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?)

 

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

 

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.

 

I'd be a little leary of hacking any bracing out of the hood... it's designed like that for a reason.... and the last thing you want is a hood failure at the track... or on the highway...

 

Throw in an aluminum block 4 cylinder

 

Straight swap out of my wife's Sunfire?

Maybe I'll just go on the Atkins diet and get rid of 20 pounds from behind the steering wheel

 

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.

 

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

 

All great points, however hes a corner carver. So skinnies prob would be the best idea i agree..cutting up a car just seems wrong. Replace whatever ya can with a lighter peice.

 

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