Now THAT reference I understand well, both Gleason and his role in the movies!
2019 Challenger Widebooty HellKitty (she's giving me the meatsweats...)
- Thread starter motorheadmike
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Seen this today. Thought of this thread.
Time for another COVID project. #1 gripe on Hellcats? Dey heavy!
Obviously it is hard to remove weight easily and permanently from these cars. The first step is to not option the crap out of them. The next step is to replace heavy parts with light weight parts. Only one problem - they really don't exist short of mega dollar race pieces.
So what do when you are "poor" and still dissatisfied with the weight? Get creative and do something no one else has (as far as I know) yet.
Build an aluminum exhaust!
And when I say build... I mean build. Most everything exists, but some - lots - of assembly is required. Been sourcing parts from all over - including cooking vendors.
A basic 3" intercooler pipe kit has everything I need for bends and such.
The mufflers were probably the most interesting problem to solve. Specifically how to make something functional. Like what packing material to use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089J5BNLV/?tag=gbody-20 Or how to build the internal baffling:
A more perforated set of sheets should be here tomorrow. Amazon let me down.
Aluminum v-bands are a thing. These are going to allow me to drop the back half of the exhaust off and use turn downs at the drags.
And perhaps the most challenging component is building the active exhaust valves. 3" aluminum butterfly valves aren't really a thing... so I am improvising.
Also, tips.
Sorry, they are stainless.
Obviously it is hard to remove weight easily and permanently from these cars. The first step is to not option the crap out of them. The next step is to replace heavy parts with light weight parts. Only one problem - they really don't exist short of mega dollar race pieces.
So what do when you are "poor" and still dissatisfied with the weight? Get creative and do something no one else has (as far as I know) yet.
Build an aluminum exhaust!
And when I say build... I mean build. Most everything exists, but some - lots - of assembly is required. Been sourcing parts from all over - including cooking vendors.
A basic 3" intercooler pipe kit has everything I need for bends and such.
The mufflers were probably the most interesting problem to solve. Specifically how to make something functional. Like what packing material to use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089J5BNLV/?tag=gbody-20 Or how to build the internal baffling:
A more perforated set of sheets should be here tomorrow. Amazon let me down.
Aluminum v-bands are a thing. These are going to allow me to drop the back half of the exhaust off and use turn downs at the drags.
And perhaps the most challenging component is building the active exhaust valves. 3" aluminum butterfly valves aren't really a thing... so I am improvising.
Also, tips.
Sorry, they are stainless.
Aside from having the kids in the car there's always the demon approach... less seats saved what, 90kg or so?
Something like that. I do pull the seats when I go to the drags. Here's a comprehensive list:
According to their list the stock exhaust is about 70lbs. Mine should come in around 18lbs.
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There's an off the shelf aluminum muffler, maybe it was Vibrant that made it?
Discontinued. I checked. However, there are some guys in the States who will make them to order. Also, I want very specific dimensions and characteristics. I will be making four units, and buying them would add up fast. Plus, I get to practice my aluminum welding even more now.
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