I cut off 12 #'s of Front Weight Off Ruster.
Main pieces removed were; The upper Radiator support - Replaced with AL 1"Square Tube ,and The parking Lights / Lower Grille Support. I had to Fab Up some light AL Pieces to keep the Grille in Place.

Here are The Pics:

The Weigh In:


12# Lost.


Upper Rad Support Gone


I took Out More Metal Attaching the Fender to the Front Unibody on both sides.








Front View


I need to Fab up some Light Pieces for Aero to fit in where the Metal parts Used to be



Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Okay Greg, you've gone from inspring me to scaring me just a little...

There's a fine line between hardcore and crazy,... and you're flirtin' with it.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Good

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Hello Guys, I'm a newbie here, but not new to Mopars. My name is Harry and I am from Pittsburgh, PA Home of the STEELERS!
Greg - To say I am impressed would be an understatement. I spent over an hour today reading through this thread and viewing all the pics.
I never met you in person, but I have seen your Dart at a couple local cruises and most recently at Carlisle a couple weeks ago - VERY nice Dart!

This Valiant story is really cool! I haven't been out to PRP (Keystone) in recent years, but your car will force me out there....
Being a local guy, I gotta ask, Who does your Machine work on your motors?
I have a 383 that I am looking to rebuild (my first engine rebuild) and I am looking for a quality local Machine shop. I was leaning toward Valley Auto in Wilmerding. Where do you go?
Did I already say I really enjoy this thread?
Harry

Seymore is the most nuts about weight,I am fairly close,you are definately 3rd but closeing in on my nuttyness.I totally enjoy the weight reduction things more than doing anything else on the car.Guzzi Mark

Hello Harry, Welcome aboard, Glad you have seen my Dart and Possibly some Of my other Stuff at Cruises around town and Carlisle. I will probably be at The Irwin (Norwin Hills) route 30 / Turnpike Intersection Car Cruise Tomorrow Nite (saturday) With Two Of these:


Anyway I have Had all My machine Work Done By Broughers Machine in Pleasant Hills (off 51 Near Century III Mall Area) 412-653-8833

I have Had A few Motors For the Dart Done There and Ruster Block work and Duster Head. I deal With Jerry at broughers And I few of us other Steel City Slanters have had Mopar stuff done.. Pretty good. people / work.

Thanks for following the Thread, and

Good Luck with your 383.

Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

If I ever get the Duster together and to a point where it's running well I'll start with the weight reduction. You DO still inspire me.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Recent track time netted some good results..


I try to not to go out to pittsburgh unless the air is good (which it was) or I made some changes (which I did)..


The Biggest gains were Made When I Decided to Play with the timing, and tire pressure; as I have always had the advance set @ 28* this year with the locked distributor for No advance curve, just fixed Timing.

First Run Was cold off the Trailer - its a throw away to warm up the Rear end Grease.

Here is a scan Of the 4 runs I made:


Run 1 Was @ 28* Timing
Run 2 Was at 30* Timing
Runs 3&4 Were @ 32* Timing.

Ambient air Pressure Went up as the night wore on; My weather station Said 30.58" of mercury fo the last run @ 54*F

So Next Time I am going to expirement More with the Advance and Rear Tire Pressures...

My 60's are almost a tenth faster too.. YAY, Still with the converter that I dont like so much.


I would like to fab up some sooth parts to cover the Gap Between the Plastic Camry Bumper and the Grille... I think That will help My MPH go up and be a bit more consistient.


Happy Et's!

12.64 Here I come!

Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Great results, Greg! Keep at the tuning. Should have some 12.50s in it at least...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Here Are videos of 2 runs - With The more advanced Timing the Car leaves Harder and Goes through the finish Line at ~6500 as opposed to 6200RPMs.. Also the engine Pulls a lot harder on the Top end :-0

Run #2 12.78:(click Pic To Watch)


Run #3 12.80:



Not the Best Quality, but that's what I got. - The 12.72 Run has no Video


Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Well After Running in the 12.70's Last week, I was in the mood to Fix the Aero Problems that I created by Taking out the Parking Lights and Lower grille support.

I fabbed up some .025" AL Sheet Plates and Riveted them to The Camry Bumper air dam and tucked them under the Grille.


I also Cut about 6# Total off the front of the Car - Mostly on the left Front.. Got rid of the Inner Fender Bracing, The Lip that the Fender Bolts to; - Its now AL Angle Pieces. and a few other Holesaw and Cutoff wheel Weight reductions I also Fabbed up a Seat Back support for a bit more drivers Seat Rigidity.

Calculated Weight of Ruster Now:
2250# W/o Driver and 2472# With Driver and Gear, etc.


Pics:

LF Fender Hack / AL Angle Replace:















Inner Fender Bracing Removed ON LF:



Removed Fender Lip:


6# Total Of stuff off the Front / 5# From LF:



LF Aero Installed:






Hood Raised in rear for Air Inake System Elbow:



Done; Glamour Shots:












Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Damn good work! Thanks for the pics.

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66 Lil' Red Piggie Valiant (Mater Crusher) - Thanks Zilla!!!!! 72 Demon (Number 1 Son's)

Greg, great documentation as always!

I gotta ask why you still have the front quarter panel Valiant 100 emblems, and turn signal lights on the car. Must be almost half a pound right there!



Brian

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Flyin' Brian

74 Duster, 225, rear-mounted blow through turbo at 12psi boost, street/strip car
"Sixy Beast"

Glamour NO!!!! BITCHEN YES.Ya know I love it.Isnt doing this kind of stuff the most rewarding?It is for me.Guzzi Mark

Center gold piece is crying for 2 holes one on top one on bottom,and needs to bee black in my opinion.Guzzi Mark