It just might work! Won't it?

[stunner6910]

I have been thinking about this idea for several weeks now. Not sure if any of you have done it or even thought about it but if you have, provide input, and if you haven't do the same anyway.
OK THIS IS MY IDEA
Since we all know that the aode verts are the sumo champs of the sport cars and we HAVE to make them loose weight, I thought of the following. I already gutted my trunck and have no need for the space where the spare tire was. Since I have no need for that big piece of steel just hanging there I was thinking of cutting it out and placing a sheet of aluminum and placing it over the gap that will be left. Of course, it's a little more complicated than that. The braces that hold the gas tank would have to be shortened and the tube leading the gas into the tank would also have to be cut. I guess my question is if this would actually work without any major complications. Maybe I'm not thinking of somethings and that's why I decided to ask you guys. SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?!?!?!
I would say that big chunk of steel is at least 70lbs.

Sorry for it being so long but I needed to get it off my head and into writing.

 

[1105]

I think your ****in crazy If your going to go through the trouble of cutting the trunk, why not just get a fuel cell to replace your gas tank? It'll save on weight because of less gas, and probably be a lot easier to do. Just a thought... But I'd say leave it how it is unless your building an all out raceer.

 

[dug]

ya i'd leave that for a track car only. unless you just feel like doing something then go for it! but if its anything like my chevelles trunk (havent really payed attention to a mustangs trunk) then i dunno if its gonna be 70lbs. and if you do want to go that far than your interior should already be gutted with just a steering wheel and seats. i see no reason in just doing the trunk and leaving the rest in stock form. but thats just my opinion.

 

[94CobraPace]

For all that work you will save like 5 pounds of steel? Not worth it unless it is just a drag car, then a fuel cell, as stated would be you best bet. You would have to configure the fill up tube, straps & shorten the fuel lines. Then with the tank up so high, filling up would be slow.

 

[stunner6910]

I have started to reduce the weight on the car. Currently have taken the sway bar off, the brace under the aode, made a rear seat delete, gutted trunk, got rid of smog pump and all accesories, no airbags, no carpet insulation, 25 lb weight, wieghts in rear bumpers, waiting for gears to remove the dog bone, and got rid of the plates under the steering column. This was just an idea but if not really worth then I guess I won't do it, but I still have a feeling it might work. Probably just need some more input from different people.

 

[331 cobra]

There in no way that that will save 70 lbs. Possibly 15 lbs.

If you want a light weight drag car, why did you start with a vert?

I would first remove the trunk lid lift springs, swiss cheese the inner reinforcements and replace the third brake light with a sticker. That should have almost the same weight loss and all you changed was the trunk lid which can be replaced.

 

[1105]

If your really up for all of the work then by all means go for it! If its just a DD and only sees the track every now and then, I wouldnt risk messing something up back there just to lose weight. Do everything else first, then if its still not light enough, take it out. Look at Paul in her vert running a 12.3. I'm pretty sure he hasnt removed that bar from his car.

 

[Zero Signal]

Yeah, don't hack the car up. That's one of those things where you look back on that a few years down the road and wonder what was going through your head. I know that feeling!

Besides, I don't even think you'd be saving more than 10-15lbs and you want weight on the rear tires anyway.

If you want more go, I say build the motor before doing all the crazy weightloss stuff.

 

[Black70Fastback]

do a t5 swap, thats wieght loss. i dont think what you are talking about would even be ten pounds myself.

 

[DavidF]

If you want to take off allot of weight start at the front with a tubular K-member and A-arms.

 

[onebad95]

enough said...

 

[stunner6910]

alright, seems it was a bad idea after all. maybe all of you are right and i will regret it later, so I'll take the words of wisdom and just leave it alone. guess i just got caught up with this weight loss faze that i'm going through. little tight on budget and would like to squeeze all i can from my stock engine. already removed some weight and advanced the timing, so what else besides spending $ on the k member and a arms, what other weight removal is there. my friend is selling his 5-speed and am trying to talk him into switching me transmissions, is it a lot of bs to do the switch?

and i love mustang verts, might be the sumo champs of sport cars but they are the nicest looking sumo sport cars out there.