XR8 weight - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

bossxr8 · 04-17-2003, 03:25

Why is the XR8 so much heavier than the XR6T. I know the engine is massive and the Tremec is probably heavier but with alloy heads, hollow cams and other alloy bits and pieces how is the XR8 over 100 kilos more than the turbo. That much extra weight just seems excessive.

snavy · 04-19-2003, 23:52

the gearbox is very heavy, also considering the V8s a cast iron block, and ten stories tall wouldnt be suprised to see the extra 100kgs.

XR6turbo · 04-20-2003, 01:19

I believe that about 80 - 90 kilograms comes from the motor and the rest from the gearbox!

gong_guy · 04-20-2003, 05:28

You think they could finally start using an alloy instead of a fat but sturdy cast iron block.
or am i the only 21st century digital boy? :)

snavy · 04-20-2003, 10:05

why not carbon fibre exterior panels? why not make it an all aluminium car?

cost comes into the equation.

but with the BAII i firmly believe weight reduction is high on the agenda.

TopGhia · 04-20-2003, 13:17

I would rather have a good solid heavy car, than some lighweight piece of crap that folds up on impact and squashes you nice and flat so they can stack 4 of you per ambulance.

snavy · 04-21-2003, 06:23

isnt aluminium stonger than normal metal ford use?

TopGhia · 04-21-2003, 12:58

Aluminium is a soft metal, only good for beer cans (although it makes good rustproof panels).

Only trouble with aluminium is that it is a very reactive metal, you only have to check out an alloy head that hasn't had the proper corrosion protection.

An iron block might be heavy, but it is far more stable than an aluminium alloy one.

http://www.tech.plym.ac.uk/sme/mech330/alcast1.htm

From the above, will mass produced cars go for cast iron liners or the more expensive coatings?

We must remember that all this alloy stuff is only a response to the smog laws laid down in the States and now here. It's all to do with power/weight ratio, not good engineering.

Then again, if you can afford to buy a new car every couple of years, I wouldn't worry about it.

julian · 04-21-2003, 16:34

Yes but if it were lighter it may have stopped, turned or gone around the corner so it doesnt need to crush

aston · 04-21-2003, 16:59

They do cast the 5.4 block in Alloy - Used on the Ford GT and also was seen on the SVT Lightning concept recently. So maybe we will see that in the future.