhaust hangers, brackets, nuts, and bolts = 9.25 lbs
Front Speakers = 2.75 lbs
Rear Speakers = 3.25 lbs
Front Speaker Brackets = 1.25 lbs
Interior brackets including (rear seat brackets, antenna bracket, rear seat belt brackets) = 3.875 lbs
Security System Hood Lock = 2.6875 lbs
Antenna + Wire (not including the actual metal rod) = .25lbs
Stock catback = 50.1875lbs
Rear Armrests = 4.21875lbs
Extra Metal Trimmings = 1.00lbs
Emergency Brake System = 12.125lbs
Door Fiberglass = 1.90625 lbs
Door Crash Bars and Brackets = 17.5625 lbs
Window Regulator Metal = 1.8846535171744791666666666666667 lbs
Driver's Air Bag = 3.625 lbs
Passenger's Air Bag = 9.46875
Heater Core (empty) = 1.03125
AC Tube = .09375
Black Mat = 10.03125 lbs
Airbag Crash Sensors = 1.53125 lbs
Mat That is Underneath the Dash Pad = 2.34375 lbs
Heater Core Hoses = 2.0125 lbs
Front Sway Bar = 15.09375
Plastic Shrouding = 4.968749

[sweetbmxrider]

great list thanks. i see some where the sway bar is listed at like 40lbs :lol: this seems very accurate!

[Jared1970Chevelle]

your best bet is to shell the door... make a latch into aluminum to open the door.. have fixed lexan windows... that will save alot.... i would only do it if you have at least a 6 point... need some side safety

[dugeman]

I'm setting the car up to run 10.00 index so the doors have to look orig. ,with the panels on they do.

[V]

ill eventually go to full glass doors w/lexan on the 'bird. I doubt i can find much more weight to lose on that car anyway. However since its now a dedicated track car...lights can go too.... hehe

[Mike]

ill eventually go to full glass doors w/lexan on the 'bird. I doubt i can find much more weight to lose on that car anyway. However since its now a dedicated track car...lights can go too.... hehe

that depends on what classes you plan on running.

[V]

im not trying to be class specific, not trying to compete. lol

once i actually get to working on it, ill see what i can/cant do, but itll mainly just to run for fun.