The Elephant In The Room: unloading the load from a B-body.

[dvw]

Just as intended, stealth.
Doug

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Here's the side profile mug shot showing the rear wheel alteration forward 2". Yes, the three card Monte worked at the show after all these years. This was back in 2000 when things were still hot and active.

 

[Badvert65]

Wow, that is so subtle and sneakily done. I never noticed the axle reposition. Was the fender opening moved? Nothing looks even remotely altered. Beautifully done (of course).

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Wow, that is so subtle and sneakily done. I never noticed the axle reposition. Was the fender opening moved? Nothing looks even remotely altered. Beautifully done (of course).

This was of course with a pair of rollers used during painting. With the actual race wheels and tires, it's unnoticeable. Wheel well at the very bottom needed very slight clearing shave to clear the 28" by 10.5 Hoosiers. Engine setback is 4" up front. The front wheels are in stock position. Pretty much almost a 2% setup like the original four cars, but more stealthy, especially in the dark.

 

[LemonWedge]

Okay, so I've scrolled back through most of this thread in hopes of finding some time spent on a topic I had missed, to no avail. I believe there’s a component that has not been addressed. I’ve seen a quick exposure of how Lee has approached this component, but I still think it warrants at least a short cameo discussion…. Carpet.

Pretty sure FMJ’s approach is: What isn’t physically there weighs nothing. I get it; it definitely works. But it leaves the interior with a decidedly spartan look that fits in certain machines. Looks wrong in others. Within the context of this thread, can we discuss a factory musclecar appearance while adding a minimum of heft?

What’s the standard for a lightweight material? Pros and cons of that material? Theres got to be some tricks to save weight while maintaining a factory interior look and feel.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Okay, so I've scrolled back through most of this thread in hopes of finding some time spent on a topic I had missed, to no avail. I believe there’s a component that has not been addressed. I’ve seen a quick exposure of how Lee has approached this component, but I still think it warrants at least a short cameo discussion…. Carpet.

Pretty sure FMJ’s approach is: What isn’t physically there weighs nothing. I get it; it definitely works. But it leaves the interior with a decidedly spartan look that fits in certain machines. Looks wrong in others. Within the context of this thread, can we discuss a factory musclecar appearance while adding a minimum of heft?

What’s the standard for a lightweight material? Pros and cons of that material? Theres got to be some tricks to save weight while maintaining a factory interior look and feel.

I can say the following based on my notes. The factory had a couple of optional floor coverings back in those days. It was either a factory carpet with jute backing, rubber sole inserts and perhaps a light film/insulation covering underneath that. The other option was the dreaded poverty Taxi-Police issue rubber mat coverings.

The A990's came with factory carpets, but with no jute paddings, backings or other films of protection, road sound filtering and comforts. They were just the bare carpets. Fairly light, but seemed to always lift up and create waves over time.
Now mind you, the rubber mats with texture to them always laid nice and flat, Why? They weighed (Not by much, but enough)more than the factory carpets. How do I know this? because my car had these mats (two Parts) and when I weighed them after removal, I was dissatisfied.
My remedy years later? The most aggressive/texture bed liner that I could spray on. The can of the stuff weighed just a tad under what the carpet weighed and a good amount under what the rubber mat weighed. Various brands will give you various numbers.

Now, is the sprayed bed liner too spartan to rival a bachelors refrigerator, Yes! but it handles the mail.
Personally, I like very much the rubber mats for a stripped down factory look. I would guess that aftermarket molded mats are lighter than the factory issue because the factory wanted some longevity to them especially under heavy usage such as a Taxi/Government vehicles. For that reason, they were thick and weighed the part. Choose your poison.