hey guys, I got this '66 dart project here and the doors and frontclip are kinda wavy. so I want to go to fiberglass or carbon kevlar or carbon fiber pieces to take off alot of weight on this sucker. I will also be going to lexan type windows in it.
so does anyone know where I can get the 'glass body parts? and what other ways can I lighten the car. I would like to get the weight down to about 2100 lbs (without me)

thanks in advance for the help.

-Joey

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Bone stock 1966 dodge dart, powered by a 145hp 225

i think vfn sells figerglass parts for the '66. you may want to contact the cox brothers since they used to race a real trick '66 dart a short while ago.

-james

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I don't think you can get 2100. 2400 would be more realistic. The stuff you can take off does not weigh that much to start with.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Even though i doint want to say Bagel is Right he is close. If this a true race car it might be possable ,if it is a street/strip car not going to happen without big thunderbucks and with that it will be close. Unless you have big bucks to put into this project. How big is your wallet. Thanks Ron Parker









It Aint Over Until I Win

I'm also going to weigh in here. Yes, that pun was intended.

It would be easier to make a 2100 lb tube frame car look like a '66 Dart than to make a '66 Dart weigh 2100 lbs. You have to consider that with the lightest drivetrain and brakes on that car it will weigh about 2800 lbs. The interiors of these cars are not that heavy. There are very few brakes that weigh less than the 9" drums. Few axles that weigh less than the 7 1/4 and few practical transmissions that weigh less than the 904. It's an uphill battle. My '66 Dart that was built for road racing with a full cage, no interior or side windows, 225, A833, disk brakes, and 8 3/4 rear axle weighed 3000 lbs wet.

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Joshua

so you dont think I can get it down to 2100 lbs dry? I think it weighs 2600 lbs dry as it is. I was thinking of a tube frame setup, but it wont be street legal here in cali IIRC. does anyone have any idea what the doors weigh on this thing? it's basically gonna be a sleeper. the slant will probally get rebuilt and turboed once it dies..... if it dies. lol. I will check vfn for the fiberglass, I think I might have to make the fiberglass doors. Yes I know how, I would just rather not, it would be a PITA. lol.
I was thinking of going to a tube k member and a power rack setup since there is no power steering in the car. is this a good idea?

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Bone stock 1966 dodge dart, powered by a 145hp 225

I have a '66 Valiant 2 door post car. I have taken out everything that easily unbolts except the heater box. With a 225/904/8-3/4 it weighs 2900.

If I start cutting, I think I may be able to lose about another 200#.

Lexan and fiberglass will not exactly be daily driver stuff either.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I have a 65 Valaint .....225 manual trans car with 7.25 rear axle. This is a very lightweight daily driver with an aluminum trans/bellhousing that weighs 15lbs less than the stock 3 speed. Alloy wheels , mini starter, aluminum intake, light weight buckets , no PS, no PB, no stereo. It weighs 3015lbs wet, with me(150lbs) in it.

If I remove the engine, trans and rear axle it wont weigh less than 2100.

If I leave that stuff in and remove the doors , trunk , front clip and all the glass it still wont be under 2100.

Shoot for 2600lbs and end up happy at 2800.

By the way.....it weighs 3000lbs now,(heavier than a Valiant),regardless of what the shipping weight is. Add a turbo and intercooler, 8.75 rear....

Sam Powell has a fiberglass front clip...when all was said and done it weighed as much as the steel.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

My 1966 Dart weighs in at slightly less than 2400 with full cage, front inner fenders, and k member. Thats with 225, 904 and 8 3/4, but I will say there is nothing left to cut out that I can find. This includes no dash, no inner door panels (now alum), aluminum trunk floor, plexiglas windows, Weld wheels, lightweight front discs, FG hood, trunk, and bumbers. The only way you could get below 2300 would be without roll bars which are nessary for rigidity and safety.

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62 Val, 66 Dart, 16 Ram 2500 Mega

Put Hydrogen in the roll cage tubes to lighten things up...............

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Pull a vacuum in the cage and it will weigh even less.

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Joshua

well I guess I am fighting an up-hill battle. I checked vfm for fiberglass, and can't find anything about them.

so should I just leave the body steel then? and what about suspension and axles? it will see alot of cornering, not much drag racing.

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Bone stock 1966 dodge dart, powered by a 145hp 225

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I also have a 65 Signet and it weigh 3000# with me in it. Our 70's Dart (Swingin' Six) has been put on a diet to take off 150# and this is a real time consuming, expensive task. When you price Texlar vs Lexan it will be about twice so get you check book ready. We "gutted" the window cranks assemblys but retained the original glass. You won't save much weigh going to Lexan in the side windows and the expense will be significant. Taking the power steering off and going to a manual steering will get some weight right off the front end and that is where it really helps. Flaming river makes a good setup but remember to also buy the extra splined piece as your existing steering column will be too short. You can go to really light weight rims but they will cost you over $400 EACH...
Wildwood disc on the front...Another grand of so...Lightweight radiator another $400..fiberglass hood...$400..trunk lid...$200.00...Aluminum dash..$200 with several days of cutting ...You might get you car to around 2500-2600#with removing all seats, ect. With all the new power you are proposing, you will have to go to a 8 3/4 which will add weight..a roll bar setup..more weight. Get you check book ready...Wayne in Chico

[quote="slantzilla"]I have a '66 Valiant 2 door post car. I have taken out everything that easily unbolts except the heater box. With a 225/904/8-3/4 it weighs 2900.

If I start cutting, I think I may be able to lose about another 200#.

Lexan and fiberglass will not exactly be daily driver stuff either. [/quote]


FWIW, The heater box removal on my duster was worth 15 pounds.