Weight of Kirkham???

[mrmustang]

Can I ask why you did not start a new thread instead of resurrecting one that was last posted on 03-17-2008, at 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by bmwfahrer

From this thread and others, I've gathered that the Kirkhams are up to a couple hundred pounds lighter than others, can anybody offer a detailed breakdown of how? Their website says the following, but is not specific on how:

"Weight: From over 2400 pounds for a car with original style suspension, brakes, differential, top loader, 427 FE with iron block and heads to less than 2000 pounds with all of our lightweight options and an aluminum engine."

The ERA website, meanwhile, quotes 2600 for an Fe FE. I'd be curious to know if there's info like "alu frame saves XX, suspension bits ABC save YY," etc. I've done some thread searching, but not found many definitive numbers.

[bmwfahrer]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

The billet suspension is where the weight savings is over stock or original suspension, and other billet accessories...

Ok, that makes sense. Maybe the ERA site is quoting the Jag suspension in their 2600 lbs instead of their modified subframe.

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The ERA has a fiberglass body, the Kirkham body is aluminum and besides the billet aluminum suspension, the Kirkham comes with aluminum differential housing. My Kirkham weighed in around 2,100-2,150 lbs and that was years ago. I'm sure the Kirkhams have worked more of their magic since 2007.

I don't think I can recall an exact piece-by-piece weight comparison of a Kirkham versus another manufacturer.

Thanks for the rundown. Looks like the ERA body is about 350 total, but I can't find much on the Kirkham one. By comparison, CF is about 50 lbs.

Edit: looks like the Kirkham one is about 50 as well. Now I'm wondering if ERA's 350 is an apples-to-apples comparison or if it includes any frame pieces. Their site says "The average weight of a fiberglass replica body with interior panels can exceed 600 lbs." (ERA's is about 350 lbs)."

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Can I ask why you did not start a new thread instead of resurrecting one that was last posted on 03-17-2008, at 09:51 AM

Sure. If you post a new thread when another one with the same topic exists, some people come out and say "Thread already exists here, search." I figure it's better to thread bump than to start a new one, because this way the information is all contained in the same place. Is it etiquette here to start new or bump?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by bmwfahrer

Is it etiquette here to start new or bump?

You seem to have missed THIS FAQ post entitled "Newbies Read This"

When a thread is this old, some of the original participants may no longer be here, or with us in some cases. As such, a new thread would be in order, like this:

"I was reading THIS old post on weights and had an additional question"


In that way you have quoted the source, while asking for additional information to expand on it without dredging up an ancient thread in the process.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by bmwfahrer

Ok, that makes sense. Maybe the ERA site is quoting the Jag suspension in their 2600 lbs instead of their modified subframe.

The ERA, with an iron big block, but with all aluminum accoutrements, and the outboard braked rear, is going to be just about 2500 lbs. with a little bit of gas in the tank and the trunk empty. I don't think it's possible to get the weight down to some of the Kirkham numbers but, for most of us, it doesn't really matter.

[bmwfahrer]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Since the Larry Ellison Kirkham Cobra build several years ago, for which Kirkham developed a plethora of billet aluminum parts, including offering billet aluminum brake calipers, the weight reduction has been ongoing. The billet aluminum brake callpers may be one of the upgrades I'll be thinking about if and when my Kirkham goes back home to the factory.

I read about that build, fascinating engineering, and I'm glad that some of the processes trickled down. This must have been the impetus for a lot of that 200 lb weight savings. Do you know how much your car weighs?

Originally Posted by mrmustang

You seem to have missed....
In that way you have quoted the source, while asking for additional information to expand on it without dredging up an ancient thread in the process.

Good points, mea culpa. I'd read that thread a while ago, but that piece slipped my mind. Thanks for pointing that out.

Originally Posted by patrickt

The ERA, with an iron big block, but with all aluminum accoutrements, and the outboard braked rear, is going to be just about 2500 lbs. with a little bit of gas in the tank and the trunk empty. I don't think it's possible to get the weight down to some of the Kirkham numbers but, for most of us, it doesn't really matter.

Ok, so the aluminum parts in the ERA save you about 100, then you could also go with an aluminum engine and some other bits to shave a bit more.

Summing this up, it looks like the Kirkham saves ~150 on the body vs the glass cars, and then the billet alu suspension, brakes, and other accoutrements account for another 100-200, depending on how extensivily those are implemented.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by bmwfahrer

From this thread and others, I've gathered that the Kirkhams are up to a couple hundred pounds lighter than others, can anybody offer a detailed breakdown of how? Their website says the following, but is not specific on how:

"Weight: From over 2400 pounds for a car with original style suspension, brakes, differential, top loader, 427 FE with iron block and heads to less than 2000 pounds with all of our lightweight options and an aluminum engine."

The ERA website, meanwhile, quotes 2600 for an Fe FE. I'd be curious to know if there's info like "alu frame saves XX, suspension bits ABC save YY," etc. I've done some thread searching, but not found many definitive numbers.

The ERA has a fiberglass body, the Kirkham body is aluminum and besides the billet aluminum suspension, the Kirkham comes with aluminum differential housing. My Kirkham weighed in around 2,100-2,150 lbs and that was years ago. I'm sure the Kirkhams have worked more of their magic since 2007.

I don't think I can recall an exact piece-by-piece weight comparison of a Kirkham versus another manufacturer.

[RodKnock]

Since the Larry Ellison Kirkham Cobra build several years ago, for which Kirkham developed a plethora of billet aluminum parts, including offering billet aluminum brake calipers, the weight reduction has been ongoing. The billet aluminum brake callpers may be one of the upgrades I'll be thinking about if and when my Kirkham goes back home to the factory.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Since the Larry Ellison Kirkham Cobra build several years ago, for which Kirkham developed a plethora of billet aluminum parts, including offering billet aluminum brake calipers, the weight reduction has been ongoing. The billet aluminum brake callpers may be one of the upgrades I'll be thinking about if and when my Kirkham goes back home to the factory.

What year did they get billet calipers

[TimG427]

Mine is always faster with a passenger and lots of fuel. It doesn't spin the tires as much. I'm sure a passenger and full tank add 200 plus pounds.

[Bernica]

I have a 42 gal tank and can tell you that it's an entirely different experience when I run it full!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

I have a 42 gal tank and can tell you that it's an entirely different experience when I run it full!

Yeah, like putting an eighth of a ton of cement in your trunk.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yeah, like putting an eighth of a ton of cement in your trunk.

Call it "swapping sides" in a heartbeat!
Run half tank most of the time now.

[rodneym]

You're not well distributed front to back with a full 42?

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by rodneym

You're not well distributed front to back with a full 42?

I corner balanced with 1/2 tank. Was quite amazed at difference with a full tank! My bad on that one. You just need to be aware how much tail weight you are carrying at all times. This I know. Almost the hard way.

[rodneym]

If/when I need a new tank, a 4-2 is goin' in

[Bernica]

Just be ready when you fill it up at the 76 station with race gas. My credit card company actually declined once because they figured no way someone could spend that much at one stop!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

If/when I need a new tank, a 4-2 is goin' in

I forget. Is the standard Kirkham gas tank 33 gallons?

[rodneym]

I've heard 30 and 27/28 recently. Maybe we should ask David.
Never heard 33.

[4pipes]

I have the 42 gallon tank. When it's half full I usually need 20+ gallons and add 2 64oz. cans of Octane Supreme to the tank. Wow, what a transformation. Great starting, no run on, and a crisper exhaust sound. Still less expensive than 100+ pump gas and it has lead.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 4pipes

I have the 42 gallon tank. When it's half full I usually need 20+ gallons and add 2 64oz. cans of Octane Supreme to the tank. Wow, what a transformation. Great starting, no run on, and a crisper exhaust sound. Still less expensive than 100+ pump gas and it has lead.

Yes - that's great stuff if your engine needs it. I thought it was off the market now but it looks like it's still out there with a slightly different name.