Topic: Streak went on scales

[snaponbob]

First, let me say that the scales I used are the property of the KC Region of the SCCA. They have not been calibrated in forever, but people that do know have compared the read outs to calibrated scales, and these are no more than a single pound (per pad) out. Okay, here we go -

According to the invoice this car had a shipping weight of 2983 pounds, but I am sure that this is a dry weight. It was weighed at the 2007 SCCA Solo Nats at 2995 with a Magnaflow (lighter than stock), A6 Hoosiers on OZs (that I weighed against the stock wheels and tires and knew to be at least about 40 pounds lighter), almost no gas in the tank, and a Curt hitch. Today the same car weighed 2976 with a Solo Performance 3" exhaust, 14" SP resonator, SP down pipe, just under a 1/2 tank of fuel, and the stock wheels and new Toyo R1R's, and some of the hitch still installed. And when I swapped the stock shoes for the 18x11 CCWs and 315 A6s the car weighed 2963. Once the Braille battery is in Streak should weigh ~2940. Seems that the 11" CCWs are at least as light as the 8" OZ, maybe less.

I wrote down a lot of the numbers before and after weighing the car and adjusting the RF spring perch a half turn, but the bottom line was that with driver weight in the car had a front/rear weight balance of 52/48 vs. 53.6f/46.3r balance. Also, the left/right was only 74 pounds different. Empty there was only ONE pound difference l/r. Remarkably well balanced for a production car. If I were to do a Wilwood brake transplant, Kirkey seats, and a light flywheel (10 pound Fidanza) the car would crack the 2900 pound barrier!! Over the winter I plan on one Kirkey and the flywheel which should put the car at 2900 pounds with a 1/4 tank and the race shoes.

Just thought I would throw that out so people have an idea what adding some lightness can do for a Redline. (BTW, identically equipped, a GXP weighs the same as a Redline.) 

[NormSky]

Flywheel and a Braile battery qould have you busting into the 2800 lbs range! Interested in you corner weights.

[Kelu]

Thank you SOB for sharing. Weight improves everything no matter what we do with the car, autox, track, drag, mpg, etc.

[snaponbob]

Empty w/bars connected ½ tank of gas
LF           1583#     RF            
781           53.6%     812
1488#L    2976#T    1487#R
LR          1380#     RR
705           46.3%     676

150# in driver’s  seat w/bar DISconnected
LF          1626#     RF
831           52.1%     795
1595#L    3116#T      1521#R
LR          1490#     RR
764           47.8%     726

Empty w/ CCWs &A6s bars connected RF perch adjusted
LF         1626#        RF
776          53.1%        800
1494#L   2963#T       1469#R
50.5%             49.5%
LR         1387#       RR
718          46.8%       669

The middle set is a bit lighter than with my fay ass in there (by about 50lbs) and was about as close as I could get without messing up ride heights at the corners. The battery will take weight off the RF & RR, and when I do the clutch I expect bit better f/r balance but not by much. The flywheel, Braille, Kirkey, and less gas should shed ~75 pounds.

[NormSky]

What options from factory? Definitely lighter than a C5 Corvette!

[snaponbob]

Not many to have on a Redline. Wing, chrome wheels (but I race the CCW's), and Monsoon. I installed the power door lock buttons, and it does NOT have the power seat. It DOES have the torque arm.

[snaponbob]

Just won the Braille battery, so I'll be under 2950 by next weekend !!!! MIGHT put it in the trunk next month, but for now, in the OEM location.

[kennysabarese]

Ok now I really wanna weigh my car. I bet I'm lighter than I think.

Also I am considering the factory wing, since it does help reduce lift at high speeds which might be nice at Watkins Glen and VIR

[snaponbob]

Also I am considering the factory wing, since it does help reduce lift at high speeds

It DOES ?!?!?!?!

[kennysabarese]

Steve Padilla at NASSM said that the wing does not produce downforce, but it does reduce lift.

[Gentleman Jack]

Steve Padilla at NASSM said that the wing does not produce downforce, but it does reduce lift.

?  Is that possible?  If you are reducing the lift, aren't you in fact introducing some level of downforce?  Possibly not enough to overcome all the lift and creat possitive downforce numbers, but it must do something?  Am I turned around in circles here?

GJ

[kennysabarese]

I trust the guy who was on the design team of the car from the beginning.

It's got somethin to do with turbulence or somethin

[kennysabarese]

Here is all the info about aero jump to the end to find the wing stuff. And yes the thread is about coupes but he does talk about the verts to in the end.  http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f114/slippery-coupes-63961/

[Graywolf]

 I haven't weighted my car yet but I would like too. At a recent HPDE it started raining and I put my top up before I ran. They told me I had to run with my top down for safety reasons.  So now I have removed the top and it sits in a box in storage.  Also remove your windsheild wipers and antena. I also plan on removing the on star unit and radio. That spot will be for gauges next year. I have the Fidanza light flywheel. If you have the monsoon with subwoofer about 25 lbs. Can't hear radio anyway with straight pipes. Don't forget the side speakers.  Remove the side windows about 10lbs. Go on a diet

[kennysabarese]

Dude that is really strange! All the clubs around here force you to run with the top UP to keep your hands from flying out of the car.

Do they make you wear arm restraints?

[snaponbob]

Jack, less lift does not mean more down force. Thunk about vacuum - LESS vacuum is STILL vacuum, just not as much of it. Downforce is when the wing induces FORCE. Pulling is pulling and pushing is pushing.

[snaponbob]

Jack, less lift does not mean more down force. Thunk about vacuum - LESS vacuum is STILL vacuum, just not as much of it. Downforce is when the wing induces FORCE. Pulling is pulling and pushing is pushing. 

[Gentleman Jack]

SOB,

doesn't less vacuum mean more air?

I get what you are saying.  Scientifically speaking, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  So less lift must mean more something else, but I get it.  There is still lift, just less of it with the rear wing.

has anybody checked the G6 wing that some of the folks are running?  Does that do the trick?

GJ

[GXPinKC]

Jack, less lift does not mean more down force. Thunk about vacuum - LESS vacuum is STILL vacuum, just not as much of it. Downforce is when the wing induces FORCE. Pulling is pulling and pushing is pushing.

Have you ever seen the wing on Red Bull, Rhys Millen drove, raced and drifted in?  The Solstice GXP drifter's turbocharged, four-cylinder Ecotec engine was said to dyno out at around 500 bhp.  The wing did provide for less lift and more stable control.

[BSRL]

I trust the guy who was on the design team of the car from the beginning.

As long as it's not the same guy who said not to open any of the vents (hood or side). 

[kennysabarese]

As long as it's not the same guy who said not to open any of the vents (hood or side). 

Who said that?

[Critterman]

Same guy

[snaponbob]

What is wrong with Steve saying not to open the vents? GM's testing showed that hot air exiting the side vents (at least on the Sky) RAISED the temps of the ecm (left side) and battery (right side).

[BSRL]

so hot air exiting the engine bay on the sides raises the temp on battery and ecm but keeping all that hot air in the engine bay keeps those temps down?  I thought this issue was raised, proven false and beaten like a dead horse over and over?  Several people did temperature tests and disproved this or at least there was no evidence to support that it raised temps.  Am I missing something here?

The only alternative argument is the hot air exits out the bottom of the engine thus by-passing the ecm & battery which I can understand but those that tested this showed no increase in temps in those areas after opening up the vents.

[normsf]

Hello and Oh please not this stupid arguement again, yeah right letting hot air out is a bad thing, please. You want to remove weight then use our fenders and if your rules allow the hood weighs less than half than stock along with the fiberglass doors though I only sell the doors for strictly racing only as there is no side impact at all. You need a cage for them. Plus our top is done which does away with the convert top and rear deck lid too. Again for racing only. I should say the top mold is done, made our first part and already sent to a race team still need to finish the back window mold. Thanks Norm