My Elky needs to go on a diet...

350elky1981 · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: My Elky needs to go on a diet...

This heavy pig needs to lose some weight, does anyone know any little tricks to dumpin some excess weight without doing a sheet metal car? Any help would be appreciated...
Thanks,
C.J.
_________________
I know what you're thinking, why not a Corvette? Why not a GT40? Well my friends those are just cars, El Camino is a way of life...

1BadElky · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

replace the front bumper with a fiberglass tucked one.

lose the rear bumper and that bigass brace behind it. (be sure to install a frame brace or trailer hitch to tie the frame rails together)

aluminum rims.

fiberglass hood (special springs needed)

racing seats

aluminum driveshaft (4" from a 2500HD gasser will work, just shorten it)

aluminum heads, intake, water pump

aluminum radiator (third gen Z28 swaps in fine)

lose the spare tire (on yourself and the car Poke Tounge

)

fiberglass doors (not as safe)

lose the a/c

manual steering (from s10)

obviously some things are not very practical, but I'm just trying to cover all the bases. the bold ones will be the most noticeable.
_________________

Formerly 86Conquista

Currently undergoing resto.
Planned:
-350/?/3.42
-ZQ8 wheels
-Disc Brakes
-More

PaPa Johns 77 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:39 am Post subject:

Sometimes it is better served to add HP as opposed to losing weight on a street driven vehicle. Mainly for safety issues! As for losing the back bumper to shed weight, that would be counter productive due to traction issues. Smile

_________________
"Still Just Truck'in"
"Johnny"
Bradley, Illinois

LeoC2 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:00 am Post subject:

As far as fiberglass hood is concerned, from personmal experience I'd say don't bother. Unless you're racing the fiberglass hood is more torible than it's worth. If you get real lucky and get one that's straight and fits well it still will never fit perfectly and can't be treeked to fit. If you want a good fit and want it to look right then stick with metal, the cost is the same.
_________________
Leo

1986 El Camino
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC

"Randy! He drives an El Freakin' Camino! That's like the Cadillac of cars!"
Earl Hickey

350elky1981 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:35 pm Post subject:

Hey thanks guys, I appreciate it. I would like to add some more power, but I'm on a High School Budget. Evil or Very Mad

Thanks for the tips though, Seems like I could find some of that stuff for pretty cheap, I was plannin of givin up the A/C Cause it's broken anyways, plus I have to ditch the hitch (sure that's not helping with weight Poke Tounge

) Do you think I could swap in some seats out of an 87 Camaro easily?
Thanks alot,
C.J.
_________________
I know what you're thinking, why not a Corvette? Why not a GT40? Well my friends those are just cars, El Camino is a way of life...

toms84ss · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

If you can find some G-body bucket seat tracks or 60/40 split bench seat tracks. The F-body seats will bolt up to them.

350elky1981 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

Sweet! Thanks man! Junkyard time...
_________________
I know what you're thinking, why not a Corvette? Why not a GT40? Well my friends those are just cars, El Camino is a way of life...

1BadElky · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

If your cruck has 60/40 or buckets you can use factory brackets as mentioned earlier.

if you have a full bench you will need to weld in the inner floor brackets from a donor car, because GM, in their infinite foresight left those out on bench equipped vehicles.
_________________

Formerly 86Conquista

Currently undergoing resto.
Planned:
-350/?/3.42
-ZQ8 wheels
-Disc Brakes
-More

350elky1981 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

Ok, I know this is gonna sound dumb, but ...
By 60/40 do you mean this?

If so, I think I have the full bench. Sorry, I'm still learnin'
_________________
I know what you're thinking, why not a Corvette? Why not a GT40? Well my friends those are just cars, El Camino is a way of life...

toms84ss · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

Look under the seat. If its a 60/40 you'll have two sliders on each side of the seat. If its a standard beanch it will only have one slider on each side of the seat.

350elky1981 · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

Cool thanks!
This weekend I finally got some tome with my car so I ditched the A/C, Hitch, hit the swap meet and got some headers, and a pair of 10" wide cragar SS wheels with Drag slicks for 25$ so I'm real excited now! Laugh

_________________
I know what you're thinking, why not a Corvette? Why not a GT40? Well my friends those are just cars, El Camino is a way of life...

ellie83 · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject: How do i remove my AC?

On this 83 the Ac doesn't work so i was considering removing what i could to free up space.
Any tips would help, also would taking the compressor off affect my timing belt?

dougs85 · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:46 pm Post subject:

You live in Texas and you want to remove your air conditioning? Why don't you get it going again? Anyway your Elky does not have a timing belt. The A/C compressor belt also helps drive the power steering pump but the pump also has another belt running it so probably no issues in removing the A/C compressor belt.

Doug
_________________
85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO

ellie83 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject:

I discovered that If you take the AC belt off then the fan and alternator pulleys wont spin. (AC shares the fan pulley)

So i need a belt that will bypass the AC pulley and go to the power steering pump instead..
In other words a belt that goes from the crank pulley to the fan pulley to the power steering pulley..

Anyone know what size that belt would be..
I could measure if i have to...

83 conquista

dougs85 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject:

I think you need to take another look. On my '85 there is a belt from the crank pulley that drives the water pump pulley with the fan and the alternator. The power steering is driven by a belt from the crank pulley and augmented by the A/C compressor belt.

So at least my case the fan/water pump and alternator is powered from a belt from the crank pulley. And another belt from the crank only to the power steering pump. Then there is a belt from the fan pulley to the air (smog) pump. I would think the '83 would be the same.

Doug
_________________
85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO