If you've removed the AC, why not go ahead and remove the heater core and ducting too? If you've removed the air pump, technically you won't pass emissions, so can the cats. More power AND less weight. Carpet, sound deadner mats, audio system.

Chris

 

...I have removed the cats and stereo as well, but not the "sound deadener mats". Isn't that a rubber-like lining on the interior? I've heard it's a BITCH to scrape all the crap off, but I've also heard it weighs a ton. I don't know if I should remove the heater ducting yet, b/c I can disapate engine heat with the heater turned up. Any info on this would help =)...

-Brian

 

my sound mats come right out... just sitting under the carpet in the back... I take it out for autocrosses... is a decent weight reduction ...

as for the heater.. if you take it out.. send it to me! mine is broke..

 

The hardest part about removing all the sound deadner (rubbery, tar like stuff) is getting the rest of the interior out. The secret is to get it very cold. If it's, 40* or below, all you need to do is use a wide chisel and hammer and it'll come right out. The stuff is brittle when it's cold and it'll bust into large chunks and pop right out. I tried half mine when it was hot 80*+ and it has a mess! If you live in a warm climate get some dry ice or bottled nitrogen. Both can be had at welding supply shops. Use caution with the dry ice! Otherwise, wait for a cold winter day and have at it.

I've heard guys claim something like 60 lbs. I'm not sure it's that much but it is pretty considerable.

Another thing to remember is rotating weight is all important and unsprung weight makes alot of difference in handling. Lightweight wheels can make a big difference in acceleration. Also, if you're running big 17"s or 18"s, the tall tires are taking gear out of the car and slowing your acceleration. Light wheels and tires equal speed! Don't remember if you said light flywheel but that's another possibility. Ever thought about the lexan rear hatch window from Mazda Comp? Glass weighs a ton!

Chris

 

Sounds to me like he is using the car as a street driven car too, so a lexan window is not possible, cops will pick you out in a sec! Believe me! But oh well....I've dropped about 100lbs off my car by removing the spare wheel/tire, jack, passenger seat, air pump, heat pad thingy in the hatch and kicking my 200lbs buddy out, lol...

 

...You've been a big help Chris, and everyone. I don't understand the lexan thing, why is it illegal to have durable windows, instead of something that will shatter into a million razor sharp pieces if you crash... oh well, the sound deadener will either come out this winter or if I get some dry ice... thanks

-Brian

 

Safety glass (what car windows are made of) will shatter into little cubes that are relatively 'unsharp', the shattering also helps to spread the force around so that you dont get a big chunk flying at you. Regular glass will have big pieces and razor sharp edges.

Henrik
87TII

 

Non prescription saftey glasses are usually lexan. Prescription glasses also have some kind of plastic coating. Standard auto windhsield glass is actually two pieces of glass with a layer of plastic/rubber (kinda like clear silicone) sanwiched between. When you see it shatter it mostly stays intact in large sections even though it shatters into little shards. The rest of the windows (the Fords I build anyway) aren't layered and are glass that will blow out into shards and not hold together like windshield glass. Lexan is tough ( why it's used in safety glasses) but I've seen it break into large spear shaped pieces that could be very dangerous. It's probably not street legal, and that might be why.

Chris