[gman005]

I'm sure it's been asked before. What would the weight savings be going to Fiberglass doors and lexan windows on a 71 Lemans?

[PAUL K]

Hi John, it depends how much the old parts weigh and how much the replacements weigh.

[gman005]

I guess I should have asked if anyone knows how much a factory doors weighs with glass and hardware.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by gman005

I guess I should have asked if anyone knows how much a factory doors weighs with glass and hardware.

Just trying to be helpful

[25stevem]

I would just cut out the waffled steel crash protection plate and the glass tract and install Lexi glass and call it a day.

[Trevor78]

Often there's weight savings to be had with the driver.

[gtokid1968]

OUCH

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by gtokid1968

OUCH

Wow!

[PAUL K]

John if it helps Firebird fiberglass doors are about 12-15 lbs bare. I have Windows from Pro Glass in Bristol. They are a bit heavier than Lexan and hold up better for a street car. I can't remember the weight savings but the factory glass didn't weigh a bunch so there wasn't a big savings in the glass.

[CraigG.]

I'm curious about door weight too as my 72 doors seem like IRON!

[gman005]

I don't want to cut up my original doors.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by gman005

I guess I should have asked if anyone knows how much a factory doors weighs with glass and hardware.

'70 GTO door, super solid & straight, no bondo. W mirror, both hinges, glass & manual regulator, door panel, no plastic armrest assembly.... 93.8 lbs.
Will weigh w/o hinges later today.

'71-72 LeMans/GTO hardtop door, though different mirror location, will weigh very similar weight.

[73LeMans]

This is good advice IMO -

Originally Posted by 25stevem

I would just cut out the waffled steel crash protection plate and the glass tract and install Lexi glass and call it a day.

Heres why...
I weighed my 73 LeMans doors fully loaded....crash bar, glass, locks, handles etc. They came in at 125lbs each. It sure seemed like more when you tried to lift 'em! but that was the number. Yours will be slightly lighter given the size difference of the two vehicles I imagine? Maybe not.

After weighing my fiber door, adding back in all the stuff I want to work while on the street, including making some steel reinforcement for the hinge areas, I figured it would be 100lbs saving for the car. Lotta work for 100lbs. My doors have no lock provision, no striker provision and need to be reinforced any place I'm going to put stress on them...like all of the the window track mounting spots, the window roller area, and the handle and striker areas. AND I still gotta paint them! Perhaps your doors are closer to ready than mine.

The crash bar is 20lbs. I took that out last Feb. Thats 40lbs gone and that only took a couple hours. As mentioned, some lightweight Lexan would save more...for me that would be 17lbs if I choose to go that route.

As also mentioned, this driver could stand to lose a few....sooooo, might be less work to do that then trying to massage those doors to work like factory ones. I don't know though....I really like cookies.

[Bill Eveland]

On my 55, the doors were about 80 lbs each, the vfn were 12, plus latch and door handles.

[kingbuzzo]

Yesh, cookies are my weakness...xmas is a difficult time

Is it illegal to remove the crash bars from the doors on a street car - obviously dumb but wondering about the man

[73LeMans]

Originally Posted by kingbuzzo

Yesh, cookies are my weakness...xmas is a difficult time

Is it illegal to remove the crash bars from the doors on a street car - obviously dumb but wondering about the man

mmmm...Oreos......

I struggled with the notion, but its no different than running fiber doors on the street. Plus I would argue the chromoly rollbar down bar is a replacement for the crash bar. (I probably wouldnt win that argument though) Good point about the legality. I hadnt given that any thought. The the car sees maybe 600 miles a year on the road. IMO, if I get T boned, there isn't much to save me regardless of path chosen, except maybe all the Nutter Butter and Oreo packages.
.

and man, I wish my fiber doors were 12lbs...mine are 35!

[CraigG.]

Pictures of crash bars to be removed without disabling window and door handle functions?
Thanks, Craig

[kingbuzzo]

nutter butter...lol

I completely agree - some weight savings would be amazing as my girl is hefty.

In the long run it's better to start with the driver I guess (embarassed emoticon)...

[Old Goat Racer]

My 72 Lemans has a 70 GTO fiberglass front end. Fabbed Aluminum rad support. Door bars removed. Lexon windshield, rear quarter windows, back glass. Fiberglass trunk lid and rear bumper. Dash removed, refabbed.
My car weighs about 2925. Imagine how fast/quick my car would be with your engine combo ?
Do all that to your car and paint it Black.

OGR

[gman005]

I ordered doors and lexan windows.