Questions on weight loss for '78 SC Targa

[diamonddh]

So I am lightening my '78 and have two questions:
1) How do I get the big black bumperettes off the back bumper without taking off the entire bumper assembly. I have removed the 3 nuts off the bolts that I thought secured each of them. Neither will come off by my pulling it, hitting it, swearing at it, etc....

2) I am down to the thick heavy original sound deadening material in the interior back seat and deck area. Besides just pulling it out and replacing with light weight carpet, is there a lighter weight material available to give me some level of sound protection for the interior ride. The wife and kids will not be too happy to cruise with me otherwise.

thanks for any help. BTW, i am a newbie and really enjoy these forums as well as the restoration and used parts ones...I have a learned a great deal in a short time.

thanks
dave (diamonddh, '78 sc targa, going on lipo).

[Dueller]

1. About 15 pounds total. Take out the license plate lights. Insert a long screw driver wrapped in cloth and firmly pry them loose using fifferent angles. Apparently over time the rubber sticks to the paint...you're just tring to break them loose not pry them all the way off. Be prepared for some paint to come off around the three mount holes.

2. There an ewxcelent article here..I'll try to find it.

[Dueller]

Here ya go...lots on modern sound deadening in this article:

Interior project on my 87 911

[Dave Nordhoff]

I just removed my pads a couple of days ago. I had the same problem. Took the nuts off, pulled, pounded and used a soft hammer on the studs. Neither one would budge. I gave up for the day, defeated. The next morning it was 31 degrees in my garage and I was going to put the nuts back on and abort the project. I pulled on one and it came off. I had to pull a little harder on the second and it came off. The studs were not rusted. I think the rubber was stuck to the paint and the low temperature allowed them to separate.
I hope this helps,
Dave

[diamonddh]

thanks for the all the info., guess I'll lose some paint in the process on the big bumperettes.......anybody use any specific sound deadening material in the back that they were especially satisfied with?

[RWebb]

Quietcote works pretty well. I started but never finished a comparison of specs. on all these products. Be sure to fill any holes/gaps carefully (liquid).

-remove the US bumper shocks and go w/the Euro crush tubes - search up prev. threads.

- next steps are to replace deck lid & bumper w/CF or FG

- lighter muffler may help (M&K is about the lightest one)

- beyond that you will need to do things like eliminate the latches and hinges on the lid etc.

- Boring holes i things can serve as a source of personal enrichment but does not save much wt.

[Paulporsche]

Dave (or anyone else),

What do the insides of those bumperettes look like? Are they mostly solid or hollow? Can they be further hollowed out to reduce weight and still preserve the stock look?

[RWebb]

they are made of tough foam - I suppose one could 'scoop' it out with a heated steel tool - it'd smell terrible while doing it. I think they look pretty ugly & that would not change.

another option is the narrow '74 ones.

[afterburn 549]

Try to remeber as a wise man told me..take care of the OZ and the lbs will take of them self's.
How ever there are some big chunks like rockers , rear seat backs and belts =about a surprising 30 lbs There alone ! a PC 680,get rid of the spare, plastic rear window, F.G. bumpers and holy cow your dwn sizing!!

[MOMO3.2]

Dave:

The water tank that holds the windshield washer liquid is HEAVY when it is full. I was sure mine would be empty and only remove a little weight, but it was full.

+1 on the PC680. It weighs 12.5lbs. The stock battery was 45lbs.

Of course, any sound system equipment, spare tire, jack, A/C, center console, clock, M&K muffler, etc... does start to add up.

My 1987 Targa lost over 400 lbs. It is 2,460 lbs.

Mike

[afterburn 549]

Not to mention stock tail lts, muffler,

[oceanvue]

... Jenny Craig

[afterburn 549]

Lost 20 by quiting McDonalds !!

[Paulporsche]

RWebb,

No real argument there, but won't changing to the smaller ,74 ones require some plugging ofwhat would now be visible mounting holes? Bumper Plugs?

[RWebb]

I'd imagine so. There are some threads where people have done this, so you can search them up and won't be treading new ground (which I've found to be quite troublesome sometimes).

If you do, you might post them here for the next short hooder who wants to lighten up. I solved my problem by switching to an early car...

[diamonddh]

Momo3.2: what type of battery are u referring to....so stock is 45 pounds? Also, in the thread, how do I get to the wiper fluid tank. The large black bumperettes were a bear to take off but man at least 15 pounds gone. Has anyone done the plexy glass replace of side glass (this is a targa so cannot do the back) and do they scratch easily and do they look okay in tint shade? Still do the A/C and air pump.
dave

[afterburn 549]

Batt is a PC680 (made by odyssey ) ? NAPA ordered me one up with mount kit. Great little unit, will start car @ below freezing! In Ca you will have NO trouble and lose 4o lbs !!
Stock bumpers and crap are a EZ 60 lb.......
Spare tire and jack- Ez 45 lbs (I carry two cans of flat fix) (please no one start a argument how bad it is for a tire as I will not change one on a fwy anyway)

[tcar]

Originally Posted by diamonddh

Has anyone done the plexy glass replace of side glass (this is a targa so cannot do the back) and do they scratch easily and do they look okay in tint shade?
dave

They scratch if you just look at them. They will scratch rolling the windows up and down. I've never seen anyone try to tint them. Not sure that it would work on plastic.