What's plastic, what's steel?

**azkass** · 10-27-2010, 09:06 PM

I didn't even notice until it was brought to my attention but aside from the rear panels, are there any other body pieces made from steel? My hood (WS6) appears to be fiberglass and the doors, fenders and bumpers plastic. Is this specific to model/ year? Just curious..I'll check prior threads too.

**98 t/a vert** · 10-27-2010, 09:48 PM

I believe the only steel panels are the roof section, quarters and(non WS-6) hood.

**98 t/a vert** · 10-27-2010, 09:52 PM

Oh yeah, and your headlight covers. They went to composite fenders and door skins when the fourth gens were introduced.

**ls1camino** · 10-28-2010, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by 98 t/a vert

I believe the only steel panels are the roof section, quarters and(non WS-6) hood.

Originally Posted by 98 t/a vert

Oh yeah, and your headlight covers. They went to composite fenders and door skins when the fourth gens were introduced.

Front Bumper: Plastic
Front Fenders: Plastic
WS6 Hood: Fiberglass
Regular Hood: Steel
Doors: Fiberglass
Trans Am Rocker Panels: Plastic
Sail Panel: Plastic
Rear Quarter Panels: Steel
Hatch: Fiberglass
Wing: Fiberglass
Rear Bumper: Plastic

**Smittro** · 10-28-2010, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by 98 t/a vert

Oh yeah, and your headlight covers. They went to composite fenders and door skins when the fourth gens were introduced.

My doors are completely fiberglass, front fenders are ABS plastic so are yours..

**TheSilverSurfer** · 10-28-2010, 06:23 AM

Very light weight= very fast

**justinmc978** · 10-28-2010, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by TheSilverSurfer

Very light weight= very fast

that our cars are not..

**pajeff02** · 10-28-2010, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

that our cars are not..

Agree. I scaled our Trans Am at 3,565 lbs. when it had 2 point SFC's and a catback: http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123963

**raynor139** · 10-28-2010, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

that our cars are not..

They arent light but at least they are not porkers like the 5th gens.

**ls1camino** · 10-28-2010, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by raynor139

They arent light but at least they are not porkers like the 5th gens.

Add a 9" Rear and you might as well.

**azkass** · 10-28-2010, 04:13 PM

You'd think with all that plastic they would be lighter. After I get my car back from the shop I'm gonna get it weighed and see where it's at. I'm planning on building a new block (cast iron) so I imagine that will add a couple hundred pounds as well. Hope the added HP makes up for the added weight of the block. I DON"T want these Mustang guys pullin' on me.

**Cutlass** · 10-28-2010, 04:55 PM

They are relatively light for a V8 RWD car. They are certainly lighter V8 RWD cars and definitely heavier V8 RWD cars (Like about every V8 car made since the 4th gens, excluding the Vette)

**Smittro** · 10-28-2010, 05:38 PM

Too much iron,, was used in f-body construction.. If more aluminum was used for componets they would have been lighter imho..

**Maro SS** · 10-28-2010, 06:20 PM

i dont think its that heavy for what it is..

**Smittro** · 10-28-2010, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Maro SS

i dont think its that heavy for what it is..

But it is very heavy for it's size.. imho..

**67CamaroRSSS** · 10-28-2010, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Agree. I scaled our Trans Am at 3,565 lbs. when it had 2 point SFC's and a catback: http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123963

Speedworld scales in AZ put my car at 3468 before my fat ass is added... And that includes the custom weld-in SFC's...

I suppose that's the difference between a Camaro and a TA. Headlight motors and all...

**pajeff02** · 10-29-2010, 03:33 AM

The track scaled TLS_Addict's Z-28 last weekend at 3,525 if I recall correctly.

**Cutlass** · 10-29-2010, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by 67CamaroRSSS

Speedworld scales in AZ put my car at 3468 before my fat ass is added... And that includes the custom weld-in SFC's...

I suppose that's the difference between a Camaro and a TA. Headlight motors and all...

Trans Am's are usually power everything (antenna, seats, windows, locks, headlights, etc) plus 150 speaker (

) Monsoon stereo...little stuff adds up I suppose.
A Firebird Formula (except a WS6 Formula maybe) probably weighs less than most Trans Ams

**dragonchick** · 10-30-2010, 11:10 AM

I'm not 100% if any of the WS6 hoods was metal on the later 4th gens, but I do know that on my '99, a base T/A, her hood was metal. I've also noticed that the WS6 hoods that Year One has for sale, Some are fiberglass some are metal, both are expensive from Year One though. I had bought a nonfunctioning fiberglass ramair hood from Jegs, that was easily made into a functioning hood. I helped my hubby takle off the original hood and put on the new hood. You could really tell the weight difference.