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Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

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Old 04-12-2010, 06:03 PM
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Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Hey guys,
Have you guys noticed how heavy the trunk lid is? The thing must weigh at least 35lbs if not more! Does anyone know of any after market sites that create a carbon or fiberglass version? I want to ditch this POS! My carbon hood only weighs about 20lbs...my stupid decklid should not weigh more than my hood!

Sorry guys, just need to vent a bit!
Old 04-12-2010, 06:17 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

I've never lifted it without the struts influence so I can't accurately make a claim to it's weight. But by the look of it, it's comprised of two complete layers of metal, plus the spoiler, latch and brake light.

Even a metal hood is only one layer with reinforcing ribs. Does look like a good place to save a lot of weight using more modern materials.
Old 04-12-2010, 08:40 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Originally Posted by Mr. IROC-Z
Hey guys,
Have you guys noticed how heavy the trunk lid is? The thing must weigh at least 35lbs if not more! Does anyone know of any after market sites that create a carbon or fiberglass version? I want to ditch this POS! My carbon hood only weighs about 20lbs...my stupid decklid should not weigh more than my hood!

Sorry guys, just need to vent a bit!
A thought on this is the weight distribution on these cars. The original car (both bird and camaro) had big glass and hatch on the back. That equals heavy. Part of the design from ASC I'm sure had to do with actually adding weight to the rear to help with the weight distribution. I agree it's not great for overall weight but without proper weight distribution the car would lose some of it's engineering characteristics originally built into the coupe.
Old 04-12-2010, 10:31 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Originally Posted by White92RSVert
A thought on this is the weight distribution on these cars. The original car (both bird and camaro) had big glass and hatch on the back. That equals heavy. Part of the design from ASC I'm sure had to do with actually adding weight to the rear to help with the weight distribution. I agree it's not great for overall weight but without proper weight distribution the car would lose some of it's engineering characteristics originally built into the coupe.
Did they add weight on the 88 GTA Notchback cars?
Old 04-12-2010, 11:02 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Not to my knowledge. I've had 3 of them and they appear no different besides the fiberglass decklid and rear seats that was on the TTA.

By the way, don't be fooled. That Notchback fiberglass decklid is not lightweight. It's much more than 35#. I believe it's more around ~75# but don't quote me as I've never had it actually weighed.

Originally Posted by Zepher
Did they add weight on the 88 GTA Notchback cars?
Old 04-12-2010, 11:15 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

The notchback hatch is a bit lighter than the regular hatch, and the notch has the little pedestal spoiler on it not the heavy *** wrap around.
Old 04-12-2010, 11:17 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Didn't you sell your Notchback lid itself and have it shipped? If so, maybe you have the exact weight? I can't seem to find it, as I thought that info was posted.

I don't disagree it's likely lighter than the original hatch, but it's not as light as the convertible trunk lid. I've got a '92 TA Convertible and Notchback and the Notchback lid is not lightweight. It's also composed of multiple layers of fiberglass and a small window and some reinforcement.

According to this article on my website, which I got from Frankie, the lid itself was 62#:
http://www.gtanotchback.com/document...-notchback.jpg

Originally Posted by BigBadGTA
The notchback hatch is a bit lighter than the regular hatch, and the notch has the little pedestal spoiler on it not the heavy *** wrap around.
Old 04-12-2010, 11:23 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

No I didn't have it shipped it was picked up locally. I just know because when I was moving it around the notch with the spoiler on it was considerably lighter than the glass hatch with nothing at all on it.. That glass hatch is a monster...
Old 04-13-2010, 10:15 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

No matter the reason for the heavy trunk, I will be starting to get quotes for a custom carbon and fiberglass version.
Our cars are 'tanks'! We need to do everything possible to lighten the weight!
Old 04-15-2010, 11:00 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

I always thought they are pretty light. If you flip through a car magazine you'd be shocked at how heavy lots of cars are. Most cars now are pushing in on 4000lbs in our size range. Even my hatchback Focus was 2800lbs and it is much smaller.

Trunk is bloody heavy though. Had to replace the struts on it recently.
Old 04-17-2010, 08:17 AM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Not sure how much your looking at spending, but one thing to mention... I've got a Matrix 3 Vert, and it appears Matrix put a fiberglass deck lid on my car (shocks are dead and its pretty light still). Not sure if they match up the same, but might be worth looking into if you could find an old matrix lid.
Old 04-18-2010, 12:18 AM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

Originally Posted by campin1983
Not sure how much your looking at spending, but one thing to mention... I've got a Matrix 3 Vert, and it appears Matrix put a fiberglass deck lid on my car (shocks are dead and its pretty light still). Not sure if they match up the same, but might be worth looking into if you could find an old matrix lid.
No shitt? Do you have a picture of it? Matrix??? never heard of them?
Sounds like I will never find something like that?
Do you want to trade...hahhaa?
Old 04-18-2010, 12:23 AM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

After ummm.. you guys are done whining, hit the gym why don't you...
Old 04-18-2010, 05:01 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

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This is the only pick I have right now. And sorry... not gonna trade the deck off my own car, lol. Not even sure if the way Matrix did the back end was the same. But if it is, then it'd be a cool thing to find one!
Old 04-18-2010, 05:22 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

I'd doubt they made them heavier for weight distribution. Otherwise they'd add the difference from the V8 to a V6 Thirdgen and they wouldn't have different front springs.

The ASC version was approved by GM as a dealer option, maybe it had to do with retaining structural strength and/or impact protection? ...or maybe it's a remake of the front hood from the '50's?

The doors are suppose to comprise a part of the cars strength as well and I'd prefer that weight to be there in between me and whatever else that may be headed my way.
Old 04-18-2010, 07:26 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

I honestly doubt weight was considered at all when they made the trunk lid. They just made it and went with it. They certainly didn't consider weight when they made the original glass hatch, the doors that sag on their hinges, or the hood that could crush me to death. Why would ASC have payed any more attention to weight than GM did when it was obviously not a GM concern?

Why Matrix did fiberglass lids is beyond me (not complaining). And for that matter, mine is an early Matrix vert, they may have stopped later on too!
Old 11-22-2010, 09:23 AM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

we might have someone to repro the lid in F/g

heres the link. chime in and let him know your interested

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...***-trunk.html
Old 11-22-2010, 05:11 PM
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Re: Why the F*** are the convertible trunk decks so heavy!!!????

I pulled a trunk lid off a junkyard 89 Iroc vert and they are fairly heavy
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