Weight reduction...
 

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here knew any shops in California who deal with race prepping and fabrication. Mainly looking into building a track car and taking out anything in order to have a lightweight vehicle, mainly gutting the interior. I haven't decided on what car but I'm looking for a reputable shop that does this type of work. TIA.

Northern California, Blaine Fabrication does all my work. They could do that for you, but honestly, you're better off doing that stuff yourself.

PaulC

thanks for the reply, basically I'm looking into get a cheap project car (c230, 190e, miata, golf, E30 m3) and playing around with weight reduction, I also want a custom rollbar and maybe fuel cell relocation. Thanks for the advice!

we could build or locate a race car for you. where do you think you might want to race the car? just club racing and open tracking or are you looking for a full time series? we have built more than 5 race cars in recent years and are prepared to start another one at any time.

Crap.. miatas aren't exactly "cheap" project cars.. and M3? Are you funded like Realtime Racing or something?

There's tons you can do to lower weight. Mostly pulling stuff out like the sound deadening tar (use dry ice to *FREEZE* it then a hammer to chip it out and vacuum it up), but also replacing stuff with lighter parts (like changing the glass to lexan). Also since you'll need a rollcage, that adds lots of weight, but if you use chromemoly, it's lighter but harder to work with and your welder SHOULD use an oxy-acetelyene torch to weld the cage together and in the car (and NOT a mig welder, unless you plan on being able to bake the whole car in an oven and properly anneal the welds).

Check your rulebook before you do anything.