Fiberglass body parts, how far to go with my 6 conversion Options

[billd]

I'm moving the oil cooler on the front of my 914-6 conversion and started a dangerous train of thought that is likely to keep my car on jack stands for months longer and empty my wallet (even emptier than it already is).

Rather than cut a notch in my existing steel bumper and valance I thought, why not buy a fiberglass 916 bumper (or a 914GT bumper and valence). That would save a few pounds.

While I'm at it, I could also get some fiberglass flares, fiberglass front and rear deck lids, and a fiberglass rear bumper.

I hope you folks can help me decide how far to go by answering a few questions:

1. How much weight is saved by replacing the steel bumpers with fiberglass?

2. If I go for flares, do you recommend 7 front/9 rear or 9 front/11 rear?

3. How much more weight can be saved by going to fiberglass deck lids, etc?

4. I assume that I give up all of the protection of the steel bumpers if I go FG. Right?

For reference, I'm buildling a 3.2L short stroke engine for this car with twin-plug heads, 9.5:1 compression, and Megasquirt fuel injection. It should be over 250hp.

[grantsfo]

QUOTE (brant @ Apr 7 2006, 04:48 PM)

I've got to start proof reading better... I should have put 67lbs total.. (because of adding back the glass f/r lids) I absolutely agree that every bit helps and I perfectly understand that 67 lbs is A LOT I also understand that you don't have to repaint the car and that paint cost doesn't have to factor into the equation. still I think my point remainst the same that for over a grand you are going to shed what seems like not a whole lot of weight. you can easily find 67lbs in the car elsewhere for free (just unbolt stuff) I agree with JP that the doors and door glass are the motherload of cheap weight. Next pull all of the heating and ventilation and headlights..... 1000 bucks is beaucoup money. and would buy a fresh set of sticky hoosiers that will make up more time than 67lbs will. brant

But if this is going to be an an AX car there is plenty of cheap new and used fiberglass. Might as well get as much weigh savings as possible. Weight is biggest enemy of an AX car. Why not get rid of as much as you can?It must be the old competitive cyclist in me.

I ran super ugly last year with $2.99 rattle can painted flat black hoods and bumpers. But the car did move faster.