yeah, youd have to go to a weaker strut, thats a huge amount of weight to remove, the thing would pop open and fly up, closing it would put some serious stress on the carbon fiber. carbon fiber is strong... but not in that way. it would crack rather easily in that direction.

I dont think you could mold a lexan window yourself, its a curved sheet which youd never get curved right. flat things dont curve in 2 directions, and this stuff is strong. Im just guessing but, I think they have to pour it specific to the shape needed, or something, not just cut a flat peice.

 

Did anyone see the links I posted !? Just the rear would probaby save 50 lbs. 350 z has huge window area's i can see a total weight savings of 125 + lbs

 

I guess 125 is optimistic, but 70-80 is huge shavings anyway.

We also need to do something with front...

 

Is 125lbs including the front windshield? I read it as that, but either way, that's a lot of weight. CF front and rear bumpers would be pointless to do since the factory is already a plastic material, right?

How long do CF rotors last? Brake dust is crazy on F1 cars and after 1 lap they're already black, LOL.

 

Well, in f1 they last one race, that means at least a year for our Z They significantly decrease rotation mass and gyroscopic effect wich is very good for performance... Unfortunatelly it's just a curiosity for us since price is somewhere in $10Ks or $100Ks... I just know it's very expesive.

more on cf rotors:
http://jaguar.rivals.net/default.asp...2&stid=8129851

Bumpers are light already. Proper done cf will be lighter of course, but savings will be miserable (1-2-3lbs?) compared to the price.

I wouldn't put non-glass windshield or any other window if you live where it's snowing in winter. Whatever they saying about scratch resistance, I'm sure it wont look good after I scrap the ice from it all winter long.

With hatch, I'm actually going to keep the old one, and change it back for the winter. Real glass and more weight in rear will make me feel good in winter.

 

If you look one car saved 77 lbs just for the winshield! No matter what i will put this in the rear with carbon hatch and for two back side windows.
I would never ruin a Z by driving in the snow anyways and this is not regular lexan this is not easy to scratch ,almost as hard to scratch as glass.

 

I've had to take the Z out in the snow before to save someone who got stuck in his C5. It's amazing how well it goes at 15 mph!

 

Z is a good winter car. Not everybody is rich to have different cars for different seasons.

 

Keeping track.........

 

i'm on the way to see them today *no work. yay*

im going to get an update-

 

Pictures PLEASE........

 

Bump for pics.

 

still no pics?

 

I'm looking forward to seeing some pics of this! The Amuse hatch is too pricey, so $1000 would be a very attractive deal if the quality is there.

My only other concern is that this will throw off the weight balance because the Z is already slightly front biased. If this shaves off another 50 lbs from the rear, combine that with removing the spare tire would be 90 lbs.

It's really hard to find ways to lighten up the front end. The battery can be lightened up by 25 lbs or so, but CF hatch/fenders only shave off 10 lbs together, which isn't very cost effective.

 

I really look forward in this. But what u said spf4000, really changed my outlook upon this .

 

I can't believe I just read this whole thing about something I can't afford and no pics... Guess I'll just have to wait like everyone else.

 

sorry about the no picts- i went to go see them on Friday- and they pretty much didnt take any picts (they're not that keen about this type of stuff.. i keep reminding them that 1 images = 1000 posts...)

it was rush away to meet a photo opt for a magazine, i'm asking the owner to post images as soon as he possibly can-

they're making one for me next week, along with a set of fenders... so x your fingers and i'll do my best to get some photos up soon...

as far as the unbalanced weight distribution due to the hatch... stock fenders weight around 14 pounds each, you can probably shave that down to 5 pounds each, the hood save about 7 pounds, and if we do the mirrors, then that might set everything up- just corner balance the car afterward...

ill update this soon-

Cheston

 

the stock fenders weight around 14 pound each???
i dont think itz the # i have when i measure it?

 

Before everyone gets too excited, the question should be asked, Is this going to be made available?

We never saw front or rear diffusers that were talked about back in January... I see this as a much larger project.

 

please keep me posted on this hatch. we want one...

weight is the enemy of SPEED