PNW Chit Chat thread

[Dbasher]

NW newb

Thought I’d join the discussion and introduce myself, names Dan but most people just use my last name, Basher. I’ve finally picked up an e30 after looking off and on for a few years. Last year when I was looking for a track car I picked up a fox body mustang and have done quite a bit to get it capable of making laps. It’s close but the recent e30 purchase (and the holidays) have put it on the back burner.
What I ended up with is a coupe that’s been a round the NW a bit, it’s got some real nice work that’s been done and is a complete hoot to drive.
1989 325
M50 w/S50 cams, tune and a chip
E36 front and rear, 3.73lsd
E46 6spd
Vorshlag CC plates
Ireland sway bars
Bilsteins and H&R springs

I was able to have a buddy at Grip Racing throw it on the lift last week and look it over, happy that everything checks out and only a few minor issues that’ll need to be addressed before I get on track.

Anyway, that’s me and what I’ll be working with, hope to see meet some members at the track.

[TobyB]

Hmmm.

Aluminum becomes a liquid at 1200 or so F, right?

I see 1800 f 6" from the exhaust port.

What could go wrong?

The seriously big budget race teams (and NASA and the USAF, etc) use titanium,
which becomes a liquid at a seriously high temperature. And would be lighter than aluminum.

t

edit

manifold

tell me you're using a lightweight header(s)- the stock manifolds weigh more than the diff on a 2002!

votes for thinwall stainless.

[ahrensNW]

How much do YOU weigh? It’s cheap and easy weight reduction to get the driver lighter.

The other to remember is aero. No matter how light you get it, you’re still shoving a brick through the air. Work on air flow around and THROUGH the car at speed.


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Honestly I need to lose weight. With my family history of heart disease and obesity it wouldn't hurt to drop down to my former spry 165. I've been working at Pagliacci for the past year I've been in school and its detrimental to the way I fit in the spg in the M3 lmao.

Aero is the next consideration. I have some kooglewerks stuff but I dont think a 4" spoiler does a whole lot on the trunk of an e30.

The side exhaust is an interesting idea. I'm sure stainless coming off of the manifold to a 4" magnaflow would be pretty damn light.

[djjerme]

Yup, a few of the PRO3 guys went side dump as well. Thought about it myself when we installed the M30, but then worried about noise level at the track.


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[Nader393]

If I were building a lightweight project car, I'd get a fiberglass hood and a shortened side-dump exhaust. Like this one I fabbed up (from collector back) for my Alfa race car. I had to go side-dump after fitting a sliding block rear suspension that obstructed the normal exhaust route. Inadvertently saved many pounds. This is an older picture, I've since replaced that muffler with a smaller 4" round Magnaflow that's lighter and minimally louder. Exhaust is laid out about where it attaches to the engine, to show how far back it exits out the side.

[djjerme]

How much do YOU weigh? It’s cheap and easy weight reduction to get the driver lighter.

The other to remember is aero. No matter how light you get it, you’re still shoving a brick through the air. Work on air flow around and THROUGH the car at speed.


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[adam.nonis]

PNW Chit Chat thread

Is aluminum pipe thickness similar to a stainless pipe? Or ️would stainless be thinner wall?

Edit:
I'd imagine most of the ️Savings would be in the resonators, muffler and headers themselves, not the actual pipes

The aluminum I used was .070” thick (1.8mm intercooler piping kits) and stainless is usually 16g (.0625”) or, more commonly, 18g (.05”)

I “think” I parsed out the weight differences between each of the components in my build thread. I also used stainless from the OEM manifold flanges to the back of the trans, and aluminum from there back (including resonator and muffler).

[DER E30]

Is aluminum pipe thickness similar to a stainless pipe? Or ️would stainless be thinner wall?

Edit:
I'd imagine most of the ️Savings would be in the resonators, muffler and headers themselves, not the actual pipes

[Metallated]

Anyone have an idea of how much the weight difference would be between Al and stainless? If durability isn't an issue running poly mounts, then it's pretty much settled.

Sounds like about 30 pounds based on Adam's post, using stock headers. Probably less if you go k24 and find a light pair of headers.

[ahrensNW]

Overall this car has lost most of the weight I can easily remove. It will have a riveted sunroof panel, it's completely stripped aside from the dash, no insulation to be found, I have a pc680 in the rear, no power steering. and a manual brake box. Transmission is a g260, further bringing the weight down. For now, the m52 swap will be a place saver until the k24 swap details are hammered out.
I'll be ordering a set of konig dekagram, 12.3 lbs in 15x8 so I should be good there. I'll still have my mtechnicas for all the stanz when I want it.

Anyone have an idea of how much the weight difference would be between Al and stainless? If durability isn't an issue running poly mounts, then it's pretty much settled.

[adam.nonis]

Not trying to start any arguments. Just saying it can be done, and with proper prior planning, longevity shouldn’t be an issue. Merits of where you save weight can be left up to everyone else.

Have a great day

[spiDmang]

My whole exhaust (from the trans back, including resonator and muffler) weighs 15 lbs. from the OEM header flanges to the tip its 28.5 lbs. down from 60.5 lbs.

I can vouch for this thing. Adam's work is beyond amazing.

Hank, get in touch with Adam. He can build you what you need.

[Nader393]

Isolate and support and it’ll be fine. I’m only eight months in, but not one single issue.

Maybe, if you're doing it yourself and you know what you're doing. I wouldn't trust the local muffler shops to get it right. I've had multiple disappointments with exhaust projects on several of my vehicles. And that's just basic stuff.

Aluminum exhaust should be the last consideration for weight savings. I'd focus on unsprung and rotational weight first, then weight up high. Exhaust is low and center, not worth it. When (not if) an Al exhaust fails, it's a hassle. Noise, fumes, jacking up the car to reach it, etc.

[ncsubowen]

I talked to toes and he might have one for me, I'll drop you a PM if I need it.

I've been digging into this 24v swap I have and it's actually not gonna take much to get it running. I only need to source that throttle body and have someone fab up an exhaust.

Any recommendations? I'm trying to keep this car as light as possible. Right down to the exhaust. How much should I expect to pay for an aluminum exhaust post header

i'd expect a full exhaust to run you no less than $1200 especially if you're going aluminum - do they even make aluminum exhaust? i figured it was all stainless

[adam.nonis]

I'm trying to keep this car as light as possible. Right down to the exhaust.

My whole exhaust (from the trans back, including resonator and muffler) weighs 15 lbs. from the OEM header flanges to the tip its 28.5 lbs. down from 60.5 lbs.