One last update for the weekend. I worked on the roof X as well as the required gussets in the roof area. I need to get the argon bottle filled before I can continue with the welding.
I've been asked by a couple people what the new cage would weigh since it's alot of bars compared to the old 10 point cage.
I took some time this evening to measure all the bars that are in the car right now. I was also able to estimate the bars yet to be installed.
The old cage weighed 140#, plus what ever the Chris Alston's clevis style swing out kit weighed (kinda heavy being solid steel).
From my calculations, the completed 25.3 cage will weigh right at 175#.
Now, the new cage incorperates both a built in trans crossmember as well as tubular driveshaft loop. The ones removed weighed 11#.
175 - 11 = 164#.
Now, I also removed the upper coil spring pockets although I didn't weigh them, I estimate they were around 4# each.
164 - 4 - 4 = 156 #net weight.
So the old cage was 140#, new one sits at around 156, so the gain is approx 16# heavier.
Other weight reduction things not associated with the cage are:
stock dash removed for the VFN fiberglass. 15# - 5# = 10# loss
remove rear floor wood storage compartment = 12# loss
replace Bassani mufflers with Coast Fab approx 3#
So these small items account for an additional 25# of weight loss.
Also remember the f/g doors which will knock an additional 140# off the car.