Tilt

Hi all,

Just curious if anyone has started in on weight reduction for the GT. I've seen some tubular front suspension pieces, radiator frame, etc. I'm sure there are lighter front body panels in the aftermarket. I've also seen some 'rear seat' removal kits (carpet to cover where the seats were located). Anyone do this yet? I'm not looking to do anything like this, just curious if anyone has taken the stang diet. How much extra weight do you think there is in this car?

Tilt

dhof303

I have done the k-member and radiator support but got all the weight plus some back with the nitrous/turbo/intercooler/increased oil capacity. I did start having my wife drive in competition which is good for about 35 or 40lbs of weight off with driver. Prior to the install of all of the go fast goodies we got the weight down to 3390 with driver. You could nock another 100lbs off with a set of Bogarts and a drive shaft.

softbatch

I take out the spare and jack

spyder7724

also have k-member/a-arms and coilovers. i may take out the seats and replace with a delete kit rear and use a butler built seat for me. that should lose another 125lbs. i think i can get it down to about 3200-3300 with my fat butt in it. trying to run 11.99 N/A with an auto. ?can it be done? i may have to add some weight and go with a 5.4 next winter to reach my goal.

T-stang

I managed to lose 110 lbs by buying my wife a bus pass! (And it only cost me $35!)

hawgman

Best mod so far!

Rampant

For those with the K-members, is there a noticeable difference on the street? 20-40 pound weight savings doesn't sound like it would be all that noticeable.

I am more about the driving feel than actual track times. If ti makes the car better balanced and more fun ripping through hard right turns, then I am all for it. But, I just am not sure if it helps.

On a different note, are there really any differences between the different k-members out there? If so, what do you run and why?

spyder7724

i haven't noticed any difference on the street regarding the k-member just the soft front springs feel different. i have an AJE k/member and a/arms. their stuff is very light and probably would not be sutable for corner carving. mine seems like a drag oriented piece. when combine with the rad support/sway bar delete you will lose about 80-100lbs. mine really doesn't handle bad considering there is no sway bar. i was surprised at that.

dhof303

Food for thought, though I know you like to fab things up it might be worth looking into. I know they are for an 04 and earlier but I think they might be making an 05.

http://www.rigidracecars.com/products.htm

I noticed immediately that there was a difference on the street with the k-member. At least in the rigidity category. After removing the sway bar the car had a lot of body roll and felt as if it creeked and groaned around corners and uneven pavement. After the k-member intall most of that feeling was gone, still a little body roll but the car is very predictable now.

SRQ05GT

Start with this http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=43260

spyder7724

since at the time no one made drag struts i bought a kit from ground control and used the stock struts. santhuff now makes a drag strut...go figure. my front spring is 175# 10" long and may need to be a little stiffer. i still have about 2.5-3" of travel left when sitting still. the rears are supposed to be 150# 10"springs but they sent me a spring that was too short so i cut the stock spring and will exchange the springs for a 10" 150#. i think 200 or 225# fronts may be a better choice for street&strip but for now i'll stay with what i have. i haven't run like this yet and still don't know what to do about rear suspension. i think i'm going to make a torque arm. they seem to work good on those bowtie cars and should not kill my ride quality.