Art & Inspiration How to put the project on a diet

I'd say that since every car on here is at least 60 years old, it would be a good habit to have a few consumables (ignition, fuel supply) that could sideline you tucked away no matter the brand. The stuff is not current or universal like it once was.

 

That's very true, but at drag and drive events if you're running a common engine (SBC, BBC, LS, SBF) and for example you break a valvetrain part, someone else is likely to have one they can give/sell you if you don't. There's the comradery part that will help you get out of a sticky situation, that if you're running something like a 455 Buick you're unlikely to experience.

 

To be fair, the plan is to put the nailhead into the '50 in my avatar. The 455 should be a bit easier to repair/source parts for than the 322.

 

As far as holes in everything, drill away. But trying to justify that by comparing to aircraft is sort of an exercise in self-deception. True, holes weigh less than the parent metal around them, but aircraft-style adding-lightness-via-holes-implementation-strategy includes *belling* the holes to both put back strength & add rigidity to the structure(s) involved(as also found in serious & properly designed racing monocoque -style chassis). Otherwise, mostly for looks, considering the strength/rigidity lost.

There's always all kinds of other things to reduce weight, some involve just labor, others material & eventually, $$$.
Like drilling bolts, using lighter-weight-equal-strength-fasteners, lightweight brackets(everywhere), homemade 'glass body parts(or better: carbon-fibre... ) -> fenders/doors/trunk/hood; body trim -> handles, headlite/taillight rings, even grille. If you don't want/need lexan-hassle, then modern thin hi-strength glass is lighter. Wheels, hubs, brakes(disc or Al drum - weigh them). Eventually, your wallet will be too, which might help making it easier to sit on. .

Here is an OT thread on adding lightness(they talk about removing *grams*... ), but the thought & effort is worth the read. . :
http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php?PHPSESSID=7a0fkrpe0ob9r9k99j6hv7n2m0&topic=5293.0
Marcus...

 

You could just buy Jim's nova. It's ready to go.

 

I have seen stock car guys do ridiculous things to knock off what amounted to very little weight. Grind excess casting materials off everything, everything had holes in it. And it took a long time.

IMO, the best place to lose weight would to use a smaller fuel tank/cell or fill it less when play time came up. Gas is a little over #6 per gallon.