How much weight to lose? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

IPhido · 01-25-2003, 23:21

How much weight should BA II lose over BA I? Given that it is no doubt a area Ford will improve.

Obviously we would all like 200+Kg to be taken from the kerb weight, but how much do you think Ford will be *actually* able to cut!

It really is suprising how heavy the cars are, espically the V8's.

Cobra · 01-25-2003, 23:43

I dont think that Ford can dramatically lose weight on an update. No more than 50 kilo would be lost I'd imagine. Considering we may be getting a new auto, who knows how much that would weigh. And Holden's V6 will probably be lighter again beeing an all-alloy unit, so theres another weight advantage for the Commodore.

harasn · 01-26-2003, 00:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Cobra
I dont think that Ford can dramatically lose weight on an update. No more than 50 kilo would be lost I'd imagine. Considering we may be getting a new auto, who knows how much that would weigh. And Holden's V6 will probably be lighter again beeing an all-alloy unit, so theres another weight advantage for the Commodore.

the new auto gearbox has fewer parts and is meant to be lighter than the current auto!

rningram · 01-26-2003, 01:51

What about Aluminium?

The Audi's and Latest Jags use this for significant savings in weight.

Lots in the ground in Oz, so that might be a good idea. However Im not sure what the additional costs of materials would be.

Perhaps they can do a Camaro style of thing and keep some steel panels but use other materials for certain parts. Camaro's have Fibreglass doors, and front guards.

Falcon could replace door panels and front guards with Aluminium or Fibreglass.

One benefit of fibreglass is that when you (well me actually) side swipe another car it doesnt crease, it just flexes in then back out!

Anyway just some thoughts.

Cobra · 01-26-2003, 02:06

Carbon fibre, wouldn't it be more expensive?

jonk · 01-26-2003, 04:51

Magnesium will come on line soon. Aluminium weighs one sixth of steel and magnesium weighs one quarter of aluminium.

Now that's light weight!

RATT · 01-26-2003, 04:58

It's also about the $$ required to lose weight.

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-26-2003, 14:43

i think they could probably use a lighter metal in key suspension components that were as strong, or stronger than the current steel used. But it all comes down to $$$ remembering these a mass produced cars...not your $200,000 exotics

suttoinc · 01-26-2003, 15:22

One thing we know is that they will not let saftey take a back seat so don't expect the diet to be very harsh at all. I thought the main reason the BA is a heavy car is that they strenthened the whole chassis. Now being a once in 5 year upgrade it is not going to be changed for BAII. Engines again they are new and they will last a while yet.
I think the problem is that people compare it to the Commodore which uses a V6 pushrod engine which is switching to an Aluminum V6 soon and the all alloy V8 option is a pure sports car V8 that was designed with weight being a major consideration. The ford V8 engines while they are a heavier engine have better drivability and the question would be would you swap a BOSS for a Gen3?
The Ford rear suspension is a superior package to the Holdens trailing arm setup and the car is said proven to have better crash performance.
While all of these problems may affect Ford drag race performance and even have an effect on fuel economy I think that for most of us the combination of more drivable engines, better suspension, better saftey, means that while weight loss would be good we don't want to compromise what we have at the moment, especially if that means turning a good value car into an expensive one.

XR_Strider_GuY · 01-26-2003, 17:00

IF the BAII can even loose 50kg that would already be very competitive against teh new VE Commodore. Why? Because i can bet that the new IRS that holden will get will certainly add weight. Holdens advantage is that the semi trailing arm suspension is light but as we all know it's a very very primitive IRS not much better than a live axle.

Add to that Holden will be using a new DOHC 3.8L which will certainly add weight from the current pushrod design. So all in all i think that roll on BAII and the VE the weight difference between the 2 would be minimal.