Weight mods...

Spacebird said:

The non-R wheels are heavy, as is the rear seat. After that it gets tough. Carbon fiber hoods, trunk, fenders are available but costly. I know some European race-spec models have plexiglass rear and side windows but I have no idea if that's an aftermarket option in the USA.

Houston Coffee & Cars in 8 hours! PM me. We have a GT350 crew meeting up.

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ItalianBull said:

All the great things that everyone already knows: the GT350 is pretty cool, makes great sounds, rides well, reasonably fast, handles well, and grabs a ton of attention. That said, it's chubby. I can send over to Hennessey for the extra 50 HP for $6k, but that really isn't the issue in my opinion. I was hoping somebody here knows of an aftermarket shop that does weight reduction mods? Not what most guys think of first to go faster, but with this car....its downfall is the weight (along with way too long gearing). Appreciate the input!

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stanglife said:

These guys are a great weight reduction shop!

http://www.jennycraig.com/

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lemers said:

what is the weight of the GT350 base rims. I'd be willing to find a reasonablely priced set of rims that weigh less than the factory rims.

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Donkey said:

35lbs for a front. Be close on the rear as the pad on the front is much thicker to offset the difference in width weight difference.

I'd buy a set of forgelines for about 2k less than the r carbon wheels at their cheapest online pricing, 4k cheaper than what ford set the actual price at.

The forgelines are withing a lb or two and offer some options for appearance.

Rear seat delete, ditch stock seats in favor of much lighter recaro profi or similar seats (there are some really light seats out there) ditch heavy stock exhaust in favor of lighter options. If someone would make a nice carbon hood and trunk for this car that would also shed some pounds. Especially the hood.

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Darkane said:

I doubt you'd save any weight with a hood. The front end of the car is aluminum. You might save 5 lbs with hood, and both fenders combined!

I've looked into this - it gets tricky.

Here are my suggestions: (keep in mind to keep the character of the car equal weight should be taken from front to back)

1) wheels: save 40-60lbs
2) rear seat delete: save 32lbs
3) headers and exhaust: save 20lbs

That is where most people will stop, let's keep going

4) lithium battery: saves 25lbs (at the front of the car!)
5) replace the rear diff pumpkin to the GT automatic unit. Being all aluminum it saves about 22lbs
6) Carbon fiber trunk lid: saves 20lbs
7) aluminum rear bumper beam: save 10lbs
8) lightweight seats: I wouldn't replace stock recaros but 50lbs or more can be saved here

That's the next batch of mods, next it gets really expensive

9) carbon ceramic rotors: I've been looking into ZR1 units to see if they'll work with our aluminum rotor hats. They might, the GTR camp has figured this out.
Save 8 lbs per corner for about 32 total
10) I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS: carbon fiber doors save 50 lbs

Then you can do lexan windows, AC/radio delete, strip sound deadening/carpets.

Those total will give another 50-75lbs. I wouldn't do it.

Let's tally:

Step 1: 82-102
Step 2: 130ish
Step 3: 80ish
Step 4: 50-75

Total: 350-400lbs. Worth it?

Later some aftermarket may come out with aluminum subframes, control arms, hopefully next refresh Ford will have aluminum door skins etc. There's a bit more room.

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Darkane said:

I doubt you'd save any weight with a hood. The front end of the car is aluminum. You might save 5 lbs with hood, and both fenders combined!

I've looked into this - it gets tricky.

Here are my suggestions: (keep in mind to keep the character of the car equal weight should be taken from front to back)

1) wheels: save 40-60lbs
2) rear seat delete: save 32lbs
3) headers and exhaust: save 20lbs

That is where most people will stop, let's keep going

4) lithium battery: saves 25lbs (at the front of the car!)
5) replace the rear diff pumpkin to the GT automatic unit. Being all aluminum it saves about 22lbs
6) Carbon fiber trunk lid: saves 20lbs
7) aluminum rear bumper beam: save 10lbs
8) lightweight seats: I wouldn't replace stock recaros but 50lbs or more can be saved here

That's the next batch of mods, next it gets really expensive

9) carbon ceramic rotors: I've been looking into ZR1 units to see if they'll work with our aluminum rotor hats. They might, the GTR camp has figured this out.
Save 8 lbs per corner for about 32 total
10) I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS: carbon fiber doors save 50 lbs

Then you can do lexan windows, AC/radio delete, strip sound deadening/carpets.

Those total will give another 50-75lbs. I wouldn't do it.

Let's tally:

Step 1: 82-102
Step 2: 130ish
Step 3: 80ish
Step 4: 50-75

Total: 350-400lbs. Worth it?

Later some aftermarket may come out with aluminum subframes, control arms, hopefully next refresh Ford will have aluminum door skins etc. There's a bit more room.

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Myshelby3425 said:

The lithium batteries aren't very reliable on a daily correct? Also who makes the aluminum rear bumper beam?

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