Lighten the Mustang
12-19-2004, 08:29 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 192
Lighten the Mustang
I want to put my 98 GT on a diet after the holidays.
Specifically I want to remove weight from the front part of the car. I am probably going to relocate the battery into the trunk as a start.
I am leaving the A/C in (at least for one more summer).
Any other things I can do? Is it possible to take some of the bracing out of the hood and use a hole saw to lighten the rest (anyone tried it? With pics?)
Specifically I want to remove weight from the front part of the car. I am probably going to relocate the battery into the trunk as a start.
I am leaving the A/C in (at least for one more summer).
Any other things I can do? Is it possible to take some of the bracing out of the hood and use a hole saw to lighten the rest (anyone tried it? With pics?)
12-19-2004, 10:33 PM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 126
Depends on how serious you are about doing it... and how much money you are willing to spend.... 
if it were me:
1) tubular k-member and a-arms (40#ish)
2) coil over shocks (5-10 #ish)
3) aluminum block (75#ish savings over your iron block)
4) replace the stock hood with a Kaenen Cobra r (22lbs)
5) replace and relocate the stock battery into the back, and use a lightweight battery instead
it's all a question of how far you are willing to go
if it were me:
1) tubular k-member and a-arms (40#ish)
2) coil over shocks (5-10 #ish)
3) aluminum block (75#ish savings over your iron block)
4) replace the stock hood with a Kaenen Cobra r (22lbs)
5) replace and relocate the stock battery into the back, and use a lightweight battery instead
it's all a question of how far you are willing to go
12-20-2004, 04:51 PM
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 192
I am pretty serious, but this year's modding money is going into some suspension essentials and decent tires. 
Looking for stuff I could do on the cheap, such as relocate the battery and maybe hack some of the bracing out of the hood (I hear reports of guys getting 20 lbs out of it, that seems optimistic but does anyone know for sure?)
Other things that come to mind are taking the dust shields off from behind the brakes.
Looking for stuff I could do on the cheap, such as relocate the battery and maybe hack some of the bracing out of the hood (I hear reports of guys getting 20 lbs out of it, that seems optimistic but does anyone know for sure?)
Other things that come to mind are taking the dust shields off from behind the brakes.
12-20-2004, 05:30 PM
#5
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Posts: 711
Originally Posted by HFX98GT
I want to put my 98 GT on a diet after the holidays.
Specifically I want to remove weight from the front part of the car. I am probably going to relocate the battery into the trunk as a start.
I am leaving the A/C in (at least for one more summer).
Any other things I can do? Is it possible to take some of the bracing out of the hood and use a hole saw to lighten the rest (anyone tried it? With pics?)
Specifically I want to remove weight from the front part of the car. I am probably going to relocate the battery into the trunk as a start.
I am leaving the A/C in (at least for one more summer).
Any other things I can do? Is it possible to take some of the bracing out of the hood and use a hole saw to lighten the rest (anyone tried it? With pics?)
Throw in an aluminum block 4 cylinder
12-20-2004, 10:03 PM
#7
CMOC Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 326
Yeah, moving the battery helps alot. i heard taking a 35lb battery outta the front is like adding 60lbs to the rear. I myself am doing this swap real soon. have the cable, and will have the box this week. just need the connectors.
Look at wheels. That can make a big difference.
Look at wheels. That can make a big difference.
12-21-2004, 04:21 PM
#8
Border Patrol
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington ON
Posts: 651
tubular k-member and a-arms and aluminum Heads would give you a good start.
Replace the stock hood
If your planning on having the car as a weekend toy.. even a set of welds with some skinnies.
Also you can remove the front sway bar if you are a 1/4 mile guy
I don't have A/C in my car but I Normally drive it in the late afternoon or night when it's not so hot.. I don't miss it.. You might want to think about getting rid of that if it doesn't bother you.
I would start there befour Cutting anything or drilling holes.. I just don't like the idea of cutting.. IMO
anyways.. good luck
cheers
Replace the stock hood
If your planning on having the car as a weekend toy.. even a set of welds with some skinnies.
Also you can remove the front sway bar if you are a 1/4 mile guy
I don't have A/C in my car but I Normally drive it in the late afternoon or night when it's not so hot.. I don't miss it.. You might want to think about getting rid of that if it doesn't bother you.
I would start there befour Cutting anything or drilling holes.. I just don't like the idea of cutting.. IMO
anyways.. good luck
cheers
Last edited by Clean_5oh; 12-21-2004 at 04:24 PM.
12-21-2004, 04:40 PM
#9
CMOC Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 326
Originally Posted by Clean_5oh
tubular k-member and a-arms and aluminum Heads would give you a good start.
Replace the stock hood
If your planning on having the car as a weekend toy.. even a set of welds with some skinnies.
Also you can remove the front sway bar if you are a 1/4 mile guy
I don't have A/C in my car but I Normally drive it in the late afternoon or night when it's not so hot.. I don't miss it.. You might want to think about getting rid of that if it doesn't bother you.
I would start there befour Cutting anything or drilling holes.. I just don't like the idea of cutting.. IMO
anyways.. good luck
cheers
Replace the stock hood
If your planning on having the car as a weekend toy.. even a set of welds with some skinnies.
Also you can remove the front sway bar if you are a 1/4 mile guy
I don't have A/C in my car but I Normally drive it in the late afternoon or night when it's not so hot.. I don't miss it.. You might want to think about getting rid of that if it doesn't bother you.
I would start there befour Cutting anything or drilling holes.. I just don't like the idea of cutting.. IMO
anyways.. good luck
cheers
i agree..cutting up a car just seems wrong. Replace whatever ya can with a lighter peice.
12-21-2004, 05:34 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 192
Yeah, I guess it will be a planned process.
A lighter hood would be a huge start, the stock one does drop with a significant "thump".
Like Scott says, I can't take out the handling stuff. Keep us posted on your battery relocation project Scott. Are you using a marine battery box or did you have an aluminum one fabed up?
I guess I should keep my eyes open for a late model Cobra that has been written off. You never know what you'll find in a junkyard
A lighter hood would be a huge start, the stock one does drop with a significant "thump".
Like Scott says, I can't take out the handling stuff. Keep us posted on your battery relocation project Scott. Are you using a marine battery box or did you have an aluminum one fabed up?
I guess I should keep my eyes open for a late model Cobra that has been written off. You never know what you'll find in a junkyard
