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Author
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Topic: Is there such a thing as being too light?
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stinger
Gearhead Posts: 168
From: mn
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 03-14-2003 09:28 PM
   
I know the lighter the car the better, but when is enough, enough. I was seeing in the latest mustangs and fords mag that now cobra automotive makes a plexiglass back window. U take that and put as much fiberglass on a stang as u can and do other things like a aluminum rad. and aluminum driveshaft, your talking one light car. Is that a bad thing or can a car be too light?
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 3467
From: Orange, Ca. United States of America
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 03-14-2003 09:41 PM
Horsepower to weight ratio = acceleration force 
(not an actual formula, but directly related to one another)I'm not an open wheel fan, but F1 cars only weigh something like 1800#, coupled with a 900 hp, 13,000 rpm turbocharged motor, they definately move. Most of the topics here are drag racing related, where you want weight at the back of the car. I'd spend the money on something other than a plexi back window  ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html [This message has been edited by V8 Thumper (edited 03-14-2003).]
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68DARKHORSE
Gearhead Posts: 337
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 03-14-2003 09:41 PM
I don't think you can make a car too light but, I would do as much fiberglass up front before the plexi rear window. Once the front is as light as you can get it, take weight off the rest of the car. If you take off weight from the rear first, you give up traction.
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stinger
Gearhead Posts: 168
From: mn
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 03-14-2003 09:49 PM
My whole front end is fiberglass, so are the doors and trunklid. And the batter and radio are rigged in the trunk. I normally wouldnt mess with the back window, but the car is goint to be painted shortly so taking out the glass isnt a big deal.
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 3467
From: Orange, Ca. United States of America
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 03-14-2003 09:51 PM
Well, are you roundie-round or drag racing? How much do they want for that plexiglass? Weigh the benifits against the cost and make the call ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html
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68DARKHORSE
Gearhead Posts: 337
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 03-14-2003 09:55 PM
If your front is all fiberglass, go for it. The plexi rears I've seen have a slit across the top which may relieve pressure that builds up in the car, effectivly making it more aerodynamic. The extra circulation should keep the interior cooler also.
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 6522
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 03-14-2003 10:16 PM
No such thing as a girl too pretty, a car too fast, or a car too light either. SteveW
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Dad Vishus
Gearhead Posts: 540
From: Moscow, Iowa, USA
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 03-14-2003 11:25 PM
I kindof look at weight, in a drag car anyway, like thus: you take out all the weight you can, then if you need to add some for side to side balance and traction, you can put it back where YOU want it rather than wherever it happens to be. ------------------
63 Falcon 377 Cleveland stroker Flying Toilet alchohol injection. 6.19 @ 110 MPH 1/8 mile
2002 Ranger FX4 daily driver
2000 F350 PSD Crew cab dually - Like commuting in a B52!!
98 US Cargo Phantom II 28'
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JCQuinn@work
Gearhead Posts: 422
From: Lakewood, CO, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 03-15-2003 12:34 AM
Pro Stockerd weigh 2350, Altereds and dragsters in Comp weigh between about 1400 and 2000 lbs. One of the reasons I chose an 85 Mustang coupe is thatI can use the lighter shipping weight those cars have for class racing. The only thing to watch is that the car is lightened as safely as possible. John
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Mpcoluv
Gearhead Posts: 945
From: Charlotte NC usa
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 03-15-2003 08:19 AM
Maier Racing can make Carbon/Kevlar body parts that weigh about half as much as fiberglass........
Mustang Plus sells their stuff.
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-15-2003 09:53 AM
quote:
Originally posted by V8 Thumper:
I'm not an open wheel fan, but F1 cars only weigh something like 1800#, coupled with a 900 hp, 13,000 rpm turbocharged motor, they definately move.
But I am an World of Outlaws fan, and they weigh around 1500# with a 850 hp alcohol injected motor. When they put down dirt at Bristol they run lap times significantly faster on the dirt then the NASCAR guys do on asphalt.  There's not much cooler than a dirt track car carrying the front wheels half way down the straight-aways. But maybe I'm a little biased since I grew up only a couple of hours away from the greatest sprint car track in the country.
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MidLifCrisis
Gearhead Posts: 278
From: USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 03-16-2003 12:21 PM
too light?...No.
but as stated previously, it's where the weight is that is important. I like fast cornering and for that you want a 50/50 front/rear weight ratio. For drag racing its light in the rear and lighter in the front. The advantage of a light car is top speed. The advantage of a properly weight-balanced car is handling and acceleration. Charlie[This message has been edited by MidLifCrisis (edited 03-16-2003).]
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 4538
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 03-16-2003 12:45 PM
For a really fast dragcar, you actually want more weight on the nose. My buddies tube frame car that runs around 8 flat in the qrtr has over 55% on the nose. And that was recommmended to him by Tim McAmmis (the guy he bought the chassis kit from). For a fast car, but not that fast, about 48% is all the lighter you really want the nose. Lighter than that and the top end handling starts to get spooky. My car is 51/49 right now. Not perfect, but for a car that leaves wheels up, it's pretty danged good. And truthfully, I don't think I would want any less than a 50/50 set up for mine.And for a dirt track car, we always ran around 56% tail weight and around 55% left side weight.
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methylated
Journeyman Posts: 43
From: wytheville,va usa
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 03-16-2003 05:57 PM
I have heard of it slowing a car down , because, seemingly the torque convertor didnt grab as tight,this was a small change,probably isolated, but other than that I can see no reason it would slow you down.
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jsracingbbf
Gearhead Posts: 1677
From: Batesville,MS. , U.S.A.
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 03-16-2003 09:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stinger:
I know the lighter the car the better, but when is enough, enough. I was seeing in the latest mustangs and fords mag that now cobra automotive makes a plexiglass back window. U take that and put as much fiberglass on a stang as u can and do other things like a aluminum rad. and aluminum driveshaft, your talking one light car. Is that a bad thing or can a car be too light?
Enough is enough when you start to comprimise safety. Chrome Moly is lighter than mild steel, so they make faster lighter stronger cars using chrome moly. I have heard it does not last as long though. NHRA has a good rule book on car requirements. Also, look at some of the Bickle and Haas cars on their web sites. I would rather a HEAVY safe car over a light death trap.
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Jerry
69 Mustang Pro ET Drag
70 Mustang retired former footbrake car
" If Bracket Racing was EZ everyone would be doing it!"
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 4812
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 03-17-2003 10:15 PM
Lighter is better, and if that screws the weight distribution up ,tough. You have to have a pretty bad balance or a whole whack of power before even 60/40 will be problem. If there is no rule on weight go as light as you can... example: there are people who've taken engines out of 11 second 3200lb doorslammers and run 8's in 1500lb dragster. It isn't the aerodynamics! The F1 car specs are a bit off there.... they weigh 1800 if the pit crew is all riding on top for a victory lap... no turbos, and 13,000 is closer to the idle speed nowadays!
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