Weight saving for BAII? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

harasn · 10-25-2002, 01:11

Everyone has been saying that the BARRA needs to lose some weight when the BAII comes out. Has anyone got any ideas on how this can be done.

Having extensivily worked on the falcons and had a quick look over the commodore I can see that we have a lot more weight in the body structure compared to the design of the holden which would appear very old school.

Our IRS is alot more substantial compared to their IRS.

Try and keep the ideas affordable as we all know it comes down to dollars. for instance : a titanium exhaust would be nice and light but very expensive.

Detroit Rumble · 10-25-2002, 01:21

if it came to having a smash, I'd rather be in the heavier Falcon. Afterall it is the safer car compared to all the others in its class, and then some. But an Alloy block would help, that cast iron thing is heavy. Don't forget Falcon is a bigger car, too, than commonwhoar.

harasn · 10-25-2002, 01:24

with the trouble they are having with the new alloy heads I think it will be awhile yet before we see an alloy block, but a good start all the same. the "commonwhoar" as you put it, looks weak underneath when compared to the falcon. I'd like to be in the BA rather than the other.

61sg · 10-25-2002, 01:28

maybe BA11 will use different gearbox as some people have speculated. possible weight saving there?

Detroit Rumble · 10-25-2002, 01:31

if it came to having a smash, I'd rather be in the heavier Falcon. Afterall it is the safer car compared to all the others in its class, and then some. But an Alloy block would help, that cast iron thing is heavy. Don't forget Falcon is a bigger car, too, than commonwhoar.

61sg · 10-25-2002, 01:31

Quote:

Originally posted by harasn
with the trouble they are having with the new alloy heads I think it will be awhile yet before we see an alloy block,

what trouble is that?

harasn · 10-25-2002, 01:35

a six speed auto would be lighter apparently, as there are fewer parts inside compared to the current 4speed. should be the BMW gearbox, now that would be nice!!! we already have the better gearbox than the others and a six speed thats lighter would be the icing on the cake.

harasn · 10-25-2002, 01:38

they were having trouble with the cam tunnels or something, apparnetly production is up to speed now though.

Detroit Rumble · 10-25-2002, 01:39

Sorry, what's with that double post? Anyway, if it wasnt for the work Ford did with AU in conjunction with BHP Steel, the BA would weigh two tonne at least. And i prefer a safer car than to save, as Wheels put it "$2 a week". So whats the point in saving weight? AU II scored top marks in ANCAP testing. If its puerly an economy measure, the weight loss, then I recon my scull is worth the extra two bucks for the added saftey.

But four dollars, well, that would be different...

61sg · 10-25-2002, 01:41

fair enough.

maybe supension could be lightened a bit but it sound like it will be hard to cut weight without sacrificing strength.