Lightening Holes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HotRodGMC68 · 12-30-2011, 02:12 PM

Has anyone on here used lightening holes on their frame/cross members, control arms, radiator support, anything and had any issues with strength? I'm a big fan of the late '60's gasser and super stock looks and have considered pullin the drill and hole saw set out. Any advice is appreciated!

team39763 · 01-02-2012, 10:37 AM

You can cut plenty of weight off the core support. Just give it a good look over and you'll see what you can and can't cut. Pay attention to how things are mounted and see if you can relocate them. I relocated my overflow tank to the firewall and my battery to the bed.

Marv D · 01-03-2012, 07:32 AM

I'd advise against it,,, the stock pieces are overkill for sure, there designed to throw 1000 pounds in the back and drive over dirt roads at 60mph. AND have a safety margin of about 4x because we all know NO ONE would ever overload a pickup!! LOL. But drilling it full of holes isn't going to accomplish NEAR as much as replacing the part with a stronger, engineered, chromemoly fabricated piece. (i.e. tubular lower A arms instead of the massive stock piece drilled full of holes) . Cheaper than ordering the lightweight alternative like fiberglass hoods and bumpers??? sure,, but is your life really worth getting out there and finding out...

Quote:

'DOH! shouldn't have cut quite that many holes in it

vin63 · 01-03-2012, 10:18 AM

I'm with Marv...while it was done on a few cars in the '60s...some of the Super Stock cars (unfortunately covered by magazines), it was also proven to be dangerous (which interestingly didn't get covered by the magazines). In fact, the industry went 180 degrees the other way and built chassis with rigidity and strength to make launches and torque applied to the chassis during a run more predictable, which in turn made the cars faster (more power was being applied instead of absorbed by the chassis).

If you're after the look of that era, there are plenty of safer ways to achieve that (paint schemes, lettering, etc.). If you're looking to reduce weight, I would opt for fiberglass bumpers, hood, polycarbonate for glass parts, etc.

dbmx66 · 01-03-2012, 03:03 PM

in my honest opinion, cut the core support up, maybe the bed floor, whatever you want, but i wouldnt touch (drill holes) in any chassis / suspension parts, unless your replacing it with with a lightweight after market part,

i agree with marv and vin, your life isnt worth the couple lbs youd be saving.

fastwillie 696969 · 01-03-2012, 05:50 PM

im out of control

12-30-2011, 02:12 PM	#1
HotRodGMC68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 32	Lightening Holes Has anyone on here used lightening holes on their frame/cross members, control arms, radiator support, anything and had any issues with strength? I'm a big fan of the late '60's gasser and super stock looks and have considered pullin the drill and hole saw set out. Any advice is appreciated! __________________ 384 Stroker Small Block- Best ET: 13.24@103

01-02-2012, 10:37 AM	#2
team39763 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 469	Re: Lightening Holes You can cut plenty of weight off the core support. Just give it a good look over and you'll see what you can and can't cut. Pay attention to how things are mounted and see if you can relocate them. I relocated my overflow tank to the firewall and my battery to the bed. __________________ 1982 Silverado - SBE, cleaned up GM heads, small cam, TH350, 850 Demon, 4.56 gears, and caltracs. Best time so far 11.8@XXXMPH

01-03-2012, 10:18 AM	#4
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: Lightening Holes I'm with Marv...while it was done on a few cars in the '60s...some of the Super Stock cars (unfortunately covered by magazines), it was also proven to be dangerous (which interestingly didn't get covered by the magazines). In fact, the industry went 180 degrees the other way and built chassis with rigidity and strength to make launches and torque applied to the chassis during a run more predictable, which in turn made the cars faster (more power was being applied instead of absorbed by the chassis). If you're after the look of that era, there are plenty of safer ways to achieve that (paint schemes, lettering, etc.). If you're looking to reduce weight, I would opt for fiberglass bumpers, hood, polycarbonate for glass parts, etc. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

01-03-2012, 03:03 PM	#5
dbmx66 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA Posts: 883	Re: Lightening Holes in my honest opinion, cut the core support up, maybe the bed floor, whatever you want, but i wouldnt touch (drill holes) in any chassis / suspension parts, unless your replacing it with with a lightweight after market part, i agree with marv and vin, your life isnt worth the couple lbs youd be saving.

01-03-2012, 05:50 PM	#6
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Lightening Holes im out of control __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex



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