[DeTomaso] Fwd: Re: [detomaso]Pantera weight savings ideas

[michael@michaelshortt.com]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "michael at michaelshortt.com" <michaelsavga at gmail.com>
Date: Nov 18, 2012 4:09 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] [detomaso]Pantera weight savings ideas
To: <MikeLDrew at aol.com>

I'm sure that you know making more power is cheaper at this point.

CF. Doors, Hood, Decklid,
Aluminum Racing Seats
Lexan for Glass
Fixed side curtains/net, remove door guts.
No bumpers
Lose the console between the seats

Michael
On Nov 18, 2012 3:10 PM, <MikeLDrew at aol.com> wrote:

>
> In a message dated 11/18/12 11 34 5, theemonkey at yahoo.com writes:
>
>
> > I have a 1973 L that i want to put on a diet.It currently weighs 2945
> > pounds with a 1/2 tank of gas with street tires.2901 pounds with the
> racing
> > slicks.My goal is to get the car to 2500 pounds with sound deadener
> still in
> > it.The goal might not be realistic,but it is a goal.
> >
> >>>It's realistic *if* you have an unlimited budget.
>
> > >I have already removed all of the air conditioning parts except the
> > under dash heater/evaporator box,the bumpers and bumper shocks.Car has
> QA1
> > aluminum shocks with 2.5 inch springs,Wilwood brakes including
> rotors,aluminum
> > front hubs,
> >
> >>>The stock cast iron hub carriers (in the rear) weigh a ton; Hall and
> Byars offer billet aluminum replacements, and Pat Mical has a magnesium (!)
> version available!
>
> Bring money!
>
> > >Windsor engine with aluminum heads and intake.I am probably forgetting
> > some of the things i have done,but you get a rough idea.
> >
> >>>An aluminum block would offer a significant weight savings, with equally
> significant cost.
>
>
> > >On my to do list is carbon fiber deck lid(current steel deck lid has
> > heavy delta wing,so guessing a 80 lb. weight savings),Lexan rear
> window,cable
> > window motor conversion,
> >
> >>>Ted Mitchell's window system is very effective and only a fraction of
> the weight of the stock setup--again, with some not-insignificant cost.
>
> > >remove radio,speakers,power antenna,aluminum radiator,
> >
> >>>I vote for keeping a radiator. :>)
>
> > >remove pop up headlights and convert to fixed projection lights(i have
> > heard various weight savings between
> > 100 to 125 lbs.).
> >
> >>>Bleah.   The aesthetics of fixed lights on a Pantera are dubious at
> best.   The Gr4 cars came with aluminum headlight buckets (something I just
> learned from Les Gray the other day) and some of those *might* be
> available from
> RS Corse?   Or, do away with the stock mechanism and revert to an
> independent system where each light raises/lowers independently--that
> would shed the
> weight of the bar between the buckets, at least?.   Look to Miatas in the
> junkard for the necessary hardware.
>
>
> > >Maybe remove heater box(hot rod box is only 6 pounds,and i have used the
> > defroster maybe 3 times since i bought the car in 1996)
> >
> >>>The stock setup is extremely heavy.
>
>
> > > and make light weight motor mounts like the Group 4 cars.Hollow sway
> > bars.I am guessing with what i have decided to do so far conservatively
> will
> > remove 350 pounds.
> >
> >>>Racing seats are very light--I know you have aftermarket seats, but
> can't remember if they are 'racing' seats.
>
> There is a lot of weight to be gained by drilling holes liberally
> throughout the car.   The Gr4 cars had special panels with holes pressed
> into them,
> which were radiused for strength.   I don't know if you could achieve that
> after the fact, but there are lots of places (door frames for instance)
> where
> smaller holes could be drilled with no loss in strength.
>
>
> > >By the way,before some people get upset that i am ruining the car,let me
> > mention that this car had a hard life with the previous owner.An example
> > is using a jigsaw to enlarge  the sheet metal around the wheel openings
> when
> > converting to GTS flares.Car now has GT5 flares and is pretty decent
> > looking even with a 12 year old paint job that his been on the track a
> few times
> > : )
> >
> >>>And *off* the track just as many times! :>)
>
> > >So any other ideas for weight savings?Who like to keep the car drive
> > able as the car is street driven although not as often as i like.Thank
> > you,RichardPS,no idea will offend me,If i do not like it,i just wont use
> it.
> >
> >>>Don't forget that lightweight 15-inch wheels make a notable
> difference--those 18-inch monsters are just huge flywheels....
>
> Mike
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