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, 08:59 PM)

Grant, where are you seeing all of this cheap new and used fiberglass? when I see a used fiberglass lid it is usually gone in the same day that it is listed.... I'm assuming you bought your lids used...? how many other used lids have you seen in the year that have become available since you bought yours? I agree.. weight is a good thing to shed now hit the scales young man! I want to hear what your car weighs!!!! I seriously think I shed more than 500lbs over stock, and then put 150 of it back into the car as motor weight and another 100lbs back as rollcage and bracing. The fun thing is that all of my body panels (not bumpers) are still metal. (including my metal lids!) I have a secret ambition to build a 2nd car as a -4cylinder metal vintage racer and get it under 1700 without fiberglass..... Possible....not easy but possible.... brant

When you live in SF Bay Area its a bit different. We have a couple places that specialize in Porsches/914's who have some volume of used fiberglass and carbonfiber body parts cycling through their shops.

For cheap new stuff RennSpeed has stuff that doesnt fit pefectly, but it works. http://www.rennspd.com/Products.asp?Task=S...odID=13&catID=4 I personally would go with better quality fiberglass now that I have redone the car, but I'm making the Rennspeed stuff work. Its very light, but flexes and doesnt fit perfectly.

I have even found free fiberglass spoilers and rear set of fenders that were are in perfect condition. Ebay has cheap stuff occasionally too.

I could stand to lose about 75 lbs but taking weight off the car is so much easier! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)