Since my Lightning is now a parked fair weather ride. I want to start removing mass to help improve the 1/4 ETs. However I DON'T want to remove things like the A/C ect.. and I don't want to spend $$$. There has to be areas of dead mass that I can cut/trim away. What are the 10 second lightnings doing?

So... what areas can I remove weight from? (I already remove the front swaybar, hitch, spare, and jack before each outing)

Rich

 

How about removing the pass seat? Reinstall stock hood if using aftermarket. BUy and install some hotchis rear springs. These are the only weight saving things ive saw for the L that you havent mentioned

 

Rear springs? Hum...

I don't know what the weight distribution is on these things. But I gotta imagine that a pound off the front has to be worth 3 off the rear?

BTW: I do have ET streets but with the convertor they do spin a little at my local track (if not preped well). And I'd really like to be able to run the F1s from time to time. So I'm thinking along the lines of weight transfer.

Rich

 

Weight saving and/or weight transfer...
drag shocks
rancho bars
relocate battery
skinny fronts
fab light bumper
remove seats/race seat

 

There is little stuff everywhere; you just gotta sit down and look for them.

 

I think most of the 10 second trucks use a light weight battery instead of relocating it. Relocating costs more money and adds more weight to the vehicle.
Lightweight wheels and tires are also used. For example the stock wheels probably weigh in at around 32lbs. Aftermarket 18" aluminum wheels can weigh around 22lbs. Some tires weigh more than others.
There are tubular A arms also, but I don't know how much weigh is dropped with those.
As far as weight transfer aren't people still using stock F150 springs instead of the stif lightning ones up front? I know the Roush rear springs saved a ton of weight.

 

There is a lot of weight tied up in the front bumper. You could build up a "front fascia support system" that would be much lighter than the stamped steel front bumper beam. And that weight is right up front. On the down side are the host of liability/insurance/etc/etc issues that doing such a thing raises.

Randy

 

Going to a full exhaust system you not only get a better exhaust systemt to gain power, but you also save weight. No one ever seems to mention that, I never weight it but I think it is between 50~100 pounds

 

R,
how about some skinny's up front.

I think Chainsaw has some on his truck now.

 

hole saw... start "waffling" the frame

remove rear bumper, go with roll pan.... remove spare tire hoist....put in a center console, switch to a pass. side bucket....

 

I can't believe I did'nt even think about the exhaust manifolds! :dope slaps head:

And The front bumper idea appeals to me very much. I could design and build an aluminum beam. I'm sure it would'nt be up to full crash standards. But I have an engineer friend who's in that very field (for a competitor though). He could help me at least have a reasonable clue.

2 very good points so far! Keep em coming...

Rich

 

Mufflers and cats are were there is a lot of weight. Most NMRA FFW events don't let you run w/o a muffler though. Even if they require a mufler you may be able to get a short light weight one. Also, I think SS pipe is usually thinner than other pipe so you may be able to save some weight like that.

 

My spintech was 6 pounds heavier than the stock catback.

Anybody have the weights of a stock cast iron manifold and the weights of some LT headers?

Rich

 

Going from manifolds to long tubes is about a wash; atleast it was with my dynatechs. They are built extra heavy with thick flanges. But, going from 4 cats and steel pipes to 2 high flow cats in stainless pipes and the factory muffler to my magnaflow was a nice weight savings.

BTW; it is little,but everything adds up. There are some extra steel plates under the rear bump stops that you can take out; probably worth a pound or two.

 

Ok, here's the secret. Get a hoist, or use somebodies, 12 pack(I find Miller Lite is more creative and less filling) and just tell yourself I'm taking somthing off every night. After 2 1/2 yrs of this practice I've managed to get down to 3800-3900lbs I'll know for sure next week when I weigh it. I was 4150 over a year ago, and I've had a ton of Miller Lite since 4150. Some of the stuff is a little radical but the L still looks basically stock.(exterior) Last year 12.2's@112.4.'s this year 11's (all the time) w/only 392rwhp. (a really safe reflash by Jerry & Pete @ FORDCHIPS.com) Stock with just bolt on's and no ported anything. Oh ya Miller Lite has less carbs also. Ed