[StanIROCZ]

http://blogs.hotrod.com/you-rank-it-ice-ni...maro-30481.html

[CrashTestDummy]

Temporarily-hijacking the thread, well, continuing the hijack. Ryan, our Firebird has most of the front stuff missing, and the brackets that hold most of the front fascia up has been 'skeletonized'. When we first got the car, I thought I had an overheating problem, so I installed the factory radiator ducting to help direct that air from the front of the car to the radiator. I did that without taping stuff up to make sure all the air leaks were sealed. Well, I don't think that was really an issue, just not used to the car. It'll go to 210-220 on a run in 100-degree heat, but cools down pretty quickly by running the fan and starting the car for a short time to circulate coolant through the engine.

Anyway, I pulled all that ducting out, and was amazed at how heavy all that plastic is. I figured some aluminum panels could be built to accomplish the same job and probably save some weight. I haven't done that yet, as it doesn't appear to be necessary, but kept the duct work to use as a template if we ever see our LS* engine we're having built. The only other places I see to pull weight is to get get a set of those nice Mittler Brothers hole cutters and swiss-cheese the core support, and then perhaps cover the holes with some aluminum. Just some thoughts.

I have also seen some hole cutting on the front LCA. Not sure I'd do that to a street-driven car, but it's certainly good enough for a CP car running 12" slicks on the front. The only other place you can get any weight off the front of the car is to upgrade the brakes to something lighter.