Weight Reduction - Ceramic Heater core.

Christ · #1 09-14-2008, 12:51 AM

Ok, so I've been told by some old-skoolers, and I've seem a few posts about it, and read about it several times.

The idea here is to lose water weight, some of the heater ducting, some hoses, and the heater core.

What I'm wondering about this, is has anyone here ever done it, or seen it done, and how well did it work?

I mean, I know I can get ceramic heaters in 12v, and rather large, etc... but can it be placed (with "help") in the same place as the stock heater core? Can it actually keep the windshield defrosted, keep the car warm, etc.. like the OEM heater setup can?

I understand that the heater core can be a second line of protection against overheating your engine, but I watch my gauges and such VERY closely while I'm driving... call me paranoid.. I just really wondered about doing this.

And if anyone knows exactly or estimated, about how much weight could be saved... b/c I know those ceramic cores aren't light.

viper-blue · #2 09-16-2008, 10:33 PM

The key term used in your question was "old-schoolers". An old muscle car may have a heavy heater-core, and the lines attached to it may have a lot of water in there. A honda heater core + the water in the lines can't weigh more than ten pounds. IMO its a pointless mod if your looking purely for weight reduction.

Christ · #3 09-16-2008, 10:50 PM

Well, ceramic heaters only weigh about 3 lbs... noone ever said it would be a huge weight loss...

But, putting it in perspective, you're probably right, it's most likely not worth it, unless I've got to replace the core anyway, then I"ll think about it.

pithi69 · #4 10-11-2008, 02:25 PM

If you haden't already done so, remove the windshield washer tank. Less weight on the front left corner. Unless you need your hood squirters... :P

Christ · #5 10-11-2008, 07:34 PM

I use my squirters, thank you.

I'm working on relocating the battery to the area that most cold air intake systems put the filter... front right corner, behind the bumper.

I'm only test fitting it to this car, since I may end up w/ a better shell to work on anyway.. if I do, all work on this chassis stops.

kris · #6 10-11-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

I use my squirters, thank you.

I'm working on relocating the battery to the area that most cold air intake systems put the filter... front right corner, behind the bumper.

Perfect place for it to explode in a front end collision.

Christ · #7 10-11-2008, 10:45 PM

Like it won't explode where it is? It's protected by... lets see... the headlight.

It's actually safer to have it lower and behind the bumper cover, since during a front end collision, odds are, it will get pressed either against the tire, or out the side of the bumper cover.

That would be part of the reason that many vehicles already have it there, like my wife's Gran Prix. Except in her case, it's still in the engine bay, just tucked in a no-crinkle zone.

It's on the driver's side, under the fuse box, washer tank, and engine bay brace.

KoDKingVegeta · #8 10-17-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

since I may end up w/ a better shell to work on anyway.. if I do, all work on this chassis stops.

You might be getting another shell? If so I HAVE FIRST! Dibs on the shell I sold you. I would be VERY happy to take it back from you.

Christ · #9 10-17-2008, 07:32 PM

That's if I sell it... I might keep it, and do it up as a project, and keep the other one as a DD... not fully decided yet.

If my wife wants it, it's hers, we've already talked about it. She gets it, and she buys the LS/Auto swap and parts to put it in, she helps do the work, and it's hers, no charge.

If she doesn't want it, I may work it up a bit, or I may sell it... like I said, still undecided.

I'll at least do the body work before I sell it... so obviously, you're not going to get it back for $350... especially if it's running at that point.

KoDKingVegeta · #10 10-17-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

That's if I sell it... I might keep it, and do it up as a project, and keep the other one as a DD... not fully decided yet.

If my wife wants it, it's hers, we've already talked about it. She gets it, and she buys the LS/Auto swap and parts to put it in, she helps do the work, and it's hers, no charge.

If she doesn't want it, I may work it up a bit, or I may sell it... like I said, still undecided.

I'll at least do the body work before I sell it... so obviously, you're not going to get it back for $350... especially if it's running at that point.

If your goin to sell it, dont worry about the body work. I have plans for a 4 dr sedan. Iv been looking, but havnt found what I want yet. So if you decide you want to sell it. Screw the body work, you can keep the motor, and the interior parts. I just want the rolling shell with wheels and harness. (Come to think of it, the harness does me no good eather. So you can keep that also)

Christ · #11 10-17-2008, 07:46 PM

The body work is for me... therefore, it will be done before I decide to sell it... actually, as soon as I can swing it to get this other shell and get it running, this one comes off the road to get stripped, sheeted, and a few "extras" done... then my wife can decide whether her 4$$ wanna ride Honda or stick with her limited style Granny Prix.

There is no way I can "not" do the body work... it's getting done as soon as possible... it's getting really bad, the trunk is wet almost every time it rains now... oh.. changed the damn trunk lid too.. no more wavy deck lid

FYI if you ever re-level a deck lid again, on a 4g4d, sand it w/ a 2x4 about 2 feet long, using the 4" side.

KoDKingVegeta · #12 10-17-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

The body work is for me... therefore, it will be done before I decide to sell it... actually, as soon as I can swing it to get this other shell and get it running, this one comes off the road to get stripped, sheeted, and a few "extras" done... then my wife can decide whether her 4$$ wanna ride Honda or stick with her limited style Granny Prix.

There is no way I can "not" do the body work... it's getting done as soon as possible... it's getting really bad, the trunk is wet almost every time it rains now... oh.. changed the damn trunk lid too.. no more wavy deck lid

FYI if you ever re-level a deck lid again, on a 4g4d, sand it w/ a 2x4 about 2 feet long, using the 4" side.

Alright just let me know, if you plan to sell it or not.

Christ · #13 10-17-2008, 07:56 PM

KoDKingVegeta · #14 10-17-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr0pZ0n3

How am I weird? LOL! If you do the body work and stuff, thats up to you. It is your car. Im just saying IF you decide to sell it, u can keep the motor and stuff it does me no good. For what I want.

Christ · #15 10-17-2008, 07:58 PM

It says "werd"... like "word" but with an "E".. just me agreeing to let you know.

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