Shaving Weight off the P15

[Ulu]

None of that stuff weighs 600+ lbs though, even if you throw in a radio & heater.

 

Bill's P15 must be somewhat heavier than stock.

 

OK, the weights are all on the forum here.

 

http://p15-d24.com/page/p15d24/reference/p15_reference.html

 

The Bus coupes were about 3000# & the clubs were about the same.

 

I think Greg G's car is 2977, not 2797

 

the '48 Special Deluxe Bus Coupe was 15 lbs more than the Club Coupe

[Plymouthy Adams]

I do not know the weight differences and am anxious to weight this vehicle when completed...but with the 2004 suspension swap/upgrade I would say pound for pound the same given the larger beefier components compared to the original stuff.  Now for the engine...I have 8 cubes larger, 90* V engine that produces 113 more ponies...and with the aluminum heads, composite intake, bedplate mains and other items that have lightened the engine I think I have a substantial weight loss over stock. Probably the single aspect of the built that shaved weight.  I also have a weight loss on the aluminum radiator but with the added AC compressor, condenser, hoses and accumulator and evaporator I am thinking I may well be about even on accessories.  So that still leaves a weight loss for the engine.  I also have a weight loss on the seat with the two buckets and the console, but add in 3 point belts and backer plates/brackets it is questionable if there is an interior weight savings,  given added swinging pedals 20+ circuit fuse box and distribution panel plus onboard body controller...I am saying no savings.  Air bag and ABS adds a bit weight back to the overall total also.  Rear axle I think is also no savings in weight due to the larger brake drums and backing plates and shoe width over stock and swap out of the 5 speed floor shift transmission I would put as a toss up...while aluminum it is quite well built and considerably larger...even or plus a few even.  Actually with the integral aluminum bell...I am placing a wight savings here after all.  Even the driveshaft would be close to same weight.  Other factors that have changed will be if full fuel tank I have 6-7 more gallons onboard now with full tank so when full, weight gain even given the fact it is full poly tank..  The radio is a bit lighter...but with the added speakers..think I gained a few pounds.  Wheels...well again I have the alloys but as they are wider and 16's and tires are upsized to equate that of the stock wheel height, with the extra meat I do not consider any weight loss here either, if so it would be minimum   Basically what I am saying is for every trade off there are +/-'s and only way to get to a total loss is sacrifice of all other creature comforts and safety devices.  Beside with the stock engine you may as well just wet your self while weariing a dark suit,,the warm feeling will be there but that is where it ends...no one is going to really notice..Exhaust..definitely an added weight factor, twin cats at the engine and doing full duals to the rear through twin well made turbo pancake mufflers and well made double outlet stainless tips..yep a weight gain for sure....but here is the sole salvation to the whole deal..given even if the car is one for one with all the trade outs, the overall weight in saving of the donor vehicle and the 48 bz cp...the couple is approx. 800 less than the donor..all things considered..that is going to make a significant improvement in the drivetrain as now placed in the coupe along with improved economy if you drive responsibly..  I also think the coupe is a tad more aerodynamic than the donor was...again economically speaking a plus...So pound for pound the changes on the coupe may not add up to a weight loss but the transfer donor to receiver is definitely in the PLUS all the way around.

Edited November 30, 2014 by Plymouthy Adams

[timkingsbury]

Hell, by that philosophy, I should just buy a Ford.

 

Nah...this is sorta run whatcha brung here. What ever I do, I do to this car.

 

No sir, the ford weighs 451 pounds more than my business coupe ! There is a reason Lee Petty ran and won with a 1949 plymouth !

[Ulu]

...with the stock engine you may as well just wet your self while weariing a dark suit,,the warm feeling will be there but that is where it ends...no one is going to really notice...

 

I didn't realize I was in this to be noticed. I'll have to re-examine my priorities.   

 

Plymouthy, my friend, If I was being paid to do this stuff, I'd think differently for sure, but computers are my job. Cars are my toys.

 

I'm not intending to show this car or race this car. It's my toy, I play with it. The torch and grinder are toys as well. 

 

Anyhow, I probably won't end up running the stock engine because (first) it's not stock. It's a Dodge, and (second) It's probably in worse shape than I know. It ran, but it could be cracked or rusted out. 

 

I'm not really going for all the creature comforts either. This won't be my daily driver. This is something to fart around in for fun and that's about that.

 

But I'm not buying another antique in this life, so if I play with this one from now until the day I die it's no big deal. It could go through more than one iteration, depending on what presents itself over the course of time.

 

I'm not fixed on one particular powertrain, style or color at this point. Everything is vapor until I get the frame & body in shape to build a reasonable car from.

[Plymouthy Adams]

_{that is the why of the dark suit...it will not be noticed  ...the above was just food for thought along the same lines you mentioned going with your build and lb for lb what you may will end up with...creature comforts or not...outside of the AC there is really nothing more there that was not already on the car..just a different construction era retrofitted..I call them comforts because they make me feel good about the car and feel good when driving...better seats and good music always make the miles go by better   Vapors/dreams..these ideas swirling around in the back of our minds is what gets the blood stirring in creating the end product..I got the impression from your thread you were already at the cut grind weld phase and moving forward.....}

[scotty t]

hey ULU!

 as you can see, i "lightened" mine by using an aluminum intake, water pump and water crossover

Edited December 1, 2014 by scotty t

[Ulu]

 _{. . . .I got the impression from your thread you were already at the cut grind weld phase and moving forward.....}

 

I'm at the building a bigger trailer so I can get the frame to the sandblasters, stage. Also I'm holding out to get a TIG before I start welding the body.

 

The one I want is only a couple grand, but somehow other things seem to gobble up my spare cash recently.